Leadership conference broadens scope
Filed Under: conference, CPS, education, leadership, Parish Schools, Training
The 2008 WELS National School Leadership Conference, "Abide in the Vine," will be held June 16-19 in Waukesha, Wis. This is the first time the triennial conference, which has been redesigned to support WELS educators in both Lutheran and public schools, will feature speakers and presentation topics proposed by educators across the synod.
"We did things different this time," says Mr. Jim Brandt, administrator for WELS Commission on Parish Schools and conference coordinator. "We are hoping that a growing number of educators will benefit from this conference partly because people nominated a speaker or proposed a topic they want to hear."
Day one of the conference focuses on team building, day two on classroom issues, and day three on community outreach. In addition to the variety of speakers and workshops, Brandt says he anticipates attendees will greatly appreciate the Christian fellowship. "People always comment about being together with teachers from around the country and studying God's Word," he says. "They also value networking and hearing what other educators are doing. It's a great benefit."
Brandt says this is also the first year the conference is targeted toward all educators, instead of primarily toward principals as in the past. "It builds off the idea that every teacher is a leader," says Brandt. "We need to nurture the leaders and grow more leaders in our schools—whether that means future principals or teachers that partner more in their school's leadership."
Brandt says the overall goal of this conference is to build the body of Christ. "If our schools are going to be stronger and more effective in building the church, then the teachers in those schools need to be strong." He also hopes WELS members serving their communities as public educators will attend: "Our communities need their Christian witness, and this conference offers an opportunity to learn from one another and offer mutual encouragement for our respective roles in God's kingdom."
To learn more about the 2008 conference visit: www.wels.net/jump/leaderconf
Register by April 15 to receive a discount price. Regular registration ends May 23.
