want to present at a master class? submit your proposal here!

Call for Proposals
MASA is inviting proposals for future Master Classes.

We know our members are busier than ever. We also know that our members are learners, and value the opportunity to enhance personal and professional skills. MASA is offering a number of shorter workshops that we are calling our Master Classes. A master class is an opportunity offered by an expert presenter to learners of advanced skill in a particular profession or discipline. MASA’s master classes will be held virtually every few weeks or so and will feature presentations that address the expressed needs and interests of our members.

Anyone who is interested in presenting a master class is invited to submit a proposal by clicking here. This brief proposal form takes only a few minutes to complete. This is an ongoing invitation, so there is no deadline for submissions.
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Some things to note:

• Topics can be any subject that would interest educational leaders.
• Sessions are short, 90 minutes at most.
• Because we offer the sessions at no charge to our members, presenters are not compensated.
• Sessions are presented virtually using Zoom.

Thank you for considering a presentation.  Your willingness to share your work is a great gift to your colleagues!

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MASA Master Classes

Click here to view all MASTER CLASS HANDOUTS/VIDEOS

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#19 MASA Master Class: Building and Sustaining Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems
Presented by Brienne LaHaye, MA, LMFT | Project AWARE Coordinator, Minnesota Deparment of Education (MDE)

MASA Members are invited to attend the next MASA Master Class: Building and Sustaining Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems. Brienne LaHaye will lead a session reviewing the work of MDE’s Project Aware. She will also provide information about the Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems framework along with local examples of implementation.

Session Details
Date: Wednesday, March 29
Time: 9 - 10 am
Location: Zoom
Topic: Building and Sustaining Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems
Register for the session here | There is no cost to attend.

This session will be recorded and shared on the MASA Master Class webpage. CEUs will NOT be provided for this session.

What will we talk about?
This MASA Master Class will review the work of MDE related to Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems, including an overview of MDE’s Project AWARE and Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (CoIIN), the SHAPE System, and other statewide opportunities for schools and districts to advance their Comprehensive School Mental Health System. Participants will have an opportunity to consider assessment tools and professional learning that will assist in ensuring comprehensive mental health systems within their schools.

Who should attend?
Superintendents, Directors of Student Supports/Special Education, Lead School Social Workers, Coordinators of Professional Learning 

What are the learning objectives?
1. Participants will gain an awareness of MDE’s current efforts to support student mental health.
2. Participants will learn about the Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems framework and local examples of implementation. 
3. Participants will learn action steps to implement in their school or district to advance the systemic support of student mental wellbeing. 

About Brienne LaHaye
Brienne LaHaye, MA, LMFT is the Project AWARE Coordinator at MDE. Project AWARE is a federal grant focused on comprehensive school mental health systems. Brienne is a licensed mental health professional and board approved supervisor. She has spent the majority of her career providing and overseeing mental health services in schools, including Early Childhood programs, K-12 schools, alternative schools and Federal Setting III-V programs. She is deeply passionate about embedding mental health services within educational settings to improve the wellbeing of students and families.

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#18 MASA Master Class: What is ChatGPT and Where is AI Headed? ChatGPT in Your Schools
presented by
Sean Beaverson, District Technology Coordinator, Orono Public Schools
Anthony Padrnos, Executive Director of Technology, Osseo Area Schools
Eric Simmons, Director of Technology, Chisago Lakes Public Schools

MASA Members are invited to attend the next MASA Master Class: “What is ChatGPT and where is AI Headed? ChatGPT in Your Schools.” This Master Class will focus on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically the ChatGPT service, in K-12 education. 

Session Details
Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Time: 10 - 11 am
Location: Zoom
Topic: What is ChatGPT and where is AI Headed? ChatGPT in Your Schools
Register for the session here | There is no cost to attend

What will we talk about?
Three district technology leaders will engage in a guided conversation to provide attendees an overview of ChatGPT and its potential benefits for personalized learning experiences, improved communication channels, and more efficient administrative processes.

During the presentation, the audience will be engaged in a guided conversation that includes a Menti poll on their top ideas for ChatGPT and where they want to go from here. The presenters will also discuss the history of technology disruptions, such as the rise of video in 2006, and how these disruptions can lead to greater opportunities for students, staff, and society as a whole.

Who should attend?
Any district leader.

About the Presenters
Sean Beaverson is an experienced K-12 educator and technology specialist with a passion for helping others learn and grow. With over two decades of experience in instructional design, professional development and district leadership, Sean has collaborated with teams of educators and administrators at all levels. Currently proud to serve as the District Technology Coordinator for Orono Public Schools.

