2026 MCEA Fall Conference

2026 MCEA Fall Conference

10:00am CDT

KEYNOTE: From Nest to Network: Growing Strong and Thriving Communities Through Individual Growth, Meaningful Connection, Leadership Courage, and Collective Mindset Ballroom 1 - Upper LevelDr. Vera Ndumbe

11:15am CDT

Community Connections: Helping Students Navigate the Road to the College Classroom Suite 109 - Lower LevelJeff Lepper • Leslie Haack Wheels Up Wednesday: Bridging the Gap for Our 55+ Neighbors Suite 111 - Lower LevelCullen Bahn Early Childhood Program Budgeting: From Aid to Accountability Suite 103 - Lower LevelMike Brown • Darcy Rodriquez • Shoua Mou How are the Successful Learner and Unifying Mixed Delivery Coaching Frameworks Supporting State and Local Connections, Collaboration, and Comprehensive Integration? Suite 110 - Lower LevelJune Reineke • Cha T Yang • Jeanne Dickhausen Gathering Support, Not Just Funds: Why Relationships Redefine Community Engagement Suite 104 - Lower LevelJohn Double I Need An Adult...Wait, That's Me: The Reality of Imposter Syndrome Suite 102 - Lower LevelAshley Fabian Kimmell Self-Leadership Suite 108 - Lower LevelDr. Vera Ndumbe High Impact, Low Stress Marketing Suite 106 - Lower LevelMischelle Squire We're Creating a new "NCEA" - a National Community Ed. ARCHIVE! Suite 101 - Lower LevelKim Ratz Non-FAPE IEP Accommodations in After-School Programs Suite 105 - Lower LevelNate Schriever • Melissa Stenke • Nicole Mueller Feeding Confidence: Shifting the Narrative on Food, Bodies, and Youth Well-Being Suite 107 - Lower LevelKatie Hackman • Anna Oldenburg

1:30pm CDT

BIPOC Community Education Connections: A Third Space Amercian Legion Room - Upper LevelDarrell Young Bus Tour Basics Suite 111 - Lower LevelKatherine Bodger • Lori Murphy • Robert Halberg • Amanda Shadoin Your Story, Your Impact: Bringing Community Education to Life Suite 109 - Lower LevelKristi Myers • Allison Jordan Beyond the Language Barrier: Masterful Collaboration with Professional Interpreters Suite 104 - Lower LevelMiguel Benjamin Early Childhood Screening: Using local data and partnerships to reach all families Suite 110 - Lower LevelMargo Chresand Leading for the Future: How to Lead, Serve, and Build Flatter, More Humane Organizations Suite 101 - Lower LevelStephen Keeler • Courtney Green The Ripple Effect: Building Stronger Communities Through Connection, Kindness, and Leadership Suite 103 - Lower LevelCindy Rowe The Neighbor Effect: Building Community Belonging Through Digital Platforms Suite 106 - Lower LevelBecky Montpetit Strengthening School Age Care: An Interactive Introduction to Minnesota’s SAC Accreditation Program Suite 105 - Lower LevelDevin Hanson • Christa Perkins Lessons from One Immigrant's Experience: Success is All About Mindset Suite 107 - Lower LevelMustafa Sharif Poetry Out Loud Suite 102 - Lower LevelLisa Higgs • Mandy Ruggeri Supports and Strategies for Working with Neurodiversity in the Educational Setting Suite 108 - Lower LevelKelly Rentfrow • Annie Redlin • Maja Katusic

2:45pm CDT

Community Voices, Shared Solutions: A Collaborative Path to Substance Use Education Suite 111 - Lower LevelAbby Tricker • Gayle Olsen, MS, APRN, CNP • Benjamin Lai Designing Affordable and Impactful Older Adult Programs: Inspiration, Solutions, and Collaborative Ideas Suite 109 - Lower LevelErin Matteson Twin Cities PBS Viewers Like Us Club: Building Community Through Media Suite 101 - Lower LevelKalia Vue Best Practices for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) in Community Education Suite 104 - Lower LevelTiffany Weeks 2028 Early Childhood Licensure: Statewide Updates, Deliverables, and Field Q&A Suite 110 - Lower LevelMike Brown • Kelly Kazeck • December Lynch Demystifying Executive Presence for All Professionals - PART 1 Suite 103 - Lower LevelSheila Neidert POURing the Foundation for Accessible Communication: ADA Digital Compliance Suite 106 - Lower LevelMichelle Glynn From Struggle to Success: A Framework for Student Behavioral Support Suite 105 - Lower LevelMelissa Laatsch • Brynne Crockett Enovie Game Break Suite 102 - Lower LevelErin Sweet Self-Care and Mindfulness Suite 108 - Lower LevelDeborah Saari "Avoiding Power Struggles" - Managing behavior through connection and empathy Suite 107 - Lower LevelDavid Sabotta • Sarah Trom

