Affinity Day Planned for Lower School Teachers

The TSC (Teacher Support Committee) of MAIS has planned an exciting affinity day for February 24th, 2012 from 8:00-11:30 at the Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School. The focus of this affinity day is the incorporation of technology into the elementary school math program. Participation is free to member schools and you can register for this event by contacting Tricia Menzhuber at tnutter@vischool.org.

New President of MAIS

MAIS is proud to announce Nick Stoneman as the new acting president. At the June retreat Nick was elected to this position. Nick is presently the head of Shattuck-St. Marys School in Faribault, Minnesota, where he has introduced many successful innovative ideas, including BioScience Scholar weekends and camps which utilize the new science facility built on campus.We are looking forward to having Nick as our new leader.  

New TSC Chair

The TSC committee has been led by Ty Thayer over the last several years. Ty is a lower school teacher at Breck School. It is through his leadership that the February conference went as smoothly as it did and we are grateful to him for all of his hard work. As of May, 2011, Stacy Swearingen will be the new chair for the TSC committee. Stacy is a Middle School English teacher at Blake School. Her organizational skills will help her manage this large group of faculty through the next task they attempt. We are wishing her good luck in her new endeavor. 

MAIS Conference February 18th, 2011

The TSC (Teacher Support Committe) of MAIS  worked diligently to plan the 2011 conference and it was a huge success. 1033 teachers and administrators were in attendance and over 60 sessions were offered. The first keynote speaker was Scott E Page, author of The Difference, How the Power of Diversity Creates better Groups, Firms, Schools and Societies. He spoke about the power of group thinking and how combining group ideas can make a huge difference in creativity. Many businesses make use of this format and it stimulated us as educators to think abou how we use group work in our classrooms.

. Pat Bassett was our afternoon keynote speaker. He has been the President of NAIS since 2001. Prior to that he was the President of ISACS for eight years. He has been a teacher, coach and headmaster and is always a tremendous speaker.

After each keynote speaker everyone broke into small sessions for which they had previously registered. The evaluations the TSC received back from participants spoke to the fine organization of the conference. All were complimentary of the Mounds Park Academy Upper School students who helped presenters with their technology and guided participants to various rooms.

If you would like to see one of our sessions in action click on the following youtube link:   http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1rz2  MZuOK

Thank you TSC for all of your hard work.  

Affinity Groups are Strong in MAIS
The heads of the Minnesota Independent Schools feel that affinity groups are extremely important to the health of our schools. They provide an opportunity for people with similar roles in schools to share their wisdom and ideas as well as their struggles. With this in mind each school has taken responsibility for organizing one of the affinity groups and meetings have already begun. If you would like to see when and where your affinity group is meeting simply look under "Upcoming Events." If you would like to help form an affinity group for your position contact Nansee Greeley at ngreeley@moundsparkacademy.org and she will help you get started.