Community Education News
STARs Awards
When you receive your brand new 2020 calendar, don't forget to mark April 9th for our Annual STARs Program.
April 9th is also National:
Congratulations!
Metro South is pleased to announce that Brigid Erickson, Metro South Adult ESL instructor, recently 
completed her Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Leadership at St. Cloud State University. She was 
motivated to pursue her Ed.D because there was a lack of research focusing on Adult Basic Education ESL 
programs, particularly because blended learning within ABE ESL programs was nonexistent.

It took Brigid three intense years to complete the degree. She took classes for her Ed.D in the evening at a new graduate studies site in Plymouth, MN 
and taught Adult ESL classes in the morning at Metro South.

Her research was related to Metro South and the classes that she teaches there. She also learned about administration and leadership in different educational settings. Brigid has found this helpful for leading a classroom and being part of new and evolving educational initiatives such as blended learning and distance learning programs and new Career Pathways programming.

The most challenging part was finding current research specifically related to the field of Adult Basic Education ESL and the topic in which she was most interested: technology use in the classroom/blended learning/distance learning.

Brigid is enjoying her extra time, now that she doesn’t have coursework to complete, by working a second job in marketing at Brookdale Health in Brooklyn Center. 

Congratulations to Brigid on a job well done!
Did You Know?
Early Learning Services held a STEM Family Night on Thursday, November 14th. More than 100 families came out to enjoy an evening of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math!
Staff Spotlight
Jeanna Putt has been an Early Learners Academy Instructor since the program began back in 2007. Both of her grandmothers were in education and inspired her from a young age to love children and embrace the importance of educating youth. Jeanna enjoys spending her day with fun and energetic children, and truly loves working as a team to provide the best opportunities possible for students. She believes creating a solid foundation when children are young will carry-over and support them in their later years. Jeanna said listening to the preschooler’s creative imaginations and watching the students form their first friendships are among the many things that put a smile on her face each day. Outside of work, Jeanna enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children, as well as reading, gardening, and gluten-free cooking. Jeanna loves her job and hopes to continue working with children for many years to come.  

Thanks, Jeanna, for your dedication to the hundreds of children you have taught over the years!
Winter/Spring Community Education Catalog
Here's a sneak peak at our new Winter/Spring 2020 Catalog!
Here's a sneak peak at the cover of our new Winter/Spring 2020 Bloomington Community Education Catalog! The catalog will be delivered to Bloomington homes on December 13th, with Youth and Adult class registration opening on December 18th. What's new in the catalog? Take a look at our wide selection of cooking classes, new financial classes, and the return of badminton!
Did You Know?
There are new Pickleball options at the Activity Centers starting on December 2nd.

Mondays and Wednesdays: 6 to 9 PM at the Kennedy Activity Center and
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 6 to 9 PM at the Jefferson Activity Center.

This is a great opportunity to try a popular sport if you have an Activity Center membership! ISD 271 employees receive membership discounts. For information on memberships visit: http://bit.ly/BACMembership
Next Month
Next month: Bloomington Bookfest and Summer Catalog!