The pace has definitely picked up in the area of professional development now that we have Astrid Liden on board! So it’s time for a brief update and save the date alert.

We had sent out an email a short while ago that reported the selection of Regional Professional Development Coordinators (see copied list below), and they are beginning their local efforts to develop either Spring Regional Events or other professional development regional activities.  I am hoping that you do what you can to support and sustain their efforts and assist them if called upon in this planning.  Feel free to share ideas regarding regional and local approaches to professional development with them.

Please note that the ABE Master Calendar is posted online at:  http://mnabe.themlc.org/ABEcalendar.html

As we receive information about regional ABE meetings, we will post them to that calendar.  If you would like us to note other regional events that you think impact ABE programs in your part of the state, please let us know.  A few selected statewide ABE events on the horizon are:

• Minnesota Family Literacy Conference:  March 8-9, 2007 at the Marriott SW, Minnetonka

• ABE Grant Application Workshop – Owatonna:  April 18, 2007

• ABE Grant Application Workshop – Metro:  April 20, 2007

• ABE Grant Application Workshop – Breezy Point:  April 25, 2007

• Statewide ESL Workshop – Hamline University:  date TBA

• ABE Summer Institute:  August 8-10, 2007 at St. John's University

Thank you for your support as we launch into a redesigned professional development arena.  Attention and participation in professional development is critically important to our system and ultimately the success of our students. 

Barry and Astrid

Regional Professional Development Coordinator Contact List
2006-2007

Region	Coordinator Name	ABE Program	Email	Phone
Northwest	Kirsten Fuglseth	Northwest ECSU	kfuglseth@nwservice.k12.mn.us	W: 218-681-0886
Northeast	Laura Prettyman	AEOA	lprettyman1@charterinternet.com	W: 218-927-5635
Mid Central	Julie Kolodji	Cambridge-Isanti	kolodji@ecenet.com
West Metro	Paula Freiermuth	Osseo	pmfreiermuth@prodigy.net	W: 763-566-5452
East Metro	Sue Steele	Burnsville	thesteeles@charter.net
Southwest	Bev Mountain	Mankato	bmount1@isd77.k12.mn.us	W: 507-345-5222
Southwest	Pat Thomas	SW-ABE - Marshall	pthomas@starpoint.net	W: 507-537-7046
Southeast	Beth Schaefer	Waseca	schb@waseca.k12.mn.us	W: 507-835-5588