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MASE in Your Mailbox - July 18, 2025

Date postedJuly 18, 2025
MASE News,

A Message from Erin Toninato, MASE Executive Directora multicolor image of the word "OPTIONS"

So Many Options!

As you excitedly anticipate renewing your MASE membership—or joining for the first time—we encourage you to take a look at all the available MASE membership types. Whether you're an active leader, a retiree, a student, or somewhere in between, there's an option that fits your role and keeps you connected to our MASE community.

Membership in CASE (Council of Administrators of Special Education) through CEC provides valuable national-level professional development and networking opportunities tailored specifically to special education leaders. It's a great way to stay current and connected beyond our state lines.

Also, MASE members who choose joint MASE/MASA membership gain access to additional professional learning opportunities and, in some instances, legal support—particularly helpful for Directors and Executive Directors navigating complex leadership roles.

We’re here to support you—please reach out to us at info@mnase.org or laurie.pumper@mnase.org if you have questions when it is time to renew or explore your membership options.

As always...thanks for all you do!

Special Education Leadership Summit (SELS) with CEC and CASE in Washington, D.C.

This week a team from Minnesota was in Washington, D.C., for the Special Education Leadership Summit (SELS) hosted by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE). This annual event ran from Sunday, July 13 through Wednesday, July 16.

Our team was comprised of Erin Toninato, Executive Director-MASE, Melissa Schaller, CASE Liaison-MASE, Cherie Johnson, Policy and Legislative Chair-CASE, Amy Ernst, President-MASE, Nicole Bolduan, President-Elect-MASE, and Christian Wernau, President-MN CEC. We had the opportunity to learn from national policy leaders on three specific advocacy areas—appropriations, educator shortages, and mental health. Equipped with information and policy briefs, the team developed talking points to share with Minnesota's two senators and eight representatives. You'll see a snapshot of what we shared in the handout that was developed.On Tuesday, July 15, we spent the day on Capitol Hill meeting with our legislators or their staff to review the importance of these legislative issues at the federal level including how they impact us in Minnesota. We were energized by the willingness of all of our legislators—regardless of party affiliation—to meet with us, listen to our stories, and ask questions about how they could support our work on behalf of students with disabilities. Advocacy is important in our work as special education leaders, and we are thankful for the opportunities this event provides for us to advocate at the federal level. If you are looking for opportunities to expand your experience as a leader, this event is one to consider participating in.

Items for your information

New:

Ongoing:

  • MASE Membership Renewal Information! Membership renewal will be a bit delayed this year as we continue our transition to new contracted support staff and a new association management system. If you are a joint MASE/MASA member, you should already have received your renewal information and we encourage you to renew as soon as possible. If you are a MASE only member, please look for your renewal information to arrive by August 1. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out; staff are all happy to assist!
  • MASE Staff Summer Hours! Through August 29, many members of the MASE staff take some time off on Fridays starting at 1 pm. If you need immediate assistance during those times, you can contact Executive Director Erin Toninato at erin.toninato@mnase.org or by cell 507-822-0877 -or- Laurie Pumper at laurie.pumper@mnase.org or 651-290-6273. The new MASE phone line, 651-299-0502, will be answered on Friday afternoons, as will our general contact email, info@mnase.org.

Actions for you to do

New:

  • Part of your 2025-26 MASE membership registration will include a place where you can express interest in being part of MASE’s mentor program. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Laura Pingry-Kile from Easter Carver County Schools served as a mentor and had the following to say about the experience.

Helping to support others offered a professional and personal benefit—I've been there too! It’s great to know that I am giving back to my profession that I love and cherish. I was able to witness growth in my mentee’s confidence while sharing resources/networks.

Sign up to be paired with another MASE member as a mentor or mentee in your upcoming membership registration.


Upcoming Educator Workforce Grants

The 2025 Legislative Session concluded in June, and the Educator Workforce and Development Center at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) have several competitive grant programs to launch in the coming months. Collectively, these grants seek to recruit and retain a diverse, qualified and thriving educator workforce.

