Presidents Report
Karen Allund, Work Coordinator
Mounds View Schools
Greetings,
As February (CTE month) approaches, there
are many things to celebrate.
The national ACTE conference which was
held in December was outstanding. Robert Lindgren, Val
Mattiolli, Cathy Braun, Bonnie Jackson, and I were able to
attend from the MNACTE/SNP board. We learned a lot from Ruby
Payne, the opening keynote speaker, who spoke about
economics and the role they play in education and from Erik
Weihenmayer, the closing speaker. He spoke about overcoming
adversity to reach set goals and how we, as educators, can
help students in this area. There were many breakouts held
over the course of three days that were interesting,
educational, and inspiring.
We also celebrate the students in our CTE
programs and the efforts both that we and they put into
making our programs special, unique, and successful. We
celebrate the employers that work with us to keep our
students working and learning. With the downturn in the
economy, it's not always easy to maintain jobs. We also
celebrate us! We work diligently with the community,
parents, and students to get the most out of our efforts. We
thrive on student success and create ways to achieve it. It
is through CTE programs that many students learn the skills
necessary for life after school and it's nice to have an
entire month dedicated to celebrating that fact.
One thing that has occurred that isn't so
festive is the fact that the Special Needs Division of ACTE
has dropped below the 1,000 member requirement. Therefore,
we are not recognized with a seat on the board or a voice in
Washington. If we can get enough people to join ACTE under
the Special Needs Division before July 1, 2008 we can get
reinstated for next year. We are currently listed as
"emerging" With a few more members, we can get out of that
emerging status and have another reason to celebrate! To
join, go to http://www.acteonline.org
Don't forget to specify "Special Needs Division."
Enjoy this cold Minnesota weather and
celebrate CTE month!
Knights
Designs-Irondale High School
A Student-run Business
Ian
Murphy, Student
Irondale High School, Moundsview, MN
We are a
student run business that provides opportunities for
students to learn about business in the real world. The
ordering,, marketing, advertising,, distribution and
accounting are all managed by students at Irondale High
School in New Brighton Minnesota. Students carefully design
custom-made lanyards used primarily to display teacher I.D.
badges, and the lanyards are sold for $10 each. Lanyards are
necklaces with a key ring at the bottom for holding keys and
badges. We would also like to introduce our latest
production unit, The VisiMate. This innovative machine,
makes awards, stickers, static clings, and so much more.
These items can also be custom made for the user's specific
desires. Our selection is almost limitless. Prices are being
discussed for our VisiMate items, and will be finalized
shortly. Questions? Contact students Ian Murphy or Ian Orf
by emailing us at knightsdesigns@moundsviewschools.org
or contact our work coordinator Beth Quest at 651 786-5200
extension 2449 or email her at beth.quest@moundsviewschools.org
The
students pictured below are from left to right:: Jamie
Aquirre Santos, Emily Chandler, Lexi Evenson, Kristen
Juelich, Hilary Carr, Laura Webber
Transition
Disabled or Regular CTE Program?
Al Hauge,
Career Guidance and Transition Disabled Specialist
Minnesota Department of Education
What
belongs in a regular career and technical education program
and what should be part of a transition-disabled program?
First, make sure people understand that decisions around the
above programs should be made on the basis of what is
appropriate for the student, NOT on the basis of funding. It
is always easier to respond to questions when it is first
understood what the needs of the individual student are.
Many
students with disabilities may be served in REGULAR
work-based learning programs, including internships,
interrelated cooperatives, diversified occupations programs,
or work-experience programs for disadvantaged students. In
such a case there is no requirement that the teacher hold
special education licensure, just as there is no requirement
for a math teacher to hold special education licensure when
students with disabilities are mainstreamed into the math
class. It is not the fact that a student has an individual
educational plan that requires special education licensure,
but the severity (level) of the disability and whether or
not the I.E.P. requires intervention by certified special
education staff.
IF
it is determined that the school has a large enough
population of students with disabilities severe enough to
merit a specially designed program of work-based learning,
it is then that a transition-disabled program is established
(most commonly work experience-handicapped). In this case
the teacher must be appropriately licensed either with an
old vocational license (e.g. work experience - handicapped
or work experience - handicapped/disadvantaged) or with a
combination of a secondary special education license and a
work-based learning endorsement. Transition-disabled
programs must be approved by the state using the program
approval process. It is also appropriate for a district that
does not have a transition-disabled program to contract for
that service from another school district or approved
private vendor.
