Please note, the dates/times listed under the title of this opportunity are not accurate; licenses will be made available within 48 hours of registration/purchase.

Paraeducator is recognized by the Minnesota Department of Education as an option for the formal assessment required to consider a paraprofessional highly qualified. Paraeducator also provides high quality professional development that districts can use to support all paraprofessionals.

Paraeducator Online Courses Include

• 150+ self-paced courses covering general education and special education environments (Course listing)
• Courses that are organized into bite-sized units and are perfect for training days.
• Post-tests at the end of each course that are automatically graded.
• Training and assessments to highly qualify paraprofessionals and meet Title I, Part A requirements.
• Transcripts and course certificates that paraeducators can access to document their training.
• Content that aligns with CEC standards for paraeducators endorsed by CASE.
• Research-based content written by experts in the field.

Assessment Information

Highly qualified prep courses in the areas of mathematical skills, reading skills, writing skills, and supporting instruction, will be assigned to those taking the assessment. We strongly recommend that individuals complete these prep courses prior to taking the assessments (estimated to take 8-12 hours to complete). The passing scores are 65% for the Instructional Support test and 70% for the Knowledge and Application test.

Instructions for Registering/Purchasing a Paraeducator License

If an individual would like to take the Paraeducator Assessment, he/she should select the Paraeducator Online Course + Assessment License rate when registering. ($85.00/license/year)

If an individual does not need to take the Paraeducator Assessment, he/she should select the Paraeducator Online Course License (no assessments) rate. ($65.00/license/year)

Once an individual has registered/purchased a license, he/she will be contacted via email with next steps for accessing his/her license and for those purchasing the license + assessments, information on scheduling the assessment.

*Individuals planning to take the assessments must have registered here and be assigned a license prior to the testing date and must provide their own internet-accessible laptop.

Districts also have the option to provide testing at their site with a designated proctor.

License Costs

$85 / license - Access to highly qualified online prep courses, access to all online PD courses, and assessments

$65 / license - Access to all online PD courses only

$20 / attempt - Each additional assessment retake (if taken with an SSC provided proctor)

Please use your school email address when registering, even if paying with personal credit card.

SSC will be hosting a free, two-day PREPaRE Crisis Prevention and Response Training on September 11 and 12.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:

This 2-day workshop develops the knowledge and skill required to provide immediate mental health crisis interventions to the students, staff, and school community members who have been simultaneously exposed to an acute traumatic stressor. The knowledge and skill developed within this session also help to build a bridge to the psychotherapeutic and trauma-informed mental health response sometimes required to address challenges associated with trauma exposure.  

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

PREPaRE Workshop 2 is well suited for school-employed mental health professionals (e.g., school psychologists, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses), school crisis team members, and anyone leading any aspect of school safety and crisis response. While school administrators are often not delivering crisis interventions directly, they are especially encouraged to attend as a way to better understand and lead best practices in tiered crisis intervention delivery. 

WORKSHOP LOCATION, DATE, and TIME:

This workshop will be held in-person on Thursday & Friday, September 11 & 12 2025 (8:00 to 4:00 on both days). The location will be at the SE Coop's Woodlake Meeting Center (210 Woodlake Drive SE, Rochester 55904), Attendees must attend both days in their entirety to receive a certificate of completion. 

WORKSHOP PREREQUISITES:

• Compete a short pre-workshop knowledge test (about 10 minutes, provided electronically in the days leading up to the workshop)
• Attendees must have access to a laptop or other device during the workshop, where electronic workshop materials can be accessed through the PREPaRE Learning Management System (details provided before the workshop)

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

• There is no cost to you for attending this workshop or for workshops materials. This workshop is being provided through a grant secured by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Lunch, transportation, and other costs associated with attending are not provided.

Questions? Please contact Scott Woitaszewski (scott.woitaszewski@uwrf.edu) or Todd A. Savage (todd.savage@uwrf.edu).

Please register at:

https://uwrf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_agHK7QteFeZbzRI

Crisis Intervention and Recovery: The Roles of School-Based Mental Health Professionals

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:

This 1-day workshop focuses on the prevention and preparedness portions of school safety. The workshop addresses critical components needed to develop, exercise, and evaluate safety and crisis teams and plans and conduct building vulnerability assessments. Additional topics addressed include media/social media, communication, reunification, students with special needs, culture, and memorials. Participants will be better prepared to improve their school’s climate, student resilience, and crisis response capabilities of school personnel.  

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

PREPaRE Workshop 1 is intended for any educator engaged in school safety and crisis response work, including but not limited to school administrators, teachers, mental health professionals (e.g., school psychologists, school counselors, school social workers), school nurses, law enforcement, and buildings and grounds professionals.

