SATURDAY WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
Saturday Workshops
Saturday Morning Exercise
8:15 – 9:30 a.m.
___Yoga, breath, and Movement with Marcia Nermoe, a certified yoga instructor with 11 years experience. Her passion is helping people awaken to their inner beauty and grace. Stretch yourself in more ways than one! This hour-long class will include breath work, yoga, and Tyah, which is Tai Chi-like movement to help you stretch and strengthen your body, relax your mind, and connect to your inner well being. Dress comfortably and please bring a mat with you.
Saturday Workshops
10:45-11:45
___a. Rediscovering Rose Wilder Lane presented by Amy Mattson Lauters, PhD, an associate professor and chair of the Department of Mass Media at Mankato State University. She is an internationally recognized expert on Laura Ingalls Wilder and Laura's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane. Rose had a long career as a journalist, fiction writer, political commentarian, and historian. Her decidedly conservative views made her unpopular in some circles, but her 'rediscovery' as a vital contributor to the "Little House" series of children's books makes her worthy of a second look.
___B. Mindful Movement:Simple Tips for the Active Person presented by Amy Rosisum Foley, PhD, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Mankato State University. This workshop will provide simple tips and solutions for increasing body fluidity, strength, and mobility. We can positively impact the longevity and health of our joints and soft tissue by increasing overall body health and alignment. Awareness of how we move through our day-to-day routine, we will improve our overall health and well being.
___.C.internet Safety: Online dangers and Tips for Keeping Children Safer presented by Jessica Harstad FBI Citizen's Academy Alumni Association, and Kathleen Hotakainen, FBI Community Outreach Specialist. They will discuss the online risks an dangers and tips for keeping children safe online. Topics will include safety and security issues, inappropriate content, online privacy, sexting, online sexual solicitation, and cyberbullying This workshop will provide a CEU credit.
2:00-3:00
___d. The Autism Spectrum-a Current Overview presented by Robin Boeke, a teacher in the Mankato School District working with children having emotional or behavioral difficulties and later as an Autism Research Specialist. She will provide a brief history of autism (1940s) and now, explaining how it has come to be best describe as a spectrum disorder. Included will be a discussion of characteristics, strategies, and current research. Robin is a Nu Chapter member. This workshop earns a CEU credit.
___e. How the Invention of the Bicycle Changed Women's Lives presented by Dr. Grace Keir, a retired Home Economics/Family Consumer Science teacher at Mankato State University. As a retiree, she spends a lot of tie at the Blue Earth County Historical Society working with historic textiles and the clothing collection. She will enlighten us on how the popularity of the bicycle in the late 1800s influenced women's clothing and the suffrage movement. Grace is also a member of Nu Chapter.
___f. Winning Just Never Gets Old presented by Patsy Lillehei. Her workshop will focus on learning about the Senior Games and the athletes who participate. Her career was as a financial advisor for over 30 years. In 2008 she awakened to the benefits of exercise and good nutrition. She has competed in over 18 triathlons and several masters swimming events. She has participated in both events at 2 National Senior Games, the Texas, Ohio, and Minnesota Senior Olympics, and the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah. Her vision is that 'Motion is Medicine-Just the Right Tonic." She certainly is a 'game changer!'
___g. Preserving Our Family History presented by author Tamara Thayer (daughter of Pi Chapter member Edna Thayer). A chance discovery of pictures, letters, artifacts, and a war journal among her grandfather's personal belongings spurred her to document the life story of Dr. Ellsworth "Mike" Thayer in her award-winning book, A Country Doctory Goes to War,about his WWII experiences. Tamara is a member of the Rochester Civil War Roundtable and an officer in the Scott Hosier Veterans' Roundtable. The importance of preserving our family history is why she enjoys sharing her grandfather's story. She will be selling her books after the workshop.
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
__h. Women's Struggle for Suffrage and the Story of Malala Yousafzai will be presented by our International guest, Marianne Skardeus, Europe Regional Representative. Malala, a secondary student in Pakistan, daughter of a Pakistani teacher and educational activist, on the afternoon of October 9, 2012, was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while riding the bus home. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, shared with Kailash Satyarthi from India, who also is an advocate for education of all children. She was the first Pashtun, Pakastani and the youngest person to be awarded this prestigious award. She has a website and a Malala Fund of educational programs in developing countries.
___i. Easy Does It is presented by Beth Christensen and Lucy Lowry. You will learn how the Nu (Mankato) Chapter formed a partnership with the North Mankato Taylor library which resulted in author presentations and a very successful North Mankato Community Reads program. Beth is a retired middle school English teacher, teaching 39 years in the Mankato Public Schools. Lucy is the director of the North Mankato Taylor Library. Follow their easy steps to partner with your community library. Beth is a member of Nu Chapter. This workshop will provide a CEU credit.
___j.Developing a Plan to Support Local Educators will be presented by Lois Nordling and other Beta Beta Chapter members. The chapter members reside or work in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. As part of its chapter mission, they strive to make a significant difference through active engagement with local educational institutions. The members will discuss their first steps in supporting teachers in a local suburban elementary school Audience members are encouraged to share strategies they use to support teachers in their communities.
___k. Tour of Southern Minnesota Children's Museum Just a mile down the street from our conference site is the new Children's Museum. A free tour of exhibits, activities based on Minnesota quarries, gardening and farming. Meet in the hotel lobby right after the 2-3 pm workshop and you can carpool to the Museum.