MESPA Institute is still on despite the weather! Travel safely and we will see you there!Join us for the professional development event of the year! On February 6-8, 2019, you will be joined by 450+ of your colleagues for an incredible experience. With presentations from EIGHT incredible thought leaders, more than 25 sessions rooted in mental health, innovation, education equity, and leadership development, MESPA Speaks performances by your own colleagues, a Makerspace and Therapy Dog Showcase, an Unconference in which you guide your own learning, and 80+ education-based exhibits, how could you go wrong?
Share in the excitement! Use the conference hashtag #mespamn and follow @mespaprincipals on Twitter.
Be sure to stop by the registration booths in the Bloomington Foyer to collect your name badge, schedule, all registration materials, and sign in for CEUs. You must have a name badge to attend the conference.
If your registration doesn't include meals (some Aspiring and Retired principals), you can purchase a lunch ticket at the registration table: Wednesday lunch - $35 Thursday lunch - $35 MESPYs - $50 Friday breakfast - $25
Help us kick off Institute 2019 with a tasty lunch and some great opportunities to network! Lunch begins at 11:45am. Don't forget to arrive early and get your name badge first at the registration table! Registration opens at 11am.
On the lunch menu: Chicken Wild Rice Soup, Mixed Greens w/Balsamic and Ranch Dressings, Bistro Potato Salad. Plus a yummy sandwich bar: smoked turkey on thick sliced multi-grain with bacon and cranberry compote; Shaved pastrami on thick cut marble rye with whole grain mustard; Grilled vegetables on ciabatta with havarti cheese and balsamic glaze. Served with coffee, decaf, iced tea. Desserts, popcorn, chips and salsa served at 2:30pm in the exhibit hall!
Wednesday February 6, 2019 11:45am - 12:30pm CST
Grand Ballroom
Join MESPA leaders to learn all the ins and outs of Institute, learn about what to do on Wednesday evening, meet other first-time attendees, and have some tasty appetizers while you're at it! All new principals and first-time Institute attendees are welcome!
Wednesday February 6, 2019 3:00pm - 3:25pm CST
Atrium 7
Join us to kick off Institute 2019 with the MESPA Welcome Reception! All MESPA Institute attendees are welcome! Connect with old friends, meet some new colleagues, and enjoy the appetizers and cash bar! Your division presidents will host a longer gathering afterward that you won't want to miss! Follow the crowds to the Cabana rooms near the pool.
Join your colleagues for a networking event hosted by your Division Presidents! There will be food, refreshments, and plenty of fun! All are welcome to attend.
Poolside reception: 5-6pm with appetizers and cash bar Division Meetings: 6-7pm (see app for details) Networking social: Cabana Rooms #115 and #118 near pool
Wednesday February 6, 2019 6:00pm - 10:00pm CST
Poolside
Each year, MESPA's 12 divisions come together to raise funds for our Annual Service Project. Please plan to bring cash or a check made out to your division to contribute to your division's designated organization! Last year, we were able to collectively raise over $2,000 dollars! Going with our conference's mental health theme this year, divisions will be choosing local mental health organizations. Your division's organization of choice will be listed below as they are confirmed:
The Unconference returns to Institute creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, collaboration and creativity. At the start, the whole group will gather together and be guided through creating an agenda using a shared document through open space technology. The exact process is not important to understand in advance – the process will become clear as it happens. The important part is that all those gathered will have the opportunity to put conference sessions on the agenda.
The sessions convened will range from the formal to the informal. From the well thought out pre-prepared talk reflecting years of research and practice to the spur of the moment 'new idea' that would be fun to talk about. From the demonstration of a working tool to the whiteboarding of something completely new. In the end, YOU guide your own learning!
Join us for lunch and hear from 6 candidates running for MESPA State Office to represent YOU starting in 2019! View all candidate information at mespa.net/State-Officers. Electronic voting will be open Feb. 22-March 8. Watch your email for more information!
On the menu: Pot roast, garlic mashed potatoes, and vegetable du jour. Served with rolls, coffee, and iced tea. Ice cream, cookies, and bars served in the exhibit hall at 2:00pm!
Thursday February 7, 2019 12:15pm - 1:15pm CST
Grand Ballroom
Join us for music and cocktails as we welcome our honorees for the evening! The MESPYs are free to attend for full-paying registrants! The new MN Commissioner of Education, Mary Cathryn Ricker, will also be in attendance.
