Member Newsletter
  May 2016  
 
50 Years of SWWC
Have you noticed our "Did You Know ...?" posts on Facebook and Twitter? If not, be sure to follow our pages. Every weekday, we are sharing a historical fact about SWWC. It is fun to step back in time to celebrate all we have done over the last 50 years! You can find links to our social media pages at the bottom of this e-newsletter.

ECSE at the University of St Thomas
Addressing workforce issues in ECSE is a challenge. The University of St. Thomas is launching a new fully online route to licensure for ECSE and other SPED licenses! Individuals who are interested in hearing more are encouraged to sign-up for a virtual information session. Merit scholarships and needs-based grants are available for students pursuing their first special education license or MA degree. In addition they are currently enrolling for their next off-campus cohort to begin in St.Paul and Roseville in July, as well as ASD Summer Institute and 

Celebrate Your Students! Nominate Your Academic All-Stars
It is time to nominate your students as Academic-All Stars! All Minnesota K-12 teachers, administrators and academic challenge coordinators are invited to designate students as "Academic All-Stars," to be eligible to attend the 2016 Gathering of Champions. This free annual celebration and recognition of student excellence is sponsored by Synergy & Leadership Exchange and its educational partners. Visit http://www.synergyexchange.org/Celebrate/GOC.aspx for more details and to nominate your students. The Gathering of Champions will be held on Friday, August 5 at the Mall of America.

SMSU Superintendent Licensure Program Starting Fall 2016 
You can earn your licensure in one year! You may apply if you have a Minnesota Principal or Special Education license, your sixth year certificate or verification of 30 administrative competency-based credits beyond the Master's degree. Read more on the Superintendents Licensure Flyer. 
Read the Summer 2016 Professional Development Catalog.  
We have a LOT of offerings planned for this summer!

  
Read the Spring 2016 Review! 
 
 
Administrative Updates

Mark Your Calendar - March 12-13, 2017 - Pipestone
           
Education Updates
 
There are many professional development opportunities coming this summer from SWWC (you can see the full list at www.swsc.org/workshops). 

Here are two other opportunities to look into:
Improving Teacher Quality 2016:  Water Exploration: Watersheds, Water Quality, & Water Analysis - June 13-16, June 28-30 and July 12-14.
Filled with hands-on learning, this 10-day graduate course at the University of Minnesota - Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) in Lamberton explores science concepts relevant to agricultural science and helps K-12 teachers better prepare students for science assessments. For more information visit our website at http://swroc.cfans.umn.edu/k12/itq, email Gretchen at gthillen@umn.edu or call 507-752-7372.   
 
Minnesota Valley History Learning Center Curriculum Training - July 19-20 
This two-day training immerses teachers in Minnesota history through the following curriculum themes: Gneiss Rock, Glacial River Warren, Immigration & Settlement, Prairie to Production, and Pioneer Life. The curriculum for these themes is developed to exceed Minnesota Department of Education academic standards in Science and Social Studies. Curriculum is structured for grades 5-9, but is adaptable across all grade levels. Sessions include hands-on trainings with curriculum writers at the Minnesota Valley History Learning Center (MVHLC) in Morton. Registration is limited to 20 applicants. For more information visit our website at https://mvhlc.org/curriculumtraining/, email Ann at MVHLC.explorerprogram@gmail.com or call 507-697-6119.   
See what's happening on our social sites!
Our Mission:  We support and enhance the work of our members
by providing programs and services that meet their needs.


Our Core Values:  Service.  Integrity.  Respect.