AmazeWorks

AmazeWorks is proud to be the sponsor of Alphabet Forest for the second year in a row! Check out this AMAZE-ing artist schedule, and bring your families for a free, sensory-friendly fair experience. 🥳

We are downright pleased to share the list of authors and illustrators who will be greeting readers and writers at the 2026 Alphabet Forest. Each day of the Fair, you’ll find one book creator in the Blue Ribbon tent. Come say hi, learn about their newest book, and work on an engaging craft. August 27 – September 7 at the corner of Cosgrove and Wright, across from the 4-H Building.
David LaRochelle Kayla Harren Illustrator .maynor.10 Jonathan Thunder .t.bidania Thomas Peacock .aamodt.7

We had an AMAZE-ing staff get together yesterday. 😄 Thanks to Melissa for hosting and feeding us!

As AmazeWorks turns 30 years old, we’re reminiscing on our org story and the family at the heart of it.

We started in 1996 because after a 2nd grader named Ellie received a hurtful note about having two le***an moms, a passionate group of caregivers, teachers, and community members came together to create the “Love Makes a Family” book box. They read books to children about all kinds of different family structures, from LGBTQ+ parents to divorce to adoption and beyond.

As you can see from this 1997 newspaper from Windom Open School (with some language blurred), Ellie kept up the important work! Every conversation, every story, and every child has the potential to change our culture for the better. ❤️

To close out , we’re sharing this throwback blog post with Jason Walz - Championing Neurodivergent Heroes in Comics.

Jason centers neurodivergent and disabled characters in his stories, affirming that everyone—regardless of their abilities or challenges—deserves to see themselves as the hero of their own narrative.
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Read the full interview at the link in our comments!

Persona Dolls are invaluable tools to help children process emotions and solve problems, even during life’s most challenging moments.

With the rise in natural disasters like floods and wildfires, educators need resources to guide sensitive, impactful conversations with children. These four Persona Doll story templates address these tough topics with empathy and responsiveness.

Your spare change can support belonging on RoundUp!

RoundUp.Org automatically rounds up your Visa or Mastercard transactions to the nearest dollar, then charges your card once per month for the total amount of that spare change. And yes, you can set a maximum monthly donation!

Visit https://www.roundup.org/nonprofits/amazeworks-mn-saint-paul-46rs81d?mc_cid=c3cbb635c6&mc_eid=e4b7626068 to start rounding up for AmazeWorks. Sign up just takes a minute!

MYTH: “I need a degree in education to teach, and if I don’t already have one it’s too late to pursue a career in teaching”

FACT: Minnesota has developed opportunities for individuals to step into teaching though multiple entry points. Everyone’s journey is different and does not have to start at the same place.

If you are curious about becoming a Minnesota teacher, there are options to consider and tools to help you navigate your journey!

⭐ Check out this link: https://www.elevateteaching.us/become-a-teacher to see Elevate Teaching’s Pathway to Becoming a Professionally Licensed Teacher in Minnesota

⭐ Check out this link: https://imprintu.org/pathways-form/ to take a brief assessment that can help guide you through the teacher licensure process in Minnesota

Are you attending the LEAD Conference this week, hosted by the College of Education and Human Development UMN? AmazeWorks is teaming up with Elevate Teaching for a breakout session!

Tomorrow on July 28, we hope you'll attend our session from 2:45-3:30pm: Strengthening Teacher Preparation to Elevate Teaching -

Imagine teaching as a revered profession in American society. What would that look like, sound like, feel like? Join Dr. Rose Wan-Mui Chu, Marci Levy-Maguire, Ed.D., and Melissa (Mel) Andersen to discuss strategies to elevate the teaching profession by addressing the six conditions of systems change throughout the teacher journey (explore-become-grow-thrive).

At the conference, be sure to stop by the Elevate Teaching table for a fun and reflective activity!