Teachers gather to learn about new tools and skills at Professional Conference
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ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 13, 2011 -- Teachers from every corner of Minnesota will gather in St. Paul on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 20 and 21, to learn about new tools and skills that will help them in their classrooms. The annual Education Minnesota Professional Conference is one of the largest teacher development and support conferences in the country, drawing thousands of teachers from around the state, as well as many interested parents and citizens.
This year’s conference at Saint Paul RiverCentre features 75 workshops designed to address modern education issues. Dealing with bullies, how to experience success as a first-year teacher, how to motivate students, how music can help students learn math, and why handwriting is important to learning are just some of this year’s workshops. Conference attendees can also donate books for homeless children, give blood, get flu shots, and visit more than 200 exhibits of education-related products, services and programs.
Pioneering political strategist and commentator Donna Brazile delivers the keynote address at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20. She was the first African-American woman to lead a major presidential campaign and says her passion is encouraging young people to vote and participate in the American political system. Other speakers include the following:
- Patti Ralabate, a nationally recognized expert on special education.
- Jonathan Friesen, an award-winning Minnesota author and storyteller who has Tourette Syndrome, a condition that has given him a profound empathy with students with disabilities and shaped his career.
- Dr. Walter Roberts, an expert on bullying and crisis intervention who is a professor of counselor education at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
- Brenda Cassellius, commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Education.
The Education Minnesota Professional Conference is free and open to the public. The two-day conference runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, and from 8:45 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 21.
Note that the parking and free shuttle service will change significantly this year. Education Minnesota’s free parking and shuttle bus service on Thursday, Oct. 20, will be offered at only one location: the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on the south side of Como Avenue, west of Snelling Avenue. The parking lot at Saint Paul College is not available this year and no buses will run from that lot. The State Fair lot is west of Snelling Avenue, across the street from the Coliseum.
Those coming to the conference should also be aware of light rail and road construction and allow extra time to get to RiverCentre.
Educators attend the two days of the Education Minnesota Professional Conference on their own time. Parents and others interested in public education are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Previous education conventions or conferences in Minnesota, which were known by different names, date all the way back to 1861. More information can be found in the Professional Conference section of this site.
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and educational support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO. Follow us on Twitter.
October 13, 2011