Conferences & Networks
2026 AMSD/BrightWorks Annual Conference
The theme of the 2026 AMSD/BrightWorks Annual Conference is Resilient Schools, Bright Futures: Supporting Students and Educators for Tomorrow.
The conference will take place on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Minneapolis Marriott NorthWest.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Tommy Watson, a former University of Minnesota Gopher Football standout and now motivational speaker, author, and executive coach who shares his message of resilience to help empower students, educators, parents and communities with the habits of resilient champions.
More information coming soon: www.amsd.org/conference
Charting the Cs Annual Conference
In April 2026, BrightWorks' special education team hosted Minnesota's only conference focused entirely on all low incidence disabilities. The Charting the Cs Student and Family Summit, which hosted 29 families (April 18-19, 2026,) and the Charting the Cs Main Conference, which hosted 411 educators (April 20-22, 2026,) is funded through MDE's Statewide Workforce and Low Incidence Project Professional Development Grant.
The name of the conference is a play on the words used to describe the creation of nautical charts and maps to literally “chart the seas”; extended into the world of low incidence where “our Cs” also represent a similar process of planning, preparing, navigating and “mapping”, but stand for…Collaboration, Communication and Cooperation.
Charting the Cs 2027: Inclusion is not a mystery when you have accessible opportunities!
Save the date: April 18-21, 2027
Location: Madden’s on Gull Lake, 11266 Pine Beach Peninsula, Brainerd, MN 56401
Homeschool Liaison Network
School district liaisons to families who are homeschooling are invited to join in the collegial sharing of ideas, resources and concerns through the BrightWorks Homeschool Liaison Network.
Meetings take place virtually from 1:00-2:30 pm with the exception of the April meeting, which will be hybrid.
Register for the Homeschool Liaison Network (links to external site)
2026-2027 Meeting Dates
- Wednesday, September 9 – Virtual
- Wednesday, November 18 – Virtual
- Wednesday, January 6 – Virtual
- Wednesday, April 14 – Hybrid (in-person option at BrightWorks)
Metro Area Equity Leaders Network
Metro Area Equity Leaders (MAEL) is a network of equity leaders who come together to network, collaborate and support on another with a collective voice to advocate around strategies to move Equity work forward by:
- Cultivating equitable learning environments where students, families and staff feel valued as collaborative partners.
- Creating welcoming and collaborative schools and work environments, ensuring that every student regardless of race, religion, socio-economic status or gender-identity has equitable access to a quality education and opportunities for academic growth.
- Combat racism, discrimination and bias in our schools.
This group meets once a month from October to May. Each session is hosted by a different district each month with guest speakers and networking opportunities.
Meetings are in person and take place on Fridays from 9:30-11:30 am.
2026-2027 Meeting Dates
Friday, October 2 – Edina
Friday, November 6 – MDE
Friday, January 8 – St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Friday, February 5 – Bloomington
Friday, April 2 – South Washington Co.
Friday, May 7 – White Bear Lake
Friday, June 4 – Location undetermined for end of year gathering
Contact Brittany Stepan at brittany.stepan@brightworksmn.org to join this network.
Contact
Brittany Stepan
Program/Communications Coordinator
brittany.stepan@brightworksmn.org
612-638-1526
