The Collaborative

February 26 - EdLeader Collaborative
2026-02-26 08:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Continua, 9800 8th Ave N, Plymouth, MN, 55441
VIEW THE AGENDA
Cost: $70Location: Continua, 9800 8th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55441
This Year’s Theme:
#PowerofTogether: United in Purpose, Strengthened by Community
Gathering is one of the most common experiences in every school, yet its influence on learning is often overlooked. Join us at our next Collaborative event where we’ll be hearing from Jill Ackers, Director of Education with VS America on creating spaces that enhance learning environments. This session explores how the ways people come together in a space can strengthen engagement, connection, and the overall feel of a campus down to the classroom. When environments support movement, communication, and belonging, students and educators experience an ease and sense of joy that elevates daily learning.
Participants will reflect on how space shapes culture, how simple spatial decisions can enhance teaching practices, and how campuses can become places that feel alive with purpose. The session opens a fresh way of thinking about environments as part of the instructional story and invites deeper curiosity about what becomes possible when gathering is designed with intention.
Bring a friend! For every colleague you bring who is new to The Collaborative, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a helicopter ride for two! The winner will be drawn at the end of this event!
A HUGE thank you to our sponsors ATSR and Continua Interiors.

What is The Collaborative?The Collaborative is a half-day event designed for Christian educators in Minnesota to connect, learn, and engage in meaningful collaboration. This gathering brings together school leaders who share a commitment to faith-based education, offering a space for networking, professional development, and discussions on the most pressing topics in Christian education.
What to Expect:

Networking & Connection – Meet and engage with other Christian education leaders who share your mission and challenges.
Interactive Workshops & Presentations – Gain practical insights and strategies from experts in education, leadership, and spiritual development.
Keynote Speakers – Learn from thought leaders who will share wisdom on faith-centered leadership and education.
Earn CEUs – Attendees will receive CEUs to support their professional growth.

Why Attend?Christian school leadership is a calling, but it doesn’t have to be a journey taken alone. The Collaborative provides an opportunity to grow, reflect, and build lasting connections with peers. Leave equipped with new ideas, strengthened by shared experiences, and encouraged to lead your school with clarity and confidence.
We hope to see you there!

Lunch & Learn: Creating Efficient Admissions Systems & Time for Personalization Using Data + AI
2026-01-28 12:00 - 12:30
Virtual Admissions Lunch & Learn
Featuring: Kirsten Beard, Chief Admissions Officer, The Mount Vernon SchoolHosted by: The CollaborativeDate: Wednesday, January 28, 2026Time: 12:00–12:30 PMLocation: via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/97026418465)
Admissions teams are busier than ever balancing data management, communication, and relationship building. In this session, Kirsten Beard will share how The Mount Vernon School efficiently manages over 1,400 inquiries and 500 applications annually—while still maintaining personal connections that convert prospects into their 200 new enrolled students. Learn how their strategic use of data and AI tools creates systems that free up time for what matters most: authentic family engagement. You’ll leave with practical insights for using analytics, automation, and personalized messaging to strengthen your funnel and streamline your workflows.

January Collaborative Office Hours
2026-01-09 12:00 - 15:00 | Invenshure, 1015 Glenwood Ave, Fourth Floor, Minneapolis, MN, 55405, United States
**Please let us know you are coming by registering for a free ticket above.**
Bonus: Bring a friend! For every colleague you bring who is new to The Collaborative, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a helicopter ride for two! The winner will be drawn at the end of the February 26 EdLeader Event!
What is “Collaborative Office Hours”?
Office Hours offer dedicated, uninterrupted time for school leaders like you to focus on the projects and initiatives that matter most. Whether you’re looking to strategize, create, or get inspired, this is an ideal setting to connect with other leaders and The Collaborative team for feedback and fresh ideas.
What should I bring with to work on?
Some ideas of projects you could bring with you are strategic planning, program development, PD prep, community engagement initiatives, complex challenges you want to problem-solve, event planning…the time is yours!
Who will be there?
EdLeaders who have been at past Collaborative events, Collaborative Mastermind members, the Collaborative Team, and anyone else you want to extend the invitation to.
Is there a cost?
No! Collaborative Office Hours is a free opportunity to take a break from your campus and spend the afternoon in downtown Minneapolis!

