Elevate Your Culture. Empower Your Students. Navigate the Challenges. 
We invite you to bring teams of educators to a day of intensive collaboration and practical strategy. The 2026 Northwestern College Leadership in Education Conference is designed as a “working” summit – a space where practitioners share real-world solutions for the most pressing issues in our schools today.

From cultivating student leadership and agency to navigating complex behavioral waters, your team will leave with actionable ideas and a growing sense of hope! 

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Individual: $95 
Group rate (6 or more): $80 each

Add-on credit available: 1 License Renewal credit: $35
1 Graduate credit: $150
Micro-credential: $20 (After registering for the conference, use the micro-credential registration form.)

Individual registration       Group registration

Register by October 15. Please contact the office of Graduate + Professional Studies with any questions about the event or registration at [email protected] or 712-707-7388. 

Dr. Gary Smit
Dr. Gary Smit | Educational Consultant and Trainer | The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University | CHARACTER COUNTS
Keynote speaker

Topics: Elevate, Empower, and Navigate

Gary Smit’s journey into education began unexpectedly. As a young man from Chicago, he arrived at Northwestern College sixty years ago with little direction after being told by his high school counselor that college was probably a mistake. Ironically, he chose education as his major simply because it was his roommate’s. That decision became his life’s calling.

Gary devoted more than 34 years to public education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent for 25 years before becoming Dean of Faculty for the Josephson Institute of Ethics, where he led CHARACTER COUNTS! training across the United States and internationally.

Today, through the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, the global home of CHARACTER COUNTS!, Gary continues to equip educators in public and faith-based schools to build character, strengthen school culture, and develop ethical leadership.

Dr. Levi Letsche
Principal, MOC-Floyd Valley High School, Orange City, Iowa 

Topics: 
Student Leadership & Building Climate

Levi Letsche is a dedicated educator and the current principal of MOC-Floyd Valley High School in Orange City, Iowa. Deeply committed to fostering environments where both students and teachers can thrive, his impactful work in the classroom earned him recognition as one of five finalists for Iowa’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Levi’s administrative philosophy is rooted in data-driven decision-making and inclusive practices, ensuring that every student receives a personalized, supportive education that prepares them for long-term excellence.

Levi’s foundation in leadership and education was built at Northwestern College in Iowa, where he completed both his undergraduate studies in education and his Master of Education program. During his time at Northwestern, he was highly involved in campus life, participating in the football program and volunteering for Spring Service Partnerships. Driven by a passion for mentorship, he credits his success to the individualized guidance he received from his professors and continues to carry that collaborative, relationship-focused spirit into his career as a school administrator.

Dr. Jill Brown
Superintendent  |  Spencer Community School District  |  Spencer, IA

Topic: Empowering Students to Lead and Shape Their Schools

Dr. Stacey Cole 

Students Services Coordinator  |  Spencer Community Schools  |  Spencer, IA

Topic: Empowering Students to Lead and Shape Their Schools

Steph Pritts
Veteran Elementary Teacher & Instructional Coach | 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year

Topic: Featured Speaker

Stephanie Pritts is a dedicated and passionate educator with 23 years of experience in education, including the past 10 years as an Instructional Coach at Sheldon Community School District. Prior to her coaching role, she taught at the elementary level, where she spent several years teaching both 1st and 3rd grade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Buena Vista University and a master’s degree from Briar Cliff University. Her career reflects a deep commitment to supporting both student achievement and teacher development.

Stephanie believes that strong relationships and trust are the foundation of effective teaching and learning. She prioritizes building meaningful connections with both students and colleagues as a way to foster collaboration and growth. As an Instructional Coach, she combines this relational approach with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices and data-driven decision-making. She works alongside teachers to analyze student data, implement high-impact strategies, and reflect on instructional effectiveness. Her goal is to help every educator feel supported and empowered, knowing that when trust and research-based practices come together, both student and professional growth are not only possible but inevitable.

Seth Piro 
Northwest AEA Chief 

Topic: 
Navigating the Waters of Challenging Behaviors 

Seth currently serves as the chief administrator for the Northwest Area Education Agency. Prior to assuming the role of chief, Seth was a regional special education director for the Iowa Department of Education, and prior to that, he served as the AEA Director of Special Education. Seth has his Ed. Specialist degree in School Psychology from the University of Colorado and was named the Iowa School Psychologist of the Year in 2021. Current Iowa Department of Education Director, McKenzie Snow correctly credits Seth with “providing insightful statewide leadership on differentiation, best serving students with challenging behaviors, and special education finance.” 

