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A publication of South Central Service Cooperative c perativeLink SPRING 2018 \ VOL 15 NO 2 Microcredentialing: Competency-based Recognition for Professional Inside Learning This Issue he graphic to the right shows Cover Story ................................1 educator responses when Tdescribing professional Cooperative News ................2-3 development in education. The current system, especially in rural Admin Services .......................4-5 areas, is insufficient. To address this, Teaching & Learning..............6-13 the Minnesota Service Cooperatives are working to provide professional Student Programs .............. 13-19 learning that elevates the profession of teaching; recognizes teacher and Calendar of Events ................. 20 student needs; and is individualized, competency driven and flexible. After much research and discussion MSC will begin to offer micro- credentials next year. MCs are a way for educators to demonstrate competency in a single research-based area, method, or strategy (thus the micro). A variety of on-demand and/or in-person resources are provided to guide individualized learning. These could include trainings, readings, research studies, videos, discussion boards, coaching and/or mentoring depending on the needs of the educator. Evidence of competency is then submitted. This could include lesson plans, student work samples, videos, observations, responses to open ended questions, reflections and/or other criteria. The submission is assessed based on a rubric by a trained reviewer and a MC is awarded or specific feedback for improvement is provided for resubmission. MC pilot programs are currently underway in Arkansas, Delaware, Texas, Florida and Tennessee. Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, North Carolina and Wyoming, giving teachers incentives to demonstrate professional growth via MCs. Individual districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota are using MCs for professional development and lane changes. The MSC project hopes to help expand similar opportunities to districts statewide. More details will be available soon. To learn more about MCs or the MSC pilot program, contact Mary Hillmann at [email protected]. Can’t wait until fall? SCSC is offering a peek into MCs through the Problem Based and Personalized Learning summer institute. This blended instruction module will consist of two face-to-face sessions at SCSC on June 18 and Aug. 15 as well as the potential for 24 CEUs through additional work with MCs. For more information on this institute, visit www.mnscsc.org/events-registration. COOPERATIVE NEWS Mapleton and St. James Educators Each Named SCSC Receives 2018 School Finance Award Recipients of $15,000 Award for Excellence elanie Urban, a teacher at Maple River High School CSC has received the School Finance award in Maple River Public Schools, was surprised April consecutively since 2005, marking 14 years of auditory 18 with the news that she is a recipient of a 2018 compliance and reporting. S WEMM Outstanding Educator Award for Ethics in Education, The School Finance Award is awarded annually by the an honor that is accompanied by a $15,000 award. Minnesota Department of Education Division of School Urban is one of Finance to recognize schools for meeting statutory deadlines two recipients for submission of audited fiscal financial data and reporting of the WEM criteria. Out of 575 eligible reporting entities, 469 met Foundation’s the qualifying criteria for the 2018 School Finance Award. statewide Ethics Criteria included timely submission of financial data and in Education compliance with Minnesota statutes, presence of select Award, which indicators of fiscal health, and accuracy in financial reporting. recognizes The following area schools were also awarded: educators who • Albert Lea Public Schools embody ethical behavior and • Blue Earth Area Public Schools Melanie Urban • Cleveland Public Schools promote ethical • College Preparatory Elementary development for • Columbia Heights students through classroom or school activities, policies or • Fairmont Area Public Schools curriculum. • Faribault Public Schools Urban has been teaching for 10 years and currently teaches • Granada Huntley-East Chain high school social studies, government and economics at • Jordan Public Schools Maple River High School. While teaching the fundamentals • Lake Crystal Public Schools are essential, Urban also wants to help students transition • Madelia Public Schools from high school government class knowledge to active • Mankato Public Schools participation in the American democracy. One of the ways • Maple River Public Schools she helps students with this transition is by using an activity • Martin County West Public Schools she created called the “Who Serves Me” project. Each student • Minnesota New Country School researches their legislators, including stances the politicians • Minnesota Valley Ed District have on a variety of issues. Students are challenged to • NRHEG. Public Schools investigate how these specific issues impact their lives. Urban • New Ulm Public Schools feels this activity provides students with the tools they need to • Prodeo Academy become engaged citizens. • Sibley East Public Schools • Sleepy Eye Public Schools “Having met someone who truly believes and encourages • St Peter Public Schools me to be more than my mistakes in life made it that much • Tri City United Public Schools easier to believe in myself,” shared a student. “Mrs. Urban • United South Central Public Schools instilled in me the ability to believe I am more than what the • Waseca Public Schools negativity of life has to offer. Students are supposed to give • Waterville-Elysian-Morristown teachers the apples, but it was really her who did the giving.” Outside of the classroom, Urban is the Student Council advisor, volleyball coach, senior class advisor, 6-12 PLC leader, and the student election judge training coordinator. “She is dedicated to not only educating in her classroom, but also educating and supporting students outside her classroom to become well- rounded citizens,” said Laura Phillips, Dean of Students. Excellence continues on page 3 2 Cooperative Link SPRING 2018 COOPERATIVE NEWS (Continued) Excellence continued from page 2 Another initiative Chapin spearheaded is a joint project with the local Mayo Stephen Chapin, a teacher at St. James Clinic Health System. With guidance Middle/High School in St. James Public and support from Mayo and other Schools, was surprised April 16 with local healthcare businesses, Chapin the news that he is a recipient of a 2018 created a hands-on experiential WEM Outstanding Educator Award for education course entitled “Health Teacher Achievement, an honor that is Care Career Explorations.” This course accompanied by a $15,000 award. allows students direct contact with 14 different aspects of the healthcare Chapin is one of two recipients of the system, including working with Teacher Achievement Award, which the local hospital, nursing home, recognizes exemplary teachers who optometrist, chiropractor, dentist, and support, inspire and assist students to new this year is mortuary science. attain greater learning as evidenced by student achievement. “Mr. Chapin models learning for his students and colleagues,” said Principal Stephen Chapin with Wanda Sommers Wall Chapin has been teaching for 22 years Karla Beck. “He is constantly stretching and currently teaches health and physical his own base of knowledge which in turn WEM award in the Athletic Coach education to high school and middle stretches those around him. When he sees Award category. Five other educators school students. A big focus for Chapin a learning or social/emotional hole within from across the state also received is hands-on, real-life learning. He created our students he is the first to fill that hole regional awards. a cooperative project with the school’s with curriculum or activities.” food service company. After educating Synergy & Leadership Exchange is 10th-graders on the ‘rules’ of school In addition to the Teacher Achievement a non-profit organization dedicated nutrition, his students worked with Award and Ethics in Education Award, to fostering collaboration to advance the professionals from the food service other educators are being honored with the development of ethical citizens, company to understand the requirements the Academic Challenge Coach Award providing educational resources, around creating school meals. Teams (teachers who are exemplary coaches and celebrating achievement and of students worked to research and of student teams that participate and best practices in Minnesota schools, design nutritionally balanced school compete in academic challenges) and businesses and communities. For more lunches. Once completed, each team is Athletic Coach Award (teachers who are information on the WEM Outstanding responsible to work with the cafeteria exemplary coaches of athletic teams). Educator Awards Program and Synergy staff to prepare the meal for more than & Leadership Exchange, visit: www. 500 students in the school. Chapin Educators are first nominated for the synergyexchange.org. shares, “This has shown immense WEM Outstanding Educator Awards benefits including student ownership, Program by students, parents, colleagues working with food service professionals or community members. Those and real-world experiential learning.” who accept the nomination provide additional information for consideration “Mr. Chapin tries to keep his students by Synergy & Leadership

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