Shawn Brandt
Director of Technology Integration
New Prague Area Schools

Room A113 | PreK-12 & Admin | Technology Integration | Resource Page
Google Sheets is a powerful tool for collecting, sorting, filtering, and presenting data. It’s also a tool many teachers do not feel confident using. Join this session and learn how to sort and filter data, insert formulas, apply conditional formatting, create charts, and more!

Note: Please bring your fully-charged laptop.

Jim Kongshaug, Third Grade Teacher
Staci Thompson, Kindergarten Teacher
Eagle View Elementary

Room A103 | PreK-12 | Re-licensure Requirements | Resource Page
Interested in creating a variety of fun graphics for your classroom, personal life, or any sort of project, Canva is an easy-to-use design tool. Learn some of the basics from starting with a template to adding images, text, and design. Create custom graphics for use on social media, classroom projects, invitations, and many other projects. Please bring your device to help get started!

Note: Please bring your fully-charged laptop.

Andrea Beno, Occupational Therapist
Michelle Trcka, Preschool Teacher
New Prague Area Schools

Room A101 | PreK-1 | Academic Emphasis | Resource Page
This is a review of Size Matters Handwriting curriculum for those who are new to our school district, as well as a review for Pre K, K, and 1st grade teachers! We will also use this time to share different activities that can be used in the classroom to support fine motor skill development and good writing habits.

Tony Buthe
Director of Educational Services
New Prague Area Schools

Room A115 | PreK-12 | Best Practices | Resource Page
Substitute Teachers... This class is designed just for you! This is our 3rd class in the past year. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the New Prague Area Schools. You are appreciated so much and to show you how much we appreciate you, we would love to have you attend not only this class, but also the entire day if you would like. "Substitute Teacher Training - 301" is designed with you in mind. We will discuss topics such as "student behavior, academics, relationships, and overall expectations of buildings." We will also have a Principal panel where an extensive Q & A period will take place. Last but not least, your input for the Principals panel and other administrators will be sought out so we can hear how we can do better for you and our students. Again, we would love to have you in attendance not only for this class, but the entire day. -- CEU's will be available.

Lisa Fulton, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Mercedes Van Cleve, Indian Education Coordinator
Shakopee Public Schools

Room A104 | PreK-12 | Best Practices | Resource Page
Talking circles have been used by native peoples for generations. They are a traditional method of solving problems and discussing difficult topics. It is a very effective way to remove barriers and allow people to express themselves with complete freedom. The symbolism of the circle, with no beginning and with nobody in a position of prominence, encourages people to speak freely and honestly about things that are on their mind. During this session, you will learn how to responsibly bring aspects of traditional talking circles into your classrooms.

Shawn Brandt
Director of Technology Integration
New Prague Area Schools

Room A113 | Grades 2-12 | Technology Integration | Resource Page
You spend a lot of time setting up your physical classroom; organization is a key element for successful classroom management and learning. But what about your digital space -- Google Classroom? Participants will learn tips, strategies, and recommendations to structure Google Classroom pages in a way that maximizes efficiency for teachers and students.

Note: Please bring your fully-charged laptop. 

Kate Kienow
Talent Development Facilitator
New Prague Area Schools

Room A104 | Grades PreK-5 | Best Practices | Resource Page
If they are so smart, why can't they _______? Learn about how a deficit in executive function skills can be a root cause of student underachievement as well as strategies to support their academic success.

Adam Dittberner
Elementary Principal
Eagle View Elementary

Room A115 | PreK-5 | Best Practices | Resource Page
A look into our beliefs about discipline and how to best structure classrooms and buildings for student success. This includes utilizing effective daily procedures and management, effectively working with a team (family, different school staff) to problem-solve the behaviors we encounter, and creating positive plans for changes in behavior.

Brian Thorstad, High School
Tom Wetschka, High School
Assistant Principals

Room A114 | Grades 6-12 | Best Practices | Resource Page
When you are setting up your expectations for the students every year, do you plan ahead for the tough times? Setting your students up to succeed with their behavior has a lot to do with your classroom management and the relationships you build with your students. Communicating all this with the families of your students is a critical component to build positive relationships and trust with your students. We will walk you through some ways to set yourself up for a great school year.

Paula Juffer, EL Teacher
Leah Wacek, EL Teacher
New Prague Area Schools

Room A101 | PreK-12 | Re-licensure Requirements | Resource Page
This session introduces the basics of second language acquisition and second language learning. The participants will have the opportunity to be engaged in the process of analyzing myths about second language learning based on experience and linguistic research. Participants will also learn about a variety of factors that can interfere with a smooth transition into mainstream curriculum, as well as, examine best practices in second language instruction.

Note: This session meets the PELSB “English Learners” re-licensure requirements.

Jim Cavanaugh
School Psychologist
Falcon Ridge Elementary

Room A103 | PreK-12 & Admin | Re-licensure | Resource Page
Got a student who is difficult to work with? Frustrated with a particular group or class hour? Join us for tips to promote positive behaviors when working with difficult/disruptive students. This presentation will be a blend of strategies from various sources to aid the diverse types of disruptions we encounter!

Note: This session meets the PELSB “Positive Behavioral Intervention Strategies” re-licensure requirements.

