University of St. Thomas School of Education

09/14/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Senior Adjunct Faculty member Dr. Lanise Block '10 EdD, '99 MA on the release of Digital Kinship: Centering Culture and Agency to Redesign Teaching and Learning. In this new book, Dr. Block explores how educators can move beyond simply integrating technology and instead place culture, connection and student agency at the center of teaching and learning. Her framework helps educators and education leaders thoughtfully navigate a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Congratulations, Dr. Block, on this exciting accomplishment! Learn more about Digital Kinship and order a copy: https://www.lifted.consulting/liftedshop

09/11/2026

The School of Education was proud to join Family Values for Life's 17th annual Back to School Event, where Ea Porter, Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Recruiting, distributed purple St. Thomas bags filled with school-supply starter kits for local students. Each bag included folders, notebooks, crayons, glue sticks and pencils to help students start the year ready to learn.

The impact of this community effort was incredible: more than 1,200 backpacks were distributed at the event, with nearly 1,300 more provided through partner organizations. In addition, 15,000 pounds of food reached 355 families, along with clothing, meals, community resources and countless connections.

We’re proud to play a small part in a big community effort to help students and families start the school year strong!

09/10/2026

We kicked off the new academic year with our annual All Hands Day, bringing together more than 85 School of Education and Maxfield Collaborative Learning School faculty and staff. It was our largest gathering yet!

The morning focused on learning and collaboration, including professional development around strategic team-based staffing as Maxfield prepares to pilot a new teaming model this year.

In the afternoon, School of Education faculty and staff headed to Maxfield to lend a hand as teachers set up their classrooms.

We’re grateful for the energy and shared commitment that continue to strengthen this partnership. What a wonderful way to begin another year of learning together! Saint Paul Public Schools SPPS

09/10/2026

The 6-Word Memoir Project will be on display in front of the windows of the Keffer Library on the Minneapolis campus for the month of September. Please stop by and see it! The goal of the project is to capture the authentic perspectives and experiences of St. Thomas community members around culture, life experiences and identity. Each banner has a QR code that can be scanned to view a YouTube video featuring the story behind each memoir. Not on campus to scan the banners? You can see all 12 stories here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQnVuAcpTV-asld1gQ3D8d8R_AzWwFgDy

09/09/2026

Want flexibility in pursuing your Special Education license? Or need to fulfill Out-of-Field Permission (OFP) requirements? We offer online, in-person and hyflex models of course delivery for 5 Special Education licenses! Join us September 14 for an online Info Session to learn more: https://link.stthomas.edu/xrhuA

09/09/2026

A new school year is a time for fresh starts and a reminder that every new chapter is built on the people and ideas that came before us.

As the School of Education wraps up our 75th anniversary year, we’re reflecting on the leaders who helped shape who we are today and the legacy of innovation and collaboration that continues to guide our work.

“If this is what 75 years looks like, I can’t wait to see what we build next—together.” -Dean Amy F. Smith, PhD

Read more:

The University of St. Thomas School of Education celebrates 75 years of preparing educators and leaders who shaped classrooms, schools and communities across Minnesota and beyond.

09/09/2026

Welcome, Class of 2030! We spot some future teachers in this crowd 💜

09/08/2026

Curious about becoming a Catholic school teacher?

Join us online Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. to learn about the new Drexel Catholic Teacher Academy, a partnership between the University of St. Thomas and Drexel Catholic Schools creating a new pathway into Catholic school teaching.

The Academy offers:
-A paid, mentored two-year classroom residency
-Approximately 90% of tuition and fees covered
-A pathway to a St. Thomas BS and Minnesota K–6 teaching license
-Personalized advising, coaching and mentorship
-A direct pathway to teaching in a Drexel Catholic school

💻 Join our online info session Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. to learn how the program works, who it's for and how to get started.

➡️ Register today: https://link.stthomas.edu/2IJKY

09/08/2026

School is back in session! To all the educators and school leaders kicking off a new year, we’re cheering you on. Here’s to fresh starts, joyful classrooms and another year of impacting students' lives. Go, Tommie Teachers!

09/03/2026

Minnesota is investing $41 million in teacher pipeline grants designed to remove barriers and create more pathways into the teaching profession. The School of Education has been investing in programs to create these pathways for more than a decade.

We’re especially proud to see Dr. Talisha Jackson featured in a KSTP-TV story. Jackson, now an assistant principal at Como Senior High School, is a graduate of the St. Paul Urban Teacher Residency program, a partnership between Saint Paul Public Schools SPPS and the University of St. Thomas School of Education.

Jackson shares how the residency pathway opened doors for her to continue advancing in the education field and why creating accessible pathways into the profession matters for Minnesota’s students and schools.

Read the full story from KSTP-TV:

Minnesota is spending $41 million on teacher pipeline grants as school districts use the money to help more people become teachers.