Two Opportunities for Educators

The Missouri District is blessed to be able to hold two education-based conferences in the coming months. The first is our Educators’ Conference, taking place November 22-23, 2021 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark. The theme is “Remember What Hasn’t Changed”. One thing COVID-19 hasn’t changed is the calling God has for us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him, based on Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Andrew McPeak is the keynote speaker. Amongst many things related to research and communication, McPeak is known for co-authoring “Marching off the Map” and “Generation Z Unfiltered”. Utilizing insights gained from the latest research and personal stories of successful leaders across the country, “Generation Z Unfiltered” helps adults understand how to best connect with today’s youngest population and how to lead them through the nine greatest challenges they will face in the 21st century. Educators will learn how to understand and connect with this generation which can sometimes be frustrating and draining.

The Educators’ Conference has a unique approach this year. Most are registered to attend in person, but for those who couldn’t make the trip or prefer to remain virtual, there are Zoom sessions for even more across the state to join in. “While in person gathering and fellowship is a huge blessing, we also understand that some may need to still be virtual at this time,” explains Alan Freeman, Assistant to the President: Schools, “We are happy and blessed to be able to adapt and engage so many educators this year and are excited to share Andrew McPeak’s research and guidance to those across Missouri.”

And finally, there is a Mid-Year Administrators’ Conference on January 28, 2022. This event will be held at Campus Lutheran in Columbia, and will feature speaker John Dize, CRFE. Dize is a consultant and fundraising coach to schools, churches, and other Christ-based non-profits, working with small and large organizations to start advancement programs, resurrect lapsed programs, and fill interim needs during times of transition. He will be discussing “The SGO Tax Credit: A Catalyst for Philanthropy at your Lutheran School”. And while the SGO system and final guidelines are not yet finalized, there are universal best practices for fundraising. Dize will share best practices developed over his years of experience, and how SGO efforts were a catalyst for Lutheran schools to initiate a deliberate, systematic fundraising program.