Mentoring Day
Mentoring Day is a local version of the National Disability Mentoring Day which is organized by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). It has occurred regionally as “Rocketing into the Future”, under the leadership of the Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative (NLSEC) since 1992.
Mentoring Day has remained as a transition conference for secondary students with disabilities. The day is comprised of break-out sessions for students, exhibitors, and a keynote speaker. Students get an opportunity to learn about various topics such as; careers, employment skills, money management, post secondary education, military, driver's education, self-advocacy, housing, transportation and more. The main objective of the day is to provide students with information to assist in planning for adulthood.
Students will also have the opportunity to engage in mock interviews which will take place throughout the day. Students get an opportunity to participate in an interview and get immediate feedback on their performance.
This day is also set up for parents to have an opportunity to learn about the importance of transition planning and how to better prepare their child to transition from high school into the adult world and to live as independently as possible. Topics that will be discussed are parent rights in the special education process, what is secondary transition and what does it look like in high school, guardianship, county services, vocational rehabilitation services, self advocacy, driving accommodations and more. Parent Flyer click HERE.
This year it was be held at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College on March 11, 2019. Students will be checking in and receiving their schedules from 8:45 am - 9:25 am. We will have a keynote speaker from 9:30-10:30 and then students will be dismissed to attend to their chosen sessions which will start promptly at 10:40 and be 30 minutes in length. Students will be choosing 4 different sessions related to their interests. There will be 10 minute breaks in between sessions to allow students time to transition from each session. Students will end the day with lunch at 1:15 and then dismissed back to their school districts.
Please consider being a part of this remarkable day!
Registration Links
Exhibitor Registration
Parent Registration
Parent Speaker Registration
Presenter Registration (presenting to students)
Teacher and Paraprofessional Registration
Volunteer Registration
Student Registration
Student Session Descriptions
VIDEOS
Student - Mentoring Day Check-in Video (YouTube link)
Student - Mentoring Day Check-in Video (download MP4)
Student - Mentoring Day Scavenger Hunt Directions (YouTube link) - New 2018!
Student - Mentoring Day Scavenger Hunt Directions (download MOV) - New 2018!
Please note, Mentoring Day will happen snow or shine! In case of severe weather, check your local news station the morning of the event for cancellation.
*Mentoring Day questions can be directed to:Jessica Knutsen (jknutsen@nlsec.org) 218-655-5018 x7018
Thank you letter 2018
2018 Mentoring Day Presenters
- Access North
- Amberwing
- Arc Minnesota
- Arc Northland
- Barnum Schools
- Carlton County
- Carlton County Land Department
- CHOICE, Unlimited
- Cirrus Aircraft
- Cloquet Police Department
- Coldwell Banker
- Construction Craft Laborers
- Dept. of Public Safety
- Disability Hub MN
- Doughtery Veterinary Clinic
- Duluth Parks & Recreation
- Duluth Workforce Development
- Epilepsy Foundation of MN
- Family Voices
- Fraser Shipyards
- Glorud Design
- Halvor Lines
- Iron Workers #512 JAC
- IUOE Local 49
- Jeff Foster Trucking
- Lake Superior College TriO
- Lake Superior School District
- Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss
- Lutheran Social Services
- Miller Hill Subaru
- Mini Mo’s Daycare & Preschool
- MN Dept. of Natural Resources
- MN Disability Law Office
- MN National Guard
- MN State Patrol
- NEMOJT
- North Country RIDE
- Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative
- Northshore Mining
- Proctor Schools
- RR Professional Dog Training
- Special Olympics, MN
- Spott Law Office
- St. Louis County
- St. Luke’s Hospital
- St. Scholastica
- State of MN –Dept. of Corrections
- State Services for the Blind
- Strength Factory
- Tender Loving Care-Duluth
- UMD
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- Work Incentives Connection
For more information, contact:
- Jess Knutsen
Transition Coordinator
Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative
16 East Hwy 61
Esko, MN 55733
(218) 655-5018 x7018
FAX (218) 451-4511
jknutsen@nlsec.org