MESPA Institute 2020

Surround yourself with 425+ colleagues, innovation, collaboration, and learning @ Institute 2020! 

This three-day conference includes...

• 40+ breakout & Unconference sessions rooted in equity, mental health and student behavior supports, innovation, and leadership development
  
• A member-led Unconference - learn from your peers and consider leading a session
• Short, impactful MESPA Speaks presentations by your very own MESPA colleagues
• A Book Fair featuring the latest and greatest in children's books, as well as a selection of books for school leaders!
• 80+ education-based exhibits featuring non-profits, curriculum, supplies, field trips, technology, and more!

Visit mespa.net/institute for more highlights!

Heather T. Forbes, LCSW (@HeatherTForbes) opens Wednesday with The Trauma-Informed School.

Ken Williams (@unfoldthesoul) opens Thursday morning with Starting a Movement in a PLC: Building Culture from the Inside-Out.

Larry Thompson, M.Ed. (@RCDGivemFive) presents during Thursday lunch with Responsibility-Centered Discipline: Becoming a Master of Challenging Moments with Students.

Beth Houf (@BethHouf) & Shelley Burgess (@burgess_shelley) will close our conference Friday morning with Lead Like a PIRATE: Transform Culture and Build Schools Where Students & Staff Run to Get IN, not OUT. 

Register by January 17, 2020 to save $50!
Early Bird Member Rate: $375
January 18 and on: $425

General schedule:
Our full schedule is linked here! Below is our general timeline.
Wednesday, Feb 5 - Registration opens 11am. Conference runs 11:45am-5:00pm
Thursday, Feb 6 - 8am-5pm
Friday, Feb 7 - 8am-12pm

Plus, don't miss a Pre-Conference Session on Tier 2 + 3 Supports with Dr. Clay Cook!

As of January 27, this add-on is closed as we are at capacity for registration. Enhance your learning and attend a pre-conference session on Wednesday morning with Dr. Clay Cook, from 9:30-11:00am. Add this session to your Institute registration for just $25!

Dr. Clay Cook is the John and Nancy Peyton Faculty Fellow in Child and Adolescent Wellbeing at the University of Minnesota and Associate Professor in the School Psychology Program. He has extensive research and practical experiences involving the implementation of multi-tiered systems of support to promote children’s mental and behavioral health. 

Plan your learning at the Unconference!

The Unconference is your chance to plan YOUR learning! In this organic, participant-driven process, we build our Unconference sessions AT the conference based on YOUR needs and YOUR ideas. Start planning today! Suggest ideas or even plan to lead a session by going to our brainstorming page here!

Get ready for goosebumps @ MESPA Speaks!

MESPA Speaks returns for its fifth year of inspiring and motivating stories. On Friday, Feb 7, you'll hear personal, heartfelt stories that will be sure to amaze you! Visit mespa.net/mespaspeaks to check out all of our previous performances.

Find your next great read at the Institute Book Fair!
You loved it so much, we're bringing it back! Join us for the Institute Book Fair on Wednesday and Thursday. Browse the latest and greatest in children's books, and do a little shopping for yourself by checking out their selection of books for school leaders!

Hotel information
This conference is located at the DoubleTree in Bloomington, MN. A block of rooms has been reserved at the reduced rate of $142/night at the MESPA rate. Click here to reserve your room or call 952.835.7800. Book your room by January 17th to guarantee the MESPA rate!

For more information on this exciting conference, visit www.mespa.net/institute.

F.A.Q.

• Do I need to be a MESPA member to attend? Yes! If you are an elementary or middle-level principal in MN, we would love for you to be a member. We also honor the member rate for MASSP members! If you are attending from out-of-state, we would love to have you! Contact us to register.
• I'm an aspiring principal. Is this conference relevant to me? YES and you will be welcomed with open arms! Join MESPA as an aspiring member and you can attend the conference for just $75!
• Are meals included with registration? Yes, if you are a full-paying registrant (AKA not an Aspiring or Retired member) meals are included. For other levels, you can add meal tickets to your registration on-site!
• Do you accept credit cards? Not at this time. You will receive an automated invoice via email once you've registered that you can forward on to your business office.
• Other questions? Please contact MESPA at 952.297.8670!