Lutheran educators from around the world gather in St. Louis for triennial convocation

Lutheran educators from around the world gathered Oct. 2–4 for the triennial Lutheran Education Association (LEA) convocation, held at the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. Under the theme “Together 2025,” the event featured hundreds of sectional options on topics ranging from curriculum to teaching strategies to school safety to mental health to sharing the Gospel.

In addition to opportunities to learn, convocation attendees benefited from time for recreation, worship and fellowship. Jennifer Neifer, who teaches at Valley Lutheran School in Cedar Falls, Iowa, emphasized the importance of gathering with like-minded individuals. “We are stronger when we work together,” she said. “When we band together in a conference like this, we have a much stronger testimony to the world.”

Julie Bourgeois, principal of St. Paul Lutheran School in Napoleon, Ohio, described the event as a chance to reconnect with colleagues. “It’s like a big family reunion,” she said. “We get to come together as teachers and see people [we] went to college with or maybe taught with at other Lutheran schools.”

Rev. Dr. James Baneck, executive director of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Office of Pastoral Education and of Set Apart to Serve, highlighted the role of Lutheran school teachers as advocates and influencers. Baneck gave a sectional on curriculum from Concordia Publishing House (CPH) that encourages people of all ages to consider pursuing church work.

Many teachers attending the convocation were experiencing it for the first time. Claire Hannon, a teacher at St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School in Decatur, Ind., expressed her appreciation for the resources available. “I know there are a lot of resources here that can teach me how to be a better teacher for my Lutheran school,” she said.

Lisa Clark, senior editor at CPH, noted the value of both learning and exhibiting at the event. “Events like the LEA convocation are incredible for those who attend because you get to learn from sectionals, but the exhibits are just as great because you get to learn about what resources are out there,” she said. Clark presented at a sectional about how to use confirmation resources in the classroom.

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