This cohort is for districts who are participating in the Career Consultant program. District identified career committees will attend to engage in professional learning, collaboration, and program planning. Development of career pathways is based on the nationally recognized Redefining Ready metrics and professional learning will include outside expertise and exemplars to guide district teams in design. Cohort sessions may take place at Sourcewell or another location dependent on content of the session.

Join a dynamic community of forward-thinking educators committed to transforming student learning. Discover innovative teaching practices from our region, explore how they can be adopted to any grade level or subject, and connect with local teachers to exchange ideas, strategies, and inspiration. Together, we can elevate engagement and enrich the classroom experience for all students.

Topics include:

• Sharing innovative ideas


• Inquiry-based learning


• Creative problem solving through design thinking


• Experiential learning from the natural world


• Independent research projects


• Technology supporting innovation


• Sharing in success and iterations towards success when trying something new

This event is offered in partnership with the Initiative Foundation, Performance Excellence Network, and Sourcewell.

The Initiative Foundation and Sourcewell are excited to bring the Performance Excellence Network back to Central Minnesota for a Continuous Improvement cohort. Join other Central Minnesota nonprofits and local units of government for this hands-on learning opportunity.

• Sessions will be built around the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) framework, and will incorporate principles from the Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence as well as several other continuous improvement tools and methods.


• Design will be focused on learners new to PDCA and continuous improvement concepts, and sessions will each include peer-learning opportunities.


• Participants will be asked to apply learning from each session in their respective organizations and share their experiences at the next session. Participants will be encouraged to focus on an organizational improvement opportunity through the course of the sessions as they incrementally apply the PDCA methods and associated continuous improvement tools and approaches.

Sourcewell strives to bring the highest-quality resources, information, and training opportunities to our members. We’re honored to partner with regional organizations, like the Initiative Foundation and Performance Excellence Network, to bring this opportunity to our central Minnesota region.   

This is a specialized training on both practical and legal considerations of Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law and Data Practices requirements. Participants will gain an understanding of these complicated laws, gain an understanding of updated regulations, learn how to access appropriate resources, and leave with practical knowledge for working within the laws’ parameters.

The Sourcewell Educator Summit is the region’s premier professional learning event—bringing educators together for a day of inspiration, connection, and growth. Designed for PreK-12 teachers, administrators, and education leaders across central Minnesota, this one-day Summit offers an energizing start to the school year. 

Attendees will hear from nationally-recognized speakers, engage in high-quality breakout sessions, and explore strategies that strengthen both student success and educator well-being. Whether you're looking to recharge, learn something new, or connect with colleagues across the region, the Educator Summit provides an experience that empowers and equips you for the year ahead.

This active violence training course focuses solely on the vital role that telecommunications personnel play during these critical incidents. 

Dispatch personnel will cover the following material over two days:

• A brief history of active violence


• Screening callers during an attack


• ASD and PTSD in your center following an incident


• Dealing with callers who are in danger


• Handling off-duty officers and concealed weapons permit holders during an attack


• Active shooter scenarios for all personnel who wish, and are able, to participate


• Impromptu tourniquet application in EMD-style presentation and how to talk callers through hemorrhage control


• Basic reunification following an incident

This tabletop exercise prepares participants to respond effectively to an active violence incident and the subsequent reunification process. Through realistic scenarios and guided discussions, attendees will examine the roles, responsibilities, and coordination among various agencies. Emphasis will be placed on communication, decision-making, and maintaining safety throughout both phases. The exercise promotes collaboration and identifies areas for improvement in emergency response and reunification protocols.

This two-day training integrates FEMA's foundational principles with procurement compliance, explicitly designed for local governments. Participants will learn best practices on how to establish, operate, and manage an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), ensuring alignment with FEMA’s Incident Command System (ICS) and federal procurement standards. This training will provide hands-on experience and actionable strategies to strengthen emergency preparedness while maintaining compliance with FEMA’s procurement requirements.

This short course looks at how first responders interact with special education students during times of crisis, including tactical operations, evacuation, and other aspects of first responder activities. 

Topics include:

-The fourteen categories of disabilities

-Building relationships with Student Support Teams

-Basic reunification for unique learners

-Planning drills, with modifications or adjustments

The Minnesota Service Cooperatives have collaborated to bring you a virtual, asynchronous option to meeting your Cultural Competency licensure requirement. This course provides video learning, personal reflection time, an opportunity to hear from educators in the field, and many additional resources to explore as you continue your journey to be an even more culturally competent educator.

This is area is a Minnesota teacher licensure requirement. By attending this workshop participants will demonstrate evidence of self-reflection and discussion of the following topics in a way that deepens teachers’ understanding of their own frames of reference, potential bias in these frames, and the impact of bias on expectations for and relationships with students, students’ families, and school communities. 

Topics identified by state statues and PELSB:

• Racial, cultural, and socioeconomic groups 


• American Indian and Alaskan Native students 


• Religion 


• Systemic racism 


• Gender identity, including transgender students


• Sexual orientation 


• Language diversity 


• Individuals with disabilities and mental health concerns

This is an updated course. Some content is the same as last offering, but will have most up-to-date resources.

This beginner‑friendly session is designed for those working in local government, public safety, or nonprofit organizations who want to feel more confident using everyday technology. Participants will learn the basics of computers, internet connections, and common digital tools in clear, non-technical language. The training also focuses on staying safe online. Attendees will learn how to recognize common scams, phishing attempts, and suspicious messages, as well as simple steps to protect personal and work information. No prior technical experience is required!

