2026 MCEA Fall Conference: Full Schedule

11:15am CDT

Gathering Support, Not Just Funds: Why Relationships Redefine Community Engagement

Wednesday October 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Not a professional fundraiser? Perfect - neither is John. But after 30+ years of “gathering support” for programs, projects, and people, he’s learned that successful fundraising has far less to do with titles and everything to do with relationships.

Through humor, real-life stories, and interactive elements, this session reframes fundraising as community-building with a purpose. Participants will explore why personal connections still outperform digital tactics and walk away with practical strategies they can immediately use to build trust, align with donor passions, and grow sustainable support.

Key Takeaways:

Build authentic partnerships rooted in trust and shared purpose
Understand donor perspectives and make more effective asks
Strengthen and sustain relationships beyond a single request

Speakers

John Double

Director of Community Education, Albert Lea Area Schools - Community Education

My teaching career started in the Lake Superior School District where I taught Physical Education, DAPE, and Driver Education for over a decade. I then entered Administration at the BOLD Public Schools before landing in the Albert Lea Area Schools. I've been in Albert Lea for... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Suite 104 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

11:15am CDT

I Need An Adult...Wait, That's Me: The Reality of Imposter Syndrome

Wednesday October 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Suite 102 - Lower Level

Emerging leaders often experience imposter syndrome, even when highly capable. While it can encourage growth, it may also have negative impacts if unrecognized. This training explores how imposter syndrome appears in leadership, including cultural influences, and ways to address it.

Key Takeaways:
1. Identify common signs and symptoms of imposter syndrome.
2. Examine how cultural identity and lived experiences influence the development and experience of imposter syndrome.
3. Explore strategies to proactively address imposter syndrome in oneself and support others experiencing it.

Speakers

Ashley Fabian Kimmell

Executive Director of Strategic Growth and Partnerships, Fernbrook Family Center

Ashley Fabian Kimmell (she/her/hers) is the Executive Director of Strategic Growth and Partnerships at Fernbrook Family Center and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). With 10 years of experience in the mental health field, Ashley began her career as a behavioral aide... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Suite 102 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

1:30pm CDT

Leading for the Future: How to Lead, Serve, and Build Flatter, More Humane Organizations

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Suite 101 - Lower Level

This 60-minute session invites Community Education leaders to examine how hierarchy, power, and decision-making shape organizational culture. Through reflection, discussion, and practical tools, participants will explore ways to build flatter, more humane systems rooted in shared leadership, psychological safety, meaningful participation, and community-informed decision-making.

Outcomes / Key Takeaways
Participants will:

Identify how hierarchy, power hoarding, urgency, and defensiveness can limit trust, participation, and organizational health.
Practice a simple systems-mapping reflection to identify one area where decision-making can become more participatory.
Leave with reflection tools and follow-up resources for building flatter, more humane Community Education systems.

Speakers

Courtney Green

Senior Programs Coordinator, Fridley Public Schools

Courtney Green is a community education professional, systems thinker, and emerging Black woman leader whose work is rooted in equity, racial justice, and human-centered systems change. With a background in social work and experience leading equity and justice work in North Carolina... Read More →

Stephen Keeler

Director of Community Education, Fridley Public Schools

Stephen Keeler (they/them) serves as the Director of Community Education for Fridley Public Schools and Co-chair of the MCEA Equity Committee. Stephen is a justice-centered Community Education leader whose work focuses on anti-racism, decolonized practice, disability justice, gender-inclusive... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Suite 101 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

1:30pm CDT

The Ripple Effect: Building Stronger Communities Through Connection, Kindness, and Leadership

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Suite 103 - Lower Level

Community education is built on connection. In this inspiring and practical session, Cindy Rowe explores how small acts of kindness, intentional leadership, and meaningful relationships create a ripple effect that strengthens teams, engages communities, and expands impact. Participants will discover how everyday interactions shape culture, build trust, and foster lasting connections from nest to network.

Learning Outcomes
• Identify simple leadership behaviors that strengthen trust, belonging, and connection.
• Apply practical strategies to create a more positive and engaged culture within teams and communities.
• Recognize how small, intentional actions can create a lasting ripple effect on the people and communities they serve.

Speakers

Cindy Rowe

Founder, Cindy Rowe, LLC

Cindy Rowe is an internationally recognized keynote speaker who helps organizations improve retention, engagement, and performance by turning culture into a measurable advantage.Named a Top 50 Women Speakers, Cindy brings a unique blend of real-world business experience and practical... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Suite 103 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

2:45pm CDT

Executive Presence for All - PART 1

Wednesday October 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Suite 103 - Lower Level

Executive Presence for All focuses on the role presence plays in communicating competence and creating trust. It provides specific strategies for crafting a more confident and effective presence to meet the expectations of seniors, direct reports, peers, and customers/families.

