TRAINING FOR ADMINISTRATORS

Exciting things are happening with the project.  Approval has been granted by the Institutional Review Boards of the University of St. Thomas and the four collaborating districts.  Invaluable training is taking place with members of participating districts' staffs. Testing is taking place, and everything is moving along smoothly.

Susan Assouline
Director, Belin-Blank Center
University of Iowa

In February, 2009, Susan Assouline conducted an all-day training session via polycam from the University of Iowa's Belin-Blank Center.  Dr. Assouline is an expert in gifted/autism spectrum disorders and gifted/learning disabilities dual exceptionalities, having completed an exhaustive research project on that population.  In attendance were members of the Steering Committee of PROJECT2EXCEL (administrators of gifted and special education, as well as classroom teachers).

L. Dennis Higgins and M. Elizabeth Nielson
Gifted Education Professors
University of New Mexico

In May, 2009, Dennis Higgins and Elizabeth Nielson conducted a two-day training session at the University of St. Thomas' Minneapolis campus.  The training focused on the affective needs that set twice-exceptional learners apart from their peers, as well as provided specific recommended modifications that teachers can use in the classroom to enhance the educational experiences for these children.  In attendance were Steering Committee members and the participating teachers from each district involved in PROJECT2EXCEL.

Susan Baum
International Center for Talent Development & Bridges Academy

 

In August 2010, Susan Baum conducted a two-day training session at the University of St. Thomas' Minneapolis campus. The focus was on a suggested comprehensive program for 2E learners: identifying strengths, interests, intelligences, talents, and styles of students; setting the environment for learning (physical, emotional, and intellectual); and dual-differentiation versus accomodations.

 

 Grace Raymond, Nicolle Hren, Lisa Larson, Teynae Richardson, and Nancy Randall
Capitol Hill Magnet School

 

In October 2010, Capitol Hill team of specialists conducted a one-day workshop at the University of St. Thomas' Minneapolis campus. The focus was "Using Child Study to Develop a Support Plan." During the workshop, experimental teachers, special education teachers, social workers, and school psychologists worked as a team to create profiles of individual students, then developed strategies to address each child's needs.

 

Administrators' Breakfast

The Steering Committee for this project invited District Administrators to attend an Administrators’ Breakfast on June 12, 2009 where they were officially thanked for their participation and any questions they had regarding the project were answered.

Administrators Supporting PROJECT2EXCEL:

• * Erin Boltik, Able Learner Program Coordinator, Inver Grove Heights
• * Jane Sansgaard, Director of Student Support Services, Inver Grove Heights
• Deirdre Wells, Superintendent, Inver Grove Heights, MN
• Bert Strassburg, Director of Curriculum, Inver Grove Heights, MN
• Ruth Ann Moore, Principal, Pine Bend Elementary School, Inver Grove Heights, MN
• Jean Vogel, Principal, Salem Hills Elementary School, Inver Grove Heights, MN
• Tom Barker, Principal, Hilltop Elementary School, Inver Grove Heights, MN
• Carol Ellison, Assistant Principal, Inver Grove Heights Middle School, Inver Grove Heights, MN
• * Richard Cash, District Supervisor of Gifted asnd Talented Programs, Bloomington
• * Barb Dullaghan, Elementary Gifted Coordinator, Bloomington
• * Julie Donaldson, Middle School Gifted Coordinator, Bloomington
• * Peggy Locke, Lead Autism Specialist, Bloomington 
• Brian Ingemann, Principal, Oak Grove Middle School, Bloomington, MN
• Steve Abrahamson, Principal, Ridgeview Elementary School, Bloomington, MN
• Kate Emmons, Special Education Supervisor, Bloomington, MN
• Tim Anderson, Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning, Bloomington, MN
• Beth Anderson, Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning, Bloomington, MN
• * Melanie Crawford, PROJECT2EXCEL Consultant
• Louis Mariucci, Retired Principal, Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul 
• Brenda Lewis, Principal, Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul
  
• * Renee Jensen, Assistant Principal, Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul
  
• * Grace Raymond, Curriculum Coordinator, Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul
• * Nicolle Hren,
• * Lisa Larson, Social Worker, Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul
• Denise Quinlan, Executive Director, St. Paul, MN
• Cecilia Dodge, Director of Special Education, St. Paul, MN
• Marcy Doud, Supervisor, Middle Grades (SPED), St. Paul, MN
• * Carol Aasen, St. Paul, MN
• Mary Kelly, Supervisor, Elementary (SPED), St, Paul, MN
• Louis Mariucci, Retired Principal, Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul, MN
• Barbara Evangelist, Administrative Intern, Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul, MN
• Ashley Cannaday, Gifted Services Program Manager, St. Paul, MN
• Betsy Garcia, Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul, MN
• * Nancy Vague, Coordinator of Gifted Services, South Washington County
• * Jennifer McIntyre, Special Education Director, South Washington County
  
• Rick Spicuzza, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Assessment, Cottage Grove, MN
• Dave Bernhardson, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, Cottage Grove, MN
• Erin Metoxen, Director of Special Services, Cottage Grove, MN
• Molly Roeske, Principal, Bailey Elementary School, Woodbury, MN
• Nancy Meyer, Secondary Special Education Supervisor, Cottage Grove, MN

* Indicates Members of the PROJECT2EXCEL Steering Committee