About MNIB

IB coordinators in Minnesota have been meeting quarterly since the mid-1980’s as the MNIB (Minnesota Association of IB Schools).  Through the years, the joint efforts of these coordinators have been focused on promoting the growth of IB in the state of Minnesota by assisting new school applicants to the program and working with the legislature to gain financial support.  They have sought to bring awareness of the program to the citizens of Minnesota, colleges and universities throughout Minnesota, and to educators of Minnesota through college recognition seminars, workshops, roundtables and orientation sessions.  

Members of MNIB, which now include representatives from the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Career-Related Certificate (IBCC) in addition to the original body of Diploma Program (DP) coordinators, have facilitated ongoing IB staff development through teacher networking sessions.  These all-day gatherings allow new and experienced teachers of IB to share best practices in subject area groups, as well as to meet staff from the regional office of IB in Bethesda, Maryland.  Coordinators have also valued time with each other to stay fresh and informed on developments within the parent organization (IBO), and to share ideas on effective techniques in coordination. 

MNIB established a "roundtable" program in the state in early 2009 whereby teachers, administrators and staff in all three IB programs may come together informally (facilitated by a topic expert) to share successes and challenges pertinent to either academic subject areas or particular topics. These have also included ELL, Special Education, and Heads of School/Principals issues.  

MNIB also strives to bring students from IB schools together, with events such as a CAS fair or the IB showcase. The association also began sponsoring two students with scholarships to the IB World Student Conference in 2012.

MNIB serves as a link to the Minnesota Department of Education by meeting regularly with the department’s designees.  It also sends annual delegates to the Americas branch of IB’s Regional Conferences, and works as a group with the head offices of IB in the Americas.