This is an introductory session focused on understanding and using AI chatbots. While the examples and use cases demonstrated will primarily target front office staff, all interested participants are welcome to join.

Successful leadership in a Catholic school requires the pastor and the principal to be a dynamic mission-focused team. When pastors and principals are an effective team, a school is primed to do great things, not only for the school community but for the entire parish. Building an effective pastor-principal team, however, takes work and intentionality. This panel discussion will draw on the wisdom of pastors Fr. Michael Tix and Fr. Paul Shovelain and principals Ms. Pam McSweeny, and Ms. Jenny Haller — veteran Catholic school leaders who have successfully built dynamic teams to advance the mission of their Catholic schools. Panelists will offer practical insight into building trust, navigating conflict, and leading from a shared vision, among other topics.

This session will give participants specific ideas, tools, and examples to consider, connected to evidence-based strategies, that grow positive behavioral support in buildings along with addressing behavioral needs. Further, this session will also highlight how these strategies naturally integrate within the beautiful Catholic nature and components that are the core foundation of our schools. Specific tools and resources will be shared so that participants leave with a deeper toolbox of how to support the growing types of needs our Catholic schools are seeing. 

Turn data into action with practical strategies for making meaningful instructional decisions. Participants will explore how to use academic and behavioral data within a tiered framework to identify student needs, allocate resources, monitor progress and improve outcomes for all learners. Attendees will also examine how instructional leaders can build systems that support data-informed decision-making while maintaining a mission-centered approach to serving students.

In schools and parishes, the conversations leaders tend to avoid are often the ones that shape culture the most. This fast-paced session offers a practical introduction to leading crucial conversations with clarity, confidence, and intention. Designed for principals, heads of school, and pastors, participants will learn a simple framework to prepare for and navigate high-stakes, emotionally charged discussions.

Through real-world examples and guided reflection, leaders will build awareness of their mindset, learn how to stay grounded under pressure, and structure conversations that drive accountability while preserving relationships.

This session is not about mastering every scenario—it’s about equipping you with immediately applicable tools and language you can use in your next difficult conversation. Walk away ready to lean in, not avoid, when leadership matters most.

Brain development in children depends largely on nuturing and support interactions with adults, which makes self-regulation an important skill for caregivers! At this session you'll build your capacity to take care of yourself during stressful moments, which as a result, helps to ensure high-quality care for children. After all, caring for our littlest learners can be stressful!

Attendees will learn how to mobilize key parent partners in their community who understand and live out the mission of the Church and school to assist in the effective formation of parents. Attendees will also be provided with templates that can be used at their site to replicate a similar parent formation.

Everyone will be given concrete ideas on how to meaningfully engage with parents as "thought partners" and the primary educators of their children in mutually beneficial ways (for both parent and school).

Archbishop Hebda's pastoral letter to families, Only One Thing is Necessary, will be highlighted as a document that provides a strong roadmap for partnership between school and parents.

Designed for educators who are new to working with multilingual learners or looking for practical ways to better support them in the classroom, this interactive presentation explores the strengths these students bring to learning. Participants will explore strategies for supporting language development, including scaffolding, visual supports, structured student talk and comprehensible input, along with ways to create culturally responsive lessons. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use strategies that can be applied across grade levels and content areas.

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*This session meets Minnesota state licensure requirements. 

Many people want their philanthropy to reflect their values while creating meaningful, lasting impact. This session explores how donor advised funds, planned giving strategies, and other legacy giving tools can help individuals and families achieve both immediate and long-term charitable goals while supporting your school. Through real-world examples and planning considerations, you'll gain a practical understanding of these approaches and discover ways to align your donor's charitable giving with your school's important work.

Suicide is a serious public health concern impacting youth, families, schools, and communities. This interactive session provides practical knowledge and tools to recognize warning signs, understand risk and protective factors, and respond confidently to youth who may be struggling. Explore current suicide research, common myths and facts, child and adolescent development, warning signs, and strategies for communicating about suicide. You'll also learn simple mind-body practices to recognize and regulate your own stress response during difficult conversations, leaving with practical tools to support both youth and yourself.

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*This session meets Minnesota state licensure requirements. 

Any subject can be approached from a Catholic point of view so that it is taught and experienced as part of a coherent, compelling, and beautiful picture of the world. This workshop introduces 4 questions to help any teacher think about any subject in an authentic and integrated Catholic way.

Explore brain development research and examine the impact of brain research on classroom practices. Identify concerns and misconceptions by parents and policy makers regarding brain research.

What if the secret to teaching algebra isn't more explaining — it's less? Algebra tiles let students see and touch the math instead of just memorizing it, and the results speak for themselves. In this hands-on session, you'll build expressions, model equations, and solve problems tile by tile — no prior experience required. You'll leave with simple, ready-to-use activities and a whole new way to help abstract ideas finally click for your students.

¿Se encuentra usted simplemente recitando los salmos en lugar de orar con ellos? Estas antiguas oraciones de la Iglesia se recitan en cada Misa y forman parte de la oración de la Liturgia de las Horas para todo el clero ordenado y los religiosos consagrados. Sin embargo, para muchos, siguen siendo un misterio. Este taller ofrece una introducción a la hermosa poesía hebrea de los salmos, a su organización y estructura, así como a diversas formas de orar con ellos que van más allá de la mera recitación para conducirnos a una relación con Cristo y a la paz.

Make small group time work for everyone in the classroom. Participants will explore simple, effective structures that promote independence, engagement and meaningful learning while teachers lead small group instruction. Attendees will leave with easy-to-implement, low-prep tasks, flexible activities and practical management strategies that keep students productively engaged and help small group time run smoothly.

Have we gone too far in the application of technology in education? This session will focus on the practical solutions that can be applied to ensure our students are learning and safe. The research is in and technology is not increasing intelligence or learning. This session will be a rapid review of what will work and what does not work in the classroom and at home. 

Learn how to identify and adapt sacred music that is developmentally appropriate for elementary-aged students. Explore the stages of vocal development, warm-ups and exercises to strengthen choral technique, and resources for selecting age-appropriate sacred repertoire to support music instruction in your classroom.

Does your school's social media blend into the feed instead of standing out? In this session, Andrea Gribble, founder of #SocialSchool4EDU and a leader in K–12 social media storytelling, shares what's working right now to capture attention online. From Instagram Reels to weekly feature posts, you'll discover simple, practical strategies to showcase your students and staff in ways that genuinely connect with your community. Packed with real-life examples from schools—including CSCOE schools—you'll leave with fresh inspiration and ready-to-use ideas you can implement immediately to elevate your school's online presence.

Catholic schools are called to be communities where every student is known, valued, and welcomed. Drawing upon the life and witness of Blessed Dorothy Day and her commitment to radical hospitality, this session explores how Catholic schools can create communities where belonging becomes an intentional practice rather than simply an aspiration. 

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Participants will examine radical hospitality as a Catholic response to loneliness, isolation, and disconnection among students. Through the example of Dorothy Day, teachers and school leaders will consider practical ways to recognize students on the margins, strengthen relationships, and create school practices that communicate, “You belong here.” The session connects Catholic identity, belonging, and student mental health while providing practical strategies that educators can immediately apply in their schools.

Designed for preschool and early elementary educators, this hands-on presentation explores how fine motor development supports early academics, handwriting, self-care and everyday classroom tasks. Participants will learn practical occupational therapy strategies, sensory-motor techniques and engaging, low-cost activities that can easily be incorporated into classroom routines. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use tools and strategies to build fine motor skills and support student success.