Summer Conference Program

8:30 – 9:00 AM: Check In – Rolls and Refreshments – Lobby

9:00 – 10:00 AM: Conference Kick-Off – Glacier Park

• Greetings: MASOP & MASSP
• Social Media Drawing
• Goose Chase – Code 93293L
• Advisor Committee Voting
• Drawings

10:00 – 11:30 AM: First General Session – Glacier Park

• • Address: Holly Hoffman, Speaker and Author

• Never Give Up – The Survivor Way

• • As we survive life’s challenges, we come face to face with fear and uncertainty. Challenges may allow us to step out of our comfort-zone to push ourselves beyond our own self-limitations. How we choose to overcome a challenge is what makes us stand apart. Our strength in times of difficulty prove our character and self-worth. As Holly shares her experience of being on a reality show, she will encourage you to think about how you might decide to survive daily. Holly will inspire you to think about six words to develop your survival skills. With Holly’s six simple words, you will be able to take on any challenge with which you are faced. Adversity is not so much contending with problems as it is learning more about who you really are, and what is inside of you.This fun entertaining program will also challenge your tribe through interacting challenges. Get ready to play Survivor!

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Lunch – Yellowstone

12:35 – 2:15 PM: Second General Session – Glacier Park

• • Address: Holly Hoffman, Speaker and Author

• Lead Simply
• Everyone possesses leadership skills that come out in our daily actions no matter what role we are performing at the time. Whether it’s at our workplace, or as a parent, as a volunteer in a civic organization, as a supportive friend, or as a contestant on a televised show where you are trying to outwit and outlast competitors. Leadership is the sum of how we model behaviors we want to see in others, how we connect with them and how we involve them in the process. Challenges continue through leadership and connections.

2:15 – 2:30 PM: Break

2:30 – 4:00 PM: Third General Session – Glacier Park

• Collaborative Sharing
  • Small Group
  • Large Group

5:00 PM: Social – Glacier Park

5:30 PM: Banquet

7:30 – 8:15 AM: Breakfast – Lobby

8:15 AM: Concurrent Sessions

• 8:15 – 9:10 AM – Session 1
• 9:15 – 10:10 AM – Session 2
• 10:10 – 10:30 AM Break
• 10:35 – 11:30 AM – Session 3

Concurrent Option Descriptions

AI Tools for School Office Professionals: Save Time and Eliminate Repetitive Tasks 

Justin Skaalerud, Principal of Apollo High School

Principal Justin Skaalerud from Apollo High School will share how AI is being used in education today and highlight simple, time-saving ways you can use AI in your daily work. Discover practical tools that support your role as a school office professional. Walk away with ideas you can use right away to save time and reduce repetitive task.

Office Wellness

Paige Deters, Physician Assistant, at Williams Integracare

This presentation introduces Functional Medicine through a practical, evidence-based lens tailored for Minnesota’s office professionals. This presentation explores how chronic stress, hormonal imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, gut dysfunction, and poor sleep contribute to long-term disease and burnout. Attendees will gain insight into key concepts like resilience, longevity, gut and brain health, and hormone optimization along with practical strategies for improving energy, focus, emotional regulation, and immune strength. From supplement recommendations and hormone testing to food sensitivity elimination, this session emphasizes actionable, personalized health tools that can support both personal well-being and professional performance

Canva – 1 session Beginners – 2 sessions Advance

Tina Christopherson, Wayzata Public Schools – Wayzata High School

• Canva for Beginners:
  • Explore the free graphic design tool and look like a pro when creating your professional communications. We will explore the Canva interface, customize templates, upload your graphics and photos, and edit your pictures/photos and different libraries-text, font, and elements. All participants will create a flyer with their school logo during the session while incorporating the skills and features as they are demonstrated. Participants are encouraged to bring files and photos to add to their flyers to customize it for their needs.
• Advanced Canva:
  • In the advanced Canva course, participants will create content from scratch. We will explore layers, remove backgrounds, introduce HEX color codes to generate designs with school branding, and add QR codes or links. We will also discuss the size of different graphic elements for various social media platforms. All participants will create a graphic to share on a social media account. Participants are encouraged to bring files and photos to add to their design and customize it for their needs.

Let’s Talk About It: Handling Tough Conversations at School

Dr. Brenda Fischer, College of St. Scholastica

The ability to engage in difficult conversations—especially in communicating effectively with teachers, administrators, parents, and students—is essential for fostering a supportive and collaborative school environment. This session will equip professional staff with practical strategies and tools to navigate these conversations, ensuring they strengthen relationships and promote positive outcomes for the entire school community. Participants will explore strategies for addressing sensitive topics and resolving conflicts in a way that builds trust and encourages growth within the school community.

Strong at the Center: Empowering Office Staff for Resilience and Response

Jenny Boswell, Emily Kaehn, Megan Olstad – School Safety Center Team

When crisis hits, school office staff are often the first voice heard and the steady presence felt. Strong at the Center is a supportive and empowering session designed to help front office professionals build confidence in their safety roles, communicate effectively under pressure, and manage the critical flow of people and information during emergencies. This includes best practices for visitor management and working with outside agencies such as law enforcement and emergency responders. Participants will gain practical tools, renewed purpose, and a deeper understanding of how vital their calm, capable presence is to the heart of the school.

11:35 AM: Fourth General Session & Luncheon – Glacier Park

• Address: Jennie Kelly, Principal – St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East
  • “Flame Keeper” A tribute to the heart and soul of every school: Our Office Professionals. 

Closing: Door Prizes!