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2026-2027 Special Education Licensure via Portfolio

Beginning Oct. 7, 2026

9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sourcewell

Licensure via portfolio provides a non-traditional pathway to teacher licensure in Minnesota.

Date: Beginning Oct. 7, 2026

Time:

9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Agenda:

Session dates:

Oct. 7, 2026

Nov. 3, 2026

Dec. 9, 2026

Jan. 13, 2027

Feb. 9, 2027

March 10, 2027

April 6, 2027

May 5, 2027

June 9, 2027

July 14, 2027

Location:

Sourcewell

Cost:

Free for participants from Sourcewell's five-county region and partner schools.

This training is partially funded with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding CFDA 84.027A, Special Education – Grants to State.

Prerequisites: To be eligible for the licensure via portfolio pathway process, a teacher must hold a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree and have completed two years of teaching in an education field as a teacher of record in the licensure area sought. For teachers that do not hold a current license in special education, a teacher must submit the following portfolios: Core Skills: A core skills portfolio is required for teachers seeking initial licensure in special education Content: A content portfolio demonstrates the teacher’s ability to meet license-specific content standards. The teacher must submit an eligibility form through PELSB to confirm their ability to seek licensure through the portfolio pathway process.

CEUs: Teacher CEU

Relicensure requirement: General

Learning objectives:

Get support while pursuing a special education licensure.
Understand portfolio requirements.
Build confidence navigating the licensure process.

Description:

Sourcewell will offer a Special Education Licensure via Portfolio Cohort for the 2026–2027 school year, beginning with a kickoff event on October 7, 2026.

Licensure via portfolio provides a non-traditional pathway to teacher licensure in Minnesota. Through this process, educators may obtain a Tier 3 license or add an additional licensure area by successfully demonstrating competency in the Minnesota Teaching Standards. Participants develop a curated collection of professional evidence, or artifacts, that reflect their instructional knowledge and practice. Each artifact is paired with written reasoning statements that clearly explain how the evidence meets the depth and breadth of the applicable teaching standards.

This cohort is designed to guide participants through the portfolio process by offering structured support, clarity around requirements, and opportunities for reflection and feedback. Educators will leave with stronger portfolios and increased confidence navigating the licensure pathway.

View Special Education Licensure via Portfolio Cohort flyer >

About the leader:

Sourcewell education consultants Kayla Awolope, Heidi Hahn, and Amy Krueger will lead this training.

Event Registration

Registration deadline: Sept. 23, 2026

Check-in: 8:30 a.m.

Questions: education@sourcewell-mn.gov