This on-demand course will define formative assessment and explore the benefits of utilization. Participants will learn about various formative assessment techniques for both virtual and in-person learning, and will leave the session ready to implement and achieve some formative assessment quick wins.

Using formative assessments regularly and consistently can give both educators and learners an even clearer picture around what learners know. Formative assessments also provide educators with a guide to developing learning experiences and lesson planning that can meet the needs of all learners. By using formative assessments with purpose, educators can maximize student learning and increase the effectiveness of their lesson design and delivery.

The Foundational Skills (for short-call subs): Learn the most impactful strategies to successfully engage students while also helping the adults save their energy. Based on the ongoing applied research in over 50,000 classrooms and school settings, The Catalyst Approach is committed to finding relevant and practical solutions to the most common school challenges. This course introduces the roots of The Catalyst Approach and the 12 Foundational Skills to help every adult working with students know where to focus their efforts. Hopefully you’ll finish the course with a renewed sense of hope, joy, and confidence in your work.

The Foundational Skills (for student teachers): Learn the most impactful strategies to successfully engage students while also helping the adults save their energy. Based on the ongoing applied research in over 50,000 classrooms and school settings, The Catalyst Approach is committed to finding relevant and practical solutions to the most common school challenges. This course introduces the roots of The Catalyst Approach and the 12 Foundational Skills to help every adult working with students know where to focus their efforts. Hopefully you’ll finish the course with a renewed sense of hope, joy, and confidence in your work.

Quick Start to Coaching Adult Learners (for those mentoring teachers): Gain insights about the important role of mentoring adult learners. Whether you’re working with a student teacher, a new colleague, or a school leader who supports ongoing professional development for teachers, the strategies in this brief learning experience will sharpen your mentoring skills. Even if you have previous experience in this kind of role, you’ll get to reflect and refine your skills to gain confidence and make your work even more effective!

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) Half-Day Seminar provides a comprehensive overview of the SRP and its five actions-Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter-as a proven, all-hazards approach to crisis response.

Participants will explore the history, concepts, and functionality of the SRP, gaining a clear understanding of how it enhances school safety planning with a standardized, action-based response. Through immersive learning and real-world applications, attendees will learn how to effectively implement the SRP and train their organization to respond confidently in emergency situations. 

By the end of the seminar, participants will be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and insights they need to integrate the SRP into their emergency operations plans, enhancing their organization's preparedness and crisis response.

This course is designed to equip new paraprofessionals with essential skills and knowledge for effective work in educational settings. Participants will explore foundational topics, including an Introduction to Special Education, which covers 13 disability categories, and the impact of implicit bias in the classroom. The course also emphasizes the importance of leading in the classroom and understanding the paraprofessional role. Additionally, learners will gain insights into how the brain responds to stress and the concept that behavior is communication. This comprehensive approach ensures that paraprofessionals are well-prepared to support diverse learners effectively.

Participants will explore foundational topics, including an Introduction to Child Development, which covers physical and cognitive development as well as developmental delays. You will also watch an interview with Shana Larson, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator and Heidi Hahn, Sourcewell Special Education Partner. The course also emphasizes that behavior is a form of communication and what to expect. Additionally, learners will gain insights into de-escalation, dysregulation, and how to support students. This comprehensive approach ensures that paraprofessionals are well-prepared to support diverse learners effectively.

This is a foundational training session. This workshop is intended to help build capacity for city leaders, zoning administrators, and planning commission members when it comes to a foundational understanding of land use. This training will help cities to approach zoning questions with increased confidence.

This workshop is designed to empower school leaders to drive impactful AVID implementation from their unique roles, whether as teachers, site coordinators, principals, or district administrators. Participants will explore strategies to align AVID practices with their school’s college and career readiness goals. Through engaging discussions and activities, attendees will learn how to leverage their leadership to create sustainable systems that support AVID’s mission. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with actionable strategies and a leadership plan tailored to their role, ensuring continuous improvement and meaningful outcomes for their AVID programs. 

Important Note: This workshop is designed for school/district teams that include at least one administrative representative, ideally the principal.

This webinar will identify elements of differentiation and explore differentiation strategies such as questioning, grouping, and choice. Use these strategies to meet both support and challenge needs of your diverse students.

Led by a mental health professional and educator, this webinar will cover key facts about children's mental health, early warning signs of mental health disorders, and signs and symptoms of childhood suicide. Discussion will include strategies for how to respond and how to access help for students.

This training focuses on why and how our body and brain respond to stress/crisis and how that affects our work, wellness, and interactions. Explore Social-Emotional Learning strategies to recognize dysregulation in yourself and others, as well as strategies to regain and retain regulation. These strategies apply to interactions with students, colleagues, and caregivers.

Multilingual learners in our classrooms are a huge asset. Not every educator may feel confident in how to best support and include these students. This webinar offers insights to support educators in creating optimal learning environments and instructional strategies for each learner.

Explore components of effective reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and motivation and engagement. Within each component, participants will learn what it is, why we teach it, and how we teach it.

This training is offered in partnership with the Initiative Foundation.

Join this training and conversation tailored for nonprofit staff and board members. Nonprofits are not owned by anyone (like typical businesses), they are overseen by a board of directors who represent the best interests of the community. Come and learn about board roles, responsibilities, and ethical and legal obligations. Discuss how board members can best support the organization they serve and how roles change over time based on the evolution of the nonprofit.

Learn best practices for board governance and how board members can best support their organization. The content will be pertinent to new board members as well as those seasoned board members who want to brush up on their roles and responsibilities.