Anthony Padrnos is an innovative educator pushing the boundaries for how technology can redefine education. He has been in public education for over 15 years as a teacher, digital learning coach, and administrator. Anthony is currently serving as the Executive Director of Technology for Osseo Area Schools.

Eric Simmons is the Director of Technology at Chisago Lakes Public Schools. He currently serves as the Greater Minnesota Technology Component Group Representative to the MASA Board of Directors.

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#17 MASA Master Class: Communication and Engagement for Tomorrow's Crisis
Communication and Engagement for Tomorrow's Crisis
presented by Dr. Lori Mueller, Partner, Donovan Group -and- Former Superintendent, Baraboo School District, WI

MASA Members are invited to attend the next MASA Master Class: Communication and Engagement for Tomorrow's Crisis. Dr. Lori Mueller of the Donovan Group will lead a conversation about critical issues facing district superintendents and leaders through the lens of communication best practices, highlight examples of proactive community engagement strategies, and provide resources to help us keep a focus on our “why”—our students.

View the session flyer here!

Session Details
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Time: 9 - 10 am
Location: Zoom

CEUs will NOT be provided for this session.

What will we talk about?
District leaders manage numerous crises every day. These include issues large in scale, along with those that may be smaller, but have the ability to turn into major challenges in a matter of minutes. When a divisive issue impacts a school district or a controversy arises on social media, educational leaders can quickly find themselves managing media requests and responding to concerns from stakeholders. Managing a school crisis situation requires planning, a sound process, open communication, and an ability to quickly reach stakeholders with critical information when time is of the essence.

Who should attend?
Superintendents, Directors, and anyone who might need to communicate information in a challenging situation

About Dr. Lori Mueller
Dr. Mueller is an experienced educational leader and superintendent who has been nationally recognized for her work in school communication.

For six years, Dr. Mueller served as superintendent of the School District of Baraboo in central Wisconsin. In that time, she led significant continuous school improvement through district strategic planning processes. She also led efforts to engage community members in successfully passing the two largest capital referendums in her district’s history, totaling $63.65 million.

In addition to her experience as a superintendent, Dr. Mueller has served as a teacher and a director of curriculum and instruction. She has presented at regional, state and national conferences on topics related to grading for communicating student learning, developing assessment literacy, gifted and talented services, implementing a Response to Intervention framework, continuous school improvement, strategic planning, crisis response and engaging the community in advance of a facilities referendum.

Dr. Mueller holds an Ed.D. from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. She also received a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a bachelor’s degree in French and health education from UW-Whitewater.

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#16 MASA Master Class: Filling school nursing gaps through telemedicine with Avel eCare
MASA Members are invited to attend the next MASA Master Class, "Filling school nursing gaps through telemedicine with Avel eCare." The two sessions will be presented by Sheila Freed, Director of School Health, Avel eCare.

View the informational flyer here!

Learn more about Avel virtual school nurse services and the resources available to take advantage of this innovative program! Depending on the needs of the school/district, the Avel eCare team can support students either in primary or extended care models. In the primary care model, Avel eCare nurses serve as the school nurse — supporting school staff by providing guidance regarding health conditions and recommending actions to care for the student. In the extender model—usually requested by schools with an existing school nurse - the Avel eCare team becomes an extension of the school health program. Avel eCare supports the nurse on the ground by filling the gap with their services and can amplify your nurses' coverage footprint and ability to serve multiple buildings/schools. Avel eCare offers the largest and most comprehensive virtual health networks in the world, partnering with more than 650 healthcare systems, rural hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, schools, and skilled nursing facilities to deliver innovative telemedicine care and services to support both clinicians and patients.

There is no cost to attend!

Session Information & Registration
February 7, 2023 | 12 noon - 1 pm | Zoom
February 8, 2023 | 9 - 10 am | Zoom

Register for the sessions online here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUof-qqpzIoHdB7r7L8tDtCNslbYjrfJ9-9

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#15 MASA Master Class: Prioritize, Stabilize, and Accelerate Success
presented by Bonnie Houck, Ed.D, Houck Educational Services and Tracy Corcoran, Director of Teaching and Learning, Faribault Area Schools

Check out the informational flyer!

MASA Members and your leadership teams are invited to attend a two-part master class that will help participants prioritize their work in ways that offer clear vision and direction for all school leaders. We know that a framework is an essential supporting structure that provides a foundation for sharpened decision-making that ensures alignment within and across schools as we rebuild following pandemic-era challenges. The framework Bonnie and Tracy will lead you through has three critical elements: Culture, Clarity, and Collective Efficacy to develop priorities that will accelerate success.

