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Leadership in Education Conference
More details coming soon
Tuesday, October 22
8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Northwestern College
Location: Christ Chapel
Cost: $95 | Group rate (6 or more): $80
Credit available:
1 License Renewal credit: $35
1 Graduate credit: $150
Micro-credential: $30 (After registering for the conference, use the micro-credential registration form.)
The 2024 Leadership in Education Conference is one day and packed with actionable concepts for teaching and leading for the future with topics focusing on culture, communication, AI, and more. Take away fresh insight, practical strategies, and meaningful inspiration.
Registration now!
Register individual Register group
Register by October 15th.
Please contact online@nwciowa.edu or 712-707-7388 with any questions about the event or registration.
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Keynote
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View campus map | Download of conference program and notes coming soon
These sessions are geared toward current and aspiring teacher leaders. Attendees can choose from any of the sessions to attend from either track.
8:00 - 8:20 a.m. | Check-in | Christ Chapel |
8:20 a.m. | Welcome and announcements |
8:30 a.m. |
Keynote address | Christ Chapel
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9:45 a.m. | Break |
10:00 - 10:45 a.m. |
Breakout #1 (Choose your session) Administrator Track | Christ Chapel
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11:00 - 11:45 a.m. |
Breakout #2 (Choose your session) Administrator Track | Christ Chapel
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11:50 a.m. | Vermeer Dining Room Lunch |
12:45 - 1:30 p.m. |
Breakout #3 (choose your session) Administrator Track | Christ Chapel
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1:30 p.m. | Break |
1:45 - 2:30 p.m. |
Breakout #4 (choose your session) Administrator Track | Christ Chapel
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2:30 p.m. | Break |
2:40 - 3:25 p.m. |
Endnote | Christ ChapelLeadership and Education
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3:25 p.m. | Closing |
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Megan Rasmussen Megan Rasmussen is a knowledgeable educator with 13 years of experience. She has been an instructional coach for nine years with the Algona School District. She has taught middle school science and STEM for 12 years at Algona Middle School and previously served as a science teacher and technology integrationist at Clear Lake Middle School. Megan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M at Galveston and a masters from Iowa State University. |
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Kayla Jacobson Session: Elevating Education: Exploring Diverse Coaching Models Kayla Jacobson brings over a decade of experience to her role as instructional coach at Algona High School, where she has supported teachers for the past 4 years. Prior to coaching, she taught social studies at both Manson Northwest Webster for four years and Algona High School for seven years. With a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Grand View University and a master’s in teacher leadership from Upper Iowa University. |
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Molly Leiting Session: Elevating Education: Exploring Diverse Coaching Models Molli Leiting is an elementary instructional coach at Lucia Wallace Elementary in the Algona School District, providing support for educators for the past nine years. Prior to this position, she taught in a self-contained 5th grade classroom for two years as well as 6th grade math for five years. Molli holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Central College and a master’s in teaching, learning, and leadership from Southwest Minnesota State University. Along with her duties as an instructional coach, Molli also serves as the elementary MTSS coordinator for the Algona School District. |
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Emily Koson Session: Demystifying Dyslexia: Equipping Educators with Knowledge and Strategies for Every Student
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Abby Vande Kieft Session: Collaborating the Empower Staff and Students and Build Positive Culture In her 15 years of experience, Abby Vande Kieft has served in various roles at the MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School and is in her 12th year of teaching 7th grade science. Abby is also currently serving as the 6-12 science curriculum leader, is a member of the PBIS team, Leader in Me Lighthouse Coordinator, the representative for the district School Improvement Advisory Committee, and a cooperating mentor teacher. Abby received her bachelor's in animal science from South Dakota State University and 5-12 biology teaching endorsement from Morningside College. In the classroom, Abby enjoys the adventures of teaching middle school students through inquiry and hands-on exploration of the world around them. As a teacher leader, Abby is passionate about working together with her colleagues and students to make middle school an exciting time to learn and grow as a young adult and future leader. |
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Adam Boone Sessions: Collaborating to Empower Staff and Students and Build Positive Culture | Empowering Educators Through Data-Driven Conversations Adam Boone has been at MOC-Floyd Valley for four years and is in his third year serving as the Middle School MTSS instructional coach. He taught 8th grade reading for 11 years and during that time has served on the AIW team, building leadership team, BIS team, and been an 8th grade team leader. Adam brings 20 years of teaching experience in the areas of literacy, mathematics, and school guidance and counseling. His bachelor's in elementary education with reading and middle school endorsements from Northwestern College. He furthered his education by receiving his master's in school guidance and counseling from Buena Vista University. Adam has a passion for instructional strategies and using data to inform instructional decision making. |
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Blake Wieking Session: Collaborating to Empower Staff and Students and Build Positive Culture Blake Wieking is a 7th grade social studies teacher at MOC-Floyd Valley where he has taught for the last 11 years. While teaching at MOC-FV, he has worked closely with colleagues and school leaders to help coordinate and implement PBIS and Leader in Me curriculum and activities. In addition to teaching, he also coaches middle school basketball and high school soccer. He has earned his bachelor's, master's in teacher leadership, and principal endorsement all from Northwestern College. |
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Chris Yaw Session: Collaborating to Empower Staff and Students and Build Positive Culture Chris Yaw has a diverse background in education and leadership of 30 years. Chris has experience teaching middle school and high school math, college undergraduate courses in primary and secondary education, and graduate courses in principal preparation. He recently completed his second year as MOC-FV Middle School principal. He also spent two years as a middle school principal at Spencer Community Schools. Additionally, Chris spent 10 years as the head coach of the Northwestern College Women’s Basketball program. Chris received his undergraduate degree with a major in biology, a minor in mathematics, and a certificate in secondary education from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. His master’s degree in administration is from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA. |
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Erica Vonk Session: Get Better: 15 Proven Practices to Build Effective Relationships at Work Passionate about seeing rural communities thrive and leaders reach their full potential, Dr. Erica Vonk is a Siouxland native who believes life is full of opportunities. She looks forward to contributing to Northwestern College’s vision to be the leading Christian college focused on student success and Christ-centered work for the common good through her work as the Center for Innovation & Leadership’s director. A Northwestern business professor since 2015, she played a role in developing the college’s interdisciplinary entrepreneurship minor and has connected students with Siouxland organizations through her courses in leadership, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship. She also has experience in agricultural finance and management as well as economic and community development. Her community contributions have included serving as a foster parent, a member of her church’s leadership team, and a board member and volunteer with the Seahawks Swim Team. A Northwestern College graduate, Vonk holds an M.B.A. from the University of South Dakota and a Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Concordia University Chicago. |
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Rachel Langenhorst Session: Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom In addition to being a longtime adjunct for Northwestern's Graduate and Professional Studies division, Rachel serves as Director of District Relationships for Stages Learning, a company focused on meeting the needs of students with autism, academic readiness concerns, and foundational skill delays. She brings her expertise in education leadership and technology, as well as her 30 years of classroom and leadership experience, to districts throughout the country. Rachel currently serves additional roles to support educators, working as a Senior Educational Specialist for Mayo Clinic's Office of Applied Scholarship and Education Science and teaching courses in Education Technology and Leadership in Master of Education programs for Dordt and the University of Sioux Falls. She is passionate about equipping teachers and students with what they need for success.
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Joel Bundt Session: Growing Computer Science for the K-12 System Joel teaches high school mathematics and is the database administrator at MOC-Floyd Valley where he has served in these roles for over 30 years. He is also the CSP facilitator for code.org. He received his bachelor's in mathematics from Northwestern College and his master's in educational administration from Buena Vista University. |