Back to School conference aims to ‘re-center’ students, teachers

Gov. Tim Walz will make opening remarks Monday morning at the first in-person Back to School conference in two years for Minnesota educators as they prepare for the 2022-23 school year.

The online agenda says Walz is expected to begin the conference at 8:30 a.m.

The Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Association of School Administrators have planned the day, which runs through the afternoon.

This year’s theme is “Centering Our Students – Centering Our Staff.”

Conference materials do not specify any issues that will be targeted in the goal of “re-centering” students and staff.

Education sectors have had a turbulent few years with distance learning, recent mass shootings and revolving legislation regarding schools and the LGBTQ+ community.

Sessions will present topics like social emotional learning and mental health, teacher diversity, and legislative focus for the upcoming year ahead of mid-term elections.