The Action Learning Project is the culminating product for participants of the Minnesota Principals Academy and the NISL Executive Development Program. It relates to and gains strength from themes and connections throughout the Academy. The intention of the ALP is for participants to delve deeply into one “problem of practice,” an instructional issue or area relevant to leading their school or organization to improve outcomes. Action Learning Projects are often completed from the standpoint of program evaluation. We often implement new programs or initiatives without solid evaluation of their impact or success. The ALP provides a framework that can be used beyond the Academy. If you are interested in learning more about a particular Action Learning project, please feel free to contact either Dr. Katie Pekel, or the participant directly.
Twin Cities Cohort 5 – Gold
- Aligning Instruction and Curricular Resources to Increase K-2 Literacy: Tony Mosser
- Boosting Phonemic Awareness Instruction for Kindergarten and First-Grade Students: Matt Menier
- Building an Instructional Coaching Program to Significantly Impact Student Learning: Molly Schwaiger
- Closing the Advanced Coursework Equity Gap: Diana Brown
- Creating a School-Wide SEL Approach: Stacey Haas
- Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators: Connha Classon & Candy Gram
- Does adding SEL support improve reading instruction and student outcomes in GFW Schools?: Brittany Galetka & Jennifer Thompson
- Dual Language/Immersion Program Models: Current Research and Impacts: Jaime Nymann
- Effective Family Engagement in Elementary Schools: Brian Morris
- Elementary Intervention Exploration : Andrea Hoffmann
- Elementary Reading Intervention Structure: Andrea Halverson
- Engaging Multilingual Students in Content-Area Classes: Laura Stelter
- Focus on Belonging – a pandemic recovery strategy: Katrina Mezera
- High Impact Math Instructional Strategies Study: Amber Walsh
- High School Early Warning System: Brian Thorstad
- HOPE in Action: Peter Wieczorek
- Increasing Student Engagement and Learning through visits to our School Forest: Gretchen Mattson
- Implementing the BARR Model: Albert Johnson
- Rethinking Our Approach – Middle School Math: Nancy Hawkinson
- The Impact of Evidence-Based Phonics and Phonemic Awareness Literacy Instructional Practices in Kindergarten and 1st Grade: Laurie Chelgren & Julie Hull
- Trauma-Informed Practices to Support Student Behavior: Theresa Thao-Yang
Twin Cities Cohort 5 – Maroon
- A master schedule’s impact on student achievement: Maura Weyandt
- Block the Schedule: Julie Guy
- Bridging with our Communities: Jenn Carter & Michael Pretasky
- Building a Culture of Caring and Collaboration: A MTSS Journey: Kate Hinton
- Building Stamina and Motivation to Support Middle Level Literacy Skills: Freya Schirmacher
- Choosing the Steep Path: Seeking Innovative approaches for Middle Level Advanced Academics: Dan Cahill
- Creating a cell phone policy that reflects the current realities at Wayzata Central Middle School: Robert Rimington
- Creating and Environment of Belonging: Jenny Van Aalsburg
- Curricular Resources and Instructional Programming Review Process: Andrew Hodges & Kari Bodurtha
- Establishing Culture: Michelle Cuka
- Implementing systems to promote school success for multilingual learners and their families: Lourdes Flores-Hanson
- Increase K-5 student performance in English and Spanish for all learners: Stephanie McNair
- Jackson Middle School Reading Intervention Program: David Perkins
- Principal Support in Minnesota: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Elizabeth Vaught
- Supporting Social Emotional Needs through Sensory: Anna Nagle
- Teacher Leadership Development: Marilynn Smith
- What do school leaders do to create a positive culturally relevant school culture?: John Bjoraker & Heidi George
Austin Cohort
- A plan to increase literacy skills for students on IEP’s at the elementary level: Melissa Stenke
- A plan for increasing family engagement in Rochester Public Schools: Will Ruffin II
- Bridging the MLL Graduation and Access Gap: Carrie Ekert Haakenson
- Deeper Learning in a K-12 Online Community: Brandon Macrafic
