Blandin Foundation awards grant to Goodhue County Education District for access to online professional development

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (May 7, 2014) – Blandin Foundation announced today that it has awarded six grants totaling $147,750 that assist rural Minnesota communities in advancing high-speed Internet access and use in their communities.

Goodhue County Education District will provide licensed staff members access to online professional develop courses available through high-speed Internet, with support of a $50,000 Blandin Foundation grant. Online courses can be tailored to staff’s individual needs and will be a more convenient option to earn required continuing education units rather than having to travel to conferences, classes, and workshops.

“This grant, and the online learning it supports, will provide us with an opportunity to build individual and collective capacity for our staff and support our strategic plans in immediate ways,” said Cheryl Johnson Director of Special Education for Goodhue County.

The Goodhue County Education District is a group of five member districts in southeastern Minnesota working together to provide effective and efficient educational services and funding for a variety of special education programs, staff development, and alternative summer school services. The school districts include Cannon Falls, Goodhue, Kenyon Wanamingo, Red Wing, and Zumbrota Mazeppa. “Rural leaders know that connected communities are vibrant communities,” said Dr. Kathleen Annette, CEO of Blandin Foundation. “We are delighted to see Goodhue County Education District exploring innovative learning techniques, made possible by high-speed Internet, to improve the knowledge and skills of their teachers.”

Since making rural broadband use and access a focus in 2003, Blandin Foundation has partnered with leaders in more than 60 communities and 80 organizations across the state to support sustainable broadband adoption to enhance quality of life and place.