Tackling every part of education throughout the 2020-2021 academic year has been a challenge. Schools were quickly changed, rearranged and reinvented. With a sudden shift to distance and hybrid learning, teachers became overnight heroes, but even more than usual, and with more layers than we knew were possible. Both students and parents (heroes, as well) had to rethink every part... READ MORE >
Celebrations are being planned for Sue Nelson; a Cook County educator who has completed a 31-year teaching career of exemplary measure. Mrs. Nelson will begin her retirement after the conclusion of the current 2021 school year. In her 31-year career, Mrs. Nelson taught 7-12th grade Language Arts with 27 of those 31 years spent at Cook County ISD 166, mostly... READ MORE >
When I think back to my own teaching experience from over a decade ago and compare it to the way my three elementary aged daughters learn today, there are more than a few differences. In the early 2000’s every child had a library card; and weekly trips to the library, along with whatever encyclopedia or textbook they could get their... READ MORE >
Within the past decade or so, a major shift has occurred in schools. Teachers have chosen to implement strategies which bridge the gap between technology (and the sciences) to the rest of education. Silos in education is a simplistic structure that keeps academic subjects compartmentalized and organized, with one subject per class in one set time frame. Desks are set... READ MORE >
With less than two months remaining for the academic year, the ISD 166 April School Board (regular business) meeting was held on Thursday, April 15, 2021 via zoom teleconferencing. All board members and Acting Superintendent/Principal Mrs. Megan Myers, along with Assistant Principal/ Activities Coordinator Mr. Mitch Dorr were in attendance. Cook County school staff, parents and community members attended, as... READ MORE >
On April 8, 2021, the ISD 166 school board began a search for “an exceptional leader” to be the next District Superintendent. Cook County ISD 166 covers 3,340 square miles and serves the North Shore communities of Grand Marais, Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder, Gunflint Trail, Hovland, and Grand Portage. The district has a current enrollment of 417 students, with small class... READ MORE >
In a traditional classroom setting, learners are often told what they need to know. They are taught or shown to memorize subject material or the steps of a process. This information later culminates in an assessment (test or report) illustrating how to use what was learned. While this methodology will always have some merit and use in acquiring certain skills,... READ MORE >
Many people both young and old believe they have an unchangeable fixed mindset. They may operate under the pretense that they are intelligent (or not) and that no matter what, it cannot be changed. From an early age, the idea of, “I will stick to what I know” or “when I am frustrated, I will just give up” have become... READ MORE >
With Spring Break and the fourth marking period right around the corner, the March ISD 166 school board meeting was held last Thursday via Zoom. With over 20 community and school participants present, and all board members in attendance, plans and discussions for the remainder of the year and next year were the main agenda topics. Leading the way was... READ MORE >
There has been a major shift in the role technology has played recently regarding education. Cook County is no exception to this change. While school may have looked different for most of the past year, the quality and success of the learning taking place at ISD166 has not been impacted. K-12 Assistant Principal and Activities Director, Mitch Dorr has commended... READ MORE >
