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Upcoming events.

SPED Transportation
Mar
11

SPED Transportation

SPED Transportation

Join us on March 11, 2025, for an insightful presentation on SPED Transportation by Jess Jansrud. She will discuss several reference guides related to special education, Type III, insights gained from the TSA National Conference, and Kala will also provide information on B.E.S.T training. Jess's biography is accessible on our website. We will also be introduced into the State CSRS website, an excellent resource for everyone. Please be aware that this will be the last WiST meeting open to all. After March 31st, WiST will be limited to members only. If you wish to continue being a part of WiST, you can begin your membership HERE.


Jess Jensrud Bio:

Special Education Trainer, Bus Driver, Carseat Technician, EMT(Emergency Medical Technician), American Heart Association Instructor, Favorite Auntie, Sister, Daughter, and Friend….yes I have a lot on my plate but who doesn't these days! 

My name is Jess Jensrud. I was born, raised, and live in Litchfield MN. Ten years ago, after some of the best life changing advice from my grandpa Erv (who was a bus driver for over 15 years) I applied and became the Special Education Trainer and a Bus Driver at Hicks Bus Line. To better educate our drivers as well myself, I also became a Carseat Technician.

Being within the busing industry has taught me so much over the years and has opened so many more doors for me such as: attending Train the Trainer and becoming a Special Education Transportation co-chair for it, becoming a MAPT member, supporting Women In Student Transportation (WIST), and I was able to attend the TSA National Conference in 2024.

I have been a volunteer EMT for the Litchfield Rescue Squad for over 26 years. Within those years I have been a lieutenant, captain, and currently hold an assistant chief and training officer position. 

After all the years as a Special Education Trainer and seeing everything I do as a volunteer EMT on the Rescue Squad, I decided I wanted to get my certification as an American Heart Association Instructor to be able to teach vital life saving skills to my fellow bus employees as well as the general public.

In my free time, I love spending any time that I can get with family and friends, maybe taking a scoot around town on my moped, grilling food in my grill shack, sitting around the fire pit roasting marshmallows, or relaxing in my pool listening to music. I live a pretty active life, I know...but another piece of advice my grandpa Erv gave me…if you don't use it, you lose it...so I try to stay active Mind, Body, and Soul!

Jess Jensrud

SPED Trainer/Driver

Hicks Bus Line, Litchfield MN

TTT Special Education Co-Chair

jjlilred4ever@gmail.com 

320-221-3991

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Driver Appreciation Discussion
Feb
11

Driver Appreciation Discussion

Join us this month for an engaging discussion on Driver Appreciation, perfectly timed for Driver Appreciation Day. We will explore innovative ways to show appreciation for drivers. Drawing from our own experiences, we’ll share insights and invite you to contribute your thoughts. Our focus will extend beyond just Driver Appreciation Day; we’ll discuss strategies for valuing drivers throughout the entire year. What initiatives has your organization implemented to recognize drivers? What has been effective, and what has not? We look forward to hearing from you.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85781312290?pwd=dBkMO1Rs3yIJYTLSNhKq4aObpRFSKE.1

Meeting ID: 857 8131 2290
Passcode: WISTMN

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Jan
14

AI Panel Discussion

AI Panel Discussion

Join us in January for a panel discussion on artificial intelligence. We will feature insights from Saundra Matchette, Marketing Specialist, and Mike Shedlock, Safety and Training Manager at Northstar Bus Lines/American Student Transportation. Each panelist will share their experiences with AI, provide a practical demonstration of AI in action, and explain the mechanics behind the demonstration.

Please review the biographies of Saundra and Mike provided below.

Saundra Matchette

Saundra Matchette serves as the Marketing and Hiring Manager for Northstar Bus Lines and American Student Transportation. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Hamline University in 2015 and is now passionately pursuing a career in the student transportation industry. Saundra became a part of the Northstar team in 2021, where she oversees internal and external marketing, branding, communications, content creation, social media, recruiting and hiring. Recently, she joined the WiST.MN team to assist with Marketing and Media efforts. She is excited to collaborate with Women in Student Transportation and continues to support women throughout the industry. Currently, Saundra lives in Maple Grove, Minnesota, with her husband Anthony and their family of eight, including their dogs. In her free time, she enjoys Country Music, running, traveling, and fishing. Above all, she is a devoted fan of football, fantasy football, and the Vikings! SKOL!

Mike Shedlock

Michael Shedlock serves as the Safety Manager, Training Coordinator, and Third-party tester for American Student Transportation. Micheal joined the team in 2018, initially as a driver. With eight years of previous experience as a Safety Manager and 25 years as a Class A driver, Michael has consistently sought ways to improve driving practices and has taken pride in training new drivers throughout his career. Over the past three years at American Student Transportation, his collaboration with SamSara has been particularly rewarding. Michael resides in HamLake,MN, with his wife, who is also a driver at the company. In the summer , they enjoy spending time on the boat with their three children and seven grandchildren, engaging in activities like swimming, fishing, or simply enjoying the scenic shoreline.