There
are instances where a school may develop a program under its
special education department that simulates work-based
learning in a confined (usually in-school) environment.
These programs, sometimes referred to as enclaves, provide
students with a simulated work environment providing
services for the school or community. Examples might be
classes of students with severe disabilities who, under the
direct supervision of special education staff, perform
copying and collating or similar services. Some recent
confusion has arisen in programs such as these where they
have been titled work-based learning by the district, though
special education has a more appropriate term for these
activities, "work activities". Enclaves or similar simulated
instructional programs do NOT fit under the
transition-disabled (career and technical education)
program, are NOT approved through our program approval
process, and do NOT require the work-based learning
endorsement.
We
are working with special education to clarify when a program
legitimately belongs under special education (such as
enclaves) and when a program should be approved and reported
as a transition-disabled (career & technical) program.
When it is completed, both special education and we will
distribute this clarification widely.
Please
let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the
above.
A
First Rate Convention
Bonnie
Jackson, Work Coordinator
St. Paul Schools
The
ACTE convention in Vegas was first rate. One out of five
attendees were first timers and there were lots of young
faces excited to be part of a national convention. It is
inspiring to know the torch of CTE is being passed and the
next generation CTE teachers are investing in their
knowledge of current practices and trends. Ruby Payne was
the opening keynote speaker and I highly anticipated meeting
and hearing her speak. When I taught at Saint Paul Arlington
High School we studied her writings and she changed the way
I view students of poverty. Ruby Payne provides insight into
the world of children in generational poverty. She talked
about herself, her experiences and how she got where she is
today. If you haven't read her books I strongly encourage
you take the time to read her writings. Another highlight
was the "Presidents Reception." They had cowboy activities,
a band and an auction. The other big event in town that week
was the National Rodeo Finals. The cowboys and cowgirls were
definitely in town and around town. If you like country
music Vegas was the spot. The trade show was full of new
technology and opened my eyes to how things are
changing!
The
"cherry on the Sunday" was the final keynote speaker, Erik
Weihenmayer. Erik Weihenmayer is the only blind person to
have climbed the "Seven Summits," the tallest peak on every
continent. He has scaled the 3000 foot rock face of El
Capitan, skied down the tallest peak in Europe, and guided
Tibetan blind teenagers to 21,500 feet on the north side of
Mt. Everest. Erik is also a prolific speaker and author of
two books. You could have heard a pin drop in the convention
center when Erik was speaking. He is a teacher also and has
high regards for the profession. Needless to say I and
probably everyone else was truly inspired by Erik and his
accomplishments. I purchased a signed copy of his book and
am anticipating reading it. He also has a DVD of his climb
that would be a great DVD for students to view. It is titled
"Farther Than the Eye Can See."
There
was also a little gambling, good food, mild weather and
great casino sightseeing. Next year, "Charlotte!"
Work Experience
News Article
Betty McNiff, Work Coordinator
Park High School, Cottage Grove
Park High School in Cottage has a very
active Work Based Learning Program. Six Sections of the
Fundamental Work Related class are offered for the 2007-2008
school year. This class is designed for all students with an
IEP. The students are required to take the course once each
semester in order to earn a work credit if they have a part
time job. We currently have 11 students on job sites earning
this work credit, however there are over 69 students
registered to take the class during the school year. Our
primary focus is on students who need to acquire some skills
before getting their first job. The curriculum targets job
getting and keeping skills. Students must perform mock
interviews, complete applications accurately; complete a
resume, cover letter and thank you letters. Part of the
curriculum is Changing Lives, Character Building, IRLD
Kansas Strategy, Self Advocacy Program, and I-PLAN; career
exploration.
There are also two sections of the Basic
Work Based Program for the DCD level students. We have two
teachers for this program and 14 students enrolled. Two
students work part time in the community. These students
work on classroom skills such as vocabulary building and
hands on work skills. They volunteer at a Women's shelter
one day a week and are participating in a school wide
recycling program. We are developing an "at school" job site
for these students by doing office work such as stuffing
envelopes, labeling, collating, folding and simple projects
that office personnel may find tedious and not have the time
to complete. We have had four jobs to complete so far this
term. We have advertised within the school district and
among businesses in the community.
National ACTE
Convention
Cathy
Braun and Valerie Mattioli, Work Coordinators
Wayzata Schools
We
both had the privilege of attending the National ACTE
Convention in Las Vegas, NV in December 2007. It was a
professional development opportunity filled with speakers,
more than 300 sessions and lots of new materials.
