This Classroom Engagement Model Share Site will not be maintained after June 30, 2025 due to the 'retirement' of MNCoE.
The CEM Contacts document (to the left) lists programs in Minnesota who received support from the Minnesota Centers of Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities (MNCoE) with implementing Classroom Engagement Model practices in their program. This list was created in the Spring of 2025.
Sites interested in learning more about a specific program's implementation of the practices are encouraged to reach out directly to the program. (Programs/districts webpages are likely the best resources for finding contact information.)
The CEM State Implementation Team heard from the field that it would be helpful to have a resource for staff to review CEM key practices at the beginning of the school year, when new team members join the classroom, or during coaching sessions.
The CEM Top Ten has the following resources for each key practice:
Overview Video explaining each key practice
Resources such as articles, videos, or templates
Reflective Questions for leaders, coaches, and classroom teams
PD Nuggets include options designed for between 10 minutes to an hour of professional development on the key practice
Check out this resource in your implementation team meeting, during a coaching meeting, or on your own!
Please note: CEM Top Ten does not replace CEM Module Training.
This tool can help identify and implement essential classroom practices prior to children beginning the school year to build engagement, independence and friendship skills of children. This tool provides a list of tangible, essential practices that can be implemented to support all children in a classroom setting.
In this webinar (26 min), Hope Beissel and Sally Hansen discuss ways to use universal practices to support children and families as we transition into the new school year. The strategies discussed are meant to support classroom-based programs and can be considered for face-to-learning.
A resource guide is also available.
A big shout out to Jennifer Blank (Professional Development Facilitator) for creating two versions of Scavenger Hunts that can be used to support staff in finding specific tools/resources on this Share Site.
What opportunities does your program have to embed this fun activity into a Staff Meeting, Staff PD Day, PLC activities, etc.?
What tools/resources from the Share Site does your program believe would be most helpful for staff to locate? How might you create your own version of a Scavenger Hunt for staff to find those tools/resources?
Click on the visual to the right to access both versions of the Scavenger Hunt!
You can order materials to create classroom kits by opening the Google Slides and clicking on the live links.
Teams need to order the individual items by clicking the links below.
Someone from your team will need to assemble the kit once all materials are ordered and received.
Kits can be individualized based on your program's needs.
These are suggested items. Your team may choose to order similar items or to use a different company to order from.
Questions about Classroom Kits? Ask your external coach or email Karen Satre.
Important References:
This page was created by the Minnesota Centers of Excellence for Young children with Disabilities (MNCoE) and is intended for programs in Minnesota to share resources to use evidence-based practices to increase engagement for all preschoolers. The practices taught in the Classroom Engagement Model come from the Division of Early Childhood Recommended Practices and the Reaching Potential through Recommended Practices developed by the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. Learn more at ECTA Center.
Additionally, Robin McWilliam is the purveyor of the engaged classroom, focusing his inclusion research on practices that support engagement, social relationships and independence. McWilliam's research is referenced throughout the Classroom Engagement Model. Learn more at RAM Group and through the book The Engagement of Every Child in the Preschool Classroom, by R. A. McWilliam and Amy Casey.
MNCoE offers technical assistance using Implementation Science, including training, coaching and support using data, to school-based early childhood programs. Learn more about Implementation Science at the Active Implementation Hub.
If you are interested in learning more about the Classroom Engagement Model technical assistance, contact your Regional Professional Development Facilitator at MNCoE.