Policy Breakfast Series
MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH RESEARCH
CEHD's Policy Breakfast Series brings a research focus to the conversation about closing opportunity gaps in Minnesota. Policy Breakfast events examine the role of school leadership, early childhood education, reading and literacy, STEM education, teacher preparation, and children's mental health. Each event discusses the ways CEHD research can inform Minnesota's legislative policies.
October 2025 Policy Breakfast in Crookston, MN
On Monday, October 13, University of Minnesota leaders will be hosting a Policy Breakfast discussion on the Crookston campus focusing on teacher shortages and preparation pathways in Minnesota. This discussion will bring together community stakeholders and education leaders to explore and strengthen pathways into the teaching profession, with particular emphasis in Crookston and rural Minnesota communities.
October 13, 2025
8 to 10:30 a.m.
Bede Ballroom in the Sargeant Student Center
University of Minnesota - Crookston
Free and open to the public
Shari Daniels | Moderator
Shari Daniels is the University of Minnesota Crookston Teacher Education Program Director. She is also an Associate Professor of Literacy and teaches literacy courses at UMN Crookston. She has previously taught in Minnesota elementary schools in classroom teacher, reading interventionist, and literacy coach roles for 25 years prior to teaching in Teacher Preparation Programs.
Randy Bruer | Panelist
Superintendent, Crookston Public Schools
Erin Ðoàn | Panelist
Erin Ðoàn serves as the Director of Educator Preparation and Pathways at Minnesota’s Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). An executive branch agency, PELSB works to ensure equitable and ethical education practices through establishing licensure standards, quality educator preparation, and stakeholder engagement. Her dedication to the profession includes experience across education, government, and industry. A former teacher, administrator, and teacher educator, she holds a Master of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Education from Hamline University.
Kelsey Johnson | Panelist
Kelsey Johnson is the Elementary Principal at Red Lake County Central Schools with over 15 years of experience spanning teaching, technology integration, community education, and school leadership. She serves as Northern Division President and MESPA Fellow with the Minnesota Elementary Principals’ Association and sits on advisory councils for the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and the University of Minnesota Crookston. Kelsey is passionate about advocating for rural schools across Minnesota and expanding support for students, educators, and communities.
Jason Stanoch | Panelist
Jason Stanoch, Ed.D. serves as the Bemidji High School Principal and Bemidji Career Academies Director. He oversees both the mainstream and alternative programming for grades 9-12 in Bemidji Area Schools. He is also an adjunct professor at Bemidji State University. He is an active researcher with publications that center on policy implementation that result in increased access to best-practice programming that facilitates increased academic achievement for all students. Jason received his doctorate from the University of Missouri in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.
Past events
January 2025: The state of children's mental health
On January 7, CEHD hosted more than 200 educational and clinical leaders and policymakers for a Policy Breakfast at McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus for a discussion about the state of children's mental health. Despite the overwhelming challenges regarding children’s mental health in Minnesota, this Policy Breakfast showcased the impactful advocacy and evidence-grounded promising practices that are underway to support children throughout Minnesota.
October 2024: The state of children's mental health
On October 28, CEHD hosted more than 60 educational leaders and policy makers for a Policy Breakfast at Oyate Hall on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Morris. The panel discussed the state of children’s mental health in Minnesota. It identified and expanded upon recommendations that were released in early October from the Department of Human Services-formed Acute Care Transitions Advisory Council.
October 2023: The state of the state's accountability system
On October 30, 2023, CEHD hosted more than 120 educational leaders and policy makers for a Policy Breakfast at the Historic Chateau Theatre in Rochester, Minnesota. Katie Pekel, CEHD’s Executive Director of Educational Leadership, moderated a panel of experts, including: CEHD Dean Michael C. Rodriguez, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Commissioner Willie Jett, and Superintendent of Rochester Public Schools Kent Pekel.
January 2023: Minnesota PK-12 special education policy
On January 10, 2023, superintendents, directors of special education and legislators from across the state joined us for a panel. With a wide range of professional experience and research expertise, the panel discussed what policies and practices could exist in Minnesota at the state, system, and school level.
Equal opportunity statement
The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local commission created for the purpose of dealing with discrimination, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.