Established in 1978 to serve as an education resource for teachers, administrators, parents and community members who are concerned about the developmental needs of young adolescents in grades five through nine.

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Board Members

Steve Norlin-Weaver Executive Director Principal, Minneapolis Public Schools snorlin@mpls.k12.mn.us Steve Norlin-Weaver has been an MMSA board member since 1999. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State University, and Masters and Specialist degrees from the University of Minnesota. An educator for more than 30 years, Steve taught in Lakeville Public Schools, served as an assistant principal at Dhahran Academy in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and has been an assistant principal and principal in the Minneapolis district. He is currently the principal a Field School, a 5-8 middle grades program.

President Patrick Fox St. Michael Catholic School Patrick Fox is Principal at St. Michael Catholic School, a 500 student PreK � 8 school in Prior Lake. Patrick�s teaching and administrative experience includes working in a variety of educational environments including an alternative high school, middle schools, an adult education program, and a preK-8 school. Patrick earned his MA and Ed.S. from the University of St. Thomas and has worked as an administrator since 1996. Patrick joined the Minnesota Middle School Association in 2001 and serves on the state conference committee. Consultant Emphasis Area: Middle School Philosophy Advisory Student Led Conferences Interdisciplinary Instruction

Tami Jo Cook State Conference Promotions Director, Past President Dean of Students South View Middle School, 4725 South View Lane, Edina, MN 55424 tamcook@edina.k12.mn.us Tami Jo Cook has been an MMSA board member since 1998. She is a graduate of Bemidji State University, earned her Master�s Degree from Bemidji State University and completed her Doctorate Degree and Administrative Licensure from the University of Minnesota � Twin Cities. Tami Jo has served as a Mathematics Teacher and currently serves as Dean of Students at South View Middle School in Edina, which houses students in grades 6-9.

Secretary / State Conference Registration Kristi Quade-Wiedrich - krquade-wiedrich@rochester.k12.mn.us Kellogg Middle School Kristi has been a sixth grade teacher in the Rochester School District since 1991 and has been at Kellogg Middle School since 1994. The team she is on consists of three teachers and approximately 95 students. She has completed a middle school licensure program when the school district made the move to the middle school concept in 1994. Through the years Kristi has presented at state middle school conferences with some of her colleagues. Kristi became a part of the Minnesota Middle School Board in the fall of 2001 and has taken on the roles of the board secretary and state conference registrations. Consultant Emphasis Area: Student Led Conferences

Dan Edwards Principal, Twin Oaks Middle School 15860 Fish Point Road SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 dedwards@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us Dan Edwards has been a MMSA board member since 2009. He is a graduate of St. John's University, earned a master's degree from St. Mary's University and is completing his Doctorate at the University of MN. Dan was a social studies teacher for six years and served as a high school assistant principal for seven years, prior to assuming his present role as middle school principal.

Chris Bussmann Principal, Levi P. Dodge Middle School Levi P. Dodge Middle School 4200 208^th Street West Farmington, MN 55024 cbussmann@farmington.k12.mn.us Chris Bussmann has been an MMSA board member since 2006. He is a graduate of Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) and earned his Master�s and Administrative degrees from Minnesota State University in Mankato. Chris has been a social studies educator at the middle school and high school level, middle school assistant principal and now Principal in Farmington.

Jason Miller - jmille1@isd77.k12.mn.us Dakota Meadows Middle School Jason has worked for the Mankato Area Public Schools since 1995. He is currently teaching 7th grade English at Dakota Meadows Middle School and working as a Continuous Improvement Coach supporting the DMMS staff with data and professional development. He earned a B.S. in Communications Education from Bowling Green State University, Ohio and a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato and is currently working on an Ed.D. in Leadership from Saint Mary�s University. Jason has been on the MMSA Board since 2002 and serves as the State Conference Program Coordinator.

Cindy Kucera - Highview Middle School Cindy Kucera is the 7th Grade Dean of Students at Highview Middle School in Moundsview School district. Cindy's experiences include teaching special education, serving as a middle school counselor, and dean of students for the past 6 years. She earned a teaching degree in special education and her masters degree in school counseling at the University of St. Cloud. Cindy was awarded the Outstanding Teacher/Citizen award in 2003 for her work in the areas of diversity and community outreach. Consultant Emphasis Area: Advisory/Character Education Peer Mediation Targeted services - Strategies for at-risk Bullying and Harassment

Silent Auction Jan Heyerdahl - jheyerda@buffalo.k12.mn.us Buffalo Community Middle School Jan Heyerdahl teaches 8th grade English at Buffalo Community Middle School in Buffalo. A graduate of Mankato State College with a triple major in English, Speech and German, Jan joined the MMSA Board of Directors in 1999. She coordinates the Silent Auction for the annual MMSA conference. With MMSA board member, Jason Miller, Jan presented at the National Middle School Conferences in Philadelphia, Nashville and Houston.