Opening
speakers were Ruby Payne and Erik Weihenmayer. Ruby put a
light on poverty that helped us better understand some of
our students' choices and needs. One of the facts she shared
was that the correlation between poverty and disability is
higher than that between poverty and race. The second
opening speaker, Erik, the only blind man in history to
reach the summit of Mount Everest, was an incredibly
inspirational speaker. He is a man of amazing inner strength
who has overcome huge challenges. His story would be a great
one to share with many, as it would certainly be an
inspiration to all.
We
attended many breakout sessions throughout the two days; but
there were a couple that we found of particular interest.
One of these sessions was titled "Giving Business and
Industry What They Want: Good Work Ethics" by Brent Askings
of Western KYU and Ellie Pribble, RN at Harrison ATC. The
general theme of the session is that work ethic is the key
and central problem in hiring new employees. They offered a
website that contains valuable information regarding work
ethics. This website, which would prove helpful to work
coordinators, is http://www.coe.uga.edu/workethic/
A
second session, of great use, was titled "Digital Tools and
Blogging in Education: Basic Skills Every Educator Needs to
Master", by James Stanger, Ph.D., CIW. He covered digital
tools, blogging (what it is, how can we use it, education
blog sites), and many quick technological add-ons and
techniques. He was a wealth of information and was pretty
entertaining too. Two websites he discussed, that are free
and have some cool tools, are http://www.gimp.org
and http://www.openoffice.org.
Exhibitors
were numerous. We picked up a wide variety of information.
We are very interested in VariQuest Visual Learning Tools,
and have an appointment scheduled with a dealer to give us a
more in depth in service about their materials. Since we are
in the process of developing an on site work room we are
very interested in the VariQuest Design Center which can
make posters, banners, awards and stickers; in addition to
the Awards Maker 400 which creates awards, bumper stickers,
name tags and more.
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Announcements/Calendar
February 14, 2008: MnACTE/SNP
Board meeting at Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park
MN. We will be changing our meeting room to D156. The usual
room is booked. Be sure to come for the bufett lunch at the
gourmet dining room. Cost is $10.00. Contact Bonnie Holt if
you plan to come for lunch Bonnie.Holt@anoka.k12.mn.us
March 13, April 10, and May 8,
2008: MnACTE/SNP Board meetings at Hennepin Technical
College, Brooklyn Park MN.
June 16-17, 2008: ACTE Region III
Conference in St. Paul, MN. Registration information at
http://www.acteonline.org/about/states/MN.cfm
December 4-6, 2008 ACTE Annual
Convention in Charlotte, NC http://acteonline.org
March 5-6, 2009: Mark your calendars!
MnACTE/SNP Statewide Comprehensive Conference at Edinburgh
USA, Brooklyn Park, MN
Are you on Al Hauge's email group? Al
works with the Adult and Career Education Divisoin at MDE as
the Career Guidance and Transition Disabled Specialist.
Contact Al and he'll include you in Transition Disabled/Work
Based Learning developments for youth with disabilities from
the Minnesota Department of Education. al.hauge@state.mn.us.
Partnerships
Within The Schools
Valerie Mattioli, Cathy Braun and
Michelle Howe, Work Coordinators
Wayzata Schools
Wayzata District #284 special education
work program has began a partnership with the districts
Custodial staff that we hope will last a long time. In March
2006, Joe Matson (Buildings and Grounds Director) and Mike
Johnson (Assistant Building and Grounds Director) approached
our special education work program with the possibility of a
partnership between our work program and the District
laundry service. Our first step was to present a bid to the
District; this bid was reviewed by Mr. Matson and Mr.
Johnson and then was sent on to the Union for their
approval. Our work program was ecstatic when the Union gave
its seal of approval. We now have two students working in
the morning for one hour and two students working in the
afternoon for one hour. They are paid on a sliding scale by
ability with most reaching minimum wage by their first 6
months. With a whole year behind us in this endeavor, we
feel it has been a huge success, giving many students the
opportunity to learn beginning work skills. Some of our
students who started in this position have moved on to paid
employment within the community. If it wasn't for this
program, many of these students may not have had the
opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to maintain a
paid position in the community.
This past November we once again were
approached by Mr. Matson and Mr. Johnson about the
possibility of our program maintaining the package delivery
service that the custodians currently maintain. We again
jumped at the chance to employ our students within the
school district. Again it was presented to the Custodian
Union and given their seal of approval. Currently we have
two students in the morning and two students in the
afternoon working one hour a day for each student. These
students get paid the minimum wage. Even though we are only
a month into the new job, we are anticipating this also to
be a success.
