MRVED Business

Upcoming Meetings
November 20, 2015  Principals' Council (11:30 a.m. start)
November 25, 2015  Superintendents' Council

December 1, 2015  Industrial Technology
December 3, 2015  English Language Arts
December 4, 2015  Title III Teachers
December 7, 2015  District Assessment Coordinators (DAC)
December 8, 2015  World Languages
December 11, 2015  Social Studies

MELT Networking Facilitators - Last Chance

The MRVED is looking for facilitators of networking groups.  As a facilitator you are not expected to be the expert in the room, but rather move the discussion along.  The goal of a networking group is to share resources and ideas with people who have the same interest.  They are meant to include a give & take. Bring something to share and take something away that someone else shared.  The only networking groups that will be offered are those that have a willing facilitator.  If a networking group does not have a facilitator, it will not be held.  If you would like to sign up, please click the link below and add your name to the list next to the group you would like to facilitate.  The networking sign up will close at 3:00p.m. on Friday November 20.  If you have any questions or cannot access the form, please contact Brandon (braymo@mrved.net).


MELT NETWORKING FACILITATOR SIGN UP LINK



Best Practice Meeting Updates
Title I
The Title I teachers came to the MRVED on November 3rd.  The Title I teachers get a treat every year as Brandon and Karen both run the meeting.  In the morning the group spent some time with Karen discussing Mindset.  The conversations were awesome!  After Mindset, the group read and discussed an article on learning styles.  Lunch was amazing as usual.  In the afternoon the group networked and shared a wealth of resources.   Brandon then talked about how to search Google effectively and efficiently and the day was over.  A very productive day for all.

Phy Ed & Health
The Phy Ed and Health teachers gathered at the MRVED in early November for their annual best practice meeting.  The morning was centered around a great conversation on grading practices in the classroom.  It has been really neat to see how each content area approaches this topic.  The activity has expanded the thinking of many.  Then the group aligned their curriculum with the standards using a Google Doc.  In the afternoon, the group networked and finished the day with aligning the health standards.  It was a very productive day with some great conversation.

FACS
The MRVED meeting with the FACS teachers was combined with the Southwest West Central Service Cooperatives meeting this year.  The two meetings were scheduled so close together that it was in the best interest of the teachers to combine.  The teachers had the opportunity to hear from their state specialist as well as an introduction to the Frameworks for FACS Education.  In the afternoon we heard from Neal, who works at the U of M as a researcher in the field of food defense.  Yes, food defense!  Basically defending our food supply from any terrorist attacks, both foreign and domestic.  It was another awesome day with a great group of ladies!

Agriculture
Brandon and the Ag teachers ventured to Hutchinson on a beautiful Friday afternoon.  The morning was spent on the Ridgewater campus, touring and meeting with faculty in the manufacturing department.  In the afternoon, we toured MITGI on the Hutchinson Technology Campus.  After a short meeting with the President of MITGI as well as the HR and Safety Director, we had the opportunity to tour the building.  MITGI is a precision carbide cutting tool manufacturer.  Not only was the process amazing to watch, but the atmosphere at MITGI and the way the business is ran is awesome.  Overall it was a great day of learning about what higher ed is looking for as well as employers in the industry.

MRVED Business

FACS Meeting
The Family and Consumer Science teachers gathered for their annual best practice meeting on Tuesday, March 24.  The group had the opportunity to tour CashWise Foods in Willmar and learn about the grocery business.  After the grocery store tour the group ate and shared ideas.  In the afternoon the group toured Mr. B's Chocolates in Willmar.  Overall it was a great day and much was learned.

Upcoming Meetings

April 8, 2015  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
April 10, 2015  Community Ed
April 17, 2015  Title III Teachers
April 22, 2015  Superintendents' Council

May 8, 2015  Community Ed
May 11, 2015  Principals' Council/TAC Combined Meeting (NEW DATE)
May 27, 2015  Superintendents' Council

6 Ways to Be a Stronger Communicator (from Practical Business Training)
1. You don't always need to be "right." It's unrealistic to think you will never make a mistake. How you handle it says a great deal about who you are as a professional. Don't try and shift the blame or go radio silent, hoping no one will notice. Own your error, come up with a solution and apologize for the inconvenience it may have caused. This shows maturity and tells your boss you can be trusted to handle a difficult situation under pressure.
2. It's not necessary to one up your coworker. Friendly competition is healthy and challenges others to step up their pace.  Make every effort to congratulate peers on a job well done and keep the conversation focused on their success. Steer away from bringing conversations back to you and your own achievements.
3. You learn more by listening.  If someone is taking the time to offer you constructive criticism, mentor you, or give you a piece of sound business advice, take advantage of the opportunity to listen and learn. Jot down notes to review later.
4. Know-it-alls are annoying. If you are good at your job, there is no need to brag about your expert status. Your reputation will speak for itself loud and clear.
5. No one respects a gossip. Being part of the "in the know" crowd may seem exciting and fun, until you are the subject of conversation. Rest assured, if they are trash talking someone else with you, they are surely talking about you when you are gone. Avoid water cooler chit chat and aspire to be the person who can be counted on to keep their mouth shut. At the end of the day your associates will view you as a trustworthy friend and coworker.
6. Keep your language clean. Cursing in the workplace is a habit worth breaking. Even if your boss regularly uses curse words at the office, you can't go wrong by keeping a civil tongue. If tough situations bring out the profanity, find other ways to cope.