4:00pm CDT

Beyond the GED Study Hall: Transforming Learning in Correctional Education Suite 109 - Lower LevelStacy Everding • Lisa Woll Community Care as Resistance: Healing, Grounding, and Solidarity in Difficult Times Suite 104 - Lower LevelStephen Keeler • Dr. Leonardo E. Candelario-Perez Early Childhood Screening To Go! Suite 111 - Lower LevelErica Schumacher Teaching Strategies GOLD®: Tools and Tips for Community Education Leaders Suite 110 - Lower LevelNate Schleicher • Dr. Jen Sturgeon MN Presenters Network (MPN) and How to Utilize Your School's Fine Arts Theater Suite 108 - Lower LevelAnnmarie Lacher • Marie Reszel • Shantel Dow Behavioral-Based Interviewing for Community Ed Hiring Suite 107 - Lower LevelRadar Talent Solutions Demystifying Executive Presence for All Professionals - PART 2 Suite 103 - Lower LevelSheila Neidert Everyone Wins, When We’re All on the Same Team! Nurturing family and community support for every student through Nested Civic Infrastructure Suite 105 - Lower LevelJackie Blagsvedt • Julie Ruzek From Moments to Movements: Unlocking the Storytelling Superstars on Your Staff Suite 102 - Lower LevelJohn Casper Getting UnSTUCK: from Problem to Possibility Suite 101 - Lower LevelMegan Hartman Mastering Meta for Schools Suite 106 - Lower LevelKatelyn Zacher

8:00am CDT

Arux Access: Get answers and help from the team Amercian Legion Room - Upper LevelTom Sawatzke • Arux • Arux Customer Success and Development teams

9:00am CDT

KEYNOTE: Communicate for a Change - Leading Innovative Educational Transformation Ballroom 1 - Upper LevelDr. Lori Carrell

10:15am CDT

Adult Basic Education - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 105 - Lower LevelSusie Evans • Eric Lind Adult Enrichment - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 108 - Lower LevelJusteen O'Brien • Amanda Shadoin Adults with Disabilities - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 106 - Lower LevelLindsay Richins Early Learning - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 102 - Lower LevelAmy Ward Facilities & Aquatics - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 104 - Lower Level Large District - Community Education Directors - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 109 - Lower LevelAnnette Sallman • Michelle Trelstad • Khia Bruse Small to Medium Sized Districts - Community Education Directors - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 110 - Lower LevelTricia Lilleberg Marketing & Communications - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 107 - Lower LevelJackie Kuklok School Age Care - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 101 - Lower LevelAngie Parker • Darby Throne Youth Enrichment, Development and Recreation - Program Area Breakout Session: Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Suite 103 - Lower LevelErin Matteson

10:30am CDT

MCEA Alumni Committee Meeting Edith Graham Mayo Board Room - Lower Level

1:30pm CDT

Utilizing Northstar Digital Literacy to Improve Digital Literacy Skills for Adult Learners Suite 109 - Lower LevelKaren Cook Art as a Tool for Connection Suite 111 - Lower LevelLaura Campbell • Helene Gautier Award-Winning Ideas in Action: 2025 MCEA Project Award Showcase Suite 101 - Lower LevelKristal Berg • Cassie Riopelle • Kaitlyn Koehler • Sammy Wallace • Nori Ness Belonging by Design: Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces Where Everyone Can Thrive Suite 104 - Lower LevelAmrita Prakaashana A Decade Strong: Essential Practices for Sustaining Social-Emotional Learning and the Pyramid Model Framework at Pearson Early Learning Center Suite 110 - Lower LevelCortney Olson • Steph Kaste Do You Speak Emergency? The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) in Community Education Environments Suite 103 - Lower LevelDustin Vincent Engage! Reimagining the Community Needs Assessment Process Suite 102 - Lower LevelTamra Lennox • Marnita Schroedl Beyond the Print Catalog: A Practical, Low-Cost Start in Digital Marketing Suite 105 - Lower LevelTim Dalton • Jake Sturgis Classrooms to Care: Launching a Leased Family Childcare Within School Walls Suite 108 - Lower LevelLynn Jenc Talk Nerdy To Me: Generative AI You'll Actually Use Suite 106 - Lower LevelPaula Skoviera

2:45pm CDT

Building Dynamic Community Partnerships: How 125 LIVE & Rochester Community Education Are Expanding Lifelong Learning Suite 111 - Lower LevelRobin Hoelzle • Ken Baerg Equity in Action Lab: Tools for Belonging, Inclusion, and Public-Sector Change Suite 104 - Lower LevelLisa Rahn • Stephen Keeler Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) at Winona Area Public Schools Suite 108 - Lower LevelMikayla Wolfe • Lynnea Pfohl Early Identification of Mental Health Concerns for Children Birth to 5 Suite 110 - Lower LevelTheresa Becoming a Community Education Director Suite 102 - Lower LevelDr. Jim Johnson From Insights to Impact: Using Community Feedback to Strengthen Connection, Impact, and Growth Suite 101 - Lower LevelDeb McDermott-Johnson • Daren Sievers Staff Voices, Stronger Schools: Practical Engagement Strategies That Work Suite 105 - Lower LevelCori Sendle • Sara Ison • Raycheal Zamora, Ed.S, NCSP • Julie Baeb Smarter Systems, Stronger Programs Suite 109 - Lower LevelErin Sweet • Robbie Rice • Vince Arnoldi Talk Nerdy To Me: Generative AI You'll Actually Use Suite 106 - Lower LevelPaula Skoviera Managing and Supporting Staff During Uncertain and Unprecedented Times Suite 103 - Lower LevelShannon Brown Build a Partnership with the Master Gardener Volunteer Program Suite 107 - Lower LevelEmily Whitcomb and Carol Wells

