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Agenda
Thursday, October 9
- 8:00–9:30 AM | Registration
- 9:30–10:30 AM | Breakouts A
- 10:30 AM–12:00 PM | Main Session
- Key Note: Ted Neitzke – Buffalo Leadership
- 12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch provided at hotel
- 1:30–2:30 PM | Breakouts B
- 3:00–4:00 PM | Breakouts C
- Grade-Level Round Tables
- 4:30–5:30 PM | Worship & Anniversary Celebrations
- Evening | Dinner on Your Own
Friday, October 10
- 7:30–8:30 AM | Breakfast at hotel
- 8:30–9:30 AM | Breakouts D
- 10:00–11:30 AM | Main Session – Ted Neitzke
- 11:30 AM–12:00 PM | Closing
Keynote: Ted Neitzke
Buffalo Leadership | CESA6 | SmartThinking Podcast
Ted Neitzke is a lifetime educator and has served at high levels of leadership in schools in the United States. Ted is known for his work with employee engagement, strategic planning, and solutions for the workplace. His focus on collaboration and process have allowed for others to find success.
Ted is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and works with organizations to support their success. His leadership has supported international recognition in employee engagement, regional recognition in strategic excellence, and local recognition for service and non-profit support.
Ted is the creator and host of The Smart Thinking Podcast; a weekly podcast filled with stories and processes to support leadership everywhere.
In addition to his professional obligations, Ted is also the Mayor of Port Washington, WI.
Ted has great energy, creativity, humor, and passion for learning and leadership. He has many titles but his favorites are: son, brother, husband, father and uncle.
Breakout and Speaker Info
Use the drop-down list below to view the breakout options for each session during the conference!
Breakouts A | Thurs, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Room: Peacock Ballroom
Description: Join Dr. Alan Freeman, Director of LCMS School Ministry, for a compelling and data-informed look at the current landscape of Lutheran education across the United States. In this session, Dr. Freeman will explore national enrollment trends, new school starts, shifts in demographics, and the impact of school choice legislation on Lutheran schools. He will also highlight the faithful work of educators and the urgent need for sustainable leadership and staffing strategies. Participants will gain insight into how LCMS School Ministry is equipping schools to thrive and how local leaders can stay mission-focused in the midst of a rapidly changing educational environment. This presentation will both challenge and encourage, offering a hopeful vision for the future of Lutheran education rooted in the Gospel and the grace of Christ.
About the Speaker: Dr. Alan Freeman is the director of School Ministry for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), consisting of almost 2,000 schools, over 170,000 students, and 22,000 educators. Before accepting this position, he served as education executive for the LCMS Missouri District, where he worked with 111 schools. A well-rounded academic executive and leader, who has years of experience as a Lutheran school consultant, is well-versed in school accreditation and serves on the board of the Council of American Private Education. Before moving to Missouri to work for the LCMS Missouri District, Freeman served as headmaster of Concordia Preparatory School in Towson, Md.
Freeman has a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Concordia University, Nebraska, Seward, Neb.; a master’s degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis.; an Education Specialist degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, Neb.; and a doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. In addition, Freeman participated in the Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools Leadership Development Program in 2002, the Rapport Leadership Program for Executives in 2006, and the Van Lunen Fellowship Program in 2013.
Freeman and his wife, Kristin, have two children — Holly and Samuel — who are both graduates of Lutheran High School of St. Charles County in St. Peters, MO, and the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. Kristin serves LCMS Life Ministry at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis.
Room: Spotswood Arms
Description: In this hands-on workshop, participants will be introduced to several instructional strategies and teaching frameworks meant to strengthen engagement, highlight student voice and choice, and enhance creative and critical thinking skills across content areas. Participants will experience a combination of short, easy-to-implement activities, as well as walk-through the development of a cross-curricular design thinking unit. While content may be adapted to all grade levels, this session will focus on application in the 3rd-8th grade classrooms.
About the Speaker: April Drake is a teacher, differentiation specialist, and curriculum writer with 21 years of teaching experience in the elementary and middle grades classrooms. She holds a Master of the Arts in Teaching with a focus on the needs of gifted learners. Through her work as a gifted resource teacher and STEAM program developer, she has honed her skills in helping students identify their passions, develop their perseverance and resiliency, and become creative innovators who can face the challenges of an ever-changing world. She currently teaches 7th and 8th grade ELA and coordinates the STEAM program at St. Stephens Lutheran School in Hickory, North Carolina.
