Margaret Jensen Connet

Margaret has worked in the human service field for over 45 years. Her work in the non-profit and public sectors includes substance abuse and violence prevention, teen pregnancy prevention and services to teen parents, program and agency development and direction, and equity consulting. Since 2016 Margaret has served as an independent private consultant serving nonprofits and state agencies with a focus on evaluating methods for promoting safe and supportive conditions for learning environments and after school programs. From 2010 - 2016 she served as the Equity and Title IX Consultant and for the Iowa Department of Education where she conducted educational equity reviews in public schools and community colleges around the state of Iowa. From 1997-2010 she served as the SUCCESS Program Manager in the Des Moines Public Schools where she directed a case management program aimed at removing barriers to success in school for students from birth to age 21. In 1994 she received the Ms. Foundation "Women of Vision Award" from Gloria Steinem in New York City.

Also involved with:
CE Consulting, Serve Iowa, Iowa Department of Education, Young Women's Resource Center. Chrysalis Foundation, Polk County Conservation Board

Favorite quote or book:
"We now have words for victims like battered women. It used to be just called 'life.'" --Gloria Steinem

Hobbies:
Hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, traveling, reading and needlecrafts.

Special skills:
Recruiting student mentors; Recruiting at-risk student mentors; Training mentors; Parent communications; Development of curriculum; Panel facilitation; Guiding through tough and unusual circumstances; Connecting with local organizations

Areas of study:
Social-emotional learning

Advice for student mentors:
You have wisdom and knowledge to share and are capable of providing profound leadership to your peers, your school and your community. Your voice is important!

Favorite part of MVP:
Empowering youth to take up the mantle of leadership and providing them with the skills and the opportunity to create safe and supportive school and community climates.