Denise Pontrelli, Superintendent of Stillwater Area Public Schools, talked about the community collaboration process by which that area has designed a multi-faceted, multi-prong approach to providing mental health services to students and families.

Jason Berg, Executive Director of Education Services for the Farmington Area Public Schools, shared thoughts about change in the schools and the dynamic use of their strategic plan. Teachers and students are given more flexibility, responsibility, and ownership of their learning and time.

John Landgaard is Superintendent of Worthington Public Schools in southwestern Minnesota , one of the 27 districts in the state where white students are the minority. He sees this increasing diversity as a real asset to his community and to the rest of the state. In fact, he is establishing a “Grow Your Own” program for teachers who emulate the student body and solve some of the teacher shortages. Plus, he has ideas about what we need to stop doing and how we can change our high schools.

Janey Blanchard, superintendent of Chisholm Public Schools, has experience in dealing with cultures not her own. She has experience working with our Native American students and now she is learning the culture of the Iron Range. She discusses the importance of listening and relationships. Her excitement about doing good work for all students is readily apparent. Besides, she's fun to listen to.

Dr. Brenda Cassellius is the Commissioner of Education in Minnesota. She talks about the accomplishments of the past 8 years and shares a wish for the future. She is the second longest serving state officer in the United States which has provided some continuity and stability in educational leadership in Minnesota. Her closing words were a wish for our superintendents.

What if there were a high school that challenged and encouraged Steve Jobs, Whoopie Goldberg, Amy Klobuchar, Thomas Friedman, You and Me? Impossible, you say. No, it isn't there are many ways we can break the egg-crate schools to make them project-based, more developmentally appropriate, and fitting for the needs of the future. Here are several ideas.

What is the purpose of high school? Is it going to be different in the future? We know that it has to be. Some ways to make high schools more pertinent to young people is proposed. Also, the question of local control deciding what determines graduation is discussed.

This podcast provides a short history of school shootings in the US. In addition, there is a discussion about what we can do to meet mental health needs in a community approach with the hope of addressing some of the violence in our schools.

Sandy Lewandoski is the superintendent of Intermediate District 287 in suburban Minneapolis. One of their populations is students with special needs. She and her staff are seeing an increasing number of mentally unhealthy students who may resort to violence. They have incorporated many creative practices to deal with this differing population, including the creation of a mobile district crisis team.

Matt Grose is the superintendent of Deer River Public Schools. His school in northern Minnesota is recognized by his community as a major support for the community. In talking with him, he always says "we" because as he says, he can't do anything alone. He is a listening, learning leader. He and the community have made the school truly a community school by hosting mental health and social workers in the schools so that the community has ready access. He was the first district in the area to provide one-on-one technology. Much of the professional development for teachers is available online so teachers can refer to it when necessary. He and his staff work diligently to prepare students for a life in the 21st century.