Sue Thelen Publications Discovery Middle School - Alexandria, MN 7^th and 8^th grade Health & PE educator sthelen@alexandria.k12.mn.us Sue Thelen has been a MMSA board member since 1993. In 2007 she was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for her work with MMSA. She is a graduate of Concordia College (Moorhead, MN), and obtained her Masters degree from St. Cloud State University. Sue runs the DMS recycles program for her school (boxtops, milk cap etc collection/redemption), is involved with the gymnastics program, and serves as department head for her area. Sue is passionate about teaching middle school adolescents and feels so lucky to have those youthful connections each day at work!

Communications Jerry Meschke - jmeschke@isd12.org Centennial Middle School Presently the Technology Manager in the Centennial School District, Jerry had formerly been principal of the Centennial Middle School in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Faribault Middle School and Redwood Valley Middle School. In each of these positions the middle school philosophy was placed into the school design. Jerry has a broad background in middle level development, scheduling aspects of middle schools and the process of transition to a middle school. Consultant Emphasis Areas: Planning and implementation of middle school concept Transition Elementary to Middle to High School Scheduling

Lynn R. Scearcy, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Eastern Carver County Schools, District 112 11 Peavey Rd. Chaska, MN 55318 ScearcyL@district112.org Lynn Scearcy has been an MMSA Board member since 2003. She received her bachelor�s degree in English education from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. She earned a master�s degree, principal and superintendent�s licensure, and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus. Lynn has been a Language Arts teacher, a middle and high school assistant principal, a middle school principal, and an assistant superintendent. Dr. Scearcy spent 9 years coordinating the Program for Licensure and Leadership Development of School Administrators at the University of Minnesota and served six years as a North Region Trustee for the National Middle School Association.

Sandy Loney - sandy.loney@brainerd.k12.mn.us 8th Earth Science Forestview Middle School Sandy has been a MMSA board member since the fall of 2004. Sandy teaches 8th grade science at Forestview Middle School in Brainerd. Sandy graduated from Saint Cloud State with teaching degrees in science and health. She earned her Master's degree from Southwest State. Consultant Emphasis Area: Student Led Conferences Differentiated Instruction Mentorship Programs for At-Risk Youth

Margaret Porter Editor/ Summer Institute Coordinator Lakeville Middle School Margaret has been a MMSA board member since the fall of 2004. She received her degree from Wartburg College. Margaret has served as a sixth grade elementary and middle school sixth grade math teacher since 1978.

Melissa Benjamin Mini-grant Coordinator/ Membership 6^th grade American history teacher Orono Middle School mbenjamin@orono.k12.mn.us Melissa Benjamin is a sixth grade social studies teacher at Orono Middle School. She has a B.S. from Mankato State University in elementary education with a minor in middle school social studies and speech/theatre arts. She also holds a master's degree from the University of St. Thomas in Learning Technology. She has taught middle school students for over 15 years. She has been a member of the MMSA board since 2004. Some particular areas of interest include innovative scheduling, advisory programs, and advocacy at the state level. Melissa also serves on the Orono Education Association's executive board and is the communications chair for MetroWest UniServ's governing board.

Jennifer Reichel Webmaster Associate Principal Heritage E-STEM Middle School 121 West Butler Avenue; West St. Paul, MN 55118 jennifer.reichel@isd197.org Jennifer Reichel has been an MMSA board member since 2006. She is a graduate of Moorhead State, earned her Master?s degree from Saint Mary?s University and completed her Education Specialist and earned her principal?s license from St. Thomas. Jenn has served as a Language Arts teacher, Curriculum Coordinator and now serves as an Associate Principal in a 5 ? 8 building.

Lori Lockhart currently is principal at Horizon Middle School in Moorhead, MN. Horizon serves students in grades 6-8 with a total population of 1270. Lori, originally from Fargo, ND began her career as a teacher in the Fargo and West Fargo Public Schools. She worked for the MN Service Cooperatives as well as the MN Dept. of Education before starting her administrative career as a principal in the St. Cloud School District at both Lincoln Elementary and Tech High School. Lori has expertise in data driven school improvement, student academic interventions, positive school climate, and curriculum development and alignment. She holds her Bachelors, Masters and Specialists Degree from MSUM � Moorhead.

�2002 Minnesota Middle School Association