MNEA Connects
We are hardwired for connection–connection to others, connection to our community, and connection to a purpose. Missouri National Education Association believes that Education is not only the greatest connector in our individual communities and Missouri as a whole but also one of the most crucial functions of our society: Education. Which is why MNEA brings to you MNEA Connects. A podcast to help you connect… Policy to Practice Educators to Communities Communities to Missouri Education Professional Learning to Better Practice
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
Missouri NEA discusses Horace Mann’s Educator Advisory Panel Study white paper, Checks & Balance: How Financial Stress and Heavier Workloads are Accelerating the Teacher Shortage, from November 2022, with Rob Curtis (robert.curtis@horacemann.com).
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org

Friday Sep 01, 2023
Friday Sep 01, 2023
In Episode 123, Samanth Hayes talks with Dr. Jason Adams, Learning Forward Missouri President and Assistant Superintendent of Learning for Webster Groves School District, about Learning Forward Missouri and their annual Conference, which will occur March 11-12, 2024 at the Lake of the Ozarks at Margaritaville Resort and Conference Center.
“Learning Forward-MO is dedicated to improving the state of professional learning in Missouri. [They] believe high quality professional learning for all teachers can improve the teaching and learning resulting in higher achievement throughout the state. [They] provide an annual conference dedicated to providing new learning for teachers, professional development committees, administrators, coaches, and central office administrators to learn new skills and information to take back to their respective districts and share.”
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org

Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Agenda, Minutes, and Recordings from August 15, 2023 of the Missouri State Board of Education Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Consideration of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Amend 5 CSR 20-200.275, Mental Health Awareness Training
DESE has put together a model curriculum for this training, which can be found here.
For all Rule approvals, see State Board Agenda here
Consideration of School Innovation Waiver Request for the Success-Ready Students Network
Innovation Waiver (161.214, RSMo)
7 items in 5 CSR 20-100.125 (MSIP 6)
Section 171.031 (2-4) RSMo.
Consideration of Blue Ribbon Commission Recommendations
Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC)
MNEA full response
Update on Social-Emotional Learning Standards
Public feedback for DESE and Workgroup
Report on the 2022-23 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Grade-Level and End-of-Course Preliminary Statewide Results
Update on the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) 6
MSIP 6
Comprehensive Guide
161.855.4 RSMo
The next meeting of the Missouri State Board of Education will be held on September 12, 2023 at DESE in Jefferson City, Missouri. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org.
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org

Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
In June 2023, Otto discussed what happens when the Missouri Legislative Session ends. Now in August, as the summer comes to a close and recently-signed bills go into effect soon (August 28th), Otto discusses the Education Bills that were signed (a lot of bills that have to do with retirement), background check bills (which impacts educators), and what triggers a veto session.
Sign up here for direct updates from Otto on major happenings at the Missouri Legislature, specifically regarding or impacting Missouri Education.
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org

Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Missouri Educators, as you gear up for the start of the coming school year, we know that you are doing everything you can to make your classroom perfect for your students, which means you are likely spending a lot of your own money. As you are using these last few weeks of summer to get ready, consider Donors Choose as an option for funding so that you are not breaking the bank! In this episode, Rob Curtis with Horace Mann gives an overview of Horace Mann, their Donors Choose partnership, and tips and tricks to run a successful Donors Choose project. If you have any inquiries or questions about Horace Mann or Donors Choose, email Rob Curtis at robert.curtis@horacemann.com.
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org

Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Taking a trip before the start of school? Don’t do anything until you listen to Darby Boyd, NEA Member Benefits Affiliate Relations Specialist, give an overview of NEA Travel Deals and tips and tricks as you search and secure the best deals! Find all NEA Travel Deals at https://www.neamb.com/products/nea-travel
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org

Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Darby Boyd, NEA Member Benefits Affiliate Relations Specialist, gives a brief history and overview of NEA Member Benefits that are available to all members of NEA Affiliates. Please visit https://www.neamb.com/ for more!
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org

Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
State Board Updates June 2023
Agenda, Minutes, and Recordings from June 6, 2023 of the Missouri State Board of Education
Update on the School Innovation Waiver Program
Success Ready Student Network
Senate Bill 681 (RSMo: 160.560)
Update on the Strategic Plan
Report on the Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission
BRC Webpage
Commission Phase 2 Members are listed here with their bios.
The Practitioner Input report from MNEA can be found here.
Report on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Council
All proposed and approved rules linked in MNEA Report
All rules approved are linked in MNEA’s report, linked here. This link also takes you to all of MNEA’s previous State Board reports.
The next meeting of the Missouri State Board of Education will be held on August 15, 2023, at DESE in Jefferson City, Missouri. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org.
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.

Monday Jun 19, 2023
Monday Jun 19, 2023
In this three-part, member-led episode, MNEA members from MNEA Resolutions Committee discuss their research into student use of technology and social media and its impacts on students, teachers, and classrooms. Guest Host, Andy Slaughter, Social Studies Teacher at Meramec Valley School District and NEA Director, has a conversation with Alicia Kleoppel, gifted Education Teacher at North Kansas City, and Lindsey Weatherby Special Education Teacher at Special School District, to summarize, process, and discuss their research. This episode is Part II of a three-part episode.
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.
If you have any questions or suggestions about MNEA Connects, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org

Saturday Jun 10, 2023
Saturday Jun 10, 2023
Ever curious what happens next for bills that passed in the Missouri Legislative Session? MNEA Legislative Director talks about what next steps are for truly agreed upon bills in the Legislative Session and how they become law.
Subscribe to Otto Fajen’s daily Legislative Update during the Missouri Legislative session here.
To access all activity in the Missouri House and Senate, visit the follow websites:
Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri Senate
MNEA Members: Interested in becoming a host or guest on MNEA Connects? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/3kvyEFb or contact Samantha Hayes.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org