Collaborative Conversations: Equipping and Empowering Christian EdLeaders

In this episode of Collaborative Conversations podcast, hosts Joanna and Angela sit down with Chad Peters, Head of School at United Christian Academy, to talk about leading in a constantly changing world. Chad shares what it took to bring three separate schools together into one, the adaptive challenge every Christian school is facing right now (staying rooted in mission while everything else shifts fast), and how his staff walked through a hard season of loss last year by praying over the building every Monday morning. He also talks about the shift in his own approach with students, moving from asking "how are you feeling" to asking "who are you going to bless today?" The conversation sets up The Collaborative's November 12 EdLeader Event featuring Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains, whose Lewis and Clark metaphor for adaptive leadership runs through the whole episode.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger. Download the Collaborative Book Club Guide!
• Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier.
• Register for the November 12 EdLeader Collaborative Event featuring Tod Bolsinger: BeacollaboratorNovember 12 - EdLeader Collaborative - The Collaborative

• beacollaborator.com/events

In this mini episode of Collaborative Conversations, Joanna sits down with Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains and co-founder and principal of AE Sloan Leadership. He previews what he'll share at The Collaborative's November 12 EdLeader Event, Leadership in a Constantly Changing World. Tod explains how his own church's numbers kept climbing while morale kept sinking, which led him to adaptive leadership and to Lewis and Clark's moment at Lemhi Pass, where the canoes that got them there were useless against the mountains ahead. He names the traps that good leaders fall into: trying to outwork the problem, trying to keep everyone happy, and trying to win every argument. He also describes adaptive leadership as a practice of discernment, where a school asks what is so central to its calling that it must be preserved, and what it can let go to protect it. Tod closes with a practice leaders can start right away, called "getting on the balcony," and he makes the case with a middle school dance chaperone.

 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger
• How Not to Waste a Crisis: Quit Trying Harder by Tod Bolsinger, from the Practicing Change Series. It runs about 70 pages and is also available as an audiobook.
• AE Sloan Leadership
• Register for the November 12 EdLeader Collaborative Event featuring Tod Bolsinger
• beacollaborator.com/events

Before November 12: Download the Collaborative Book Club Guide to start thinking through the ideas ahead of the event. Tod also suggests naming the one problem at your school that keeps coming back no matter how hard you try.

What if fundraising was less about asking for money and more about inviting people into meaningful partnership?In this episode of Collaborative Conversations, Amanda Kopischke and Joanna talk with Larry Chinn, Development Director at New Life Academy, about what it takes to build a lasting culture of generosity in a Christian school.Drawing on 20 years of fundraising experience, Larry shares why generosity is ultimately about relationships, impact, and discipleship. He offers practical ways development leaders can bring boards, school leaders, teachers, families, and even students into the work, from sharing stories of impact to introducing generosity during the admissions process. He also explains why an annual fund can be a powerful starting point for schools that are just beginning to develop a culture of giving.

Along the way, Larry challenges the idea that fundraising is simply "asking for money." Instead, he encourages leaders to give people opportunities to participate in work they care about, show them the difference their generosity makes, and trust them to decide how they want to respond.And for leaders who still feel hesitant about making the ask? Larry shares the advice that has stayed with him throughout his career: Just ask.

Resources & References Mentioned:

• New Life Academy
• New Life Academy Annual Fund
• Dalat International School
• Biblica
• Jerold "Jerry" Panas, fundraising leader and author Larry credits with the advice to "just ask"
• The Moves Management Manual, coauthored by Jerry Panas
• Sunshine Coffee Co. in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, Larry's local coffee recommendation
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park, another Larry recommendation

How can Christian schools help new families feel welcomed, known, and truly connected before the first day of school ever begins? In this episode of Collaborative Conversations, Angela and Joanna sit down with Ria Thurston, Director of Admissions at Concordia Academy and Kelsey Cocchiarella, Director of Admissions and International Enrollment, to talk about creating an onboarding experience rooted in belonging, hospitality, and intentional connection. Ria and Kelsey share practical ways their team welcomes new students and families, from thoughtful communication through Beacon Beginnings emails to high-energy events like registration night, Beacon Kickoff, and first-day welcome crews. They also discuss how student ambassadors, teachers, coaches, family life groups, and the Beacon Block help ensure students are seen, known by name, and connected early.

Inspired by the idea of Unreasonable Hospitality, this conversation explores how schools can welcome new families with intentionality, belonging, and thoughtful surprise-and-delight moments.

In this episode of Collaborative Conversations, Amanda, Angela, and Joanna take a moment to reflect on where The Collaborative began, how God has been at work, and what is ahead for Christian EdLeaders.

What started in 2020 as a simple desire to gather Christian school leaders has grown into a broader community committed to connection, shared resources, professional development, and the belief that we are stronger together than we are alone. In this conversation, the team shares the heart behind The Collaborative, recent growth in member schools and shared services, and the encouraging ways leaders are engaging across the community. You’ll also hear what is coming next, including upcoming events, mastermind opportunities, monthly podcasts, Lunch and Learns, CEU resources, and new ways The Collaborative is continuing to serve and strengthen Christian schools.

Whether you have been part of The Collaborative since the beginning or are just getting to know this community, this episode is an invitation to pause, celebrate God’s faithfulness, and look ahead with hope.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

The Collaborative Events: beacollaborator.com/events

The Collaborative Mastermind: beacollaborator.com/mastermind

The Collaborative Impact Report: Beacollaboratorbeacollaborator.com/mp-files/2025-2026-c...