- Developing a Sense of Belonging in Students: Steve Akin
- Discipline Impact on the Shared and Lived Experiences of Black and Latina Students: Martine Haglund
- Effective Practices in Implementing Literacy Interventions for Upper Elementary Students: Sam Pearson
- Effective Implementation of a New Early Childhood Curriculum: Jennifer Lawhead
- Establishing Best Practices in a Setting III Program: Joni Irvin
- Family Engagement: Heidi Lee
- High Quality Classroom Environment: Derik Gustafson
- High Quality Classroom Environment: Jill Rollie
- Implementing the Science of Reading and MTSS at Elton Hills Elementary: Steve Willman
- Improving Literacy Achievement Through a Structural and Programmatic Tier II MTSS Change: Jeff Johnson
- Increasing Supports and Decreasing Barriers for College Experiences in High School: Jennifer Al-Saeed
- Let’s Make the Math Right on A-F Grading: Patrick Breen
- Meeting the Literacy Needs of Multilingual Learners – EL Shadowing Protocol: Ryan Barnick & Lynn Hemann
- Opening the Doors to a New School and Learning!: Levi Lundak & Jacque Peterson
- Opening a new school in collaboration with students, families and staff: Jared Groehler
- Packer Profile: Matt Schmit & Allison Gunderson
- PBIS and Equity: Karen Dunbar
- Raising Riverside Readers: Erin Rahman
- Reducing Chronic Absenteeism Through Focused Relationship Building; Connecting School Advocates with Students and Families: Amy Stites
- Reimagine Secondary Special Education Service Delivery Through Co-teaching: Nicole Mueller
- Science of Reading In Action: Strong Foundations & Tiered Supports: Heather Klavetter
- Taking an Action Step Forward, Building Culturally Relevant Environments for Students: Wendy Moritz
- The Impact of the Study and Intentional Application of the Three Findings on Primary Level Teachers: Zane McInroy
- The Quest for Collective Teacher Efficacy: PBIS – Logical First Step Toward Equity: Jeffrey Copp
- Tier One Math Framework: Blake Henely
- Shift to Science of Reading: Jill VeLure
- Using Fluency Data to Improve Reading Proficiency Within an MTSS Framework: Emily Cassellius
Fergus Falls
- Academic Parent Teacher Teams (APTT) – Intentional and Strategic Family Engagement: Judith Brockway
- Addressing Chronic Absenteeism: Josh Haag
- Character Education at the Core: Sarah Suchy
- Does the supplemental program DreamBox add value to our elementary mathematics instruction?: Diana Johnson
- Family Engagement: Carla Smith
- Grades with Meaning: Measuring What Matters: Corinna Erickson
- High-Quality Professional Development: Tindyl Rund
- Implementing an Advisory Program at Minnewaska Area High School: Cory Larson
- Improving Teacher Practice with Learning Sciences International (LSI): Melissa Sparks
- Informal Relationship Building and Effects on 9th Grade Performance: Angela Doll
- Junior High Achievement: Darren Glynn, Principal Bertha-Hewitt
- Preparing Students For Success Through Specialized Sixth Grade Strategies: Kelly Anderson
- Reading Success For All: An Evaluation of our Implementation of the Pathways to Reading Excellence in School Sites (PRESS) Model: Trish Mariotti and Jason Kuehn
- Revisiting the Block: Kelly Weets
- Standards Based Grading: Nagel
- Tackling Tardies at New York Mills High School: Michelle Young-Lecoustre
- The Transference of the Athletic Coaches Growth Mindset into the Classroom and the Impact it has on Student Growth and Engagement: Thomas Williams
- Third Grade Math Clubs: Flexibly Grouping Students Based on Need: Josh St. Louis
Staples
- Aligning Stakeholders to Reclaim Space for Education-Based Athletics: Campbell
- Daily Collaborative Teacher Planning Time at Lowell Elementary: Todd Sauer
- Data Warehousing and MTSS Effectiveness: Todd Lyscio
- Developing Data Proficiency with Teachers: A project to develop proficiency in data collection and utilization with teachers: Joel Swenson
- Examining Student Engagement: Nate Merseth
- Grading for Learning at Pierz Public Schools: Karrie Boser-High School, Dan Stifter-High School, Tom Otte-Elementary
- High Poverty/ High Expectations: Cathy Nault
- High Reliability Schools – Teacher Collaboration: Melissa Hesch
- How We Learn – What I Learned: Wade Mathers