Room: Princess Anne
Description: There is nothing more deflating than coming to your ministry only to have church workers have a hard time relating to each other. We will identify your personality type and give valuable insight understanding your faculty and staff as a whole. This session will bring some clarity to working with each other effectively, even if you are not alike.
About the Speaker: Dave Beringer has been in the ministry for 42 years. He is the Principal of Concordia Christian Day School and has been an Executive Director at 3 different Lutheran High Schools and served as the Director of Planned Giving at Concordia University Wisconsin. Dave has led this presentation with his own faculty and staff and it has made a huge difference in building strong ministry relationships.
Room: Albemarle Hall
Description: Frustrated when your students forget something they learned just last week? Wondering why your current class seems to have so many gaps in learning, when the teacher down the hall can PROVE to you she covered that material last year? In this session, we will be going through a simple, 5-10 minute routine that can be applied in any classroom: elementary, middle or secondary, based on the book “Something They Will Not Forget” by Joshua Gibbs.
About the Speaker: Katrina Garrison is a graduate of Concordia, Ann Arbor and has her Master’s from Concordia, Portland. She has 12 years of experience teaching in a Lutheran school, teaching 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades. She lives with her husband, Luke, and her three children, Caleb (8), Lydia (6), and Abigail (3).
Breakouts B | Thurs, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Room: Peacock Ballroom/General Session
Description: Do you struggle with being authentic? Yeah, everyone does. Ted will bring a proven tool to help you both advocate for yourself, create high-performing teams, and speed up trust amongst colleagues. This placemat process is fun and will increase your ability to both understand who you are in the professional workings at school and help you be more authentic at school.
About the Speaker: See Above
Description: How often have you had to tell a family, “We’re just not equipped to meet the needs of your child”? Thanks to Lutheran Special Education Ministries (LSEM) this doesn’t always have to be your answer. Come learn more about ways you can meet the needs of more students, support you can receive as a non-public school, and the ways LSEM might be able to help you reach those goals.
About the Speaker:
Description: Unlock the power of mentor texts to guide your writing instruction and help students develop into strong, confident writers. This session offers practical strategies and examples to teach key writing skills across genres. Participants will explore practical strategies for selecting and analyzing mentor texts to teach essential writing skills like voice, structure, and word choice. With examples across multiple genres, you’ll learn how to use mentor texts to model writing craft, inspire students, and support their growth at all levels.
About the Speaker: My name is Krystal Freeman and I have 16 years of teaching experience and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Literacy Education. I currently work as a K–8 interventionist, supporting students across grade levels to build strong literacy and math skills.
Description: In a world where students are constantly bombarded with competing narratives, how can we help them connect deeply with Scripture and see their place in God’s global mission? This breakout session will share recent research on Scripture engagement among youth in our country, revealing both the challenges and opportunities facing Christian educators today. We will introduce a dynamic, ready-to-use chapel series developed by Lutheran Bible Translators that equips schools to foster meaningful engagement with God’s Word. These resources not only help students explore Scripture in fresh ways but also connect them to the real-world impact of Bible translation efforts around the globe.
About the Speaker: Kyla Rodriguez is Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for Lutheran Bible Translators, connecting individuals, schools, and congregations to the global mission of Bible translation. A DCE graduate of Concordia University Chicago, she has served in ministry across Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, with experience in youth leadership, congregational ministry, and event coordination. Kyla is passionate about Scripture engagement and faith formation, equipping Lutheran schools and churches with resources that deepen connection to God’s Word and the worldwide church. She lives in Columbus, Indiana, with her husband, Adam, associate pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and their three children.
Breakouts C | Grade Round tables | Thurs, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Room: Albemarle Hall
Room: Game Room/Peacock Ballroom A
Facilitator:
Room: Spotswood Arms
Facilitator: April Drake
Room: Princess Anne
Facilitator: Tom Kolb and Stacy McGhee
Room: Courtney Terrace
Breakouts D | Fri, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Room: Peacock Ballroom B &C
About the Speaker: Leslie Rudzinski joined Concordia Plans in 2021 as a Retirement Services Representative, guiding hundreds of workers through retirement and helping them initiate their pensions. In 2023, she became a CPS Financial Educator, assisting workers in understanding their full range of financial benefits—including the pension, CRSP, and healthcare in retirement. In 2025, Leslie assumed the role of Wellness Program Advisor for LCMS Districts. She is passionate about supporting the health and wellness of church workers while also equipping them to manage their finances wisely—so they can focus on what matters most: sharing the Gospel.