EdLeader Collaborative
2025-11-06 08:30 - 13:00 | Acre, 1601 Utica Ave S, St Louis Park, MN, 55416, United States
VIEW THE AGENDA
Cost: $70Location: Acre, 1601 Utica Ave. S., St. Louis Park, MN 55416
This Year’s Theme:
#PowerofTogether: United in Purpose, Strengthened by Community
Join us at our next Collaborative event, uniting EdLeaders across the Midwest. We’ll be hearing from Jay Bennett and Shelly Van Epps with the National Christian Foundation on partnering with Collaborative Schools to harvest financial resources, and from Laurel Hardgrove with Generis on best practices for capital campaigns and year-end development.
What is The Collaborative?The Collaborative is a half-day event designed for Christian educators in Minnesota to connect, learn, and engage in meaningful collaboration. This gathering brings together school leaders who share a commitment to faith-based education, offering a space for networking, professional development, and discussions on the most pressing topics in Christian education.
What to Expect:

Networking & Connection – Meet and engage with other Christian education leaders who share your mission and challenges.
Interactive Workshops & Presentations – Gain practical insights and strategies from experts in education, leadership, and spiritual development.
Keynote Speakers – Learn from thought leaders who will share wisdom on faith-centered leadership and education.
Earn CEUs – Attendees will receive CEUs to support their professional growth.

Why Attend?Christian school leadership is a calling, but it doesn’t have to be a journey taken alone. The Collaborative provides an opportunity to grow, reflect, and build lasting connections with peers. Leave equipped with new ideas, strengthened by shared experiences, and encouraged to lead your school with clarity and confidence.
We will cover the topic of Fundraising and Capital Campaigns at this event, led by our friends and colleagues at National Christian Foundation Twin Cities and Generis.
We hope to see you there!

Voices that Protect: Building Trust Through Reporting
2025-10-01 12:00 - 12:30
**This is a free virtual event for the entire Collaborative Community**
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 12:00–12:30 PM CT | Virtual via Zoom
This 30-minute Lunch & Learn with Mike Olson from 360 Security Services offers school leaders essential strategies for creating a culture where students and staff feel safe to speak up.
Why This Matters In nearly 75% of school attacks, someone had advance knowledge but chose not to report it. This session will help you build trust, encourage early intervention, and support well-being across your community.
What You’ll Gain Aligned with U.S. Secret Service and National Threat Assessment Center best practices, the session equips you to:

Enable anonymous, confidential reporting
Build stakeholder confidence to speak up
Create responsive systems that protect and serve

Bonus Opportunity 360 Security Services is offering a complimentary 1-hour consultation to explore reporting program options for your school. Details will be provided at the virtual event.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81328082442

EdLeader Collaborative
2025-08-07 08:30 - 13:00 | Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Rd, Edina, MN, 55435, United States
August 7 EdLeader Collaborative Event
Join fellow Christian school leaders for connection, learning, and inspiration this August.
This Year’s Theme:#PowerofTogether: United in Purpose, Strengthened by Community
This year, we’re focusing on how collaboration can unite and empower Christian school leaders. Through vision-casting, peer learning, and practical takeaways, you’ll leave equipped to lead with clarity and purpose.
View the Agenda
Featured Keynote
We’re welcoming back Trey Boden, founder of Roar and former Chief Brand Officer of The Mount Vernon School in Atlanta, GA. In his session, “Songs and Stories: How Uniqueness Shapes Your School’s Story”, Trey will share tools for discovering and communicating your school’s uniqueness with authenticity and clarity. He will also tell stories about his experience as a school marketer. And… he might be bringing his guitar along as well!
What is The Collaborative?The Collaborative is a half-day event designed for Christian educators in Minnesota to connect, learn, and engage in meaningful collaboration. This gathering brings together school leaders who share a commitment to faith-based education, offering a space for networking, professional development, and discussions on the most pressing topics in Christian education.

Collaborative Office Hours
2025-06-17 12:00 - 15:00 | Invenshure, 1015 Glenwood Ave, Fourth Floor, Minneapolis, MN, 55405, United States
**Please let us know you are coming by registering for a free ticket below.**
What is “Collaborative Office Hours”?
Office Hours offer dedicated, uninterrupted time for school leaders to focus on the projects and initiatives that matter most to YOU. Whether you’re looking to strategize, create, or get inspired, this is an ideal setting to connect with other leaders and the i2i team for feedback and fresh ideas.
What should I bring with to work on?
Some ideas of projects you could bring with you are strategic planning, program development, PD prep, community engagement initiatives, complex challenges you want to problem-solve, event planning…the time is yours!
Who will be there?
Edleaders who have been at past Collaborative events, Collaborative Mastermind members, the Collaborative Team, and anyone else you want to extend the invitation to.
Is there a cost?
No! Collaborative Office Hours is a free opportunity to take a break from your campus and spend the afternoon in downtown Minneapolis!