WORKSHOP LOCATION, DATE, and TIME:

This workshop will held in person on Thursday, September 18, 2025 (8:00 to 4:00). The location will be at The SE Service Coop's Woodlake Meeting Center (210 Woodlake Drive SE, Rochester 55904).

WORKSHOP PREREQUISITES:

• Watch and complete a 15-minute pre-workshop video (provided to the final list of registrants in the days leading up to the workshop)
• Compete a short pre-workshop knowledge test (about 10 minutes, provided electronically in the days leading up to the workshop)
• Attendees must bring a laptop or other device to the workshop, where electronic workshop materials can be accessed through the PREPaRE Learning Management System (details provided before the workshop)

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

• There is no cost to you for attending this workshop or for workshops materials. This workshop is being provided through a grant secured by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Lunch, transportation, and other costs associated with attending will not be provided. 

Questions? Please contact Scott Woitaszewski (scott.woitaszewski@uwrf.edu) or Todd A. Savage (todd.savage@uwrf.edu).

Register Online at: https://uwrf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_80vYLyMDm5MdHka

SSC is hosting the annual MDE Tax and Levy Certification workshop on Monday, September 22, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. MDE will have levy certification forms available for each school district prior to these workshops. Please have access to your district forms during the workshop – no additional data for your district will be provided. 

You can download your information at the Department’s website as follows:

• Go to the MDE website http://education.state.mn.us and click on the tab at the top labeled “Data Center” and choose the item labeled “Data Reports and Analytics” in the drop-down menu
• Click on Minnesota Funding Reports (MFR) which is under the "School Finance Reports section.
• Click on your district name.
• Click on Report Categories, then scroll down to find Levy Limitation and Certification Reports and click on the 2025-26 link. (The 2025-26 information will not be available until early September.)

Introducing the "Gruvy Tuesday" webinar series related to AI in education. Join us for the three-part series or just a single webinar. This session focuses on using AI to analyze data and improve communication. You'll learn how to summarize feedback, build reports, draft clear emails, and save time while staying aligned with your leadership goals.

Participants receive full access to the Gruvy Training Portal that guides participants step by step through the session to keeps things organized, interactive, and easy to revisit later. The portal will include all prompts, materials, and resources we use during the session and will remain live after the training so everyone can return to it anytime as a reference.

William Grube is the founder of Gruvy Education. Through Gruvy Education, he partners with over 150 schools and several state-level organizations to provide AI training. He equips educators with the skills and knowledge to use AI effectively in their specific roles.

Facilitated by Shannon Helgeson and Ross Herdina of Agile Ideas Leadership, this is an opportunity for instructional coaches and educational leaders of all levels of experience, and for those who want to strengthen their facilitation skills.

Peer-to-peer leadership, such as in instructional coaching and peer mentorship, can have a significant impact on student achievement and lead to actual implementation of initiatives and professional development. However, many schools implementing this model discover quickly that peer support roles can be difficult - and even isolating. Topics for this 3-part cohort include: Coaching Conversation and Feedback Models, Facilitating Adult Learners, and Building a Culture of Learning through Transformational Coaching.

By the end of this series, participants will be able to do, know, or understand a) how to establish a coaching system in your organization, b) structured conversation models that drive decision making and create team buy-in, c) feedback systems and culture, d) the power of facilitative leadership, and e) the partner approach to learning and growth.

Participants will have opportunities to share ideas, practice conversational and coaching strategies, increase their professional skills, and establish strong systems that will help your coaching program flourish. Instructional coaches and others who lead teams and give feedback are encouraged to participate.

Audience: Instructional coaches, peer mentors, and others who provide job-embedded feedback and support

Dive into Next Gen Personal Finance’s free curriculum and resources, collaborate with other educators, and get ready to meet the new MN personal finance graduation requirements!

MASA Region 1 - Agenda Coming Soon

Learn how to use AI for human resources, business services, and task delegation. You'll explore real examples of how leaders use AI to create school improvement plans, grant applications, proposals, and automate repeat tasks

Participants receive full access to the Gruvy Training Portal that guides participants step by step through the session to keeps things organized, interactive, and easy to revisit later. The portal will include all prompts, materials, and resources we use during the session and will remain live after the training so everyone can return to it anytime as a reference.

William Grube is the founder of Gruvy Education. Through Gruvy Education, he partners with over 150 schools and several state-level organizations to provide AI training. He equips educators with the skills and knowledge to use AI effectively in their specific roles.

This session explores advanced AI use cases for school leaders. You¾ll also learn how to support teachers in using AI effectively across grade levels and subjects. Walk away with ready-to-share examples and tools to drive schoolwide impact. 

Participants receive full access to the Gruvy Training Portal that guides participants step by step through the session to keeps things organized, interactive, and easy to revisit later. The portal will include all prompts, materials, and resources we use during the session and will remain live after the training so everyone can return to it anytime as a reference.

