Explore practical, hands-on strategies for leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to personalize the learning experience for every student. This session will provide educators with tangible methods for utilizing AI tools to both support struggling learners and provide enriching challenges for advanced students, enabling true differentiated instruction within the classroom.

Catholic schools often articulate strong beliefs about the dignity of the human person, formation of the whole child, mercy, belonging, and care for those entrusted to us. But how consistently are those beliefs reflected in the actual practices of our schools? Drawing from "A Light Unto My Path: A Model of Accompaniment for Fostering Mental Wellness," this interactive session will help Catholic school leaders move from what we believe to what we actually do. Participants will examine core institutional beliefs grounded in Catholic identity and consider how those beliefs should shape schoolwide, classroom, and student-support practices. 

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Using an assessment and reflection process, leaders will identify practices already aligned with their institutional beliefs, uncover gaps between beliefs and current practice, and determine realistic areas for growth. Rather than introducing another mental health “program,” the session focuses on creating a coherent, systemic approach in which Catholic identity informs how the school supports student mental wellness. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of their school’s current strengths, areas requiring attention, and practical next steps for building a culture of accompaniment that supports the mental wellness of every student.

Find a path from burnout to greater balance, joy and abundance. Drawing from the Rule of St. Benedict and the lives of the saints, participants will explore practical steps Catholic educators can apply to the demands of modern life. Attendees will leave with meaningful strategies for navigating a screen-saturated, always-productive culture with greater intention and balance.

Fostering a strong Catholic culture is essential to the mission of every Catholic school, yet it can be challenging in today's increasingly secular society. This session explores practical ways to encourage participation in parish life and form disciples by strengthening the faith lives of teachers, students, and families. Through real examples, attendees will discover ideas for formation, programming, and facilities that have helped cultivate a thriving Catholic culture and deepen engagement in both the school and parish community.

Challenge advanced learners without adding extensive prep to your day. Participants will explore practical differentiation strategies using formative assessment, student choice, enrichment, acceleration and authentic problem-solving to keep gifted students engaged, curious and academically challenged. Attendees will leave with concrete ideas and resources that fit within existing instructional structures and support gifted students in reaching their full potential.

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*This session meets Minnesota state licensure requirements. 

In his recent letter marking the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on Christian Education, Gravissimum educationis, Pope Leo XIV reminded Catholic educators that they are “called to a responsibility that goes beyond the work contract: their witness has the same value as their lessons”. Contemplative Leadership (Schuttloffel, 1999) provides a framework for Catholic school leaders to answer Pope Leo’s call to evangelical witness by approaching their leadership as an exercise of their Christian discipleship. This session is for current and aspiring Catholic school leaders who desire to allow their leadership practice to be animated by a lively Catholic faith. Drawing on the principles of Contemplative Leadership, the Church’s vision for Catholic education, and the concrete realities of school life, participants will leave with a framework for reflecting on the real challenges and opportunities before them and responding with an intentional and contemplative approach.

As a school, how do you on-board parents? How do you norm parents? How do you educate and empower parents? Join Ted as he shares his research and process for supporting parents and positive relationships in your school. He will model parenting education sessions and tools to support communication.

This session is designed for educators, instructional coaches, and school leaders who already have foundational knowledge of multilingual learner instruction and are ready to deepen their practice. Participants will move beyond basic strategies to explore how intentional language development can accelerate academic achievement across content areas.

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Through real-world classroom examples and collaborative analysis, attendees will strengthen their understanding of Tier 1, 2, and 3 vocabulary instruction, develop meaningful language objectives aligned to content goals, and learn how to use WIDA proficiency levels to create student language profiles that inform instructional decisions. Participants will also examine ways to differentiate tasks and supports while maintaining high expectations and rigorous learning opportunities for all students.

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Educators will leave with practical tools, actionable strategies, and a clearer framework for designing instruction that advances both language development and academic success.

Digital accessibility matters — but what does meeting WCAG 2.1 AA standards actually look like for a school? This practical session explores simple, actionable steps to make websites and social media more accessible, including alt text, captions, color contrast, graphics, and videos. Learn how accessibility extends beyond a website to all of a school's content, and leave with a clear plan and practical next steps that can be implemented right away.

Build a strong foundation for social, emotional and behavioral development during the critical early childhood years. Participants will explore common concerns in young learners, practical strategies for fostering resilience and emotional regulation, and the important role schools play in early identification and intervention. Attendees will gain strategies to support children’s long-term academic, behavioral and mental health outcomes.​

Explore purposeful counting experiences that strengthen students' developing number sense through choral counting routines and counting collections. Learn how these instructional practices support number composition and decomposition, place value understanding, flexible thinking, and mathematical discourse. Through hands-on activities, discussion, and classroom applications, discover strategies that help students recognize patterns, make sense of quantity and operations, and strengthen mathematical reasoning.

Explore financial support programs from Child Care Aware of Minnesota designed to invest in and strengthen the early childhood workforce. Participants will learn about opportunities including the TEACH Scholarship, TEACH Apprenticeship, REETAIN Bonus, Foreign Credential Evaluation Scholarship and CDA Award. Attendees will leave with practical information on eligibility and resources to support professional growth, reduce educational costs, and strengthen educator recruitment and retention.

Explore the skills necessary for strong reading development through a developmental lens. Gain S.M.A.R.T. insights and strategies that encourage and enhance reading readiness using lively physiological- and neurological-based activities, movement, and instruction to help grow your youngest readers.

Build confidence in asking probing donor questions through a fun, interactive session featuring entertaining role-play. Learn how building rapport and trust with donors helps uncover philanthropic goals that align with your school's priorities, and hear firsthand perspectives from a CSCOE principal and a donor about their donor visit experiences.

This session explores how Mississippi transformed its literacy outcomes, rising from near the bottom of national rankings to eighth in fourth-grade reading in 2024. Participants will look beyond the “Mississippi Miracle” to examine more than two decades of intentional planning, policy and sustained literacy reform. Attendees will gain insight into the key strategies behind Mississippi’s progress and how this approach can be replicated to improve literacy outcomes.

What if your next major gift started not with an ask, but with an invitation? This session explores how donor-centered relationship building, grounded in trust, gratitude, and genuine connection, drives a sustainable major gifts program. Learn how effective stewardship begins the moment a gift is received, discover strategies to strengthen donor relationships and retention, and leave with a plan for cultivating your top donors and moving them toward transformational giving.

Bring fresh energy to PE with simple, fun games and activities that can be used with students of all ages. Participants will explore creative ways to combine multiple PE standards into a single activity and learn practical differentiation strategies that help every student participate, build skills and experience success.

Turn small-group instruction into targeted support that meets students where they are. Participants will explore how to use classroom data to identify students who may benefit from additional support, form purposeful groups and implement targeted interventions within an inclusive classroom. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for planning small-group instruction, monitoring progress and adjusting support based on student needs.

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*This session meets Minnesota state licensure requirements. 

Every empty seat represents both a financial cost and a missed opportunity for mission. This facilitated discussion invites Catholic school leaders to explore the balance between tuition, financial aid, and enrollment growth through honest conversation and shared experiences. Together, participants will examine the true cost of an unfilled seat, challenge assumptions, and reflect on how pricing and financial aid decisions align with both mission and long-term sustainability.

Designed for Catholic school leaders balancing enrollment and marketing alongside many other responsibilities, this session offers practical, high-impact strategies to engage prospective families without adding significant time or resources. Participants will explore how to strengthen the enrollment journey, create events that inspire action and build a consistent digital presence. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use tools, including an enrollment friction audit, open house planning and follow-up template, and digital presence quick-start guide.