8:45am CDT

Building Stronger Adults with Disabilities Programs Together Suite 110 - Lower LevelLindsay Richins Region 1 - Regional Connections: Meet, Share, and Collaborate Suite 101 - Lower LevelAnn Riebel Region 2 - Regional Connections: Meet, Share, and Collaborate Suite 102 - Lower LevelAlex Wolter Region 3 - Regional Connections: Meet, Share, and Collaborate Suite 103 - Lower LevelStephanie Hillman Region 4 - Regional Connections: Meet, Share, and Collaborate Suite 104 - Lower LevelLisa Rahn Region 5 - Regional Connections: Meet, Share, and Collaborate Suite 105 - Lower LevelKari Gorr Region 6 - Regional Connections: Meet, Share, and Collaborate Suite 106 - Lower LevelKate Andersen Region 7 - Regional Connections: Meet, Share, and Collaborate Suite 107 - Lower LevelRachel Amdahl Region 8 - Regional Connections: Meet, Share, and Collaborate Suite 108 - Lower LevelRoxy Olsen-Hurst Region 9 - Regional Connections: Meet, Share, and Collaborate Suite 109 - Lower LevelNicole Wilke

10:00am CDT

KEYNOTE: What hidden thread runs through the most beloved parts of community education? Ballroom 1 - Upper LevelBrandon Hendrickson

11:15am CDT

Award-Winning Innovations: Building Stronger Communities Through Partnership and Workforce Development Amercian Legion Room - Upper LevelErica Bjerketvedt • Julie Morris Equity 101: Equity and Inclusion Work in Community Education Suite 104 - Lower LevelStephen Keeler Storytime Books and Beyond! Grand Lobby WestIngrid Alvarez • Jill Kobler Safe After the Bell: Implementing Standard Response Protocols in OST Suite 103 - Lower LevelTiffany Clifton • Annette Sallman • Scott Lhotka The Operational Edge Suite 102 - Lower LevelTiffany Weeks Stop Starting from Scratch: A Canva Template Workshop Suite 106 - Lower LevelEmily Abel Building Impactful Targeted Services Programs: Strategies for Student Success Beyond the School Day Suite 101 - Lower LevelAmanda Beckler Demystifying "Misbehavior" in Children and Youth Suite 109 - Lower LevelHaeli Gerardy Introducing N-CAPS: Non-Competitive Active Play Spaces Suite 105 - Lower LevelOwen Kilanowski • Jane Tierney Navigating the Discomfort: Mastering Difficult Conversations Suite 111 - Lower LevelPam Webb Child Development 101: Toddlers through Adolescents Suite 108 - Lower LevelBeth Larson • Carley Hofer Planting Seeds of Enthusiasm: Inspiring Middle School Students to Connect, Learn, and Grow Suite 107 - Lower LevelPhillip Hartman • Ciara Muetze Space: The Final Frontier - Teaching Space Science to Your Community Suite 110 - Lower LevelBen Joslin

1:15pm CDT

Cultural Considerations: Building Relationships with ELL Families Suite 109 - Lower LevelKaren Cook Building Belonging Through Family Engagement: Lessons, Tools, and Strategies from Minnesota’s Family Engagement Practices Project Suite 108 - Lower LevelMi Yang • December Lynch Aquatics Programming for Success Suite 107 - Lower LevelSilvia Ihme Updates to the Community Education Annual Report and How to Fill it Out Suite 104 - Lower LevelKarl Brown • Ann Riebel • Alex Wolter • Roxy Olsen-Hurst • Celest Stang Creating (or Enhancing) your Program's Equity Plan Suite 102 - Lower LevelTiffany Weeks • Jodi Abrahamson MCEA Foundational Standards for School-Age Care Programs Guide Suite 105 - Lower LevelAngie Parker • Jenn Bratvold • Shannon Gavrilov How to Eat Your Way to Better Mental Health Suite 103 - Lower LevelSara Kelly You Can't Pour From Empty: Sustainable Wellbeing for Community Education Professionals Suite 110 - Lower LevelAmrita Prakaashana From "What Do I Do?" to "I've Got This!: Guiding Challenging Behavior Suite 101 - Lower LevelLanette Hess Pause. Notice. Connect. Forest Therapy Practices for Wellbeing and Community Education Suite 111 - Lower LevelNicole Brudos Ferrara Youth Voice and Leadership: Creating Space for Young People to Lead Suite 106 - Lower LevelKeem Anderson