William Grube is the founder of Gruvy Education. Through Gruvy Education, he partners with over 150 schools and several state-level organizations to provide AI training. He equips educators with the skills and knowledge to use AI effectively in their specific roles.

Facilitated by Shannon Helgeson and Ross Herdina of Agile Ideas Leadership, this program is ideal for those seeking to expand their influence, drive transformative change, and cultivate a collaborative culture.

Middle leadership is uniquely positioned to drive transformative change and spark lasting engagement. Departmental teams and cross-functional groups often serve as the birthplace ofinnovation and operational excellence. This workshop equips middle leaders with the skills andconfidence to influence decision makers, navigate informal power dynamics, and become effective agents of change.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to do, know, or understand

• Understand how leading from the middle can create authentic buy-in and influence change through informal networks.
• Apply proven techniques to ensure that all team members contribute and are heard during collaborative sessions.
• Employ structured frameworks to handle delicate discussions and resolve conflicts with confidence.

Audience: Designed for middle managers, team leads, and emerging leaders who bridge the gapbetween senior executives and frontline teams.

Shannon Helgeson is a growth-focused coach and facilitator who supports leaders in becoming the “lead learner” in their schools and communities. With an emphasis on team collaboration and responsive leadership, she moves teams from "going through the motions" to team buy-in and decision making. Ross Herdina is an organizational consultant focused on instructional leadership, culture and climate, and system design. He is a literacy specialist with 20 years experience

designing, implementing, and consulting on literacy frameworks. He has served as a dyslexia ambassador training leaders and teacher on the science of literacy.

Let’s be real ... conflict happens. Whether it’s a heated workplace moment, a frustrated parent, or someone cutting you off in traffic, the way you respond can either fuel the fire or cool it down. This workshop isn’t about being a pushover. It’s about staying calm, keeping your power, and actually walking away with your dignity (and sanity) intact. Think of it as brain fitness training for high-stress moments.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

• Practical strategies to de-escalate tense situations fast
• Communication skills that shift chaos into clarity
• Confidence boosters so you stay grounded even when things get loud
• Self-care tools to recharge after crisis moments (because your brain and body deserve TLC too)
• A little humor, because sometimes the best way to keep calm is to laugh at the absurdity of it all

Whether you’re a teacher, leader, or frontline professional, this workshop gives you the skills to protect your peace and empower the people around you.

Facilitated by Shannon Helgeson and Ross Herdina of Agile Ideas Leadership, this is an opportunity for instructional coaches and educational leaders of all levels of experience, and for those who want to strengthen their facilitation skills.

Peer-to-peer leadership, such as in instructional coaching and peer mentorship, can have a significant impact on student achievement and lead to actual implementation of initiatives and professional development. However, many schools implementing this model discover quickly that peer support roles can be difficult - and even isolating. Topics for this 3-part cohort include: Coaching Conversations and Feedback Models, Facilitating Adult Learners, and Building a Culture of Learning through Transformational Coaching.

By the end of this series, participants will be able to do, know, or understand a) how to establish a coaching system in your organization, b) structured conversation models that drive decision making and create team buy-in, c) feedback systems and culture, d) the power of facilitative leadership, and e) the partner approach to learning and growth.

Participants will have opportunities to share ideas, practice conversational and coaching strategies, increase their professional skills, and establish strong systems that will help your coaching program flourish. Instructional coaches and others who lead teams and give feedback are encouraged to participate.

Audience: Instructional coaches, peer mentors, and others who provide job-embedded feedback and support

MASA Region 1

Facilitated by Shannon Helgeson and Ross Herdina of Agile Ideas Leadership, this is an opportunity for instructional coaches and educational leaders of all levels of experience, and for those who want to strengthen their facilitation skills.

Peer-to-peer leadership, such as in instructional coaching and peer mentorship, can have a significant impact on student achievement and lead to actual implementation of initiatives and professional development. However, many schools implementing this model discover quickly that peer support roles can be difficult - and even isolating. Topics for this 3-part cohort include: Coaching Conversations and Feedback Models, Facilitating Adult Learners, and Building a Culture of Learning through Transformational Coaching.

By the end of this series, participants will be able to do, know, or understand a) how to establish a coaching system in your organization, b) structured conversation models that drive decision making and create team buy-in, c) feedback systems and culture, d) the power of facilitative leadership, and e) the partner approach to learning and growth.

Participants will have opportunities to share ideas, practice conversational and coaching strategies, increase their professional skills, and establish strong systems that will help your coaching program flourish. Instructional coaches and others who lead teams and give feedback are encouraged to participate.

Audience: Instructional coaches, peer mentors, and others who provide job-embedded feedback and support