Relationships
Are What Make a 'SNPer'
Steve Czech, Work Coordinator
Anoka Hennepin District #11
My first year of teaching at Backus
Elementary School the media specialist retired. I gave her a
card emphasizing my observation of the bookends that we
were. We laughed. The source of my amusement was the
prospect of looking forward while her's was peering back at
the memories of a full career involving thousands of
students and hundreds of colleagues.
Now in mid-life, enough time has passed
that my career has developed a history, however I have many
years yet to record. In contrast, two members of our
organization have reached the retirement milestone, Barb
Weldon and Mick Seme. Both have been members for many years
and have served on the board of directors. I've developed
quite an appreciation for them over time, and their
commitment helps define why I want to be involved in
MnACTE/SNP.
When I initially began attending board
meetings in the late 90s, there was a contingent of board
members we called the "Duluth group" of which Mick was a
member. You may recall the others; Jim Anderson, Jerry
Lassila and Tom Eidal. All were very passionate about their
work. Some immediate observations I made about Mick were his
delightful sense of humor, aptitude for practical solutions,
commitment to students, and how much he valued his family.
He is the kind of guy you want to be around because you know
spending time with him will be fun and productive. I spoke
with Mick recently. He stated that he officially retired
9/11/07 but was preparing for his retirement party at the
Proctor Community Center, which was held on January 15,
2008. Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative
continues to search for his replacement, and Mick has heard
from community members and teachers that his impact has been
missed. In his retirement, Mick has done a lot of gardening,
general work around the house, and continues to meet his
retired work coordinator buddies, Jerry and Jim, for coffee
once a month. He is also planning a trip with his wife to
Wyoming and Idaho this spring to visit family. Mick says,
"Hi, I miss ya'! I'm up here in the woods, and I like to
stay in the woods! It's too busy down there."
I have known Barb since I began working
for Anoka-Hennepin in 1997. We have worked in the same
building for the past 5 or 6 years and have team-taught,
shared many conversations, and found humor in numerous
situations that only our clientele can produce. I marvel at
her ability to maintain hope and act as an agent for change
in even the most difficult of students - all while
maintaining such a calm demeanor. Also someone who values
her family, I will miss Barb's stories about her children,
grandchildren and husband. To my amusement, she has given
many accounts of friends in predicaments, vowing never to
get herself in similar situations! It will be strange when
Barb cleans out her desk at the end of January and no longer
walks through the doors of Transition Plus. Her immediate
plans for retirement are to sleep-in and read the paper.
Barb would also like to do a little traveling, start playing
bridge again, and spend some time with two of her sisters
who are also retired. A final priority will be to "run
around doing things" with her husband, Loren. I envy her
plans to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of doing what she
wants when she wants to.
Unknowingly, these two professionals have
helped shape my career. I will miss them not so much for the
tasks they completed to maintain the strength of MnACTE/SNP,
but more so for the quality people they are and the
integrity they brought to our profession. In the end, it's
relationships that matter, and it's fun to build them when
you're chasing a common goal with such wonderful people.
Mick and Barb, thanks for all you've given and enjoy
retirement!
Bob
Lindgren
ACTE Region III Award of Merit Winner
MNACTE Press Release
During ACTE's National Convention held in
Las Vegas this past December, Region III presented their
2007 awards to a number of outstanding recipients. Included
in this group was MnACTE/SNP's Bob Lindgren who received the
Region III Minnesota Award of Merit. This award is for
professionals who have made significant contributions to
CTE, ACTE, and/or their state association (MnACTE). Bob was
recognized in Minnesota at the November Metro Career
Pathways Conference for this award along with Cliff
Vrieze.
Bob Lindgren has been a work experience
coordinator for students with disabilities for the past 30
years at Park Rapids Area High School. He is highly
commended for maintaining his work experience program at
Park Rapids over the years. Despite tight budgets and
greater demands on school resources, Bob's program has
stayed intact for at-risk and disabled students in this
greater Minnesota community.
Bob has been very active in ACTE, MnACTE,
and MnACTE/SNP for many years. He has been a strong advocate
for the state association, MnACTE, and has encouraged
affiliate associations to participate in state activities.
Bob was the president of MnACTE during the 2006-07 school
year, and also served as President of MnACTE/SNP for 3
years. He is near completion of a four year commitment to
the ACTE By-laws Committee as Region III's representative.
Bob has been a dedicated leader of these organizations for
many years and was honored for his dedication and commitment
as MnACTE's Teacher of the Year in 2006.
