Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig High School on Leech Lake Indian Reservation in Bena, Minnesota will receive nearly $12 million for repairs and improvements. The support will help the school make critical repairs and create a safer learning environment for students on the reservation. Not originally designed or constructed to house a high school, the school funded by the Bureau of Indian Education serves as an example of … Read More
Vacancies Announced for State Boards
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State has released new vacancies for state boards, councils and committees. Citizens in Greater Minnesota are encouraged to apply and serve. Current education-related vacancies are: Advisory Committee: Blind and Visually Impaired Vacancies: Three seats including- one special education director, one non-profit agency member, and one parent representative. Board of Trustee of the MN State Colleges … Read More
Scholarships Available to Summer Humanities Institute
The Minnesota Humanities Center is offering scholarships to a Summer Educators’ Institute in St. Paul the week of June 26-July 1, 2016. Participants from Greater Minnesota are encouraged to apply. Increase Student Engagement The Institute, “Transforming Education Through Absent Narratives,” provides educators with an opportunity to engage with the Humanities Center’s approach to increase student engagement through absent narratives — the … Read More
Budget Forecast Retracts to $900 Million
The updated state budget forecast released today reveals a slight retraction in the $1.2 billion surplus initially projected as of December to $900 million, according to Minnesota Management and Budget. Legislative leaders now have to grapple with the budget news as they head into session on March 8. The competition for tax cuts, transportation spending and early learning funding just got more … Read More
NREA Opens Search for New Director
The National Rural Education Association has opened its search for a new Executive Director to coordinate, guide and grow the organization. The part-time position will officially begin January 1, 2017. The search schedule includes the following deadlines: Advertise position – January 31 through April 30, 2016 Conduct virtual and personal interviews – May through June 2016 Finalize successful candidate and partnerships by … Read More
Greater Minnesota Teachers Nominated for Teacher of the Year
MREA congratulates the 29 Greater Minnesota teachers nominated for the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Education Minnesota announced on Wednesday the names of 114 candidates. A panel of 25 judges will review the applications, narrowing the list to a group of semifinalists and then finalists before naming the winner May 15. Read the Star Tribune article. MREA recognizes members… Becky Ylitalo, Badger … Read More
National Essay Contest Now Open for Rural Students
The National Rural Education Association (NREA) Foundation announces its annual Essay Contest for students in rural schools across America. Student contestants may participate in three divisions: elementary, middle/junior high, and high school: Grades 3-8 may participate in a written essay contest using the prompt below and the provided rubric. Any student who attends a rural school may participate. Essays must be … Read More
Farmers Can Nominate Schools for STEM Grants
Farmers have until April 1 to nominate local school districts for grants to fund math and science projects that prepare students for increasingly technology-driven careers. Through the “America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education” program, grants of $10,000 and $25,000 from the Monsanto Fund are awarded to rural public school districts across the U.S. to enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programming. … Read More
New and Incumbent Directors Elected to MREA Board
MREA’s membership elected two new and re-elected four incumbent directors to the MREA Board of Directors during the December voting period. The Board also appointed a new Higher Education representative, bringing a total of three new faces to the Board. New Directors Dennis Laumeyer At-Large Representative, South Central Zone Laumeyer is in his third year as Superintendent with Benson Public … Read More
MREA Board Names Kovash President
The MREA Board of Directors named Jeremy Kovash board president. Kovash started his career teaching at Perham Public Schools and currently serves as executive director of Lakes Country Services Cooperative based in Fergus Falls. We recently sat down with Kovash to learn more about his passion for education and goals for MREA in 2016. What led you initially to a career … Read More