Nikki Hachfeld, High School
Aliina Peterson, Middle School
School Social Workers

Room A102 | PreK-12 | Re-licensure Requirements | Resource Page
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 17. The Minnesota Legislature passed a law in 2016 requiring all teachers to take one hour of evidence-based suicide prevention training as part of renewing their teacher's license. Changes in teacher licensure in 2017 kept this requirement for all Tier IV and V licenses. Properly trained teachers can play an invaluable role in engaging youth with mental illnesses and reducing the risk of suicide. The purpose of the suicide prevention training will help staff better recognize the symptoms of mental distress, encourage meaningful conversation about suicide with their students, and know when it's time to refer the student for additional support. In addition to providing staff with evidence-based techniques to interact with their students, national and local mental health resources will be reviewed.

Note: This session meets the PELSB “Suicide Prevention” re-licensure requirements.

Shawn Brandt
Director of Technology Integration
New Prague Area Schools

Room A113 | PreK-12 & Admin | Technology Integration | Resource Page
Is your inbox a random mess of opened, unopened, and starred messages? Does your inbox make you feel stressed with hundreds (maybe thousands) of emails? We can't control every single email we receive, but we can control how we deal with it, process it, and organize it. Join this session to learn Gmail strategies for managing your email and reaching Inbox Zero!

Note: Please bring your fully-charged laptop.

Rachel Szybnski
Interventionist
Falcon Ridge Elementary

Room A114 | PreK-3 | Academic Emphasis | Resource Page
This course will be a refresher training on the Fundations phonics curriculum for teachers in grades K-3 in the New Prague Schools. Preschool teachers are invited to attend and learn about this important phonetic experience that starts in the early years. Topics include tips for managing the manual, opportunities to practice "Learning Activities," and time to explore additional resources provided by Fundations.

Lisa Wiener, Interventionist
Jeremy Engebretson, Principal
Raven Stream Elementary

Room A103 | PreK-12 | Best Practices | Resource Page
How can we engage students to empower them to truly own their learning? We have discussed student engagement for several years and continually search for ways to motivate our students. Join us to learn about a structure that helps to identify types of engagement and experience strategies to use in your classroom. 

Krista Henrich, Therapist
Dr. Erin Martin, Mental Health Supervisor
Scott County Mental Health Center

Room A102 | PreK-2 | Best Practices | Resource Page
This session will equip educators with practical strategies to understand and address the impact of trauma on young children's learning and development. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the effects of trauma, learn trauma-informed practices for creating a safe and supportive environment, managing challenging behaviors, promoting self-regulation, and addressing diverse needs. Tools and resources will be shared to help implement trauma-informed practices that promote healing, resilience, and academic success in young learners.

Tiffany Kniefel
Second Grade Teacher
Raven Stream Elementary

Room A114 | Grades 2-12 | Technology Integration | Resource Page
This session will introduce teachers to using Clever and its time-saving features in your classroom. For your students, it's a single sign-on platform to access various websites quickly and avoid having to enter usernames and passwords. During this session you'll learn about Clever, how to customize your own teacher page, and learn tips and tricks for using Clever next school year!

Note: Please bring your fully-charged laptop.

Dave Giesen, Principal
Craig Larson, Third Grade Teacher
Falcon Ridge Elementary

Room A113 | PreK-12 & Admin | Best Practices | Resource Page
Do you have a good relationship with your inbox? On average, people spend 3 hours a day reading, composing, and replying to emails. It’s an important tool – yet few of us have had best practice training on how to use it well for effective communication. In this session, we will share specific productivity tips and strategies for educators to improve their email etiquette.

Note: Please bring your fully-charged laptop.

Tony Buthe
Director of Educational Services
New Prague Area Schools

Room A115 | PreK-12 & Admin | Best Practices | Resource Page
Come and join Tony as he shares his perspective on the "new year". Everyone of us has both "New Strengths" and "New Thoughts". Sometimes we simply need some help to find them or to put them to use. Come and be part of a fun and interactive session where we will accentuate not only the positives, but other people's positive outlook on the year! It is my hope that everyone will walk away from this session with a new outlook on the year. “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."

Melissa Giles
Special Education Teacher
Eagle View Elementary

Room A101 | PreK-12 & Admin | Special Education | Resource Page
Using components from CPI's (Crisis Prevention Institute) Model, participants will learn the top 10 verbal de-escalation strategies. These will allow them to more effectively manage and support students before and during crisis situations.

Jeremy Engebretson
Principal
Raven Stream Elementary

Room A103 | Gr. 3-8 | Re-licensure Requirements | Resource Page
Students’ learning becomes more relevant when they are empowered. Through diverse literature and engaging instructional strategies, teachers are able to provide opportunities that challenge students’ thinking. This session will integrate work by veteran educators, Harvey Daniels, Penny Kittle and Kelly Gallagher, with quality literature to be used with students to increase engagement and empowerment in their learning. You will experience strategies for providing extensions for students’ thinking about literature.

Note: This session meets the PELSB “Reading Preparation” re-licensure requirements.

Kate Kienow, Talent Development Facilitator
Sarah Olson, High School ELA Teacher
New Prague Area Schools

Room A104 | Gr. 6-12 | Re-licensure Requirements | Resource Page
Learn more about ways to engage and extend the learners in your classroom.

Note: This session meets the PELSB “Reading Preparation” re-licensure requirements.

Krista Henrich, Therapist
Dr. Erin Martin, Mental Health Supervisor
Scott County Mental Health Center

Room A102 | PreK-12 & Admin | Re-licensure | Resource Page
This is an introduction and discussion of the mental health needs of our students. The presentation includes an overview of mental health risk factors and protective factors, analysis of common childhood disorders, and the resources and support systems available to students. We will have a discussion of who is available in each school to assist with mental health needs and answer any questions you may have about your students.

Note: This session meets the PELSB “Early Onset Mental Illness” re-licensure requirements.