Administrators Leadership Conference 2020

                             July 8-10, 2020

Greetings in Christ Jesus! Like much of church ministry these days, the mission moves forward while the method of bringing the Gospel has had to adapt. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus, we are unable to meet as school leaders in the PSD at the Hyatt, Indian Wells, this summer. However, we intend to provide you with an excellent, relevant and practical conference online, in time for the 2020-21 school year. The new dates of the conference is July 8, 9 and 10.

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Our speakers, Dr. Jack Preus, Dr. Ryan Bredow, Michael Blacher, and Ron Van Blarcom, along with Bible Study leader Dr. Mary Fink, have prepared a virtual conference, based on your survey responses, that seeks to give you HOPE for the re-opening of our schools in a post COVID-19 world.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Bill Daggett for a one hour discussion on our new Rigor and Relevance Framework initiative. Dr. Daggett is the Founding Partner and Chairman for ICLE (International Center in Leadership and Education) and his system for effective instruction in Rigor and Relevance are the cornerstone of school improvement for many schools across the United States. We are excited to welcome this world-renowned expert to speak with us on Wednesday, July 8, at 1:00 p.m. 

Because of financial concerns, I have made the decision to offer this conference for $50 per participant. I know that you and our schools are facing uncertain times, but we have a God who is the same yesterday, today and will be forever! I look forward to ‘seeing you’ at the conference! Register soon! God be with you~Rachel Klitzing

Theme

H – Heritage (Ruth 1:16)

O – Opportunity (Prov. 16:9)

P – Promise (Deut. 31:8)

E – Excellence (Phil. 4:8-9)

Presenters

Dr. Jack Preus

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Dr. Jack Preus is an educational leader who has a passion for engaging teachers, school leaders, and institutions in advancing Christian education through innovation and by creating sustainable systems for student achievement and instructional improvement. Jack strives to leverage creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit to bring hope to students in some of the most under-served areas of our country.

Committed to this mission, he began his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator serving students at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, CA, while finishing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at UCLA.  In 2014, he joined Open Sky Education as the National Director of People Development working to support the team to advance its mission nationally by growing its school networks (HOPE Christian Schools and EAGLE College Prep public charter schools) as well as its Christian wraparound programs (Compass Educational Programs).

In addition to his work at Open Sky Education, he also works to advance this mission for children by participating in a variety of national speaking engagements and committees. Jack has been married to his wife, Anna, for 15 years and has three children, Ella (11), Jack (8) and Abigail (3). Jack and Anna are members of Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church in Gilbert, AZ.

Dr. Ryan Bredow

It is a great joy to be in my 17th year serving in Christian education. I currently serve as Assistant Vice President for K12 Educational Development at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. I am very excited to be a part of this team in support of the GCU mission, and championing the cause of growing & promoting Christian education at all levels.

Prior to accepting this role in the summer of 2018, I spent 15 years serving in a variety of roles in Christian high schools, notably as a teacher, basketball coach, admissions director, and marketing director. My family and I feel forever fortunate to have served alongside so many great people during that time, the first 12 years of which were in Colorado and 3 years most recently in Wisconsin.

Outside the office, I love speaking and consulting with leaders and organizations around the country in the name of growth & promotion strategies, enhanced branding & marketing considerations, and related funding model innovations.

A 2003 graduate of Concordia University Nebraska, I hold a master's degree in Marketing specializing in Entrepreneurship from the University of Colorado at Denver, as well as a doctorate degree in Education from GCU, focused on Organizational Leadership & Development. My wife of 16 years (Rachel), myself, and our three young children (Bella, Bo, & Bryce) reside in Gilbert, Arizona.

Dr. Bill Daggett 

Bill Daggett, Ed.D., Founder and Chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE), is recognized worldwide for his proven ability to move PreK-12 educations systems toward more rigorous and relevant skills and knowledge for all students. For 25 years, he has crisscrossed our nation as well as the industrialized world, to lead school reform efforts to effectively prepared students for their futures.

Dr. Daggett's System for Effective Instruction and Rigor/Relevance Framework are the cornerstone of many school improvement efforts throughout the United States, and hist powerful keynote messages help his audience challenge assumptions about the purposes, benefits, and effectiveness of current practices.

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Before founding and now serving as Chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education, Dr. Daggett was a teacher, local administrator, and a director with the New York State Educational Department.

