October 31st, 2025
- Jessica Premo
- 24 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Strength Through the Seasons
As fall deepens and winter whispers on the horizon, it’s a perfect moment to pause and reflect on the progress we’ve made together. Like the seasons, our school year moves through rhythms of routines, relationships, and renewal. As the first quarter draws to a close, we have a natural turning point to celebrate successes, make adjustments, and set our sights on the months ahead.
As we move into the next quarter, let’s continue to collaborate, support one another, and share our ideas for stronger classrooms and schools. Our strength lies in solidarity, and our progress depends on staying connected, listening, and lifting each other up every day.
Also, happy Halloween, everybody!
Together. Onward. Forward.
Josh Axtman
President, Eden Prairie Education Association
Meet and Confer Representatives
Our Meet and Confer representatives meet (and confer, of course) with district leaders three times each year to help craft the school calendar; they also address occasional other matters that arise throughout the year. Each site has one representative on the committee, and the first meeting of this school year is coming up soon, on November 3.
Your 2025–26 Meet and Confer committee members are:
Kristen Mantel (Committee Chair)
Anthea Amsler (EPHS)
Patrick Andrus (Prairie View)
Kristin Cayo (Forest Hills)
Maria Chepokas (Eagle Heights)
Andrea McCarty (Cedar Ridge)
Rich Mills (CMS)
Roxy Myhre (EPO)
Mike Woizeschke (Eden Lake)
We are still seeking representatives from Oak Point and Valley View; if you are interested in serving, please reach out to Josh Axtman or Kristen Mantel.
Learning and Lanes: What to Know Before You Enroll
Article VII, Section 3, Subd. 4 — Prior Approval
All credits, in order to be considered for application on the salary schedule, must be approved in writing by the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee before the course begins. A teacher who takes a course without prior approval does so at their own risk. In addition, a lane change request form must be completed no fewer than fifteen (15) days before the effective date, as provided in Subd. 5.
District Regulation 402.3R further specifies that coursework must come from an accredited college or university that grants teacher licensure. Third-party providers are generally not approved, and preference is given to Minnesota institutions.
If you’re planning to take a course, don’t gamble on your salary placement; be sure to submit your paperwork to Human Resources at least two weeks before the course begins.
Guidance from Your Member Rights Advocate
If you are in need of support at an administration meeting, believe there is a contract violation, or have performance/conduct-related support request, please connect with Carla Thompson (Lead MRA)
cthompson@edenpr.org or 952-240-6577.
Member Benefits:
Built In Benefits With Membership
ESI PerksConnect - discounts to area activities and restaurants
NEA Discount Marketplace - discount tickets and travel programs
BRAVE
Are you in the first five years of your education career? Are you interested in strengthening your resiliency and professional voice alongside other early career educators in Minnesota?
As a benefit your union membership, BRAVE (Building Resiliency And Voice with Early Career Educators) is here to help! This free, year-long professional development opportunity is designed to help newer educators in those critical first years in the classroom.
Beginning in December, this cohort-based course meets monthly to provide early career educators with time and a safe space to connect with newer colleagues from across the state who are facing similar systemic concerns.
Course benefits:
Cohort-based peer and professional support.
Professional development on trauma-informed instruction, union resources, First Amendment educator rights, and public education stakeholder communication.
Free copies of Elena Aguilar’s “Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators” and “The Onward Workbook.”
Mileage and meals for final in-person session (and hotel accommodations, if needed, for those who live more than 35 miles from St. Paul).
25 CEUs pending full course completion.
Option to pay for graduate credit from the Minnesota State University Mankato School of Education pending completion of additional course work.
Questions? Contact Melissa DelRosario.
Rooted & Rising: Honoring History and Shaping Our Future
Education MN 2025 BIPOC Summit
December 12 - 13, 2025
The Doubletree Bloomington
Education Minnesota will be hosting a two-day conference that will offer the opportunity for our BIPOC members to build connections and meaningful relations. There will be a performance, panel discussion, and sessions around healing, professional development, and centering communal needs. We are excited to gather in celebration of this year's theme - Rooted & Rising: Honoring History and Shaping our Future!
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The Eden Prairie School Board held a regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 27. There was a “Spotlight on Success” celebrating a Forest Hills program that brings senior volunteers from the community to support students and teachers in the school before the board engaged in some policy monitoring around executive limitations and governance process.
One noteworthy detail from the superintendent’s report: Dr. Swanson shared official enrollment numbers, which are reported based on the number of students enrolled on Oct. 1. Eden Prairie Schools are at a 10-year high in enrollment this year, and are 462 students over projections for K-12.
Nov. 3 - Meet and Confer Committee Meeting
Nov. 5 - District Insurance Committee Meeting
Nov. 6 - End of the 1st Quarter
Nov. 7 - Professional Development (K-5)
Nov. 7 - Grading Day (6-12)
Nov. 13 - Labor Management Committee Meeting
Nov. 14 - EPEA Annual Budget AuditIn Solidarity,
"Autumn......the year's last, loveliest smile." -William Cullen Bryant
Josh Axtman, EPEA President
Kristen Mantel, EPEA Vice President
Jessica Brent, EPEA Treasurer
Jessica Premo, EPEA Secretary