Session One | January 19, 2023 | 10 - 11 am | Zoom
This session is about using a process to identify priorities and goals, engage in collaborative decision making, and identify incremental implementation steps and success measures to see growth over time.

Session Two | February 23, 2023 | 10 - 11 am | Zoom
This session will dig deeper into your priorities and goals to support collaborative decision making, continuing incremental implementation, and measuring growth over time.

Register for both sessions here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvdemhrT0oGtxUnC5UiG2ef-D8oiQDEy5j

We encourage you to bring your leadership teams to make the most of this opportunity to prioritize the work and set goals together! MASA has applied for CEUs from BOSA for these master class sessions.

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#14 Cyber Security Awareness for K-12 School Districts
Fortinet has offered to share its free education-focused version of Security Awareness and Training with MASA members. As part of the White House National Cyber Workforce and Education Summit 2022, Fortinet has made its staff training available for free to all K-12 school districts in the US. This high-quality and engaging security training service arms your faculty and staff with the latest knowledge, guidance, and tips to make smarter choices when confronted by cyberattacks and other risks to your organization. The training is aesthetic and modern to engage audiences and includes topics like Email Security, Data Privacy, Phishing Attacks, and Social Media safety. Fortinet will present an overview of the program, show a short demo of the interface for users and administrators, and answer questions during the meeting. Al Nasturzio of Fortinet will be leading the class.

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#13 Avel eCare School Health: Grant Funds Available to Support Virtual Nursing Program
Presented by Sheila Freed, Director of School Health, Avel eCare

Avel eCare offers the largest and most comprehensive virtual health networks in the world, partnering with more than 650 health care systems, rural hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, schools and skilled nursing facilities to deliver innovative telemedicine care and services to support both clinicians and patients. Learn more by visiting Avelecare.com. Learn more about Avel eCare School Health by visiting Avelecare.com/services/school-health/.

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#12 Minnesota Student Data Privacy Law: Impact and Implementation June 28, 2022
A Student Data Privacy Law was passed this spring in Minnesota. The law has new requirements for school districts starting this Fall 2022. This class is targeted toward those in District leadership roles with a focus on understanding the legislation and its impact on the current practices in your schools. We will review resources created by school technology leaders from around the state to support the new requirements and have an open discussion around the impact of the legislation as a whole. Join us! 

This session is presented by:
Anthony Padrnos, Osseo Area Schools 
Eric Simmons, Chisago Lakes School District ​
Joel VerDuin, Anoka-Hennepin School District

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#11 Avel eCare School Health: Grant Funds Available to Support Virtual Nursing Program
Presented by Sheila Freed, Director of School Health, Avel eCare

Learn more about Avel virtual school nurse services and the resources available to take advantage of this innovative program! Depending on the needs of the school/district, the Avel eCare team can support students either in primary or extender care model. In the primary care model, Avel eCare nurses serve as the school nurse — supporting school staff by providing guidance regarding health conditions and recommending actions to care for the student. In the extender model—usually requested by schools with an existing school nurse - the Avel eCare team becomes an extension of the school health plan. Avel eCare supports the nurse on the ground by filling the gap with their services and can amplify your nurses' coverage footprint and ability to serve multiple buildings/schools.

Avel eCare offers the largest and most comprehensive virtual health networks in the world, partnering with more than 650 health care systems, rural hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, schools and skilled nursing facilities to deliver innovative telemedicine care and services to support both clinicians and patients. Learn more by visiting Avelecare.com. Learn more about Avel eCare School Health by visiting Avelecare.com/services/school-health/.

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#10 Principal Development & Evaluation in Minnesota
Minnesota statute requires each local district to develop and implement a system for annually evaluating their school principals. What should such a system include and how might it emphasize growth and support?  Minnesota Elementary Principals' Association (MESPA), Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals (MASSP), and Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) are inviting our members to a free Master Class, presented by Dr. Elizabeth Vaught, Principal Leadership Support, Minnesota Department of Education.
 
The purpose of the 1-hour session is to provide:
- An overview of the Principal Development & Evaluation (PDE) requirements for traditional public schools,
- Resources to assist in implementation or revision of your system, and
- Discussion about your role within that system.