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Michael Blacher, Partner & Chair of LCW’s Private Education Practice Group

Michael represents educational institutions in all aspects of labor, employment, and education law. Michael often advises boards on governance and other issues, including updates to bylaws. He works extensively on contractual matters such as employment and enrollment agreements as well as employee and student handbooks.

Michael regularly presents at the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Trustee/Head of School conference, the National Association of Independent School (NAIS) annual conference, and the National Business Officer (NBOA) annual meeting.

Ronald A. Van Blarcom

Ron Van Blarcom has been a practicing California lawyer for over 30 years and, since 2009, he has served as in-house General Counsel to Concordia University Irvine CA.

Ron has spent significant time advising governing boards and management staff on general legal matters relating to contracts, finances, personnel issues and regulatory compliance. In service to the University, he has been directly involved in Title IX, discrimination and religious freedom issues. He is no stranger to litigation, and earlier in his career he represented both plaintiffs and defendants in numerous lawsuits. He is counsel of record in two reported California Appellate Court cases.

Ron is a graduate of Concordia University Irvine (BA 1983) and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco CA (JD 1986).

Ron does not hesitate to share his legal expertise by serving on committees, speaking to various groups, writing articles for publication and teaching. He began teaching in 1988 at Concordia University Irvine CA. From 1994-2006 he also taught at Chapman University in Orange CA. During his career, he has taught legal concepts to well over 1,000 students at both the masters and undergraduate levels.

Dr. Mary Fink, Bible Study Leader

Mary currently serves the Savior as principal of Bethany Lutheran School in Long Beach.  She is an alum of three Concordias:  Seward, Irvine and Chicago, and a Van Lunen Fellow.  Mary is a proud wife to Bethany’s DCE, Karl. Their sons Ryan and Jacob and their daughters-in-law Jessica and Mallory are also educators.   Mary is passionate about the blessings of a Lutheran Christian education and delights in reminding staff and students that their identity is found in Christ and His saving work.

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Wednesday, July 8

Schedule

9:00 am:  Bible Study, led by Dr. Mary Fink, Bethany Lutheran, Long Beach

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10:30 am:  Hindsight is 2020, led by Michael Blacher, Lawyer with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

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1:00 pm: Rigor & Relevance Framework, led by Dr. Bill Daggett, Founder and Chairman, ICLE

Thursday, July 9

9:00 am:  Bible Study, led by Dr. Mary Fink, Bethany Lutheran, Long Beach

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10:30 am: "Mission-driven leadership in challenging times" led by Dr. Jack Preus and Dr. Ryan Bredow
(as selected by the Early Childhood leaders, but presented for ALL administrators)

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1:00 pm: "Building more robust online academic systems and processes" led by Dr. Jack Preus and Dr. Ryan Bredow
(as selected by the K-12 leaders, but presented for ALL administrators)

Friday, July 10

9:00 am:  Bible Study, led by Dr. Mary Fink, Bethany Lutheran, Long Beach

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10:30 am:  Legal Issues Pertaining to Opening Pacific Southwest District Schools, led by Ron Van Blarcom, General Counsel, Concordia University, Irvine 

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Each session will last approximately an hour

Program

Topic: “Hindsight is 2020: What We Didn’t See Coming This Year!” 

Description: The COVID-19 pandemic is having an immense and wide-ranging impact on schools, their employees, students, and families.  Schools are now planning for the fall and trying to balance the inevitable risks that accompany a return to the classroom.  We will cover some of the most pressing issues facing schools and search for answers together.  And then, we will be reminded that the world still turns and other problems and opportunities exist.  We will discuss recent cases and statutes that every school should consider when not focused on the pandemic.

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Topic: "Mission-driven Leadership in Challenging Times" (as selected by the Early Childhood leaders) 

"Building More Robust Online Academic Systems and Processes" (as selected by the K12 leaders)

Description: In each of these sessions, Jack and Ryan will be framing and hosting a discussion, gleaning insights from other selected respected leaders in these areas. The goal is for leaders to leave feeling encouraged and H.O.P.E. filled, with tangible takeaways and practical tools that can be considered for each school's respective context. 

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Topic:  "Legal Issues Pertaining to Reopening Pacific Southwest Schools"

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While these sessions were selected by leaders from sub-groups, all sessions are appropriate for ALL leaders: leaders of preschools, elementary schools and high schools, pastors and board leaders. 

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