Room: Princess Anne
Description: Since the beginning of time, humans have faced rules and behavioral expectations. The Bible shows us early examples of behavior challenges, starting in the Garden of Eden. In this session, we will explore an evidence-based behavior management system and discuss how schoolwide consistency benefits everyone—teachers, students, administrators, and support staff.
About the Speaker: Erika Hulse has spent more than 20 years teaching in both public and private schools. In 2023, she transitioned from public education to serve as Children and Family Ministry Director at Resurrection Lutheran Church. Drawing on her classroom experience, Erika equips and supports volunteers to lead vibrant children’s and family ministry events. Along with her love for working with children, she has a passion for mentoring new teachers, guiding them through the challenges of their early years in the profession. She is frequently invited to speak at North Carolina State University’s College of Education on issues facing beginning teachers. Erika is currently enrolled in the Director of Church Ministries program at Concordia University Wisconsin. She is blessed with twin sons: Harrison, a seminarian at Concordia St. Louis, and Spencer, who is pursuing mission work.
Room: Albemarle Hall
Description: This will be a practical session with ideas on how to put together a great theatrical production for your school. It will include resources and an opportunity to discuss ways to tailor a production to your school to give your students a chance to shine on stage. We will talk about planning, auditions, rehearsals, involving parents, technical elements, and putting it all together.
About the Speaker:
Room: Courtney Terrace
Description: Students want to be prepared, to know what to expect in a time of disaster. They are naturally moved to respond to the need that arises. In this workshop, participants will learn some basic steps in preparing students to understand and be safe in times of disaster as well as discover ways for students to participate in age-appropriate response.
About the Speaker: Deaconess Sally Hiller currently serves as the DDRC for the SED. She helps to organize response teams, deployments, collection of materials in times of disaster. She is a LERT (Lutheran Early Response Teams) trainer and helps to prepare congregations, families, and schools in disaster preparedness and response.
Room: Spotswood Arms
Description: In this presentation we will discuss the colloquy program for Lutheran school educators and church workers. Colloquy is a program of theological study that prepares teachers and church workers to be eligible for a call in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Come learn all of the ins and outs of the colloquy from educators that have completed the program. What is it? Why do it?
About the Speaker: Jessica Westby is the music teacher at Concordia Christian Day School in Conover, North Carolina. After seven years in the public school system, Jessica began teaching at Concordia in 2017 as a contracted teacher. She then completed the colloquy program in the spring of 2020 and received her Call to Concordia later that year. Jessica’s teaching responsibilities have included preschool through 5th grade general music, middle school band and choir, 6th grade math, and math interventions. She has also served as a new teacher mentor, school board liaison, and accreditation validation team member.
Q & A
During the conference, we will be providing a lunch buffet on Thursday and a nice hot breakfast buffet on Friday.
Coffee will be available during these times.
There is complimentary Starbucks coffee in the lobby in the mornings from 6-11 AM
There will be coffee offered during lunch and dinner on Tuesday, but coffee will not be available during our conference at other times.
Need coffee? Try these local places!
Lunch | Dinner
Mosaic Cafe – Turkish Food
La Vera Pizzeria – Pizza/Italian
CP Shuckers – Seafood – 11 min walk
The Bunker Brewpub – American
Yorkies VB – Local Deli
Smartmouth Brewing Company – American
Repeal Bourbons and Burgers – American – 12 min walk
Aloha Snacks – Hawaiian
Lucy’s Sky Bar – Tapas
Pacifica – Tapas – 3 min walk
Mellow Mushroom – Pizza – 7 min walk
Sushi Vice – Sushi – 4 min walk
Hearth Wood Fired Cuisine & Craft Beer – American
Sorella’s – Italian – 4 min walk
Driftwood Kitchen – Southern/Seafood – 10 min walk
Las Palmas – Mexican – 5 min walk
Love Song – Tapas – 4 min walk
The Atlantic – Seafood – 3 min walk
Frank and Patty’s – Dogs and Burgers – 7 min drive
Racha Thai Cuisine – Thai/Noodles – 12 min drive
Lolly’s – Local Ice Cream
Gelati Celesti
Wang Jiang Lou – Chinese