AGenda

Theme: "Overflowing Grace: Nourishing Teachers with Living Water"  

Verse reference - John 4:13-14

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Conference Host: St. Croix Lutheran Academy

• Conference Evaluation (Link goes live during last sectional)
  Link to clock hours for the full conference is shown after you submit the evaluation form. If you attended only Thursday or Friday please see a MNDLTC member.

7:45 - 8:20 - Coffee & Water Served at St. Croix Lutheran Academy

7:45 - 8:20 - Registration and Fellowship

8:30 - 9:45 - Opening Worship with Communion 

9:45 - 10:00 - Welcoming to the Conference and Announcements

• Ryan Klatt, MNDLTC Chairman

• Nate Kallies - Principal, St. Croix Lutheran Academy

10:00 - 10:20 - Break (Snacks) 

10:20 - 11:30 - Educational Keynotes:

• Birth - Gr 3 - '"The Power of Early Recognition: Proactive Approaches to Identifying and Supporting Children with Disabilities" (Professor Kelli Green, Martin Luther College)  Chapel

• All - "Why you? Why me? Thank you, Jesus, for the privilege and the pleasure!" (Dr. Cindy Whaley, Martin Luther College) Auditorium

11:30 - 11:45 - Break

11:45 - 12:15 - New Business - Reports & Elections (Chapel) 

• Pastor Dennis Klatt, MN District President

• Professor Ben Clemens, MLC Graduate Studies & Continuing Education

• Nominations Committee - Christ, North St. Paul

1:15 - 2:15 - Sectional #1 

1. ALL - "Soul Care” (Amber Albee Swenson, Time of Grace) 301

2. ALL - “Reducing Negativity: Eliminating Thought Circles and Tornadoes“ (Kevin Brennan, Director of Top 20 Schools) Auditorium

3. ALL - “Maximizing your WELS Shepherd Plan“ (Gabe Smith and Michael Lendt, Hahn Financial Group) Band Room

4. ALL - “A Christians Response to Climate Change“ (Dr. Kevin Peil)  207

5. ALL - “AI for Beginners” (Michael Plocher, St. Paul's Lutheran School, New Ulm) 408

6. ECE - "Step-by-Step: Early Identification & Intervention" (Prof. Kelli Green, Martin Luther College) 302

7. ECE - "Active Learning for Active Learners" (Prof. Jennifer Mehlberg, Martin Luther College) Chapel

8. ECE - "Process vs. Product Art: What are the benefits?" (Professor Kayte Gut, Martin Luther College) 107

9. Leadership/Marketing - PART 1 - “From the Ground Up: Building a Marketing Strategy for Your School“ (Dana Kirchoff, Founder of Blueprint Schools) 404

10. Gr K-5 - “The Reading Formula: Integrating the Science of Reading for Student Success” (Jessica Klatt, Amplify Education) Choir Room

11. Gr K-8 - "Don’t I Just Need to Know the Answer?" (Dr. James Carlovsky, Martin Luther College)  202

12. Gr K-12 - "ABCs of Classroom Management" (Professor Ben Clemons, Martin Luther College)  306

13. Gr 4-8 - “Seven No-Fail Creative Writing Tips” (Mary I. Schmal, retired educator and auther & Leanne R. Ross, Wisconsin Lutheran High School) 111

14. Gr 6-12 - “Demystifying the Mystery of 'Good Writing'” (Dr. Susan Decker, Martin Luther College) 310

15. Gr 6-8 - “MS Art - Projects & Ideas from a Young Teacher” (Anna Biedenbender, St. Croix Lutheran Academy) 104

16. Gr 6-12 - "Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics" (Jonathan Huebner, St. Croix Lutheran Academy) 113

17. Gr 6-12 - "Intentionally Bringing Jesus to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Classroom" (James Hahm, West Lutheran High School) 110

2:15 - 2:35 - Break & Snacks

2:35 - 3:35 - Sectional #2

1. ALL - “Noah's Ark“ (Dr. Kevin Peil)  Choir Room

2. ALL - “AI in Education - A Deeper Look” (Michael Plocher, St. Paul's Lutheran School, New Ulm)  408

3. ALL - "Establishing Realizations, Identifying Relevancy, and Developing Star Qualities" (Kevin Brennan, Director of Top 20 Schools) 113

4. ALL  - “Developing Dispositions for Lifelong Learning: Cultivating Curiosity, Resilience, and a Growth Mindset” (Dr. James Carlovsky, Martin Luther College) Auditorium

5. ECE - "Active Learning for Active Learners" (Prof. Jennifer Mehlberg, Martin Luther College) 111

6. ECE - “Trauma Reactions Don't Wait Until After School“ (Christine Unruh, Christian Families Solutions) Band Room

7. ECE - "Process vs. Product Art: What are the benefits?" (Professor Kayte Gut, Martin Luther College) 107

8. Gr PK-5 - “The Reading Formula: Integrating the Science of Reading for Student Success” (Jessica Klatt, Amplify Education) 302

9. Gr K-8 - “Empowering Students with ADHD: Tiered Intervention & Supports” (Prof. Kelli Green, Martin Luther College) Chapel

10. Gr K-8 - “Hands-On Music for the Classroom” (Elizabeth Tiedemann, Resurrection Lutheran School, Rochester)  412

11. Gr K-12 - "I Believe" (Professor Ben Clemons, Martin Luther College) 306

12. Gr 1-3 - "Tech Tools and Websites for the Lower Grades" (Tiffany Mateske, Resurrection Lutheran School, Rochester) 202