Speakers

Sheila Neidert

Owner, SGN Professional Training

My greatest passion is helping people lead with confidence and purpose. I teach, coach, and mentor professionals and teams drawing on nearly two decades of experience across the the public and private sectors, including a decade with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). My career... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Suite 103 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

4:00pm CDT

Everyone Wins, When We’re All on the Same Team! Nurturing family and community support for every student through Nested Civic Infrastructure

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

Suite 105 - Lower Level

Rochester Community Education, Cradle2Career, and public-school sites implement the Full-Service Community School strategy to strengthen communities. Rochester’s carefully nested strategic partnerships center children, families, and cultural communities by strengthening civic infrastructure and building new tables, stages, and even kitchens where everyone is essential to creating a Rochester where every student, family, and individual can thrive where they live.

identify reliable funding sources to increase resources and opportunities for everyone in your school-community
explore Minnesota’s Family and Community Engagement model to support schools
gather tangible examples of community-connected classroom learning, and out-of-school-time learning opportunities

Speakers

Jackie Blagsvedt

Family and Community Engagement Policy and Program Consultant, Minnesota Department of Education

Jackie Blagsvedt, she/her, MLIS, is an education policy and program consultant in the Minnesota Department of Education’s Office of Equity and Engagement in the Public Engagement Division. She is a white, single, working mom of two school-aged children and lives in St. Anthony Village... Read More →

Julie Ruzek

Executive Director, Cradle 2 Career

Julie Ruzek, M.Ed, Ed.S. is the Executive Director of the Cradle 2 Career in Rochester, MN. Cradle 2 Career is a community-wide initiative that works to improve educational outcomes for every child and young adult in Rochester by transforming the way partners work together. Julie... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Suite 105 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

4:00pm CDT

Executive Presence for All - PART 2

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

Suite 103 - Lower Level

Speakers

Sheila Neidert

Owner, SGN Professional Training

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Suite 103 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

4:00pm CDT

From Moments to Movements: Unlocking the Storytelling Superstars on Your Staff

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

Suite 102 - Lower Level

There are great things happening in your programs, your events and your buildings every day — you just need a simple and easy way to capture and share them. Learn how the idea of "Positive Gossip" can empower your staff to recognize and share everyday moments that reflect the impact of your programs. You will come away with simple, practical strategies to turn those moments into authentic stories for social media, newsletters and beyond. Discover how a culture of shared storytelling can strengthen connections, build trust and amplify the value of your work across your community.

Speakers

John Casper

Communications Coordinator, Winona Area Public Schools

John Casper is the communications coordinator for Winona Area Public Schools and a former journalist who brings a practical, people-centered approach to school public relations. As a one-person communications department, he leads districtwide storytelling, family communications, media... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Suite 102 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

4:00pm CDT

Getting UnSTUCK: from Problem to Possibility

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

Suite 101 - Lower Level

Learn a simple, powerful method for getting “unstuck” in work or life through Solution Circles. In this collaborative session, participants follow a guided process to share challenges, spark rapid ideas, explore possibilities, and identify realistic next steps. Experience the impact of collective creativity, supportive accountability, and renewed momentum!

Practice a step-by-step facilitation method for helping yourself or others move from feeling stuck to identifying immediate, achievable actions.
Experience the impact of group creativity and positive accountability, gaining new insights and practical strategies for real-world challenges.

Speakers

Megan Hartman

Youth Programs Supervisor, Stillwater Community Education

Megan Hartman (she/her) is the Youth Programs Supervisor for Stillwater Area Public Schools, where she oversees school-age care programs and supports youth enrichment classes through Stillwater Community Education. Megan’s passion for working with young people began as a camp counselor... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Suite 101 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

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

Suite 103 - Lower Level

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

11:15am CDT

Safe After the Bell: Implementing Standard Response Protocols in OST

Friday October 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Suite 103 - Lower Level

This interactive session explores applying the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) within Out-of-School Time (OST) environments. We will discuss how to adapt universal commands for challenges like variability in environments and logistical controls. We’ll cover strategic foundations for site-specific plans, bridging the gap between school-day security and OST flexibility to ensure consistent safety.

Speakers

Tiffany Clifton

Director of Community Education, Orono Public Schools

Tiffany Clifton serves as the Director of Community Education for Orono Public Schools, bringing over 15 years of leadership across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors. Grounded in a holistic approach to student and staff care, she serves on the district’s well-being and... Read More →

Scott Lhotka

Director of Community Education and Services, Westonka Public Schools

Scott Lhotka, Ed.S., is the Director of Community Education & Services for Westonka Public Schools, overseeing Early Learning, Child Care, Enrichment, and Recreation. A former Dean of Students, Scott combines his background in student support with 25 years of Aquatics Safety experience to implement p... Read More →

Annette Sallman

Exec. Director of Community Education, Stillwater Area Public Schools, ISD 834

Annette Sallman is the Director of Community Education for Stillwater Area Public Schools, bringing 30 years of dedicated experience to her role. Annette currently serves as the president of the MCEA board of directors. Beyond her leadership in community education, she has been... Read More →

Friday October 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Suite 103 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

11:15am CDT

The Operational Edge

Friday October 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Suite 102 - Lower Level

Have you ever looked at your team's daily workflow and thought, "There has got to be a better, cleaner way to do this"? This training focuses on resolving systemic disorganization and fractured communication within large systems. It delivers practical strategies to centralize, organize, and streamline your department's electronic resources, consolidate and clarify internal communications, and automate repetitive administrative tasks to maximize organizational efficiency.

Participants will learn:

How to avoid data fragmentation by centralizing and simplifying files.
How to reduce excessive emails and ensure consistency in communication.
Ways to leverage technology to automate repetitive workflows.

Speakers

Tiffany Weeks

School-Age-Care Supervisor, Anoka-Hennepin Adventures Plus

Tiffany is the Supervisor for the Anoka-Hennepin Adventures Plus School-Age-Care Program overseeing the program's implementation at 24 site locations. She has 29 years of experience working in the field.

Friday October 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Suite 102 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Leadership

1:15pm CDT

Updates to the Community Education Annual Report and How to Fill it Out

Friday October 23, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT

Suite 104 - Lower Level

In this session, we will discuss changes and updates to the Community Education annual report that is due each November. We will also discuss common areas of data misrepresentation in the annual report and how to accurately fill it out.

Speakers