On December 3-4, 2025, Dordt University's Master of Education program is hosting the second annual School Leadership Symposium. This event is designed to support and encourage those serving in school leadership across North America.
Schedule | December 3-4, 2025
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Event
6:00 p.m.
Symposium Kick-Off Dinner
Dr. Justin Bailey, Sowing in Hope
Education is an act of hope. It calls us to take long looks at the world, to plant seeds even when the results are unseen, and to delight in the small generative acts that shape future generations. Rooted in hope, educators cultivate resilience, creativity, and joy as they nurture students for life beyond the classroom.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Event
8 - 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast and networking
8:30 - 8:45 a.m.
Devotions
Dr. Matthew Beimers
8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
Keynote: Leading Change, Session 1
Mr. Darryl De Boer
Change is hard. Leading change is...well, harder. During our time together, we will make sense of these two statements as we simultaneously look back on our experience leading change while empowering ourselves for the changes ahead of us and the schools we lead. Through the examination of various structures and frameworks, we will explore principles and ways of being that are foundational to successful navigation of change. The Deep Hope of this session is that we return to our schools with renewed vigor and clarity about the journey ahead.
9:45 - 10 a.m.
Networking
10 - 11 a.m.
Keynote: Leading Change, Session 2 Mr. Darryl De Boer
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.
Master of Education Presentation
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Strategic Planning for a School Campus
Mr. Fred Verwoerd
12:30 - 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Campus Tour
Experience our brand new dining facility called "The Atrium," our new campus coffee shop, new recital hall, and more.
2-3:00 p.m.
Keynote: Leading Change, Session 3
Mr. Darryl De Boer
2:45 - 3:00 p.m.
CACE Presentation
3-3:30 p.m.
Closing Circle
Dr. Matthew Beimers
5:00 p.m.
School Leadership Social
Sponsored by CACE @ The Ridge Golf Club
Mr. Darryl De Boer
Darryl DeBoer is both a Senior Fellow for the Center of the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE) at Dordt University and the Director of Education at Surrey Christian Schools. Darryl is also the co-creator of the Christian education framework, Teaching for Transformation, that equips teachers to design learning experiences that invite, nurture, and empower learners to engage "in real work that meets real needs for real people" as they play their part in God’s story through their learning.
Dr. Justin Bailey
Justin Ariel Bailey is dean of chapel and professor of theology at Dordt University. Bailey is the author of Reimagining Apologetics: The Beauty of Faith in a Secular Age,Interpreting Your World: Five Lenses for Engaging Theology and Culture, and the forthcoming Discipling the Diseased Imagination. He was the host of the In All Things podcast and is a sought-after speaker.
Mr. Fred Verwoerd
Fred Verwoerd is the vice president for university operations at Dordt. As a member of the senior administration team, he is responsible for the day-to-day physical operations of the campus, including facilities and grounds, auxiliary services, student employment and oversight of new capital projects.
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