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Fall/Winter 2025
MINNESOTA’S K–12 EDUCATION CONNECTIONTODAYTODAY MN ™
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Labor and Industry Announces 2025 Brittney Steine named WEA

Youth Skills Training Grant Recipients Teacher of the Year

Seventeen partnerships across Minnesota * Dawson-Boyd Public Schools
will receive funding to develop and expand * Edina Public Schools
programs to offer meaningful career expo- * Faribault Public Schools
sure and paid work experience for students 16
years of age and older. * Marshall Public Schools
The grants are part of the Minnesota * Minneapolis Public Schools — Career
Department of Labor and Industry’s (DLI) and Technical Education
Youth Skills Training (YST) program that * Monticello High School
was signed into law in 2017 with bipartisan * Princeton Public Schools
support to create and provide employment * Robbinsdale Area Schools
training for student learners ages 16 and older * Rochester Public Schools
in high-growth, high-demand occupations. Brittney Steine, Winona Education Association Teacher of the Year, surrounded by family
“These grants empower local com- * Roseau School District
munities to build strong pipelines of skilled * Shakopee High School Winona Area Public Schools in her nomination questionnaire. “I want
talent, ensuring that Minnesota students gain * TrekNorth Jr. and Sr. High School When Winona Middle School started an every student (and family) to feel connected
safe, valuable, real-world work experience * West Central Area School District alternative learning program six years ago, to their school community and be a part of
while addressing critical workforce demands * West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan it needed a teacher who was kind. A teacher something greater than themselves.”
in high-growth sectors,” said Nicole Blis- Area School District who was welcoming. A teacher who saw the Steine pours herself into her students
senbach, DLI commissioner. “Youth Skills value, the heart and the potential of every and the DEEDs program. She arranges edu-
Training is an investment in Minnesota’s Grants can be used to create programs, student in their room. cational and confidence-building team trips,
future. Thank you to everyone who has sup- recruit students and employers, provide It needed Brittney Steine. such as visits to Oxbow Park, the ropes
ported this program.” training, transport students and pay for Six years later the alternative learn- courses at the local university and Eagle
YST grants will be awarded to the fol- industry-related student certifications. A ing program — called DEEDs (Discover, Bluff Learning Center, or a trip to White-
lowing 17 partnerships, which will receive ninth round of grant applications will open in Explore, Engage, Develop) — is thriving water State Park to collect samples from the
and split $1.5 million in funding to be used winter 2025. thanks to Steine’s guidance. Because of her river. She helps her students learn soft skills,
for programs operating from July 1, 2025, For more information about Youth ability to personally connect with her stu- like practicing formally introducing them-
to June 30, 2027. The partnerships will offer Skills Training contact Jo Daggett, program dents, and also to provide opportunities for selves to school staff or making phone calls
safe, meaningful work experience in advanced manager, at 651-284-5354 or jo.daggett@ her students to connect with their school, — yes, the teenage horror of making a phone
manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health state.mn.us; Nimo Samatar, program consul- Steine has been named the 2025 Winona call and not just texting — in preparation for
care and information technology. tant, at 651-284-5184 or nimo.samatar@state. Education Association Teacher of the Year. future job interviews.
mn.us; or Faye Blough, program specialist, at
* Alexandria Area High School 651-284-5341 or faye.blough@state.mn.us. “My goal in education is for every But perhaps, most importantly, she is a
* Cass Lake-Bena High School Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of student to feel they have a place of value at constant, steady presence for her students in
* createMPLS Labor and Industry Winona Area Public Schools,” Steine said Continued on Page 25

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