Member School Information: beacollaborator.com/member-schools/ 

August 6 Event Registration: beacollaborator.com/events/the-collaborative-edleader-event-august-6-2026/ 

Dr. Jodi’s Afternoon Session: beacollaborator.com/event/august-6-general-ed-teacher-training-member-school-only/

Member Dashboard / Shared Resources: beacollaborator.com/member-dashboard/

What makes a teacher stay (and thrive!) beyond year one?

In this episode, we launch our monthly theme, The Warm Welcome: Designing a First Year That Keeps Great Teachers, alongside our guest, Peter Welle, Director of Teaching & Learning at Southwest Christian High School. Hosts Joanna and Amanda explore how intentional onboarding and people-first leadership can shape the future of your staff and your school.

Drawing from a recent Collaborative conversation, Peter shares what it looks like to truly care for your people, from customized development to building systems that support rather than overwhelm new team members. You will hear practical insights on how strong first-year experiences lead to better communication, deeper alignment, and long-term retention.

One key idea we return to is this: when we design with people in mind, we do not just improve operations. We strengthen culture.

As you listen, consider where your first-year experience might be falling short and what small shifts could create a more welcoming, life-giving start for your teachers.

And if you want to learn more about the work of the collaborative, please head to beacollaborator.com. Until next time, keep learning, leading, and collaborating.

What does it look like for a Christian school to practice “unreasonable hospitality”? In this episode of Collaborative Conversations, Joanna sits down with Christian school leader, author, and speaker Jim McKenzie to explore how schools can move beyond excellent service and create cultures where students, families, and staff truly feel seen, valued, and cared for.

Drawing inspiration from the book Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, Jim shares why hospitality is not just a business principle, but a deeply Christian practice rooted in the example of Jesus. Together, they discuss practical ways schools can build intentional, repeatable systems of care that shape school culture and strengthen community.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Why hospitality is about how people feel, not just what we do
• How Christian schools can embody their mission through everyday interactions
• Jim’s “Always, If, Wow” framework for creating meaningful experiences
• A powerful story of a student who simply “needed a win”
• Why every role in a school can contribute to a culture of hospitality

Whether you are a head of school, teacher, admissions leader, or support staff member, this episode offers practical encouragement and fresh vision for serving your school community with intentionality and grace.

If you want to hear more, join us August 6, 2026 in Minneapolis at our upcoming event featuring Jim!

In this episode, Joanna and Angela sit down with David Hoffner, Director of the Office of Faith Formation at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, to explore what faithful, grounded leadership development looks like in Christian schools.David brings a rare blend of pastoral depth, academic rigor, and practical wisdom to the conversation. He shares how his leadership style has evolved over nearly two decades at Minnehaha, what he looks for when identifying leadership potential in teachers and staff, and why he believes every teacher is already a school leader whether they hold that title or not.You'll hear him reflect on the biblical principles that shape how he leads, the habits that sustain him, and the advice that has stayed with him since his very first year in the classroom.This is the kind of iron-sharpens-iron conversation The Collaborative exists to create.

Learn more about The Collaborative's Mastermind, a leadership community built for Christian EdLeaders who want to lead with clarity and grow in community: https://beacollaborator.com/mastermind/

What does it really mean to articulate the distinct value of a Christian education, especially when students and families are weighing post-secondary options? In this conversation, Angela sits down with Janet Pargeter from NACCAP, the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals, to explore just that. From rankings and ROI to spiritual formation and vocational discernment, this session is designed to help Christian school leaders and educators confidently speak to what makes faith-based higher education worth choosing.

Whether you are a dean, admissions counselor, guidance counselor, or school leader walking alongside high schoolers as they pray forward their next steps, this conversation offers practical language and renewed perspective for the work you are already doing.

NACAP serves PreK-12 schools and higher education institutions across the country through conferences and membership opportunities. Learn more at beacollaborator.com.

If you hold a principal or administrative license and are looking for continuing education units, our next Mastermind cohort begins August 2026. Learn more at beacollaborator.com/mastermind.

In this episode of Collaborative Conversations, we sit down with Kelly Mack, Director of Guidance and Academic Programming at Concordia Academy, to explore what it truly means to show appreciation to teachers all year long.

Drawing from her journey as both a classroom teacher and school leader, Kelly shares a powerful reminder: meaningful appreciation begins with truly knowing your people. When leaders take time to understand the daily realities, challenges, and unique needs of their teachers, appreciation becomes authentic, not performative.

Together, we unpack simple, practical ways to build a culture where teachers feel seen, supported, and valued. From intentional hallway walkthroughs to personalized encouragement, Kelly highlights how small, consistent actions can have a lasting impact on teacher morale, retention, and overall school culture.

We also lean into the tension leaders often face, balancing appreciation with accountability. Kelly offers wisdom on leading with clarity, respect, and empathy, reminding us that honoring teachers includes both encouragement and honest, growth-oriented conversations.

Finally, this conversation calls in the broader school community, students and families, to play a role in affirming teachers through specific, timely words of gratitude.

If you are seeking to strengthen your school culture and care well for your staff, this episode will both encourage and equip you.

BONUS: We have created a way for you to show appreciation to those you lead. Download our ready-to-print appreciation cards and say "thank you" to those who support your school's mission everyday.