May Member School Informational Q&A Webinar
2025-05-16 09:30 - 10:00
Zoom Info:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87050239275?pwd=[REDACTED] ID: 870 5023 9275Passcode: [REDACTED]
Leading a Christian school doesn’t have to be lonely.
Join us for our upcoming Member School Informational Q&A Webinar to learn about the incredible resources and services Member Schools receive through their FREE membership.

Aligned to Christian Faith.
Practical and Actionable.
Taught by Experts.

Collaboration strengthens schools. Let’s do this together!

Amplify Your Impact: AI as Your Educational Thought Partner
2025-04-30 08:30 - 12:00 | Acre, 1601 Utica Ave S, St Louis Park, MN, 55416, United States
**Note: this is only for Collaborative Member Schools and space is limited!**
Transform how you work by making AI your strategic thought partner. This hands-on course will show you how to integrate AI into your daily tasks to increase efficiency, avoid common pitfalls, and produce better results—all while maintaining ethical and responsible use. Using The CRAFTing Framework, you’ll gain the essential skills to guide AI effectively, write better prompts, and streamline your workflow. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to sharpen your skills, this course provides the practical tools you need to maximize AI’s potential in your professional life. What You’ll Gain:

Practical AI use cases to boost productivity.
Common AI pitfalls and how to avoid them.
A deep understanding of The CRAFTing Framework for effective AI communication.
A personalized prompt library to streamline your workflow.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have the confidence and skills to use AI as a powerful tool that enhances your work and supports your goals. Attended The November Collaborative? Some concepts from the first section will be revisited to reinforce understanding, but this session takes a deeper dive into prompt engineering, library development, and hands-on application. Bring your own breakfast and coffee and join us as we dive deeper into the world of AI!
Regular CEU’s will be available
There are only 3 Registrations (Tickets) per school!

April Mastermind Informational Q&A Webinar
2025-04-28 09:00 - 09:30
Zoom Info:https://zoom.us/j/98447562253?pwd=[REDACTED] ID: 984 4756 2253Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join this webinar to learn how the Mastermind community can help you lead with clarity, confidence, and faith.
In this informational Q&A webinar, you will learn how the Mastermind works through monthly virtual meet-ups, peer-led discussions, and expert facilitation.
Why Join the Mastermind?

Discover a trusted circle of Christian school leaders who understand your reality.
Earn 20 Minnesota BOSA continuing education units annually.
Find consistent professional growth without adding more to your plate.

Who Should Attend?Christian school heads, principals, and executive leadership positions looking for a proven system of peer support and leadership development.
Leadership is a journey. Walk it with those who share your mission. Register today.

April Member School Informational Q&A Webinar
2025-04-10 09:30 - 10:00
Zoom Info:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87153934342Meeting ID: 871 5393 4342Passcode: [REDACTED]
Leading a Christian school doesn’t have to be lonely.
Join us for our upcoming Member School Informational Q&A Webinar to learn about the incredible resources and services Member Schools receive through their FREE membership.

Aligned to Christian Faith.
Practical and Actionable.
Taught by Experts.

Collaboration strengthens schools. Let’s do this together!

Test Event for Testing Payments
2025-03-26 08:00 - 17:00 | Continua, 9800 8th Ave N, Plymouth, MN, 55441
Just a test

March Member School Informational Q&A Webinar
2025-03-07 09:30 - 10:00 | https://beacollaborator.com/event/member-school-webinar/
Zoom Infohttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/84416991112?pwd=[REDACTED] ID: 844 1699 1112Passcode: [REDACTED]
Leading a Christian school doesn’t have to be lonely. Join us for our upcoming Member School Informational Q&A Webinar to learn about the incredible resources and services Member Schools receive through their FREE membership.

Aligned to Christian Faith.
Practical and Actionable.
Taught by Experts.

Collaboration strengthens schools. Let’s do this together!