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#9 ​Prepare Your District for the Impending Mental Health Surge

presented by
Ben Court, Director, Strategic Research and Carolyn Lang, Director of Partner Development; EAB
Thursday, May 6, 2021

Schools across the country must prepare for an unprecedented surge in mental health concerns among students and staff as a result of COVID-19. Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among children and teens were rising at alarming rates before the coronavirus outbreak, but reports indicate that the trauma associated with a global pandemic and a sharp economic downturn have rapidly worsened those trends. This summer, districts must quickly establish systems for identifying those in need of support, providing scalable access to care, supporting students all the way through crises, and reducing the stigma around mental health to increase engagement in preventative practices. Join this session to discover a multi-stage strategy that will improve outcomes for students and reduce strain on your support staff in the challenging months ahead.
 
Ben Court is a Director with EAB’s K-12 practice, helping school and district executive teams to implement evidence-based strategies for improving student success and optimizing mental health supports. Ben also leads the development of strategy workshops to support K-12 executive teams as they reimagine the future of their institutions. Prior to joining EAB, Ben worked in multiple roles across both public and independent schools in the US and UK, gaining experience in educational leadership, communications, and program management, alongside several happy years in the classroom.

As the Director of Partner Development, Carolyn Lang partners closely with school district leaders across the country to identify how EAB can support them in addressing their most pressing challenges. Carolyn is responsible for introducing Superintendents and their teams to EAB’s District Leadership Forum and onboarding new partners. Prior to joining EAB, Carolyn spent more than six years working in education technology.    
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#8  Habits of the Heart for Educational Leaders: Demonstrating empathy and compassion during and after a pandemic

presented by
Linda Madsen, Superintendent Forest Lake Schools (2009-2017) 
Michael Lovett, Superintendent, White Bear Lake Area Schools (2008-2017)
Donald Draayer, Superintendent, Minnetonka Schools (1971-1995)
Thursday, April 22, 2021•  Presented Virtually 

​During our careers school leaders learn the importance of demonstrating genuine care, empathy, and compassion for those we serve, including our staff, students, families and community. 

Especially in difficult times, and when we face challenging decisions about which there is no general consensus, we hope to draw on reservoirs of trust and confidence from each of these groups.

Yet strategies that may have worked during our careers have been severely tested by the pandemic.  Our communities have faced fears and struggles. Yet, when they need us most, we too have been isolated and challenged to maintain balance and retain courage.

Dr. Michael Lovett currently teaches in educational leadership programs at the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas; serves on several nonprofit boards; and provides consulting and leadership mentoring to educational and nonprofit leaders through Lovett Leadership LLC.
Dr. Linda Madsen currently serves as the executive director of Lakes Center for Youth and Families; provides consulting to the YMCA of the North; and serves on several nonprofit boards. 
Dr. Don Draayer continues to inspire educators and the broader public through his books, newspaper columns, and presentations. In recent years his writing and nonprofit work has emphasized his passion for early childhood literacy and commitment to helping parents understand the growth and development of their own children.

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#7 ​Achievement Gaps and the Grade to Grade MCA Scores

presented by Jim Sheehan
Tuesday, March 23, 2021  •  1:30 - 2:30 pm •  Presented Virtually  
 
Dr. Sheehan will use files and present examples of how the data can be meaningful for any district. Grade to grade results can portray strong results and results that need some discussion and attention. The files used will be Excel Query files that allow the designation of any district, school, or student group to view MCA results in Reading and Math.

Dr. Sheehan is a retired Assistant Superintendent from Rochester Public Schools. He is also retired from SchoolFinances.com, a business he established in 1998.
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#6 ​Enrollment Projections in MN School Districts

presented by Jim Sheehan
Monday, March 22, 2021  •  10 - 11:00 am  •  Presented Virtually
 
This presentation will use the ENPRO (Enrollment Projection) system that was developed for use in MN school districts. The use of fall enrollments or ADM data and of different Cohort survival methodologies will be presented. The various methods of projecting Kindergarten enrollment in ENPRO will be discussed.

This presentation would be valuable for an administrator wanting a better understanding of enrollment planning and for district staff that may be part of a team that does the actual enrollment projections of a district.

Dr. Sheehan will use files and present examples of how the data can be meaningful for any district. Grade to grade results can portray strong results and results that need some discussion and attention. The files used will be Excel Query files that allow the designation of any district, school, or student group to view MCA results in Reading and Math.

​Dr. Sheehan is a retired Assistant Superintendent from Rochester Public Schools. He is also retired from SchoolFinances.com, a business he established in 1998.

