Monday, September 30 – Wednesday October 2, 2024
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort

FIRST TIME ATTENDEES
Early Bird Pricing ~ Ends September 3

1 night: $300
2 nights: $300 (two nights for the price of one!)
Day only: $115

REGULAR ATTENDEES
Early Bird Pricing ~ Ends September 3

1 night: $300
2 nights: $400
Day only: $115

The annual School Leadership Conference is the must-attend event for private and independent school leaders throughout Minnesota. Whether you’re a new leader seeking to broaden your connections or a seasoned veteran in search of innovative ideas, this conference is tailor-made for you. Join us for a dynamic and collaborative experience that promises valuable insights and networking opportunities.

VIEW THE CONFERENCE AGENDA HERE

2024 Session Lineup

Session 1:
Dancing with the Board: Gracefully Managing Complex Footwork with Boards, Avoiding Stepping on Toes, and Knowing When to Lead
Ben Tierney, PhD, Owner & Lead Consultant, Tierney Consulting

Every school’s governance structure is unique. However, there are several critical practices that every board should develop and implement to ensure smooth operations and to maximize support for the school with limited and precious time and energy. If your board function, or lack thereof, keeps you up at night; if your spidey sense prickles as board meetings approach, or if you simply want to maximize time and talents of your board, this session is for you.

Ben brings more than two decades of educational experience as a teacher, principal, mentor and consultant to his work with schools. He has supported nearly 200 individual Catholic and independent schools, spanning diverse K-12 settings in areas including leadership development, organizational alignment, workshops, program design, and coaching. Ben holds a master’s and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota and has taught on the faculty in teacher education programs at both the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.

Session 2:

Mastering the Classroom: How Administrators Can Empower Classroom Management for Student Success
Cathy Tooley, Founder & CEO, Tools for Success

At the core of successful learning lies effective classroom management. It’s the bedrock upon which teaching and learning thrive. As administrators, it’s crucial for us to understand what constitutes a well-managed classroom and how we can best support our teachers in creating such environments.

In our upcoming session, we’ll explore the essential tools and strategies that promote effective classroom management. Together, we’ll identify the top 5 strategies that every teacher should know and implement to optimize instructional time and foster a conducive learning atmosphere.

Additionally, we’ll delve into the importance of maintaining an open-minded approach, free from personal biases or preconceptions. It’s vital that we create space for creativity in our classrooms, allowing teachers the freedom to innovate without judgment.

Lastly, we’ll discuss how to provide supportive guidance to teachers who may be facing challenges with classroom management. By setting clear expectations and offering uplifting support, we can empower our teachers to excel in creating nurturing learning environments for all students.

Cathy Tooley is the heart and soul behind Tools for Success, a company she created with the expertise of an accomplished K-12 educator and administrator. With a background as a high school English and Spanish teacher as well as a principal, Cathy’s journey in education spans over three decades. She holds a Bachelor’s in Education and dual degrees in Spanish and English Education from Marian College, as well as a Master of Education and Principal Licensure from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

Session 3:

Transform Your School: Eliminate Politics, Boost Morale, and Achieve Clarity
Casey Breen, Founder, Escale Advisors

Create a thriving school environment by removing politics and confusion. This seminar will show you how to elevate productivity, morale, and retention through practical, tangible steps. Even the smartest schools fail without organizational health, but a healthy school will always find success by harnessing all its talent. Achieving this requires courage and honesty from leaders willing to confront challenges head-on. We’ll explore the Four Disciplines crucial for leadership and introduce a simple tool to align your team—essential for the upcoming election season.

Casey Breen is the founder of Escale Advisors. He created the Escale Framework to make it easy and (relatively) fast for school and church leadership and their leadership teams. He has 25+ years in Fund Development, Capital Project Planning, Leadership, and Strategy Design & Execution roles. He also has 7+ years’ experience as trainer and facilitator, trained by pioneers such as Patrick Lencioni, Kevin Cashman, and Shannon Byrne Susk. Multiple models such as Dale Carnegie, EOS, the Rockefeller Principles, Metronomics Growth System, and The Advantage.

Session 4:

School Marketing Made Easy – Free Strategies to Attract & Retain Students
Andrea Gribble, Founder of #SocialSchool4EDU

Struggling with enrollment? Unsure how to compete with other education options? This session is your solution! Tailored for private and independent schools, discover free strategies to market your school effectively. Learn to utilize your existing resources to engage your community, enhance your school’s unique appeal, and drive enrollment. Dive into digital marketing, storytelling, and brand-building techniques that will set your school apart. Join us and turn your marketing efforts into success stories.

Andrea Gribble is an author, podcast host, and founder of #SocialSchool4EDU. Her mission is to help schools celebrate their students and staff and connect to their communities through social media. She is the author of “Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas for Celebrating Your Students & Staff – While Keeping Your Sanity” and hosts a weekly podcast, “Mastering Social Media for Schools.”

Session 5:

Geometry of a Leader
Joe Cavanaugh, Founder, Youth Frontiers

It’s a difficult time to be a leader. Really difficult. Yet, the need for character- driven leaders is greater than ever. The Geometry of a Leader (GOAL) offers a much-needed retreat for leaders to step back, connect and reflect on how to lead with character, especially when it’s hard. Participants will learn practical ways to be present to the people they serve, humble enough to solicit the wisdom of others and courageous enough to follow their vision despite the cost. They will leave the presentation inspired and empowered to confidently pursue their call to lead — and to make our community better for all.

In 1987, Joe founded Youth Frontiers (YF), a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that
provides experiences that inspire character, civility and community. YF has impacted more than 2 million youth, educators and community members and has received national acclaim because of its powerful programs. Joe also leads YF’s newest division, Leadership Frontiers, which focuses on inspiring character-driven leaders in all sectors.

Joe received his B.A. degree in humanities with a minor in philosophy from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where he also was given an Honorary Doctorate in 2016. He was also named Social Entrepreneur of the Year by Saint John’s in 2012. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Visitation School. Joe and his wife, Jane, live in Edina Minnesota. Their daughter, Tess, is attending the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota.