Minnesota Principals Academy: Action Learning Projects
Providing Minnesota principals with action-based professional development since 2006
Action Learning Projects
The Action Learning Project is the culminating product for participants of the Minnesota Principals Academy and the NISL Executive Development Program. It relates to and gains strength from themes and connections throughout the Academy. The intention of the ALP is for participants to delve deeply into one “problem of practice,” an instructional issue or area relevant to leading their school or organization to improve outcomes. Action Learning Projects are often completed from the standpoint of program evaluation. We often implement new programs or initiatives without solid evaluation of their impact or success. The ALP provides a framework that can be used beyond the Academy. If you are interested in learning more about a particular Action Learning project, please feel free to contact either Dr. Katie Pekel, or the participant directly.
Current (2023-25) Cohorts: Rochester, Sartell, Twin Cities
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Access Starts with Language: A Vision for Evaluating DHH Base Programs: Kelly Campbell
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Adult Connections and Guidance for Successful Postsecondary Readiness in High School: Nichole Bergerson
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Aligning Math Curriculum Rollout with How People Learn: Supporting K–5 Educators Through Change: Danielle M. Beck
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Authentic Engagement with PLCs to Support Tier 1 Literacy Across Disciplines in High School: Peter Dodds
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Bell to Bell: The Impact of a No-Phone Policy on Engagement and Well-Being: Kevin Beehler
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Beyond Implementation: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Large-Scale School Programs: Joseph H. Held
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Bringing Genius, Justice and Joy to a 3rd Grade Classroom: Chad H. Schroeder
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Building Coherence: Integrating Language Strategies to Strengthen Elementary Math Learning: Kim Baartman
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Building Success: The Impact of Structured Study Halls for Freshmen: Amanda Holstrom
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Building Teacher Capacity for Tier 2 Literacy Intervention: Camille Murphy
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Building Teams Using Restorative Circles: Brett T. Aselson
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Central Middle School Change Agents: Fostering Change through Student Leadership: Cameron McWhorter
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Chinese Immersion Literacy Intervention: A Comparison of Phonics-Based and Character-Based System: Nicole Snedden
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Collaboration with Early Educators and School Specialists to Enhance Academics and SEL within PreKindergarten Classrooms: Leslie T. Hitchens
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Components of an Effective Curriculum Implementation in a Dual Immersion Program: Stivaliss Licona-Gervich
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Comprehension: Unlocking the Power of Understanding: Brittney R. Schoephoerster
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Creating a Statewide System of Support for School Climate Improvement: Cristin Craig
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Creating Effective and High-Performing Leadership Teams in Secondary Schools: Hibaq Mohamed
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Creating Efficient and Impactful Collaborative Teams: Jason Miller & Sara R. Stratton
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Diving Deep into Literacy: Heidi J. B. Howe
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Early Childhood Special Education to Kindergarten, Planning Transitions for Success: Malissa J. Nelson
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Early Intervention for Academic Success and Retention: Kelly Tschudy-Lafean
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Empowering Instructional Leadership Teams: Coaching for Impact Within MTSS: Shelly Gilmore
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Engaging Freshmen for Attendance Improvement: Matt L. Ruzek
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Engaging the Community: Coordinated Systems from Early Childhood to Kindergarten: Erica Schumacher
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Enhancing School Culture in a Period of Change: Annie Ohs & Jim D. Sonju
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Equity in Action: How School- Based Equity Teams Drive Academic Success and Belonging: Ann Giardino
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Evaluating the Impact of the UFLI Phonics Program on Early Literacy Outcomes in Grades K–2: Elzbieta Murphy
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Facilitating Student Discourse and Teaching Language for Multilingual Learners in Elementary Classrooms: Kelly N. Tennison
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A Focus on Primary Grades Literacy Instruction and Interventions through Implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Support: Emily Pearson
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From Absences to Engagement: A Relationship Based Approach to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism: Becca Bang
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From Causes to Solutions: Uncovering and Addressing the Root Causes of Low First-Grade Reading Results: Cynthia Mueller
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Full Service Community School Initatives in Year One: Jenny Holm
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Growing Teacher Collective Efficacy by Modifying the Structure of Professional Learning Teams: Laura A. Yehlik
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The Impacts of MTSS Systems and Structures on Reading Proficiency: Mark Randall
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Implementation of a Common Course Syllabus in 10th grade Core Classes: Nick Peterson
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Implementing a Growth and Development Plan that Promotes Individual Professional Growth Through Teacher Autonomy and Student Needs: Tanya Peterson & Jenny Bushman
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Implementing MTSS in the Middle School: Isaac Matzek
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Improving Middle Level Literacy Through Enhanced Content Area Instructional Leadership: Jeff Scherber
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Improving Secondary Math Outcomes Through Alignment: Hillary Johnson
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Incorporation of a Teacher Interview to Reduce Tier II Literacy Referrals: An Examination of MTSS in the Kindergarten and First Grade Classroom: Melissa Brandt
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Increased Staff Capacity Leads to Literacy Growth in Elementary Grades 2-5: Amy E. Adams
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Instructional Feedback for Teacher Growth: Paul H. Ruble
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“I’ve Never Been in this Hallway!” Building Teacher Trust & Collaboration: Maggie Vecchio-Smith
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Leveraging a Freshman Seminar Course to support Career and College Readiness: Lori Hanson
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Math Intervention Placement & Exit Evaluation: Jamie Carpenter
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Collaborative MTSS Implementation: Aligning Leadership for Systemwide Success: Megan Willrett
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Mentoring for Positive Change: Hannah E. Pagel
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Modeling Metacognition: How Teachers Can Guide Students to Self-Reflection and Learning: Christopher T. Fogarty
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Move, Groove, and Improve: Rethinking Middle School Passing Time: Laura J. Arndt
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Pathways to Success: Establishing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Teams to Meet the Needs of All Learners (6-8 Gr): Nicholas Johnson
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The Pivot to Block Scheduling: Teri Linander & Mike Widman
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The Positive Impact of Walk Through Observations on Non-Tenured Teachers: Todd D. Pierson
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Preparing High School Students for the Workplace—Skills Matter!: Kari L. Kolling Anderson
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Prioritizing Essential Language, Literacy and Communication Standards to Strengthen Early Childhood Instruction: Julia A. Bjerke
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Program Sustainability: Essential and Easy to Overlook: Jessica Cabak
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Promoting Staff Wellness and Collaboration to Re-Energize High School Culture: Sarah N. Carlson
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Reinforcing the Raider Way: Elevating School Climate Through PBIS: Ryan D. Wynn
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Relate, Repair, Restore: How the School-Wide Implementation of Restorative Practices (RP) Decreases Negative Student Behavior While Increasing Students’ Sense of Belonging: Kristin R. Smith & Jenni Benson
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Responding with Care: Trauma-Informed Practices to Support Elementary Students: Sara Edwards
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Rethinking Family Engagement in Kindergarten: Bridget Bruner & Travis Barringer
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Scaling Deeper Learning: From Small Teams to Systemic Change: Mark Miles
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School Schedules: How We Support the Varying Needs of Our Middle School Students: Angela Safran & Kevin Hillman
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Secondary Literacy: The Forgotten Conversation: Heather Willman
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Shifting Mindsets: Implementing the Science of Reading in Kindergarten: Katie O’Connell
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Stronger Together: Building a Family and Community Advisory Group for Student Success: Steve Wagner
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Structure for Data Driven PLCs (Sprints): Amy Hughes
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Structuring Advisory to have a Positive Impact on Students: Adam B. Johnson
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Student Sense of Belonging: Ahmed A. Hassan
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Student To Student Mentoring: Kris T. Davidson
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Supporting Social and Emotional needs Through Tier II Intervention: Megan Foley
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Unleash Your Narrative: The Power of Telling Your School’s Story: Brenten Magee
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Unlocking Potential: Expanding Access to Elementary Advanced Academics: Laura G. Willis
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Using the School Refusal Assessment Scale (SRAS): Find Your Why, Change Your Path: Jenn Campbell
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Why Change Grading Practices If You Are Already a High Achieving Middle School?: Steve Hoemann
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Writing Instruction for Multilingual Students in the General Education Classroom: Kimberly J. Knuttila