Pictured from left to right: Blaine
Larson, MnACTE Teacher of the Year; Jeff Eppen, MnACTE
Outstanding New Career and Technical Teacher of the Year;
Robert Lindgren, ACTE Region III Award of Merit
2007 National ACTE Convention
Robert W. Lindgren, Work Coordinator
Park Rapids Area Schools
The 2007 ACTE National Conference is over
and was a huge success. It was held December 13-15 in Las
Vegas with over 6,300 in attendance including just over
1,000 first-timers. The time went by very quickly as we were
busy all day long with meetings, sessions, visiting the
EXPO's venders, and of course networking with others from
around the country. Wednesday evening started the activities
with about 40 attendees from Minnesota gathering for a meal
and an evening of relaxation.
Again this year I arrived a day early for
the meetings on Wednesday. This is my last year serving on
ACTE's By-laws Standing Committee. Our meeting involved only
a few changes, which were approved. The main change proposed
was that beginning in FY10. The Board of Directors will set
the dues for all classifications of members. Visit ACTE's
website: http://www.acteonline.org
or read the October issue of Techniques for the
by-laws and changes. I attended Region III meetings on
Wednesday and Saturday to give my report and learn what is
happening in Region III. Minnesota will be hosting the ACTE
Region III Leadership Conference June 16-18, 2008. Start
planning now to attend. There will be general and division
specific sessions available. The registration form and
general information is available at: http://www.acteonline.org/about/states/MN.cfm,.
Click on the Region III Conference on the right side.
Each morning started with a general
session including a speaker, plus the awards presentation on
Friday. The opening speaker was Ruby Payne, the author of A
Framework for Understanding Poverty. She spoke about how
educators can help students from poverty succeed. She
discussed the transition between the classes and the
unwritten rules that are prevalent in each. She stressed the
importance of how we as educators need to understand this
transition. The reason she teaches about hidden rules is
this: Hidden rules break relationships. Relationships, or as
it's referred to in the research, "social capital and
connectedness," makes all the difference in the world.
That's how you learn to negotiate new environments. To be
successful in school students from poverty must survive
differently, and it is up to us as educators to help with
that transition. In closing she said, "To survive in
poverty, one must rely upon nonverbal, sensory, and reactive
skills. To survive in school, one must use verbal, abstract,
and proactive skills. The challenge is to help in that
transition."
Throughout the days I would attend some
of the breakout sessions as well as the EXPO with over 200
exhibits. One session dealt with FERPA and its impact in
CTE, particularly the work-based programs. The speaker
suggested having a release of information form and/or an
application form for the program. Also, if you're having
students working in the school, make sure they are aware of
FERPA and sign a confidentially agreement. I also attended
Jim Stone's presentation on the Future of CTE Research and
Professional Development and what is happening with NCCTE.
He gave an overview of the past few years and then went into
discussion of proposed studies. Plans include exploring
dropouts, high school reform, science in CTE, student
organizations, etc. If you want more information on NCCTE,
check their web site: www.nccte.org.
Friday I attended the Special Populations Division meeting
and awards, the state officers luncheon and meeting, and the
Town Meeting with panels and discussions regarding the
various changes and direction that ACTE will be taking.
Saturday's closing session speaker was
Erik Weihenmayer. Erik is an athlete, teacher, author, and
climber. In 2001 he became the only blind person to climb
Mount Everest, and in 2002 finished his seven-year quest to
climb the Seven Summits (the tallest peak in every
continent). He shared his story of inspiration to keep us
motivated to encourage and support our students to success
no matter what adversity they face. He talked about how
adversity actually can shape our character, clarify our
priorities, define our path, and fuel our greatness. He
described someone who can take things that are traditionally
seen as disadvantages and turn them into advantages, in
other words, turning lead into gold: alchemists. He also
talked about his team and what he'd learned about building
good teams and being part of good teams. Erik stated that he
knew teachers and administrators have to be good and
effective team members to transfer their skills and
knowledge to students. When he finished, everyone was very
inspired to return to our classrooms and make a positive
impact. Saturday afternoon was the Assembly of Delegates
when the By-law changes were approved and other business
took place. It seems that the time you spend at the
conference is so beneficial and you bring back so much
information that a person wishes all their colleagues could
attend. Please read the other articles those attending also
submitted to the ECHO.
As in the past, I would encourage you to
strongly consider attending next year's ACTE National
Convention in Charlotte, NC, December 4-6, 2008.
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