- Implementation of an advisory program at FMS that is outcome-based and focused on measurable data: Jon Anderson
- Implementation of Family Guided Routines Based Intervention: Julie Domino
- Improving Parent Engagement: Aaron Nelson
- Including Social Emotional Learning at Baxter Elementary School: Tammy M. Stellmach
- Is a Grade Level Problem Solving Process the Best Model for MTSS Implementation?: Jodi Kennedy
- I.S.S. Room: Interventions, Support & Success: Mike Schmidt
- Literacy Leadership to build systematic collaboration, reflection, and refinement of literacy instruction: Joleen DeLaHunt and Kathy Johnson
- Principal Evaluation: Heid M. Hahn
- Revising the Tools Used to Promote Teacher Growth in ISD 186: Mike O’Neil
- Social Emotional Learning in a Level IV Setting: Nancy Anderson
- Social Skills & Measurement…Was it Worth it?: Molly Raske
- Student Relationships: John Regan
- Systemic Academic Interventions At Brainerd High School: Andrea Rusk
- Teaching Resiliency: Jessica Haapajoki
- Technology Staff Development: Sarah Porisch
- This Is Us: Creating A Vision For Culture: Tom Cooper
- The implementation of standards based grading practices at Century Middle School (CMS): Shawn L. Andress
- Video Portfolio Measuring Student Growth: Jonathan Clark
Twin Cities Cohort 3
- Alignment of Grading Practices: Tyler Shepard
- All Students College Ready in Mathematics-Closing the Gap: Erica Powell Bentz
- Assuming Competence for ALL Learners: Standards Based IEP’s: Jennifer Holt
- Developing a Systematic Evaluation Process for Saints Time (student intervention time): Douglas Austin
- Dual Language Immersion Program Recommendations for Academia Cesar Chavez: Bart Johnson
- Early College Access for ALL: Greg Martin
- Expanding Access To A Rigorous English Curriculum For All Students: Diana Morton
- First Grade P.R.E.S.S. Interventions at Webster Elementary School: Mona Perkins
- Graduate Portfolio of Core Competencies to Extend Deeper Learning Outcomes: Joseph Cienian
- Guaranteed and Viable Language Arts Curriculum for All: Shayne Kusler
- Implementing A School-Wide Writing Rubric – WiLATA: Mike D. Hamernick
- Implementing Collaborative Teams to Improve Student Achievement in Science: Billie Jo Steen
- Implementing RP: Robert Sahli
- Master Scheduling to Support All Learners: Ty Thompson
- MTSS at the secondary level: Say what?: Mercedes Walker
- Perception of Teachers over Coaching Practices at Hennepin Elementary School: Mahrous Kandil
- Preparing Students for Academic Success through Excellence in Literacy: Implementing the Core Knowledge Skills Curriculum: Melissa Mase
- Providing Meaning and Clarity in Grading: Tim Hodges
- Raising Our Outstate Standards: Judd K. Wheatley
- Saints Agriculture: Scott Manni
- The Impact of Instructional Fidelity or Variability Within Schools: Sabrina Williams
- The Power of Positive!: Erin Amundson
- Transforming School Culture: Dewey Schara
- Utilizing an Audit for Math Curriculum Fidelity and Proficiency Improvement In a Montessori School: Deana Siekmann
- Yep, we’re white: Addressing racial inequity in one MN suburban elementary school: Calvin Keasling
Twin Cities Cohort 2 (2015-2017)
- Alternative Learning Center Mathematics Common Formative Assessments: Melodee Hoffner
- Balanced Literacy Pilot: We Are Writers. Therefore, We Are Readers: Melissa Sonnek
- Creating Impactful Targeted Services Programming: Brett Domstrand
- Creating a Vision for a Secondary School: Brian Kazmierczak
- Early Early College-Readiness: The Effectiveness of the Early College Prep Course at Chippewa Middle School: Molly Hollihan
- Ensuring One Year of Academic Growth for the Top Performing Students: Dale Christensen
- Explicit Conversations about Race and its Impact on Students, Staff, and School: Amy Kujawski
- Extended School Day: Angie Martin
- Faribault 9th Grade Academy: Jamie Bente
- From Isolation to Collaboration: A Transformative Journey to Standards-Based Collaboration at the Elementary Level: Beth Anderson
- Implementation of School Wide PBIS: Jennifer Molitor
- Implementing Building Wide Grading Practices: Sarah Sorenson-Wagner
- Implementing ENVoY: The Impact on Student Behavior at the Classroom and Building Level: Heather Hogan
