2026 MCEA Fall Conference: Full Schedule

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1:30pm CDT

Do You Speak Emergency? The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) in Community Education Environments

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Do you speak emergency? Communication and a common procedures can make all of the difference when seconds matter. The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is the standard in K-12 schools. Learn how the SRP can change the way you prepare, react and communicate in various community education environments.

Speakers

Dustin Vincent

Adjunct Instructor, I Love U Guys Foundation

Dustin Vincent serves as a School Safety Coordinator with the Minnesota School Safety Center-Department of Public Safety, bringing a diverse background in education, public safety, and emergency management to the forefront of school security.Building on his 17 years of experience... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Suite 103 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

1:30pm CDT

Engage! Reimagining the Community Needs Assessment Process

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Suite 102 - Lower Level

During this fast-paced, interactive peer-to-peer session, participants will learn about an innovative model for conducting community needs assessments. In Fall 2025, ISD 622 Community Education and Marnita’s Table used Intentional Social Interaction (IZI) to reimagine programming. Outcomes include: identifying program strengths, uncovering participation barriers, and generating actionable solutions for addressing the current needs of a diversifying community.

Speakers

Tamra Lennox

Community Education Director, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District

Tamra Lennox is the Community Education Director for North St. Paul–Maplewood–Oakdale School District, a role she has held since 2019. She began her career in education as a classroom teacher before transitioning to Community Education leadership in 2004 as the Director of Adult... Read More →

Marnita Schroedl

CEO & Founder, Marnita’s Table

Marnita formed her embodied understanding of the deep and enduring impacts of being left outside the ring of love through beginning life in the foster care system moving between three different homes before the age of 2. This experience of dislocation brought her the critical insight... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Suite 102 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

2:45pm CDT

Becoming a Community Education Director

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Suite 102 - Lower Level

Community Education plays a vital role in how a school system serves the people in their district. Quality community ed programs are a critical factor in how school districts are viewed by their constituents. By attending this session, you will learn the requirements for becoming eligible for your CE Director license, and the role you can play as a school district and community leader.

Speakers

Dr. Jim Johnson

Assistant Professor, Minnesota State University - Moorhead

Dr. Jim Johnson is a former superintendent who views community education as a vital part of a quality school district. He is also a professor in a program that helps prepare the next generation of CE directors.

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Suite 102 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

2:45pm CDT

From Insights to Impact: Using Community Feedback to Strengthen Connection, Impact, and Growth

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Suite 101 - Lower Level

How do you communicate the value that Community Education brings to your community as an essential part of the educational opportunities available to all learners? The answer starts with listening. Through purposeful survey work, Community Education leaders can gather meaningful feedback, organize community insights, and use the data to make strategic decisions that reflect local needs and priorities.

This session will explore how to measure what matters most to your community and transform feedback into actionable programming that supports your community’s desire to learn, connect, and grow. Presenters will highlight a successful partnership between Owatonna Public Schools and School Perceptions that generated high-value community feedback, strengthened connections with stakeholders, and supported the continued growth of the Community Education program. Attendees will gain practical strategies for using survey data to demonstrate impact, guide decision-making, and build programs that reflect the voices of their communities.

Speakers

Deb McDermott-Johnson

Director of Community Education, Owatonna Public Schools

Deb is living her passion as the Director of Community Education for Owatonna Public Schools. Her professional work experience includes serving as an extension educator, news editor, city treasurer, director of public relations, classroom teacher, student activities advisor and... Read More →

Daren Sievers

Project Manager, School Perceptions

Daren Sievers is a Project Manager at School Perceptions. He will work with you to develop and deploy your community survey. Daren was born and raised in Lake city, Minnesota. Prior to joining School Perceptions, Daren worked for the Slinger School District in Southeastern Wisconsin... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Suite 101 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

2:45pm CDT

Staff Voices, Stronger Schools: Practical Engagement Strategies That Work

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Suite 105 - Lower Level

This session will share a real-world case study from Centennial Public Schools, where staff turnover and low job satisfaction were threatening the stability of their early childhood programs. Through a facilitated engagement process, leaders uncovered root causes, gave staff multiple ways to be heard, and built alignment across administrators and principals.

During this session you will:

Learn about engagement strategies based on multi-modal input, staff ownership, leadership team workshops, and principal partnerships
Have time for interactive reflection to connect the lessons to your own community ed program, circumstances, and district

Leave with takeaway tools, including sample engagement techniques and leadership alignment practices

Speakers

Julie Baeb

Senior Consultant, TeamWorks

Julie Baeb is a strategic planning consultant, facilitator, and design thinker who helps K–12 school districts build actionable plans rooted in community voice and human-centered design. Through her work at TeamWorks, she guides leadership teams from ambiguity to clarity — surfacing... Read More →

Sara Ison

Early Childhood Coordinator, Centennial Schools ISD 12

With a career spanning 22 years within Centennial Schools, Sara brings a wealth of experience and passion for Early Education and School Age Care. A licensed educator for Early Childhood through Grade 6, Sara has dedicated her professional life to fostering environments where students... Read More →

Raycheal Zamora, Ed.S, NCSP

Student Services Coordinator Serving Birth-Grade 5, Centennial Schools ISD 12

Raycheal Zamora is an accomplished educational leader and National Certified School Psychologist with over 15 years of experience in special education and student services. She currently serves as the Student Services Coordinator for Centennial Public Schools, where she provides strategic... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Suite 105 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

1:30pm CDT

1:30pm CDT

2:45pm CDT

2:45pm CDT

2:45pm CDT

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