The Speakers (2023)

Opening Session

9:00- Link

Online and Digital Learning Specialist, Minnesota Department of Education

"Career Exploration Curriculum in MCIS"

9:45- Link

MCIS Specialist

Traci Valentino has been with MCIS for five years where she helps with trainings, technical assistance and program updates. 

"Facilitating Meaningful Feedback"

9:45- Link

Principal Leadership Support,  MDE

Dr. Elizabeth Vaught is a lifelong learner and educational leader. After over a decade as a building leader, I now work with the Minnesota Department of Education and Regional Centers of Excellence on the Principal Leadership Support Team to support school and district leaders. I am committed to being a learning partner for school leaders and a change agent for schools through collaboration and conversation.  

"Showing Learning Their Way: Giving Students Voice"

10:30- Link

Technology Integration and Personalized Learning Specialist,  SPPS K-12 Online Scholl and Battle Creek Middle School

Corri has been teaching for 24 years, most of which have been in Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS). While Corri's licensure is in ELA and Reading, she has spent the past 8 years teaching technology integration as well as being a Technology TOSA for an SPPS middle school and for the SPPS Online K-12 program. Corri just finished first year as a contracted faculty of practice at Concordia University, St.Paul in the Trauma and Resilience Department where I teach Innovations in Learning & Teaching as well as Educational Assessment. Corri's passion is helping students show their learning in ways that they feel confident, which is often not the traditional assessments we use. Corri loves empowering them to advocate for themselves and encouraging teachers to turn students loose to show what they know. 

"The Learning Presence Project: Solving Multifaceted Problems of Practice"

10:30- Link

"K-5  Online Strategies for Community & Connection"

11:15- Link

Digital Learning Coordinator, Bloomington Public Schools 

Holly Skadsem is the District Digital Learning and Online Elementary School Coordinator at Bloomington Public Schools, a licensed administrator, and a former elementary school teacher. Her passion is creating new pathways and opportunities for students and families in public education.   

"The Learning Presence Project: Solving Multifaceted Problems of Practice"

10:30- Link

Position

Bio

"Bringing a CTSO in the Classroom "

10:30- Link

Executive Director, MN Foundation for Student Organizations

Emily Saed has served as the Executive Director for the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations (MFSO) since 2003. She provides oversight, guidance and leadership to Minnesota's Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). One of the priorities of the MFSO is to increase outreach to underserved populations, particularly students in poverty. As a certified poverty coach through Communications Across Barriers, Emily has been educating CTSO advisors and CTE instructors on the impact of poverty in the classroom. 

"Establishing and Maintaining an Engaged and Supported GSA Community"

11:15- Link

School Counselor and GSA Advisor, Minnesota Online High School

Sarah Benson (she/her) has worked as a school counselor and case manager since 2012. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2010 and her master’s degree in school counseling from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2012. In 2006-2007, Sarah served in Iraq with the Minnesota Army National Guard and it was through that experience that she decided to pursue working in the human services profession. She was a co-founder and is a current board member of a non-profit in her local community that celebrates and supports the LGBTQ+ community. In her free time, she enjoys family bike rides, reading historical fiction, cheering on the Vikings and writing adventure stories for her children.

"Digital Accessibility in the Online Instruction Act"

11:15- Link

MDE Digital Accessibility Coordinator and Webmaster 

Kim Wee is the Webmaster and Digital Accessibility Coordinator for Minnesota IT Services partnering with Education and is a Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) and Department of Homeland Security Trusted Tester. She has over 20 years of web experience in design, development, and administration with a focus on web (web: where everyone belongs) accessibility. 

"Closing Session"

12:00-Link

Director, Wolf Creek HS

Tracy L. Quarnstrom has served as the director of Wolf Creek Online High school since 2003. Wolf Creek is Minnesota’s only hybrid online high school which offers students an online experience while still offering the advantages of face to face interactions several days per week. Quarnstrom has been very involved in the creation of online learning legislation in the state of Minnesota as well as in organizations that promote quality online choices for students and families. She served on the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools board of directors from 2009-2011 as well as on the government affairs committee. She was a founding member of the MNOLA (Minnesota Organization for K12 Online learning Alliance) group and served as a member of legislative committee for several years. She is currently the secretary for MNOLA. She has taught in an adjunct capacity for Hamline University teaching classes on the topic of leadership in organizations.