Minnesota educators to learn new techniques for managing classrooms, avoiding burnout and using AI at annual MEA conference
For more information, contact:
CHRIS WILLIAMS
651-292-4816 (work)
651-247-5539 (cell)
ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Oct. 13, 2026 — Minnesota educators will learn new techniques for helping students through grief, calming tense classrooms, avoiding burnout and using AI ethically — among dozens of other topics — at the 2026 Minnesota Educator Academy conference on Thursday at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.
Popular sessions in six topic areas will help educators meet state relicensure requirements: reading, English learners, student mental health, positive behavior interventions and accommodations, suicide prevention, and cultural competency, including American Indian history and culture.
“The annual MEA conference is the largest one-day professional development event for educators in the state,” said Monica Byron, president of Education Minnesota. “It’s a chance for educators to network, build solidarity, learn new skills and progress in their careers.”
Among the new class offerings this year are “Grief 101: Supporting Grieving Students in Schools”; “Grounded Under Pressure: Adult Regulation, De-escalation, and Restorative Response in Schools”; “Reframing Burnout: Wellness as a Workplace Condition, Not a Personal Fix”; and “Using the Disclosure of AI as an Opportunity for Critical Reflection.”
The always-popular panel with the finalists for the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award will also return.
“Educators are already talking about this year as being one of the most stressful of their careers as the trauma of Operation Metro Surge and the financial struggles of many families continue to play out in classrooms,” Byron said. “Our union hopes the new classes offered this year will help educators cope with what they’re seeing in schools every day.”
The keynote speaker this year is Jessica Hawk, a retired educator who creates content on Instagram and TikTok under the handle @myteacherface. Hawk taught in New Jersey for 32 years before switching to full-time content creation in 2024. She was a member of the New Jersey Education Association throughout her career.
Two other speakers are scheduled: Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and David Davis, the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Davis teaches instrumental and general music at Park Spanish Immersion Elementary in the St. Louis Park School District.
The conference is open only to members of Education Minnesota, the union of educators in E-12 schools, two-year colleges and the University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston. Reporters may book interviews about the conference, in advance or on Thursday, through Chris Williams.
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.
