Compass Regional Network

  • COMPASS (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success), the state’s support system for schools, has been expanded to support all public districts, charter school and Tribal schools in Minnesota thanks to an annual $13.5 million investment by the Legislature in 2023 toward implementing Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MnMTSS). The Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Service Cooperatives (MSC)will be using a portion to provide continuous improvement guidance, professional learning and flexible support through COMPASS free of cost to public districts, charter schools and Tribal schools.

    The COMPASS Statewide System of Support, inclusive of the READ Act-funded Regional Literacy Network, establishes a team of specialists at each of the nine regional Service Cooperatives who will work in close collaboration with MDE. These specialists will offer expertise in the areas of MnMTSS, literacy, math, school climate and culture, equitable access to high quality learning environments, and culturally responsive instructional leadership. This expands continuous improvement opportunities to all districts, charter schools and Tribal schools and builds upon the assistance previously offered through the six Regional Centers of Excellence. Support for ESSA targeted and comprehensive schools will now be offered through all nine MSC regional COMPASS teams.

    Learn more about the SWWC Regional Team and areas of support on the tabs below. 

      Our Team


      • Liz Deen        , Senior Director of Teaching & Learning Services, liz.deen@swwc.org; 507-401-7466
        Dawn Christensen, Administrative Assistant, dawn.christensen@swwc.org; 507-537-2278

        Regional MnMTSS Lead: Dr. Amy Pahl
        Culturally Responsive Instructional Leadership Lead: Open
        Regional Literacy Lead: Natalie Delmonico
        Literacy Network Coaches: Shannon Gossen and Ginny Sorenson
        Regional Math Lead: Justin McGuinness
        Equitable Access Specialist – Special Education focus: Heidi van der Hagen
        Statewide Lead Advocate: Michelle Raml
        School Advocates: Sam Schroeder and Adam Gregory

      Literacy/READ Act

      MnMTSS

      Leadership


      • The Culturally Responsive Instructional Leadership (CRIL) Lead will serve as a member of a Statewide CRIL Team and support regional school leader development in the CRIL framework and instructional leadership.  The CRIL Lead will also have strong instructional leadership skills and experience developing school leaders to become strong equity-focused instructional leaders. The CRIL Lead will have demonstrated an understanding of the CRIL framework, the MnMTSS framework, high-quality core and foundational instruction and school climate, and the ability to coach leaders to continuously improve their districts and schools towards a more equitable and excellent system.

        Liz Deen
        Liz Deen
        Senior Director of Teaching and Learning
        liz.deen@swwc.org 

         


        Helpful link
        CRSL Frameworks

      Mathematics


      • The Regional Mathematics Lead will serve as a part of the statewide system of regional support to educators and school leaders to implement evidence-based instructional strategies in standards-based mathematics.  This position will work with state math leaders and regional networks to lead regional professional learning to promote a deep understanding of math standards, content, learning progressions, and pedagogy necessary for the implementation of standards and effective teaching in PK-12 math environments. The regional mathematics specialist continuously utilizes data to inform instructional practices related to standards-based education and facilitates communications and planning with sites and districts to advance student success and accelerate student learning.

        This position will work with regional sites to build sustainable systems of processes and coaching support for educators and educational leaders to improve their capacity to fully implement evidence-based mathematics, engage families, and build educator competency and efficacy. The regional math specialist will work in partnership with state and regional teams to build educator and administrative competency around mathematics, assessment, and data including understanding standards and benchmarks and the developmental processes of learning mathematics.

        justin mcguinness
        Justin McGuinness
        Regional Math Lead
        justin.mcguinness@swwc.org

      School Advocate

      MDE Links

      Teaching and Learning Services - Education Consultants