2026 MCEA Fall Conference

2026 MCEA Fall Conference

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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