Lunch & Learn: The Value of Christian Higher Education
2026-04-15 12:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | https://zoom.us/j/94057062114?pwd=[REDACTED]
Virtual Lunch & Learn
Featuring: Janet Pargeter, Director of K-12 Development, NACCAPHosted by: The CollaborativeDate: Wednesday, April 15, 2026Time: 12:00–12:30 PMLocation: via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/94057062114?pwd=[REDACTED]
As Christian school educators and leaders, we are shaping both spiritual formation and vocational discernment. In a culture focused on rankings and ROI, how do we clearly and honestly articulate the distinct value of Christian higher education?

This virtual session will highlight the heart of Christian higher education and explore how we can thoughtfully, honestly, and consistently share its value with students and families.

Be sure to share this with your guidance counselors, college advisors, admissions teams, and division leaders involved in post-secondary planning.

Lunch & Learn: Supporting Teachers to Strengthen Classroom Management
2026-06-17 12:00 - 13:00 | https://zoom.us/j/94009314244
Virtual Lunch & Learn
Featuring: Jessica Werner, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Northshore LearningHosted by: The CollaborativeDate: Wednesday, June 17, 2026Time: 12:00–1 PM CSTLocation: via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/94009314244)
Classroom management is one of the most common pressure points for teachers and one of the most consistent challenges administrators face when supporting their staff. This Lunch and Learn gives school leaders a neuroscience-informed framework for understanding student behavior and practical tools for coaching teachers toward proactive, consistent practices. Walk away ready to strengthen classroom climate and reduce reactive discipline across your building.
Dr. Jessica Werner is the founder and CEO of Northshore Learning and has worked with schools worldwide as an instructor, professor, and consultant. Her work focuses on behavior support, student regulation, social-emotional learning, and educator wellbeing. She is passionate about equipping administrators and teachers to build classrooms where all students can thrive.

August 6 - EdLeader Collaborative
2026-08-06 08:30 - 13:00 | Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Rd, Edina, MN, 55435, United States
What if the most memorable thing about your school wasn’t its programs, but how people experience your community?
In this keynote, Jim McKenzie explores why hospitality matters in Christian schools, how Jesus modeled a radically different kind of welcome, and what it looks like to reflect that same heart in everyday school life. Through a clear and practical framework, you’ll learn how to elevate ordinary interactions into meaningful, memorable moments.
You’ll walk away with a renewed vision for hospitality’s role in shaping culture and simple, actionable ways to create experiences that truly embody your school’s mission and vision.

Cost: $70Location: Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Rd, Edina, MN 55435
View the agenda
What is The Collaborative? The Collaborative is a half-day event designed for Christian educators 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!

August 6 - General Ed Teacher Training (Member School Only)
2026-08-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Rd, Edina, MN, 55435, United States
Cost: Free for all Collaborative Member Schools – Up to 10 teachers per member school may attend!Location: Christ Presbyterian Church Address: 6901 Normandale Rd, Edina, MN, 55435
Every classroom has students who learn differently. For many general education teachers, supporting those students well feels like one more thing on an already full plate, without clear tools or a shared framework to work from.
This two-hour professional development session, led by Dr. Jodi Wolkerstorfer, gives your teachers exactly that. Grounded in biblical truth and built around practical application, the session establishes a common language around learning differences, walks teachers through how to use classroom data to guide their instruction, and introduces evidence-based strategies they can put to work right away.
Teachers will leave with tangible tools and a clearer sense of how to come alongside the students in their classrooms who need a little more. Up to 10 teachers per member school may attend, and participants will earn 2 CEUs.

ABOUT DR. JODI
Dr. Jodi Wolkerstorfer serves as Academic Intervention Director at Legacy Christian Academy and is The Collaborative’s Special Education Readiness shared service provider. Through that shared service, she works directly with member schools to assess their special education capabilities and build a concrete path forward, from initial SWOT analysis through ongoing coaching and implementation support. She is also the creator of the Every Student Matters webinar series and the Welcoming Every Student ebook, two resources developed specifically to equip Christian school educators to serve all learners well.

November 12 - EdLeader Collaborative
2026-11-12 08:30 - 13:00 | MN
More information and specifics about this event are coming soon!
Cost: $70
Location: TBD
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!
