Rooted in Culture, Rising in Success: Join Us for the 2025 Leadership in Education Conference
What to Expect
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Northwestern College’s Graduate & Professional Studies Division is proud to host the annual Leadership in Education Conference, themed Rooted in Culture, Rising in Success. This full-day professional development event (8:20 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.) brings together K–12 leaders, administrators, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders for a day of inspiration, strategy, and networking.
Why This Conference Matters Now
The educational landscape is changing quickly. From the growing importance of school culture to the rise of AI, data use, inclusive practices, and crisis leadership, leaders need more than theory, they need practical strategies grounded in real challenges. This conference is designed to bridge that gap.
By focusing on culture, behavior systems, AI and data, and leadership in adversity, the conference offers a well-rounded set of sessions that help you lead in today’s context while equipping you for tomorrow.
Featured Speakers & Sessions
Keynote: The Power of a Positive Culture — Dr. Jared Smith
Dr. Smith, Superintendent of Waterloo Community Schools, will open with a dynamic talk about how a strong culture underpins successful organizations. You’ll leave with concrete ideas for reinforcing a positive climate in your school or district.
He also leads two breakout sessions:
- Culture-Building for Leaders: strategies for administrators to model and sustain culture
- Culture-Building for All: how every staff member can contribute to a culture of respect and collaboration
More breakout sessions you won’t want to miss:
- Positive Approach to Student Success (PASS): Terry Hemann & Jackie Christensen present a behavior support model that integrates individualized instruction and data-driven coaching.
- Reaching All Students: Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Dr. Heather Hayes and Ashley Stanislav focus on inclusive strategies that meet the full range of learners.
- Administrative Uses of AI–Maximizing the Power of Data: Sandy Groom-Meeks will dive into how AI tools can support decision making, pattern recognition, and freeing leaders from data overload.
- Shared Instructional Leadership: Lessons from Experience: Jill Hulshoff and Chelsey Kurtzleben will share stories and mindsets behind distributed leadership in schools
- Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom–The Next Chapter: Practical use of AI in instruction, assessments, student support, and ethical considerations.
- Leadership Lessons Learned in a Trying Year: District leaders from Rock Valley (Matt Van Voorst, Noah DeYager, Nicole Roder) will reflect on crisis leadership following severe flooding and what it taught them about resilience, adaptability, and community.
- Closing Session: Creating a Culture of Excellence: Matt McCarty (Northwestern’s head football coach) will tie together themes of leadership, culture, and sustainable success.
What You’ll Walk Away With
- Actionable strategies you can apply immediately in your school or district
- Stronger understanding of how to harness culture as a lever for improvement
- Fresh perspectives on AI, data, and inclusive practices
- Insight into leading under pressure and in uncertain times
- Networking with fellow leaders, sharing challenges, ideas, and encouragement
Who Should Attend
This conference is ideal for:
- Building-level administrators (principals, assistant principals)
- District leaders and curriculum directors
- Instructional coaches or leaders responsible for culture or professional learning
- Aspiring administrators or teacher leaders looking to expand their leadership capacity
Logistics & Registration Reminder
Don’t forget: Registration closes October 15. Be sure to explore add-on credit options (license renewal, graduate credit, or micro-credential) when you register.
If you have questions, you can reach out to the Graduate & Professional Studies office at gpsevents@nwciowa.edu or 712-707-7388.