- Influence of PRESS on K-5 Literacy in a Classic Education: Brooke Tousignant
- Is Co-Teaching Improving Academic Achievement for All Students: Duane Dutrieuille
- Refinement of Student Intervention Team: Ben Chiri
- Resolving Initiative Fatigue: Angi McAndrews
- Responding to the Demand for Academic Intervention, Mental Health Support and Equitable Practices through Alternate Scheduling: Stephanie Bruggers
- Retaining High Performing Teachers in an Urban Charter School: Betsy Lueth
- Rethinking Principal Evaluation Five Years After Legislation: Evaluations that Affirm, Validate, Motivate, and Celebrate: Jon Millerhagen
- Strengthening Student Motivation: Gene Ward
NW Cohort (2015-2017)
- Community Collaboration to Mental Health Supports: Kim Johnson
- Early and Emergent Literacy Skill Acquisition: Jim Torkelson
- Elementary Redesign for Effective Intervention: Sara Olson, Patrick Marlot, Mike Weinen
- Homework Completion: Matt Nelson
- How to Engage the “Tough to Engage” Students: Scott Brekke
- Improving Middle School Students’ Reading Ability: Sharon Schultz
- Increasing Student Achievement in Middle School Science: Eric Bubna
- K-6 School-wide RTI in a Small School Setting: Becky Carlson
- Meeting EL Needs Amid and Explosion of Growth in Rural MN: Suraya Driscoll
- Middle School RTI Implementation: Beth Vetter and Lon Ellingson
- Middle School Transition: Aaron Nelson
- PBIS and Student Achievement: Peggy Dunn
- Realigning Mathematics in Grades 7-12: Ryan Johnson
- Safety Nets in the Middle School: Bob Wayne
- Teacher Benefits and Barriers to Technology Integration: Tony Greene
- Teacher Efficacy in a Standards Based Instructional System: Shane Zutz
- Transitioning the Traditional Library: Wayne LePard
Twin Cities Cohort 1 (2013-2015)
- 9th Grade Transition Class: Support for At-Risk Students: Craig Schlichting
- Academic Coaching of Students for High Levels of Engagement in Learning: Patty Johnson
- ACT and PSAT Preparation: One High School’s Effort to Increase Engagement in Pre-Test Practice and Preparation: Amy Steiner
- All Students College Ready: Safety Nets in the Elementary Grades: Terri Siguenza
- Creating a Vision for a Secondary School: Damian Patnode
- Deliberate Math Achievement: An Evaluation of Standards Based Mathematics Instruction, and Elementary School Instruction Reform: Jeff Keil
- A Dirty Little Secret: Reforming Student Selection Processes for High School Level Interventions and Support: Joel Leer
- FUEL-How to Develop a Program which Helps Students Who Fall Through the Cracks: Eric D. Fort
- Gateway Academy: A New Design for Education: Laura Pierce
- Hiring Practice: The Restructure of Austin Public Schools Hiring Process and Protocols: Bradley D. Bergstrom
- The Impact of District Leadership on the Development of an Aligned System of Safety Nets through a Response to Intervention Framework: Jean Duffy
- The Implementation of 1:1 Technology: The Teacher Perspective: Judy Nagel
- Implementation of Expanded Continuum of Mental Health Supports: Examination of Initial Year Demographics, Outcomes and Sustainability: Ellen Voigt
- Implementing a Primary Years Program of the International Baccalaureate: Evidence of Change from the Perspective of Faculty and Students: Julie Greiman
- Including Student Voice: Student Feedback to Teachers: Jamil Payton
- Increasing Principals Capacity to Lead Literacy: Amy LeDue
- Increasing Student Achievement And Motivation Through Goal Setting: Chantel Boyer
- Increasing Student Success in the Chinese Language: Joe Wacker
- Instructional Coaches and Curriculum Support Teachers to Support 21st Century Skills in Literacy Curriculum: Malinda Lansfeldt
- Interventions for Overcoming Barriers in Pursuit of Students’ Highest Level of Academic and Personal Achievement: Cindy Andress
- Putting Culturally Relevant Pedagogy into Practice: Ann Mock
- Relationships Make the Difference: Developing a Looping Program: Katie Mahoney
- STAR (Sit Together and Read) Reading Club: A Program to Support Parents and Preschool Children Reading Together: Steve Voshell
- A Tale of Two Grades: An Evaluation of Grading for Learning, A Middle School Grading Reform: Katie Pekel