Our champion in the MN Senate
Senator Mary Kunesh received the Adult Education Legislative Champion Award and ABE Champion Award for her outstanding efforts in increasing Minnesota ’ s budget for adult basic education . Thanks to her hard work , funding increased from $ 44,419,000 in 2011 to $ 52,759,000 in 2025 , and future increases will match the K-12 school system . Senator Kunesh ’ s dedication has enhanced the quality and accessibility of adult education programs and made her a strong advocate for better education .
Policy update
The world of Adult Basic Education is vast , and it involves many people working together to build a community that provides a lot for adults who attend Metro North classes . In this regard , we would like to introduce some of the people behind the scenes who truly make our programs function . Metro North ABE is a partnership of eight school districts ’ Community Education departments that work together to smartly serve students in our collective districts . The directors of these community education departments are instrumental in supporting ABE , and we would like you to meet some of them .
Director Spotlight
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education
Tracy Knighton is the Director of Community Education at Anoka-Hennepin Community Education . She graduated from the Carlson School of Management and started her first career in the marketing department of TCF Bank . While staying home with her two young children , Knighton found her way into Early Childhood Family Education ( ECFE ), which led her to education . As her boys aged out of ECFE , she went back to school for her teaching license and started teaching preschool through Community Education . Then she went back again for her Master ’ s degree in Family Education , and then again for her Administrative License ( Community Education Director ). Over her career in Community Education , she has worked as an Assistant Teacher , Teacher , Early Childhood Screener , Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator ( Preschool ), ECFE / Preschool Supervisor , Early Childhood Coordinator , Early Childhood Programs Manager , and her current role as Director .
Knighton believes in the work and the value it brings to our communities , and she thinks that people who are passionate about the work they do are wonderful to work with ! Community Education is truly a great place to work .
Metro North ABE continues to grow and exceed its target contact hours . Part of this continued growth is tied to how staff use technology to deliver learning options . Staff meet the needs of learners by providing a range of options - students can ( usually are some waitlists !) access which option works best for them .
Metro North ABE continues to develop and adjust the partnership with Anoka Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College to meet the needs of students .
The ABE staff works to meet the needs of all learners , and that is wonderful !
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