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In the Loop
In the Loop is a lineup of monthly gatherings and conversations for school leaders. Led by experts, this virtual format allows leaders in similar roles from our community of CSI schools to gather, grow, learn, and share. Have a topic that you would like us to consider? Let us know!
Developing Your Most Valuable Resource
Thursday, December 10 at 12:30 p.m. EST
Your school mission is only as effective as your weakest teacher. This session focuses on fostering a collaborative environment where administrators and teachers work together in a cycle of feedback and coaching. You’ll gain tools to invest in teacher growth, build trust, and create a culture of teamwork that enhances both teaching quality and student transformation.
- Presenter -
Kori Hockett has served at Wheaton Academy for twenty-eight years. For the past two decades, Kori has served in school administration, including roles as assistant principal and principal. Throughout her time, she has focused on curriculum development, faculty growth, and student life, while leading key initiatives, including implementing an advisory program and advancing college-readiness efforts. She now holds the role of chief academic officer working with the Wheaton Academy Institute and is continuing to shape the academic program and culture at Wheaton Academy. In addition to her leadership at Wheaton Academy, Kori is a sought-after consultant for Christian schools across the United States, where she provides guidance on teacher development and instructional excellence.
Belonging Changes Everything: Creating Schools Where Every Student Matters
Thursday, January 21 at 12:30 p.m. EST
Students with autism, anxiety, developmental disabilities, ADHD, and many others are asking the same question: Do I belong here? Creating a culture of belonging takes all of us. In this session, we will explore how educators can cultivate cultures where students with diverse learning, developmental, and mental health needs—and their peers—grow together. Through student stories, practical strategies, and collaborative reflection, you'll leave equipped to strengthen belonging in your classroom, your team, and your school.
- Presenter -
Betsy Winkle serves as director of operations and education services at All Belong, where she helps schools build systems and practices that support diverse learners and strengthen belonging for every student. With more than twenty-five years of experience as a school psychologist, Betsy brings a practical, strengths-based perspective to helping educators understand how students think, learn, and thrive. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Calvin University and an Educational Specialist degree from Lehigh University.
Multiplying Leadership: A School Leader’s Guide to Growing Teacher Leaders
Thursday, February 18 at 12:30 p.m. EST
Christian school leaders are navigating relentless change: cultural pressure, staff fatigue, competing priorities, and the quiet drift that comes from short-term survival thinking. In moments like these, staying the course requires more than strong leadership at the top—it requires a shared commitment to mission at every level of the school.
This session challenges school leaders to rethink leadership as something to be multiplied, not centralized. Anchored in mission-focused leadership, participants will explore how intentionally developing teacher leaders clarifies purpose, aligns culture, strengthens teams, and builds the stamina needed for long-term mission impact.
- Presenter -
Cory Nikkel spent nine years leading in numerous roles at Des Moines Christian in Iowa before taking a new role this year as the assistant superintendent at Gilbert Christian Schools in Arizona. Cory's passion for Christian education goes beyond his own schools walls and fuels him to find ways to empower and energize the greater work of Christian education going on around the world. Whether he's coaching school leaders around the nation, speaking at conferences, or having a hallway conversation with a student who needs encouragement, Cory Nikkel leads with authenticity, clarity, and Christ at the center. In 2025, Cory founded Grow Your People LLC and designed the Teacher Leader Masterclass to offer customized leadership development designed for Christian educators.
Cultivating Learning Communities of Belonging
Thursday, March 18 at 12:30 p.m. EDT
This session features a conversation between Beth and Edith about Edith’s recently published book, Cultivating Learning Communities of Belonging. The book offers a practical guide for educators seeking to create more inclusive, supportive classrooms and learning communities. Beth and Edith explore how factors such as race, trauma, sexual orientation, and cultural background shape students’ experiences and influence classroom and school culture.
They also discuss the importance of professional development that invites educators to move beyond simply learning about belonging to actually practicing it. Through reflection, conversation, and intentional practice, educators can cultivate learning communities where every student experiences a genuine sense of welcome, dignity, and belonging.
This session challenges school leaders to rethink leadership as something to be multiplied, not centralized. Anchored in mission-focused leadership, participants will explore how intentionally developing teacher leaders clarifies purpose, aligns culture, strengthens teams, and builds the stamina needed for long-term mission impact.
- Presenter -
Dr. Beth Green is president of the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. A scholar and leader in Christian higher education, she began her career as a high school history teacher. Beth holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford and is a Cardus senior fellow in Education. Her work focuses on Christian education, educational formation, and the ways learning can equip people and communities for faithful presence in the world.
- Presenter -
Dr. Edith van der Boom is associate professor of Philosophy of Education and the Practice of Pedagogy and the director of the graduate programs in education at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto, Canada. She is passionate about creating spaces where educators reflect, grow, and design formational learning experiences that invite students to participate in God’s story of restoration. Edith is the author of Cultivating Learning Communities of Belonging.
Sowing Seeds: Bible Teaching as Faith Formation
April 15 at 12:30 p.m. EDT
Teaching Bible is more than just helping students to know things about a book. It is an opportunity to introduce these students to the great story in which they have a part. It is giving us the chance to help students find their place in this story. It is introducing them to God. People have spent years learning about what the Bible says, so this is a big task. But at the same time, we have to come up with daily lessons. We will explore both the big picture of what we are doing when we teach the Bible and talk about some practical things that we can do as we prepare to do that.
- Presenter -
Robert Keeley is professor Emeritus at Calvin University. In addition, over his career, he taught for Eastern Christian Schools (NJ), Denver Christian Schools (CO), The University of Colorado at Denver (CO), Holland Christian Schools (MI), and Calvin Theological Seminary (MI). He also spent thirty-one years as co-director of Children’s Ministry at 14th St Christian Reformed Church in Holland, MI. He is the author of a number of books, chapters and articles. His most recent book is Dear Parent: A Guide to Family Faith Formation, co-written with his wife, Laura Keeley.
In the Loops Coming in 2027
January 21: Belonging Changes Everything: Creating Schools Where Every Student Matters with Betsy Winkle
February 18: Multiplying Leadership: A School Leader’s Guide to Growing Teacher Leaders with Cory Nickel
March 18: Cultivating Learning Communities of Belonging with Beth Green and Edith van der Boom
April 15: Sowing Seeds: Bible Teaching as Faith Formation with Bob Keeley