MDE’s teams are working hard to post the grant competitions in the following timeline, subject to change.

  • August 2025 = Fiscal Year (FY)26 Educator Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP), formerly Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of Color (CUGMEC) grant and formerly administered at PELSB)

  • August 2025 = FY26 and 27 Registered Teacher Apprenticeship (RTAP)

  • September 2025 = FY26 and 27 Teacher Residency Program

  • October 2025 = FY26 Minnesota Teacher Mentorship and Retention Grant (TMRG) (formerly administered at PELSB)

  • October 2025 = FY26 Minnesota Indian Teacher Training Program (MITTP)

  • October 2025 = FY26 and FY27 Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Teacher Shortage Grant

  • November 2025 = FY 26 Teacher Pathways Grant

  • November 2025 = FY27 Grow Your Own (GYO) grant focusing on teachers of color and American Indian teachers

  • January 2026 = FY27 Special Education (SPED) Teacher Pathway Program (formerly Special Education Teacher Pipeline Program)

  • January 2026 = FY26 GYO-Early Childhood Educators (GYO-ECE)

  • March 2026 = FY27 ETAP Grant

  • April 2026 = FY27 TMRG

View a brief description of each grant program.

As each grant opportunity becomes available, MDE will announce the posting in this Educator Workforce Newsletter.


MDE Grant Reviewers Wanted

Are you interested and invested in addressing teacher shortages in Minnesota? Would you be willing to give of your time and talents to serve as a grant reviewer for one or more of these programs?

In a competitive grant process, applications are scored by a team of grant reviewers. Ideal reviewers are educators at any level of the system (preK-12, higher education) who may have some familiarity with teacher preparation programs, designing systems to serve people of color and American Indian people, or both.

Reviewers must complete conflict of interest forms prior to serving. One obvious conflict would be if the institution you or a family member work for are applying for the grant you’d like to review. However, If you are a current grantee or applicant for one of these grants, you could serve as a reviewer for a different grant and still contribute to the process.

If you are interested in serving as a grant reviewer, please send an email to mde.workforcecenter@state.mn.us and provide the following information:

  • Name

  • Email and Phone

  • The name of the grants you would be interested in reviewing

  • Brief description of your knowledge or experience that would fit with these opportunities.

As each competition is launched, theMDE team will reach out with more information about serving as a reviewer for that grant, and you can confirm or decline your participation at that time.

Ongoing:

  • Help Shape the Future of MASE Leadership Development! As MASE begins planning next year’s New Directors Cohort and prepares for the return of the Finance Academy, we’re seeking input from current leaders like you. What do you believe future colleagues need to know and experience to be best prepared for the director role? While we understand that nothing can fully prepare someone for the complexities of directorship, your insights will help us create the most meaningful and supportive experience possible. Share your feedback here: https://forms.gle/Vp8ys314MnkEeZar5.
  • Join MSSWA for the 2025 MH-SpEd Training on August 11–12 at the Valley View Education Center in Eden Prairie, MN. This two-day training offers essential knowledge on Medicaid Third-Party Billing, ethical documentation, IEP alignment, and sustainable mental health-special education practices. Space is limited to 200 participants, and registration closes July 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. Click here to register and learn more.
  • MDE Special Education Funding Training Webinars July – October 2025 | Full info here!
  • CASE Special Education Leadership Institute - Cohort 2: Applications are open! The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) recognizes the nationwide concern over the shortage of educational leaders specifically trained to supervise special education programs. As the Voice of Special Education Leadership across the country, CASE is committed to leadership development that will continue to drive the profession forward. Based upon the core values at the heart of CASE, the Leadership Institute provides an opportunity for current and future educational leaders to strengthen their foundation in the components related to the administration of special education programs. For more information and to apply: https://www.casecec.org/special-education-leadership-institute.

Information to share with others

Ongoing:

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