Dr. Nancy Rajanen SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS: Assistant Professor in Educational Administration at Hamline University. Responsible for direct & online instruction, supervision and consultation with students seeking Principal, Superintendent, & Director of Special Education licenses. Broad experience in MN public school PK 12 administration, including Director of Special Education, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools. Educationally prepared with a Ph.D. from University of MN in Educational Administration, Masters of Public Health in Maternal & Child Health. Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and Elementary Education from Augustana College Extensive experience with education in diverse cultures, international education, and unique learners. Hold current MN licensure as Superintendent, Director of Special Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education (DCD, ECSE) Experienced speaker, lecturer, panelist, consultant in Educational Leadership EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Ph.D. Educational Administration Dissertation: Environmental Effects on Adaptive Behavior An analysis of risk factors associated with special education referrals in kindergarten aged students. Research conducted in Anoka Hennepin Schools. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Masters of Public Health Maternal & Child Health Cross disciplinary coursework focused on the health aspects of students with disabilities, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. UNIVERSITY OF MN CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT : Public Human Resources Certificate, Humphrey School of Government HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Programs in Professional Development: Critical Issues in Urban Special Education Redesigning High Schools for Improved Instruction AUGUSTANA COLLEGE, SIOUX FALLS, SD Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education & Special Education Special Education Focus on students with severe/profound disabilities, alternative communication, and behavioral intervention Elementary Education Upper elementary focus EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE Waconia Public Schools 2008 2014 Superintendent of Schools, 6 years Responsibilities: Worked with the Board of Education to provide leadership and vision in the implementation of the organizational mission, goals and strategic plans; Expanded instructional opportunities to include online, technology supported opportunities; Provided executive leadership and direction for new educational initiatives including expansion of world languages, establishment of STEM options, implementation of service learning, Edible Classroom, and expansion of rigorous options for students. Coordinated with Carver County in collaborative efforts. Provided oversight and support to Ph.D. and Superintendent licensure candidates. Completed major facilities study and plans; Represented the district before the public, other districts, and all other audiences. Reorganized district leadership team to reflect growing district and the need for additional support. Focused all operational decisions on the education needs of its students and the community. Robbinsdale Area Schools 2003 2008 Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, 4 years Responsibilities : Oversight of Human Resources, Finance, Business Services, Transportation, Child Nutrition, Buildings & Grounds, & Facilities; Provided policy recommendations to School Board; Lead negotiator for all collective bargaining. Provided human resources leadership & collective bargaining for WMEP Integration District. Executive Director of Human Resources, 1 year Responsibilities: Responsible for all areas of human resources, including collective bargaining, benefits administration, labor management committees, personnel matters, staffing, & recruitment.
St. Francis Public Schools ISD 15 St. Francis, MN Director of Special Education, 6 years Responsibilities: Responsible for all instructional programs for students with disabilities age birth to 21 years. Responsible for instructional programs at two residential treatment centers within District boundaries, serving approximately 1000 nonresident students per year. Successfully led efforts to obtain state funding for construction of educational facility for EBD students in residential treatment; Co chair of Anoka County family services collaborative. Director of Human Resources & Services, 6 years Responsibilities: Lead negotiator for collective bargaining, oversight of personnel, staffing & recruitment, professional development, evaluation of staff, safety programs, supervision of health services, labor management committees. Co Author of Teacher Academy, a program of professional development for teachers; coordination with St. Cloud State University. Anoka Hennepin Schools District 11, Coon Rapids, MN Special Education Supervisor, 2 years Responsibilities: Supervision of Deaf/Hearing Impaired Programs, Speech Therapy, Audiology LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) Facilitator, 3 years Responsibilities: Led system wide reintegration of students with disabilities into regular education programs in 40 schools; Chaired individual team reviews for approximately 600 students over three years; Developed training and transition services for staff, parents, and students to support inclusive model of instruction throughout the district. Austin Public Schools Austin,MN SEEC Coordinator (Special Education Early Childhood), 5 years Responsibilities: Designed and led one of Minnesota s first Early Intervention Programs; Coordinated early identification with area physicians and hospitals; Led child find programs; Scheduled six early childhood classrooms & home visiting teachers; Developed interdisciplinary model of service delivery, coordinated with medical and social services professionals. Organized professional development for staff and parents. PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE HIGHER EDUCATION, LECTURES, GUEST SPEAKER, PANELIST Assistant Professor: Hamline University Administrative Licensure Program, 2014 present o Direct & online instruction in educational leadership; student consultation; o Supervision of field placements for Principals, Directors, and Superintendents
Speaker University of Minnesota, Educational Leadership Forum, Spring 2012 o Changes in Law Affecting Teachers, Unions, & School DIstricts: The Role of Educators and Educational Leaders Speaker Minnesota Association of School Administrators: New Superintendent Training, 2006 current o Great Start Workshop: Basics of School Human Resources Review Panelist Candidates for Superintendent Licensure University of Minnesota Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy & Development, 2010 2014 Speaker Minnesota Association of School Administrators, 2006 Spring Conference o Recruiting & Retaining a Diverse Workforce in the Public Schools Professional Mentor Ph.D students, Superintendent candidates, Educational Administration candidates, Director of Special Education candidates 2003 13 Speaker, Augsburg College New Teacher program, 2006 2008 o What Districts are Seeking in New Teachers Panelist Understanding the Superintendency Licensure Class; University of St. Mary, 2012 13 Kickoff Speaker University of MN Landscape Arboretum conference, 2013, The Benefits of School Gardens Speaker School Nurses of Minnesota State Winter Conference, 2003 o Issues in Public School Health Services Speaker MN School Boards Association Breakout sessions, 2010 o The Edible Classroom Speaker National Conference on Early Childhood Special Education, 1983 o Designing Intervention Programs for Students with Disabilities, Birth to three INTERNATIONAL & DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES Dean, Concordia University Global Language Villages Summer English Language Immersion Program Brought teams of American teachers to other countries, providing an intensive 3 week English language immersion program for students age 5 18; Responsible for curriculum
implementation, cultural liaison, scheduling, communication, general operations o Jinan, China Summer, 2000 & 2002 o Urumqi, Xinjiang, China Summer, 2004, 2005 o Guangzhou, China; Summer, 2006 o MAASAE Lutheran Girls School Monduli, Tanzania Summer 2008 Lead Negotiator for WMEP West Metro Educational Programs, Integration Districts Initial Planning Team for ELITE Inter district consortium to develop teachers of color Volunteer Tutor, English Learning Center, Our Saviour s Outreach, Minneapolis two years (Current) PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLES MN Board of School Administrators Higher Education Committee, 2014 present Consultant School Management Services 2014 Current Human Resources/Negotiations/Supervisor training/general consultation MN Association of School Administrators Legislative Finance Sub Committee 2007 2009 Chair, Federal Advocacy Committee 2011 12 MN Association of School Personnel Administrators President 2006 2008; Board of Directors 2004 06 State Negotiators of MN Co Chair, 2005 08 MN License Information Licensed as: District Superintendent Director of Special Education Elementary Education Mild to Moderate Mentally Handicapped Moderate to Severe Mentally Handicapped Early Childhood Special Education