When: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 10:00am                                       
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82212126377?pwd=z6u3pJueStew2WlIEmgGeqO7RWfXHy.1

Meeting ID: 822 1212 6377

Passcode: WiST.MN

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Self Care
Dec
10

Self Care

Presentation and discussion on being emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually healthy. A healthy lifestyle helps balance all these aspects to achieve wellness. Your decisions and choices will impact both your short-term and long-term wellness.

This month our special guest this meeting is JC Lippold.

Credentials: Bachelor in Theology, Masters in Leadership, Trauma Informed Personal Trainer, Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified Meditation Coach 

Introduction: JC Lippold is a professional homemaker: holding space for others as a nationally renowned teacher of movement and mindset, community engager and social movement trailblazer, a theatre director and as a full time Leadership and Change Management Coach and Consultant & the Director of People and Partnerships at Cadre. Whether in the yoga studio or the board room, on a marathon course or in the theatre, JC aspires to be a masterful student each and every day.  

Bio: JC likes to think he follows in his mother's footsteps as a professional homemaker holding space for others as a nationally renowned teacher of movement and mindset, community engager and social movement trailblazer, storyteller and musical theatre director. Born and raised in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, JC entered the world as a highly emotional, unathletic child with little interest in competition. Through trials and tribulations, mile runs and middle school gym classes, JC started to question the rationale behind our culture's use of physical experiences that leave most feeling less than enough. 

JC earned a BA in Theology and Master's Degree in Leadership, is a 1 Giant Mind Certified Meditation facilitator and holds credentials across many modalities of movement. The founder of 5K Everyday Conversations, a social movement designed to create access for all to daily conversation with strangers & TCO Local, monthly all are needed, all are capable connection events, JC is passionate about redesigning the fitness landscape in the United States to where the target audience is: everyone.  

As a brand ambassador and consistent positive friction voice, JC works alongside brands like lululemon, CorePower Yoga, [solidcore], Orangetheory Fitness, allbirds and Fitbit to ensure they continuously explore ways they can shift the exclusionary and shame-inducing realities of the wellness industry to a more sustainable, happiness and health-giving part of our culture and economy. For the past 18 months, JC has been a part of an inspiring team of people conducting and presenting the first comprehensive research on Food, Body & Fitness Shaming. 

Alongside his work in fitness, JC is a full time Leadership and Change consultant working alongside Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, civic and educational communities. JC also serves as the Director of People & Partnerships for Cadre, the all-in-one mental health and wellness platform that brings content and community together. 

You can often find JC on the Twin Cities' ABC syndicate, KSTP-TV as their wellness expert. JC leads workshops and is writing the seminal text on his concept of Enoughness, the empowering practice of affirming that you are already, indeed enough.

JC Lippold jclippold@hotmail.com 612-242-9634 Website- www.jclippold.com IG- jclippold LinkedIn- JC Lippold 

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81253832549?pwd=wX7e4Y34QAq4imz3aC5QHStq7DHbrA.1

Meeting ID: 812 5383 2549
Passcode: WiST.MN

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Networking
Nov
12

Networking

Panel discussion from both the District and Contractor sides on the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional and social contacts in our industry.

Introducing our Panelists:

Jason Anderson

Jason is the Director of Business Development for Vision Transportation in Big Lake, Elk River and STMA, the President of United Bus Sales and a board member for the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association. He started in the bus business in 2007 and has never looked back. Jason values his many friends and colleagues in the industry, and truly has a passion for this business.  He is an advocate for all in the industry and strives to assist in any way he can to ensure that all students have safe, reliable transportation to and from school.  Jason and his wife, Marissa, have four wonderful kids which keep them very busy. The photo in his office (partially shown in his picture) points out his three priorities in life, which are: faith…family…focus! 

Jenna Fromm

Jenna Fromm got her school bus license her senior year in high school and drove bus that year. She graduated summa cum laude from Bethel College and tenured at Coon Rapids High School as a Spanish Teacher. She continued her education and received her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.

Jenna Fromm has been a bus driver, coach, teacher, and is a lifelong learner. Jenna stepped into a leadership role with Palmer Bus Service, the family business, in 2015. She sees herself as a servant/leader and believes that surrounding herself with great people is of utmost importance.

Troy Schreifels

Experienced Transportation, Security, and Emergency Management Leader.  Over 25 years of logistics and security experience working in the corporate, public, and private sectors.  I have enjoyed leading and explanatory team of transportation and security professionals at Osseo Area Schools for the past 11 years.  I also lead the MAPT (Minnesota Association of Pupil Transportation) Issue’s Committee and Legislative Initiatives In my free time I enjoy spending time with my two children who are entering their college years and traveling with my wife.

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WiST.MN Kick Off
Oct
8

WiST.MN Kick Off

Join us on October 8th for a roundtable meet and greet! Explore the essence of WiST and gain insights into our vision. Learn about our mission and what the future holds. This event provides a chance for us to introduce ourselves as individuals, share our future plans, and understand your goals as well.

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