MSTA Presents

MSTA Action - Jan. 10, 2025

This AI-generated podcast recaps the lastest MSTA Action newsletter, keeping you up-to-date on public education news from Jefferson City.

Episode 39: FIRST™ in Missouri Robotics Program

MSTA Presents speaks with FIRST® in Missouri Executive Director Laura Roth. FIRST in Missouri provides robotic programs to Missouri students, Pre-K-12. You can learn more about FIRST in Missouri by visiting the links below:
FIRST in Missouri website – local support and calendar of events
FIRST - global headquarters website
• You can find more information about the different divisions by choosing the "Programs" tab.
• The Educators link can be found under the "Community" tab
o Direct link to the educator's page
 
o Free education resources
 
Experiential Robotics Platform 
• Low-cost entry into robotics (FIRST is part of the opensource team)
• Discounted for educators and FIRST teams
 
Videos
• Not a Robot
• Join FIRST - Get Anywhere
• Coaching and Mentoring with FIRST
• Mark Rober Shares His Excitement for FIRST
 

Episode 38: Applied Innovation Middle School and the Hall McCarter Education Center in the Blue Springs School District

Today, MSTA Presents spoke with Sonya Gough, AIMS Facilitator and ELA Educator, and Jay Jarrett, Principal at the Hall McCarter Education Center in the Blue Springs School District. We spoke primarily about the Applied Innovation Middle School Program but also discussed many other programs offered at the Education Center. 
You can learn more about Hall McCarter by emailing Jay Jarrett at JJarrett@BSSD.NET. 
To find out more about the AIMS program you can visit a similar program based in Iowa: Iowa Big.

Episode 37: Junior Achievement and Junior Achievement programs for Missouri classrooms

Morgan Dennehy, District Manager for Junior Achievement in Central Missouri, joins MSTA Presents to discuss Junior Achievement and the organization's K-12 programs.
You can contact Morgan here.
Central Missouri Junior Achievement website: https://centralmissouri.ja.org/
Junior Achievement St. Louis website: https://greaterstlouis.ja.org/
 

Episode 36: Missouri Arts council and the A+ Schools Network

Today, we speak with Jenni Ryan, the Missouri Arts Council's arts education program specialist. Jenni outlines the A+ Schools Network and a new whole-school arts integration training program available for Missouri schools. 
To find out more information, contact Jenni:
Phone: 314.340.6857
Email: jenni.ryan@ltgov.mo.gov
 
Here are some links for other established state programs:
Oklahoma A+ Schools: 
Louisiana A+ Schools: 
North Carolina A+ Schools:

Episode 35: Legislative update concerning SB727 (Education bill)

On Tuesday, the Governor signed SB727, an education bill covering several areas, including the small schools grant, vouchers, early childhood education, and an increase in teacher salaries. You can read more about the bill here. This audio from a video can also be found at the previous link.

Episode 34: New Mental Wellness Benefit for MSTA Members

Brian Latkowski, Executive Vice President of Sales for New Benefits, joins MSTA Presents to discuss MSTA's newest offering for members, Wellbeing Access and Wellbeing Access Plus. 
Click here to learn more about New Benefits

Episode 33: EdcampSTL 2024: Seeking Balance

MSTA Presents is joined by Robyn Haug, Ladue Instructional Coach as well as EdcampSTL Planning Member, and Chris McGee, Chief Executive Officer for Connected Learning and Assistant Superintendent at Maplewood Richmond Heights.
We discuss Connected Learning's upcoming event, EDcampSTL 2024: Seeking Balance. Edcamp will take place Saturday, March 9 from 8:30 - 12:00 pm. at Clayton High School. 
To find out more information and register, head to www.clstl.org and click on, "Upcoming Events."

Episode 32: Virtual New Teacher Summit 2024

I spoke with staff member, Darbie Valenti Huff about MSTA's Virtual New Teacher Summit, February 7, 5:00 - 8:00 pm.
Sign up for the summit here.
View the flyer here.
Sneak peak of the platform being used for the summit can be seen here.

2023 MSTA Convention Presenters - Ursulla Wadley and Jennifer Moore

Ursulla Wadley, JAG Coordinator at an alternative high school in Cape Girardeau, and Jennifer Moore, Project 180 Coordinator at Union High School, will be presenting 2 workshops at the MSTA Convention: "Challenging behaviors, not challenging students," and "In the trenches: Proactive and reactive measures."