Gary McEldowney
High School Principal  |  Sioux Center, IA

Topic: 
Navigating the Waters of Challenging Behaviors 

Gary McEldowney is in his 32nd year working as an educator. He is in his 26th year as an administrator, including his 21st year at Sioux Center. He served for 12 years as the high school principal and is in year 9 as a superintendent for the Warriors. His educational experience began on the Pine Ridge Reservation and at Bennett County School District in Martin, SD prior to moving to Sioux Center. His teaching career was as a language arts and social studies teacher that also included several coaching roles at the collegiate, varsity, and middle school levels.

A native of Wessington Springs, SD, Gary earned his undergraduate Bachelor of Science Degree in History and Political Science at the University of South Dakota. He went on to receive a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Leadership at the University of South Dakota and an Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S) from the University of Northern Iowa.

Gina Paulsen
Special Education Director of the MOC-Floyd Valley CSD |  |  Orange City, IA

Topic: 
Navigating the Waters of Challenging Behaviors 

Gina Paulsen brings decades of experience in learning and growing within General and Special Education over the past 34 years.  A 93’ alumni of NWC, she holds a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in reading, special education, and coaching. She also has completed her Master’s degree in Special Education K-12 from Morningside College, as well as Educational Administration + Principal Endorsement-NWC. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member to NWC Online Graduate Program. 

She has had opportunities to expand her roles within AEA Consulting, National Training, and has served as President of the School Board for South O’Brien, her home town area. A traditional farm wife, she and her husband Patrick have 3 children- 2 grandchildren with 1 on the way! 

Gina currently serves as the Director of Special Programs for MOC-FV Community Schools, where she supports special education, 504’s, and collaboration/coordination of a multitude of needs in the MTSS process. Her work focuses on creating inclusive systems, strengthening cross-department collaboration, building professional development within the special education departments as well as paraprofessional growth, partnering with families, and advocating for equitable access for all students.   

Taylor Stichka
Elementary Principal of the MOC-Floyd Valley CSD |  Orange City, IA

Topic: 
Navigating the Water of Challenging Behaviors

Taylor is a relationships-focused educator with 11 years of experience as a teacher and 2 years of experience as a TK-2 elementary principal.  He spent 6 years teaching for the Ballard-Huxley Community School District in Central Iowa, teaching First Grade, Tech Integration, and Seventh Grade Math.  Taylor then spent 4 years in the private sector, helping lead aspects of his parents’ agricultural supply company back in his hometown in rural Nebraska.  He returned to education in 2019 and relocated to Northwest Iowa, teaching Second Grade for 5 years for the Sioux Center Community School District.  The past 2 years he has had the pleasure of serving as the TK-2 Principal for the MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District.

In addition to his work in public education, Taylor enjoys sharing his love of music with students at Stichka Music Studio, where he teachers ukelele and guitar lessons.  He also volunteers his time in helping lead the local Sioux Prairie chapter of Pheasants Forever.

A native of south-central Nebraska, Taylor earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University.  He went on to receive a Master of Arts in Educational Technology and Educational Leadership from Dordt University. 

Brenda Langstaat - Janisch
Behavior Coach, Northwest AEA

Topic: 
Navigating the Waters of Challenging Behaviors

Brenda Langstraat-Janisch serves as a School/Family/Community Mental Health Liaison with the Northwest Area Education Agency, where she works as a coach and trainer specializing in behavior support. A licensed K-12 school counselor, Brenda holds advanced-level achievement in functional analysis from the University of Iowa. Her research on behavioral intervention and functional analysis has been featured at the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) annual conferences. Throughout her career, Brenda has made a profound impact by supporting multidisciplinary teams in designing and implementing effective programming for learners with intensive needs. Her collaborative approach and deep expertise continue to strengthen individual student outcomes, empower educators, and advance multi-agency partnerships across our statewide educational system.

Hayden Adkins
Teacher & Instructional Strategist | Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn CSD |  Sanborn, IA

Topic: 
Navigating the Waters of Challenging Behaviors

Hayden is in his seventh year at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School, where he serves as the 5th–8th grade behavioral teacher. He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education from Buena Vista University, along with endorsements in reading, K-8 Strat I, and K-12 Strat II (Behavior Disabilities/Learning Disabilities). Hayden’s journey in education began as a paraprofessional with the Sioux Center Community School District, where his impactful work with students with high behavioral and academic needs inspired him to pursue special education. Today, he brings that valuable preparation to his current role, where he also serves on the building leadership team and coaches wrestling and baseball.