Keynotes

Anchored in Hope

Sara Kraushar & Craig Kwiatkowski

Heads of School, Heritage Christian Online School

HCOS has been on quite the journey of explosive growth, innovation and change over the last 19 years. As we begin our 20th year we want to anchor our school community in God’s promises, ensure we are firm in our foundations, and look ahead to the restorative work He is calling us to.

Sara Kraushar

Sara Kraushar is the Academic Head of School for Heritage Christian Online School, living in Langley with her family. Over the 13 years of working at HCOS Sara has enjoyed being part of many aspects of the school as a teacher, administrator and parent. Home education has been an unexpected journey for Sara’s family and one they have been on for the last 9 years. In their free moments Sara’s family enjoys being outside, travel, and projects.

Craig Kwiatkowski

Craig Kwiatkowski is the Business Head of School for Heritage Christian Online School, living in Kelowna with his two children. Having been with HCOS for the past 16 years, he has experienced the changes, challenges and celebrations along the journey to be a school that serves a diverse community of home educators and learners. Craig is also a worship leader, hiker, disc golfer and donut aficionado.
How’s your Emotional Tank?

Ed Weiss

Psychotherapist

Humans are emotionally, a limited resource. Every single day, we make multiple emotional deposits of joy and happiness into our emotional tank. However, we also make withdrawals from that same reservoir. If your emotional withdrawals regularly exceed your deposits, it will negatively affect your mental capacity, spiritual vitality, as well as your emotional resilience.

Now, let’s talk about your emotional tank.

Ed Weiss

Ed traveled for 15 years as an international speaker. He earned a master’s degree in theology and went on to pursue a second master’s degree in counseling, and finally obtained a PhD in counseling. Ed’s community contributions include the establishment of a charity called “Reachout Youth Ministries” in 1982, through which he provides thousands of hours of counseling and encouragement to young adults. Ed is a key member of the team that launched “The House” in Kelowna, a multi-generational church with a focus on young adults. He has worked extensively as a counselor, assisting individuals of all ages. Ed’s counseling style is transparent as he shares his own journey and personal struggles with those who are experiencing difficulties of their own. His warm heart and compassionate communication abilities allow Ed to instantly establish friendships with anyone he meets. Today, Ed and the team at Third Space Charity serve the students at the University of British Columbia, offering thousands of no-barrier (free) counseling hours.
Embracing Indigenous Education with a Christ Mindset

Toni Boer

Indigenous People’s
Speaker & K-12 Educator

This keynote offers a transformative journey that invites you to embrace the complexities and harmonies between Indigenous perspectives and Christian beliefs. As we navigate this intricate relationship, we will discover innovative ways to genuinely integrate Indigenous education into our teaching methods, curriculum development, and student/class interactions. By doing so, we create an educational environment that honors and fosters a deep sense of respect, empathy, and stewardship.

Join us on this transformative journey where we embrace the interconnectedness of Indigenous teachings and Christian principles, ultimately paving the way for a more inclusive, culturally responsive, and impactful education for all learners.

Toni Boer

Toni is Cree/Metis from the Beaver Lake Nation in Alberta. She worked in the Prince George school district as an Indigenous Education worker for 15 years. After returning to school when she was 36 and earning her Bachelor in both Indigenous Studies and Education. Toni has been teaching at Westside Academy for the past 5 years, where she walks alongside fellow staff to grow in their understanding of reconciliation and the importance of implementing meaningful Indigenous practices in the classrooms.
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