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#5 Supervision of Grading and Assessment Practices of Your Teachers ​

presented by Patrick Walsh, Superintendent, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa School District   
Friday, March 19, 2021  •  10 - 11:15 am  •  Presented Virtually
 
Grading and assessment are the Way, the Truth, and the Life of a teacher, probably from about Grade 4 on up. These practices have a great deal to do with your school's success, although many administrators are oblivious to the actual effect of these same practices. All but a few of your most experienced and thoughtful teachers may be doing major things wrong. This session will go through tactics that superintendents can do to ensure their principals are leading their buildings in this capacity. I have worked with nearly 30 administrators and can vouch for knowing our readiness to lead this. We will go through active examples of looking at some of the mistakes. More importantly, we will discuss how formative and summative grading practices can be improved across your buildings through executive leadership.

Patrick Walsh is a 3rd-year Superintendent at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa School District. He is also serving in his 23rd year as a HS Principal at four different high schools. Supervisory leadership and grading have been a focus throughout this time. 

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#4 Flexibility and Balancing of the HS Master Schedule ​

presented by Patrick Walsh, Superintendent, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa School District
Thursday, February 11, 2021  • 10 – 11:15am  •  Presented Virtually
 
High schools across America have their master schedules in middle and high schools cornered by state requirements, traditional thoughts, and master agreements. 
 
With the pandemic experience fresh, it has become imperative to reconsider how we educate our students with the most flexibility. This session will address all of these items head-on. 
 
Macro-Level Changes 

• How many periods? 
• How many terms? 
• State Requirements 
• Local Requirements 
• Academy Models 
• Principal Leadership
• Superintendent/Board /Support

Micro-Level Changes 

• Personalized Learning 
• Alternate Scheduling 
• Synchronous or Asynchronous?
• Teacher Buy-In

 
Patrick Walsh is a 3rd-year Superintendent at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa School District. He is also serving in his 23rd year as a HS Principal at four different high schools. Supervisory leadership and grading have been a focus throughout this time.

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#3 ​GOTV: Research and Best Practices to Maximize Your Referendum "Yes" Votes on Election Day

presented by Don Lifto, Director, Baker Tilly
Wednesday, January 27, 2021  •  9:30 - 11 am  •  Presented Virtually  
 
Planning and executing an effective GOTV plan is one of the most essential parts of a successful campaign when seeking additional operating, technology, or bond authority. While very important to the outcome on Election Day, it is not unusual that the GOTV effort is less than ideal in school referenda. The good news is that there is a wealth of practical research and best practices that provide a foundation for planning and executing an effective GOTV effort. It is incumbent on school leaders to provide the knowledge and resources to maximize this part of the campaign and improve the chances for success on Election Day.

Prior to joining Baker Tilly, Dr. Don Lifto served as a public school superintendent for 25 years in rural, suburban, and intermediate districts. In completing his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota, he focused his research on referendum planning. He has authored three books on this topic, the most recent in 2019 with Barb Nicol as coauthor.  Don Lifto has authored more than a dozen articles on school tax elections appearing in the national journals of AASA, NSBA, and ASBO.

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#2 ​Leveraging Facilitation Skills to Manage Complex Change

presented by Stacie Stanley, Associate Superintendent, Eden Prairie Schools 
Tuesday, January 26, 2021  •  10-11:30 am  •  Presented Virtually
 
Facilitating highly effective meetings where participants leave with clarity and purpose is a key ingredient for managing complex change. Quality meetings help support your organization's mission and core values, which are guideposts in our current climate. Participants will learn foundational techniques that they can immediately apply in their own context.

Dr. Stacie Stanley currently serves as the Associate Superintendent in Eden Prairie Schools. She has also served as a principal, director of curriculum, assessment & instruction, and a math teacher. Her interests include equity, organizational development, and change management. ​

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#1 Understanding why we all feel so terrible and what to do about it

presented by Dr. Kaz Nelson, University of Minnesota
Tuesday, November 17, 2020  •  9:30 - 11 am • Presented Virtually  

In this interactive workshop, Dr. Kaz Nelson will describe the impact of acute and chronic stress on cognitive function, together examine the nature and degree to which chronic stress impacts professional and personal needs, and develop a strategy to identify specific skills to address and meet varying professional and personal needs.
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Dr. Kaz J. Nelson, is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and serves as Vice-Chair for Education in the UMN Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Program Director of the Psychiatry Residency at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Nelson is an Honors graduate of the University of Minnesota-Morris, and received her medical degree and psychiatry residency training from the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Nelson is the 2018 Minnesota Psychiatric Society "Psychiatrist of the Year" and a "2018 Exemplary Psychiatrist" awarded for the state of Minnesota by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Dr. Nelson developed an openly accessible podcast with her brother, George, called "The Mind Deconstructed" which aims to serve the general community to demystify and increase understanding of common mental health conditions. ​