IMPORTANT NOTICE Licensure Updates

**ALL re-licensure forms from the 2023-2024 school year are due on or before May 10, 2024, in order to allow committee members enough time to get those hours added to the state system.   

*The reading mandate will be more in-depth for ALL license renewals after July 1, 2023.  For ALL Tier 3 and Tier 4 licensure renewal (excluding those who do not provide any direct instruction), applicants must submit evidence of professional development and evidence of growth aligned to the following criteria for all three areas: knowledge of reading processes, instructional practices, and assessment practices. The mandate will now take more than 1 hour to meet.  More information will be available at a later date including Morris Area #2769 requirements once information is submitted by PELSB and finalized by the district.  

*During the 2023 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature created a new renewal requirement on the cultural heritage and contemporary contribution of American Indians, with particular emphasis on Minnesota Tribal Nations. This new renewal requirement is effective for all teachers with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license issued after August 1, 2023, and the new renewal requirement is effective e for teachers with a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license renewing after January 1, 2024.  At this time,  PELSB will go through the rulemaking process to determine the details and required components for this renewal training.  More information will be available at a later date including Morris Area #2769 requirements once information is submitted by PELSB and finalized by the district.  

**During the 2023 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature made a number of changes to the laws governing teacher licensure including changes to licensure exams and changes to Tier 4 licensure.  Check out these links for more information:  

Changes to licensure exams:  https://mn.gov/pelsb/board/news/#/detail/appId/1/id/581367

Changes to Tier 4 licensure:

https://mn.gov/pelsb/board/news/#/detail/appId/1/id/582318

Free Suicide Prevention Training

Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)  is offering free suicide prevention training through June 2024 via modules that are posted on the MDH website below.  This will likely be the last opportunity to access this specialized training as Kognito plans on discontinuing this program.  

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/communities/preventsuicidetrainings.html

Renewal Information

*The licensure is now part of a tiered system. If you have questions on the tiered system including finding licensure requirements and forms, please look at the link below:

https://mn.gov/pelsb/current-educators/requirements/

*Teachers are required to obtain the following mandatory requirements before updating their teaching license: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Accommodations (PBIS), reading preparation, mental health, suicide prevention, accommodations/modifications, English Language Learners (ELL), and cultural competency.   Please note that key warning signs of mental illness and suicide prevention will each require a 1-hour minimum.  

*The cultural competency requirement will take each individual at least 8 hours and include four modules to meet the PELSB requirements.  If you attend a cultural competency training workshop off-campus, please ensure the training is PELSB approved in order to receive credit for license renewal.

*Morris Area & St. Mary's staff please contact Erin if you wish to complete the cultural competency components offered through our district's PELSB  approved courses.     

Obtaining Relicensure Forms

ALL TEACHERS  who hold a teaching license (including teachers who are not currently working in a school setting) who need relicensure clock hour approval forms can download the appropriate forms to the right.  Forms can be submitted electronically if the form is FIRST COPIED and then submitted.  Forms can also be printed off on a traditional printer.   A completed form is needed for EACH clock hour event/activity submitted.  

Morris Area Teaching staff can download staff development clock hour forms under Morris Area School Teachers.  

Midwest Special Education Cooperative Staff will find needed forms under Midwest Special Education Cooperative.

Community members who hold a teaching license will find the needed forms in the Non-MAS Community Members. 

Required Clock Hours & Mandates

Teachers need a minimum of 125 clock hours every five years for a tier 4 license.  The license is valid for five years.  A minimum of 90 clock hours is needed in the categories A-D.  A maximum of 35 hours is allowed in categories E-G.  Each license holder must obtain all required mandates for renewal.

Teachers need a minimum of 125 clock hours every five years for a tier 3  license.  The license is valid for three years.  A minimum of 75 clock hours is needed in the categories A-D.  A maximum of 35 hours is allowed in categories E-G.  Each license holder must obtain all required mandates for renewal.

Tracking Relicensure Clock Hours & Mandates

It is the teacher's professional responsibility to track and fulfill all relicensure clock hours and mandates.  Teachers are highly encouraged to keep their returned relicensure forms in a safe and secure place.  

Teachers can also track their hours online on the PELSB website.   Teachers will need to register and sign-in with a username/password in order to see the number of clock hours and mandates that have been entered on their behalf by the relicensure committee members.  

https://mn.gov/pelsb/current-educators/view-clock-hours/

Submitting Relicensure Forms

All staff members and community members can submit continuing education forms at any time during the year!  Staff are encouraged to submit forms as they earn CEUs instead of waiting until the last minute in case problems/concerns come up.  

Elementary Teaching Staff and community members can submit relicensure forms at any time to Heather Schneider at Morris Elementary School.   

High School Teaching Staff and community members can submit relicensure forms at any time to Erin Gillespie at Morris High School.  

**ALL re-licensure forms from the 2022-2023 school year are due on or before May 10, 2024, in order to allow committee members enough time to get those hours added to the state system.   Staff and community members who need hours entered after May 10 due to an emergency, please contact Erin Gillespie egillespie@morris.k12.mn.us 

Infinitec

If Morris Area Schools teachers are in need of clock hours including the required mandates, www.myinfinitec.org is a place to visit.  Infinitec offers a wide variety of staff development that can be used to fulfill relicensure requirements.  Infinitec is a web-based option that can be completed at any time from the comforts of home.  Please be advised that Infinitec users have the best results with a computer, tablets including ipads, kindles, chromebooks, etc. have not had great success with Infinitec use.  After viewing an online class, users will be required to assess their knowledge with a quiz.  After successful completion, users can print-off a certificate with clock hour information which can be submitted to the continuing education chairs.  At this time, cultural competency is the ONLY required mandate that is unable to be fulfilled through Infinitec.  To register for Infinitec, please contact Erin Gillespie at Morris High School.   

Education Minnesota Members:  MEA Online (Formerly known as LearnUpon)

Education Minnesota has a new online learning platform called MEA Online (formerly known as LearnUpon).  Using MEA Online, members can access a full catalog of professional development to improve their professional practice and earn CEU credits for relicensure as well as build union understanding.  The majority of courses will be pre-recorded.  Some will be offered via webinar and some will be a combination of both.  The best part is these courses are FREE to active Education Minnesota members.   

MEA Online is continuously updating, please check often for new opportunities for CEU credits.  

To find  relicensure mandate classes, please log-on to your account.   Find the "filter catalog" box.  Then, find the category drop-down and choose "professional development."

Education Minnesota members who previously signed up for LearnUpon will have the same account username and password, please see the link below.

Learn more and log in today: educationminnesota.org/resources/professional-development/mea-online/

Questions? Continuing Education Co-Chairs Contact Information:

Morris Area Elementary Chair:  Heather Schneider or 585-2010

hschneider@morris.k12.mn.us

Morris Area High School Chair:  Erin Gillespie 585-2149 or egillespie@morris.k12.mn.us

Continuing Education Committee Members:

Heather Schneider, Teacher & Secretary

Erin Gillespie, Teacher & Chair

Shane Monson, Administrator

Abbey Johnson, Teacher 

Mary Holmberg, Teacher

Susan Hennen, Teacher

Tanya Fischer, Community Member, Principal at St. Mary's School

Committee Member Meeting Dates & Elections 

The continuing education committee will meet as needed at various times throughout the school year.   Meeting days/times will be e-mailed out to all district staff.   Community members who need assistance can contact Erin Gillespie egillespie@morris.k12.mn.us at any time.  

The annual hearing for the continuing education committee will take place at both the MAHS and MAES August staff meetings.  

Elections for the continuing education committee will be held each spring, if needed.