MRVED Business

The MRVED Staff would like to wish all of you a happy and relaxing holiday break.  The next MRVED Update will come Friday, January 9, 2015.  The MRVED offices will be open Monday and Tuesday of next week and will run a limited staff the following week.  If you need any assistance during this time you can try calling the office at 320-269-9297 or reach any of us by email.  Have a great holiday season!

Meeting Updates
DAC Meeting
The District Assessment Coordinators had the opportunity to meet at the MRVED on Monday before the ice storm moved through.  They spent a couple hours during the morning networking and asking questions of each other.  The District Assessment Coordinator in your district works very hard to ensure that all testing is completed and reported correctly.  In this holiday season, let them know how much you appreciate all they do!

FACS Best Practice Meeting
The FACS best practice meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled due to the icy roads and numerous late starts.  They were scheduled to go to Willmar and tour Cashwise Foods and Bakery as well as Mr. B's Chocolates.  The meeting will be rescheduled for the Spring.

TAC Meeting
The Teachers Advisory Council met at the home of Karen and Steve Jacobson on Thursday.  Most of the day was spent learning about how to have a collaborative conversation as an instructional coach.  The group had the opportunity to practice the collaborative conversations.  They also spent some time viewing an actual lesson, scoring the teacher, and conversing as if they were helping that teacher get better.  The TAC also had the opportunity to look at the MELT sessions and provide feedback.  Overall, another great day of learning at the Jacobson farm!


Upcoming Meetings
January 9, 2015  Title III Paraprofessionals
January 16, 2015  Community Ed
January 19, 2015  MELT
January 28, 2015  Superintendents' Council

MRVED Business

FACS Meeting Update
The FACS teachers gathered at the MRVED on March 11 for their 2nd meeting of the year.  The morning was spent on completing program approval forms.  In the afternoon the group participated in a 21st century skills activity and networked.  There was much laughter and great ideas shared all day long with this great group of women!

Communication Briefings
This week's tidbit is entitled:  Nonwords

You might be surprised to hear this, but some of the words that you hear—and, perhaps, use—every day are not really words, in the strictest sense. Here are a few “words” in common usage that you will not find in the dictionary:

• Nevermind. If you mean “disregard” or “do not consider that any longer,” use two words: never mind. As one word, nevermind is an outdated American noun that means heed, as in “I never gave that any nevermind.”
• Irregardless. The correct word is “regardless.”
• Alot. Use two words: a lot.
• Alright. Again, use two words: all right. Alright is a nonstandard version that is gaining acceptance but has not yet achieved legitimacy.

— Adapted from “Words That Aren’t Words,” Grace Fleming, http://homeworktips.about.com.

Upcoming Meetings
March 17  CEO meeting
March 18  Guidance Counselors
March 20  Social Workers
March 21  Business
March 25  Pathways to Postsecondary
March 26  Superintendents' Council
March 28  MRVED Professional Development Day - trainings at LQPV and Dawson-Boyd (contact Brandon Raymo - braymo@mrved.net - to register or for more information on these trainings.)

MRVED Business

Meeting Updates
FACS Meeting
The Family and Consumer Science teachers took a field trip for their best practice meeting this Fall.  The group spent the morning at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall meeting with the department chairs of education and culinology.  The group had the opportunity to hear from higher education as to what they are seeing in students as well as trends in their area.  The teachers also toured the departments.  After a great lunch at SMSU, the FACS teachers made their way over to Schwans Research and Development. This was a treat!  The group had the opportunity to throw on a hairnet and see how a product is born and all the steps that are involved in bringing a product to market.  Overall it was a great active day for everyone!

FACS group touring a kitchen at SMSU with department chair Michael Cheng.

MELT Update

The MRVED still needs YOU!  We know there are great things going on in all of our schools.  Please consider sharing some of those great things at the MELT in January.  If you are interested in presenting, or are not sure if your topic would be interesting, please contact Brandon (braymo@mrved.net).  Remember, you do not have to present alone, teams of teachers are encouraged to present together.

The MRVED is also looking for facilitators of networking groups.  As a facilitator you are not expected to be the expert in the room, but rather move the discussion along.  The goal of a networking group is to share resources and ideas with people who have the same interest.  They are meant to include a give & take.  Bring something to share and take something away that someone else shared.  The only networking groups that will be offered are those that have a willing facilitator.  If a networking group does not have a facilitator, they will not be held.  If you would like to sign up, please click the link below and add your name to the list next to the group you would like to facilitate.  If you have any questions, please contact Brandon.

Networking Facilitator Signup

MRVED BEST PRACTICE MEETINGS:
November 12, 2013 - District Technology Coordinators
November 14, 2013 - Guidance Counselors
November 15, 2013 - Social Workers
November 21, 2013 - Industrial Technology (K & M tour)
November 26, 2013 - Superintendents' Council (NEW DATE)