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K-12 TV

K-12 TV Episode #68

Taping Date: 12/9/08

In the first segment, Education Commissioner, Alice Seagren, talks with Beth Berry, coordinator of the TORCH (Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes) program at Northfield High School—a program to help Latino and low-income students graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education; and Mayra Gutierrez and Giovanni Casillas, Northfield High School students who participate in TORCH.  In the second segment, Commissioner Seagren talks with Jan Mandell, a coordinator for the Seeds of Change program at Central High School; and Central High student Wesley Hampton and Khymyle Mims, a Central High alumnus. The goals of Seeds of Change are to increase the graduation rate of African American males in the St. Paul Public Schools and increase the awareness and support of higher education opportunities, procedures and encourage enrollment into post-secondary education.

K-12 TV Episode #67

Taping Date: 11/24/08

In the first segment, MDE Commissioner Alice Seagren interviews Wade Setter, Director of the Minnesota School Safety Center.  They talk about the Center’s role in partnering and collaborating with state agencies, organizations and law enforcement to provide guidance and resources to schools about school safety matters. In the second segment, Commissioner Seagren talks with Mark Dunaski, Chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, about driver safety concerns regarding young drivers, and a new video, available for high school classrooms, titled “How to Save a Life.”

K-12 TV Episode #66

Taping Date: 10/14/08

In the first segment, MDE Commissioner Alice Seagren interviews Tim Hoogland, Director of Education Outreach Programs at the Minnesota Historical Society; and Wendy Jones, Manager of the Minnesota History Center Museum, who talk about Minnesota History Day and the resources available for teachers.  In the second segment, Commissioner Seagren talks with Sade Ogundiron and Cambria Camillo, students who both won 1st place at the Minnesota History Day, and 1st place and 2nd place (respectively) at the 2008 National History Day competition.

K-12 TV Episode #65

Taping Date: 8/18/08

In the first segment, MDE Commissioner Alice Seagren interviews Wendy Behrens, MDE Gifted/Talented Education Specialist, and Greg Thompson, student at Rochester High School and winner of the 2008 Scholar of Distinction award in science.  They discuss the Minnesota Scholars of Distinction Program and Greg talks about his winning project.  In the second segment, Commissioner Seagren talks with Virginia McFerran, Education Specialist at the Perpich Center for Arts Education; Kent Knutson, Theater Director at Minnetonka High School; and Katy Knutson, 2005 Scholar of Distinction winner in theater arts, who talks about the process for submitting a project portfolio for the competition.

K-12 TV Episode #64

Taping Date: 7/15/08

In the first segment, MDE Commissioner Alice Seagren interviews Eric Mjolsness, BioSMART Site Project Manager, at Arlington High School; Ashley Ehlers, and Kylee Ehlers, both students from Arlington High School.  They discuss the innovative BioSMART science, math, academic rigor and technology focus at their school.  In the second segment, Commissioner Seagren talks with Stuart Lade, Advanced Placement Program Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education, and Angie Judd, High School Specialist at MDE, regarding two dual enrollment options available to students—Advanced Placement and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).

K-12 TV Episode #63

Taping Date: 6/13/08

MDE Commissioner Alice Seagren interviews guests regarding the new Math and Science Teacher Academy and the nine Teacher Centers that make up the Academy. A key strategy of the centers is to provide professional development and technical assistance to support K-12 teachers and school districts in delivering high-quality mathematics and science instruction. In the first segment, Commissioner Seagren talks with guests JoAnn Luhtala, Supervisor of the Math and Science Teacher Academy; and Rebecca Koelln, a key person involved in the Region 7 Teacher Center which has been established in St. Cloud.  In the second segment, Commissioner Seagren talks with Jane Holmberg, Jessica Wiley, and Brian Lindaman, who all work collaboratively for the Region 11 Teacher Center.

K-12 TV Episode #62

Taping Date: 05/30/08

In the first segment, Department of Education Commissioner Alice Seagren interviews Jane Leonard, executive director of the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission, regarding the kick-off activities that took place during the 150th anniversary of Minnesota’s May 11 Statehood Day, the festival weekend at the State Capitol, and other Sesquicentennial activities taking place throughout the year. In segment two, Commissioner Seagren talks with State Representative Sondra Erickson who co-chaired the Education Subcommittee for the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission.

 

 

K-12 TV Episode #61

Taping Date: 04/18/08

In the first segment, Commissioner Alice Seagren interviews MDE Assistant Commissioner Christy Hovanetz Lassila regarding an update about state testing, such as the new MCA-II Science Online test.

In the second segment, Commissioner Seagren talks with Deb Holmes, Director of the Midwest Robotics League, and four students who participate in the league's competitions. The students, Matt Gallagher, Kiefer Morgan, Alex Walden and Corey Ohm, give a demonstration of what their robots can do.


K-12 TV Episode #60

Taping Date: 02/11/08

In the first segment, Education Commissioner Alice Seagren interviews Patricia King, director of the School Improvement Division, and Deborah Luedtke, supervisor of the Professional Development and Teacher Induction Division at the MN Dept. of Education. Topic of discussion: Teacher Quality

In the second segment, Commissioner Seagren talks with Robert Smith, Principal of Fridley High School ALC, and Tania Wolverton-Falk, International Baccalaureate coordinator at Fridley School District, about Fridley's IB program.