Jim Rademan
Jamie Walta
Tuesday, Jan 24
3:15 – 4:30 pm
Leading Together in Lutheran Education
Strong schools are led by strong teams. But too often, confusion around roles and responsibilities leads to conflict or dysfunction. This session helps school leadership teams—including the board chairman, early childhood director, principal, and pastor—understand their unique roles while learning how to work together in a unified, mission-focused way.
Participants will explore how to align around a clear mission and vision, ensuring that all leaders—both called workers and lay leaders—support one another and model Christian unity. We’ll discuss how to establish healthy communication channels, clarify decision-making authority, and create a culture of mutual respect and accountability. This session also provides practical models of leadership, from collaborative decision-making to role-specific support, helping leaders understand where they lead, where they support, and where they defer. Whether you are part of a large multi-staff school or a small church-operated preschool, you will leave with a clear understanding of how to lead together—so that your school can thrive in its mission of making disciples.
Jim Rademan is the director of WELS Lutheran Schools. While serving over three decades as a principal and teacher in WELS schools, he developed a passion for school improvement, serving on and leading accreditation site team visits and serving on consulting teams to provide guidance to schools. Since joining the Lutheran Schools team in 2013, he has been active in recruiting teachers to train for school leadership positions. He is currently partnered with Martin Luther College in support of the Principal Training Program and the WELS Principal Credential Program.
Jim and his wife of 43 years, Sandy, enjoy traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.
Jamie Walta is the new WELS national early childhood ministry coordinator and is excited to be part of the WELS Lutheran Schools team. A 2002 Martin Luther College (MLC) graduate with a B.S. in elementary education, Jamie spent 15 years as a preschool director and teacher. For the last ten years, she served at Faith in Fond du Lac, Wis., and has also served in Lake Geneva, Wis., and in New Ulm, Minn. Jamie is passionate about walking alongside educators and leaders. Her role as ECM coordinator allows her to support early childhood professionals as they strive to make life and faith connections with families at a tender time in the lives of their young children.
Jamie and her husband, Kris, met at MLC and have been married since 2001. They are blessed with three children—a son (Noah) and daughter (Ellie) attending MLC, and a daughter (Abby) attending Winnebago Lutheran Academy.
