Action Learning Project Conference

May 2023: Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

[Download PDF of conference program here]

Day 1 Agenda

Light breakfast (Commons Atrium): 8:00

Welcome: 8:30-8:45

Transition to Auditorium: 8:50

Keynote: 9:00-10:00

Session 1: 10:15-10:45

1. Patrick Breen: Let’s Make the Math Right on A-F Grading
2. Emily Cassellius: Using Fluency Data to Improve Reading Proficiency Within an MTSS Framework
3. Diana Brown: Closing the Advanced Coursework Equity Gap
4. Blake Henely: Tier One Math Framework
5. Elizabeth Vaught: Principal Support in Minnesota: Moving Beyond the Status Quo
6. Marilynn Smith: Teacher Leadership Development
7. Martine Haglund: Discipline Impact on the Shared and Lived Experiences of Black and Latina Students

Session 2: 11:00-11:30

1. Andrea Hoffmann: Elementary Intervention Exploration
2. Jenn Carter & Michael Pretasky: Bridging with our Communities
3. Amy Stites: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism Through Focused Relationship Building; Connecting School Advocates with Students and Families
4. Brandon Macrafic: Deeper Learning in a K-12 Online Community
5. Laurie Chelgren & Julie Hull: The Impact of Evidence-Based Phonics and Phonemic Awareness Literacy Instructional Practices in Kindergarten and 1st Grade
6. Laura Stelter: Engaging Multilingual Students in Content-Area Classes
7. Ryan Barnick & Lynn Hemann: Meeting the Literacy Needs of Multilingual Learners – EL Shadowing Protocol

Lunch 11:45-12:45

Session 3: 1:00-1:30

1. Derik Gustafson: High Quality Classroom Environment
2. Jeff Johnson: Improving Literacy Achievement Through a Structural and Programmatic Tier II MTSS Change
3. Steve Akin: Developing a Sense of Belonging in Students
4. Matt Menier: Boosting Phonemic Awareness Instruction for Kindergarten and First-Grade Students
5. Anna Nagle: Supporting Social Emotional Needs through Sensory
6. Molly Schwaiger: Building an Instructional Coaching Program to Significantly Impact Student Learning

Session 4: 1:45-2:15

1. Nicole Mueller: Reimagine Secondary Special Education Service Delivery Through Co-teaching
2. Brian Thorstad: High School Early Warning System
3. Andrea Halverson: Elementary Reading Intervention Structure
4. Carrie Ekert Haakenson: Bridging the MLL Graduation and Access Gap
5. Jill VeLure: Shift to Science of Reading

Session 5: 2:30-3:00

1. Jill Rollie: High Quality Classroom Environment
2. Zane McInroy: The Impact of the Study and Intentional Application of the Three Findings on Primary Level Teachers
3. Andrew Hodges & Kari Bodurtha: Curricular Resources and Instructional Programming Review Process
4. Brian Morris: Effective Family Engagement in Elementary Schools
5. Dan Cahill: Choosing the Steep Path: Seeking Innovative approaches for Middle Level Advanced Academics
6. Katrina Mezera: Focus on Belonging - a pandemic recovery strategy
7. Sam Pearson: Effective Practices in Implementing Literacy Interventions for Upper Elementary Students

Day 2 Agenda

Light breakfast & gathering: 8:00-9:00

Session 6: 9:00-9:30

1. Karen Dunbar: PBIS and Equity
2. Jeffrey Copp: The Quest for Collective Teacher Efficacy: PBIS - Logical First Step Toward Equity
3. Levi Lundak & Jacque Peterson: Opening the Doors to a New School and Learning!
4. John Bjoraker & Heidi George: What do school leaders do to create a positive culturally relevant school culture?
5. Stephanie McNair: Increase K-5 student performance in English and Spanish for all learners

Session 7: 9:45-10:15

1. Joni Irvin: Establishing Best Practices in a Setting III Program
2. Jennifer Al-Saeed: Increasing Supports and Decreasing Barriers for College Experiences in High School
3. Wendy Moritz: Taking an Action Step Forward, Building Culturally Relevant Environments for Students
4. Brittany Galetka & Jennifer Thompson: Does adding SEL support improve reading instruction and student outcomes in GFW Schools?
5. Tony Mosser: Aligning Instruction and Curricular Resources to Increase K-2 Literacy
6. Albert Johnson: Implementing the BARR Model

Session 8: 10:30-11:00

1. Jennifer Lawhead: Effective Implementation of a New Early Childhood Curriculum
2. Connha Classon & Candy Gram: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
3. Jared Groehler: Opening a new school in collaboration with students, families and staff
4. Peter Wieczorek: HOPE in Action
5. Maura Weyandt: A master schedule’s impact on student achievement
6. Lourdes Flores-Hanson: Implementing systems to promote school success for multilingual learners and their families

Session 9: 11:15-11:45

1. Matt Schmit & Allison Gunderson: Packer Profile
2. Theresa Thao-Yang: Trauma-Informed Practices to Support Student Behavior
3. Erin Rahman: Raising Riverside Readers
4. Kate Hinton: Building a Culture of Caring and Collaboration: A MTSS Journey
5. Freya Schirmacher: Building Stamina and Motivation to Support Middle Level Literacy Skills

Lunch: 11:45-12:45

Session 10: 1:00-1:30

1. Will Ruffin II: A plan for increasing family engagement in Rochester Public Schools
2. Steve Willman: Implementing the Science of Reading and MTSS at Elton Hills Elementary
3. Stacey Haas: Creating a School-Wide SEL Approach
4. Julie Guy: Block the Schedule
5. David Perkins: Jackson Middle School Reading Intervention Program

Session 11: 1:45-2:15

1. Heather Klavetter: Science of Reading In Action: Strong Foundations & Tiered Supports
2. Melissa Stenke: A plan to increase literacy skills for students on IEP’s at the elementary level
3. Amber Walsh: High Impact Math Instructional Strategies Study
4. Nancy Hawkinson: Rethinking Our Approach - Middle School Math
5. Jenny Van Aalsburg: Creating and Environment of Belonging

Session 12: 2:30-3:00

1. Heidi Lee: Family Engagement
2. Gretchen Mattson: Increasing Student Engagement and Learning through visits to our School Forest
3. Jaime Nymann: Dual Language/Immersion Program Models: Current Research and Impacts
4. Robert Rimington: Creating a cell phone policy that reflects the current realities at Wayzata Central Middle School
5. Michelle Cuka: Establishing Culture