Aspiring or retired principals: you can purchase tickets at the registration booth earlier in the day.
Honoring these amazing principals: MN NAESP National Distinguished Principal - Curtis Slater MN NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal - John Awsumb STEM Innovation Award - Lisa Carlson & David Lostetter MN Schools of Excellence - Taber Akin, Judith Brockway, Chris Ellingson, Susan Hoeft, Dr. Rae Villebrun Division Leadership Award - Taber Akin, Toni Jo Baartman, Kate Flynn, Julie Greiman, Jason Kuehn, Jason Luksik, Gina Meinertz, Dr. Amy Reed, Debra Reynolds, Barbara Shin, Be Cheuyee Vang, Dr. Kari Wehrmann, Dr. Lloyd E. Winfield National Blue Ribbon Schools - Ryan Arndt, Susan Hoeft, Ashley Farrington, David Hansen, Heather Hanson, Jon Lewis, Nathaniel Messick
Cash bar.
On the menu: Dinner Menu Pork Mignon wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon, Braised Cabbage Confit with a Port Wine Demi Glaze, and Roasted Potatoes
Dessert Menu Chocolate Mousse Martini Apple Cheesecake Martini
Thursday February 7, 2019 5:30pm - 6:00pm CST
Grand Ballroom
Join us for a full course meal as we welcome our honorees for the evening! The MESPYs are free to attend for full-paying registrants! The new MN Commissioner of Education, Mary Cathryn Ricker, will also be in attendance.
Schedule: 5:30pm - Reception with cash bar 6:00pm - Awards (Division Leadership, Blue Ribbon Schools, STEM Innovation Award, National Outstanding Assistant Principal) 6:30pm - Dinner served 7:00pm - Honoring National Distinguished Principal Curtis Slater 7:15-8pm - Dessert, hors d'oeuvres, and music!
Aspiring or retired principals: you can purchase tickets at the registration booth earlier in the day.
Honoring these amazing principals: MN NAESP National Distinguished Principal - Curtis Slater MN NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal - John Awsumb STEM Innovation Award - Lisa Carlson & David Lostetter MN Schools of Excellence - Taber Akin, Judith Brockway, Chris Ellingson, Susan Hoeft, Dr. Rae Villebrun Division Leadership Award - Taber Akin, Toni Jo Baartman, Kate Flynn, Julie Greiman, Jason Kuehn, Jason Luksik, Gina Meinertz, Dr. Amy Reed, Debra Reynolds, Barbara Shin, Be Cheuyee Vang, Dr. Kari Wehrmann, Dr. Lloyd E. Winfield National Blue Ribbon Schools - Ryan Arndt, Susan Hoeft, Ashley Farrington, David Hansen, Heather Hanson, Jon Lewis, Nathaniel Messick
On the menu: Dinner Menu Pork Mignon wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon, Braised Cabbage Confit with a Port Wine Demi Glaze, and Roasted Potatoes
Dessert Menu Chocolate Mousse Martini Apple Cheesecake Martini
Cash Bar.
Thursday February 7, 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Grand Ballroom
All members are invited and encouraged to attend MESPA's Annual Meeting. You will find all Annual Meeting materials on the Annual Meeting page of the MESPA website. You must be signed in to access the Annual Meeting page (mespa.net/annualmtg). Plus, hear the Legal and Legislative Lowdown with MESPA's Legal Counsel, Roger Aronson. Click here (or see attached file) to see MESPA's 2019 Legislative Priorities!
Roger has practiced in the area of school law since 1981. A highly regarded school law expert, he co-chairs the Minnesota State Bar Association School Law Conference, is on the executive committee of BELL (the education lobbyist group), and frequently speaks and lectures on school... Read More →
Institute 2019 adjourns! Thank you for your participation! Save the date for Institute 2020 - Feb. 5-7!
Wondering about CEUs? The Institute General Conference Evaluation will open on Friday afternoon. Take the evaluation, provide your email address, and we will send you your CEUs within ONE week!
We hope you will also evaluate our 2019 breakout sessions. Your feedback helps us in planning future breakouts!
Friday February 8, 2019 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
Grand Ballroom