13. Gr 3-8 - "Junior Choir Reading Session" (Dr. Jeremy S. Bakken, Northwestern Publishing House) 403

14. Gr 4-8 - “Seven No-Fail Creative Writing Tips” (Mary I. Schmal, retired educator and auther & Leanne R. Ross, Wisconsin Lutheran High School) 204

15. Gr 6-12 - “Flip Your Bible” (Steve Gurgel, West Lutheran High School) 301

16. Gr 6-12 - “Middle and Secondary English Teacher Round Table Discussion" (Karyn Clemons, Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School) 310

17.  Leadership/Marketing - PART 2 - “From the Ground Up: Building a Marketing Strategy for Your School“ (Dana Kirchoff, Founder of Blueprint Schools) 404

18. ECE / Admin - "Beginning a Time for Tots Ministry in Your Congregation" (Kari Hahm, West Lutheran High School) 110

3:35 - 3:45 - Transition Time

3:45 - 4:15 - Business: 

• WELS Commission on District Schools, ECE Director Cindi Holman

• District Schools Coordinator, Dave Gartner; ECE District Coordinator, LaShawn Smith

• Committees: 

  1. Resolutions - St. Paul's, New Ulm

  2. Nominations - Christ, North St. Paul

  3. Auditing - Trinity, Nicollet 

4:15 - 4:30 - Devotion (Chapel)

EVENING SOCIAL (Whirlyball) 6-10 p.m.  

• Pizza Buffet (6-7 p.m.) pizza, garden salad & bread sticks, 2 drink tickets p/p, unlimited soda, coffee, tea & water

• Included: Games (7-10 p.m.) Bowling, whirlyball, laser tag

8:30 - 8:50 - Devotion - (Chapel)

8:50 - 10:00 - Religious Keynote (Chapel):

•  All - “Joyful Always?” (Pastor David Barkow, Christ the Lord, Cottage Grove) 

10:00 - 10:20 - Break

10:20 - 11:20 - Sectional #3

1. ALL - “Complete Joy!” (Pastor David Barkow, Christ the Lord, Cottage Grove) Auditorium

2. ALL - “A Christians Response to Climate Change“ (Dr. Kevin Peil) 207

3. ALL - "Maximizing Your Female Minister of the Gospel Status" (Gabe Smith and Michael Lend, Hahn Financial Group) Choir Room

4. ECE - Licensure Q & A (Heidi Meyer, St. Paul's Lutheran School, New Ulm) 310

5. ECE - "Parents as Partners" (Professor Kayte Gut, Martin Luther College) 107

6. Pre-K-Gr 3 - "Learning in Motion" (Alli Dorn, Salem Lutheran School, Stillwater) Gym

7. Gr K-2 - “Re-Thinking Math Instruction” (Kayla Becker, Cross of Christ, Coon Rapids) 111

8. Gr K-5 - "Structured vs. Balanced Literacy" (Ashley Lund, The Reading Center of MN) 110

9. Gr K-8 “Exploring Technology in the Elementary Classroom” (Adrienne Bengel, Holy Trinity Lutheran Academy, New Hope)  306

10. Gr K-8 - "Evidence-Based Practices for Behavior: Tiered Intervention & Supports" (Prof. Kelli Green, Martin Luther College) 302

11. Gr K-12- "Building Resiliency" (Christine Unruh, Christian Families Solutions) 301

12. Gr 2-6 "Making Music Class Fun: Inspiring Students to Sing, Play, and Learn!" (Dr. Kurt Cereske) 102

13. Gr 5-8 - "Adding to Your History Teaching Toolbox" (Eric Kaesermann, St. Paul's Lutheran School, Arlington) 113

14. Choir Directors - "Adult Choir Reading Session" (Dr. Jeremy S. Bakken, Northwestern Publishing House) 403

15. Leadership - “The Organizational Building Blocks of a Thriving Christian School“ (Dana Kirchoff, Founder of Blueprint Schools) 404

16. Administrators 5-12 - "Bullying & Harassment" (Sam Nelson, Nelson Law, PLLC) 204

11:30 - 11:45 - Concluding Business (Chapel) 

• Resolutions (St. Paul's, New Ulm)

  • 2024 Offering: 

  • 2024 Appreciation: 

  • 2025 Location: Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN

  • 2025 MNDLTC Dates: Oct. 16-17

2026 — Oct. 15-16

2027 — Oct. 21-22

• • 2025 Committees: Nominations - St. John - RWF, Resolutions - PLS - GFW, Auditing - St. John's - Red Wing 

• Conference Evaluation (Link goes live during last sectional) - Link to clock hours for the full conference is shown after you submit the evaluation form. If you attended only Thursday or Friday please see a MNDLTC member.

11:45 - 12:00 - Closing Devotion (Chapel) 

12:00 - 12:30 pm - Lunch for Licensure Attendees 

12:30 - 2:30 pm - Optional Post-Conference Licensure Class 1 -
Reading Preparation including English Language and Multilingual Learners (Dr. Cindy Whaley, Martin Luther College)

2:45 - 4:45 pm - Optional Post-Conference Licensure Class 2 -
Curriculum Accommodations and PBIS (Dr. Cindy Whaley, Martin Luther College)