2022 MEA conference offers educators classes in student mental health, student engagement, reading instruction and racial and gender equity
For more information, contact:
CHRIS WILLIAMS
651-292-4816 (work)
651-247-5539 (cell)
ST. PAUL, Minnesota. Oct. 17, 2022 _ Educators from across Minnesota will attend the annual MEA conference on Thursday, where they will hear from various speakers and choose from dozens of classes intended to help them meet the needs of their students.
The conference will be slightly different from previous years. Some educators will take classes online while others will attend in-person at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.
“This is the premier event for professional development for educators and we’re proud to be back this year,” said Education Minnesota President Denise Specht. “Whether in-person or virtual, we’re providing classes for educators – often by educators – that will improve the quality of the teaching our students receive for the rest of the school year.”
The opening session will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday. The keynote speaker will be Jennifer Berkshire, co-host of the popular education podcast “Have You Heard?” and co-author of the new book, “A Wolf at the School House Door: The Dismantling of Public Education and the Future of School.” Minnesota Teacher of the Year Sarah Lancaster and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten are also scheduled to make remarks.
As of Monday, the most popular MEA classes include those designed to give educators strategies for teaching students with mental health challenges, increasing student engagement, creating more dynamic classrooms and improving reading instruction. The conference also offers multiple classes for educators seeking to create a sense of belonging for children with marginalized identities and to learn strategies for building school communities in which every student can thrive, regardless of their ZIP code, race or gender identity.
The conference is open to current Education Minnesota union members and college students studying to become educators.
Education Minnesota asks journalists to contact press secretary Chris Williams in advance to arrange on-site interviews. Williams can also arrange limited access to in-person sessions on Thursday.
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education 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.
