ABOUT CROSSTRAIN KIDS

A Curriculum That is Rooted to the Rock.

CrossTrain Kids is a curriculum designed to focus on the holistic development of elementary-aged children (K-8) by teaching physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness.

Materials can also supplement Confirmation, be adapted for VBS, or used as a full Sunday School curriculum. Drawing on biblical passages, they teach children to care for their bodies, minds, and souls in a balanced and Christ-focused way.

Each lesson integrates biblical teachings with practical life skills, helping children build a strong foundation of faith, well-being, and emotional resilience. Additionally, we offer a condensed Preschool Curriculum and Life Skills Unit.

- Learn that emotions are part of being human and that God cares about our feelings.
- Understand how to express emotions in healthy and constructive ways.
- Learn about emotional resiliency through biblical teachings of overcoming challenges and emphasizing the importance of trusting God in difficult times.
- Learn how to handle conflicts with kindness and forgiveness.
- Learn to replace the lies we tell ourselves with God’s truths and utilize strategies and tools like Identify-Validate-Align and breathing techniques.
- Encourage practices of thankfulness and finding joy in God’s blessings, no matter our circumstances.
- Students learn that God deeply loves them and created them for a unique purpose and identify their strengths and areas of improvement.
- Learn the importance of applying God’s Word to daily life, taking it from head to heart.
- Understand what it means to worship and live a life that honors God in every aspect, including school, relationships, and personal decisions.
- Learn the importance of playing to an audience of one.
- Children learn God created their bodies, which should be treated with respect and care.
- Explore the importance of good nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and hygiene with lessons on healthy choices that align with biblical values of stewardship and self-care.
- Engage children in physical activities that promote overall fitness and teamwork while emphasizing the joy of physical activity and the importance of caring for one’s health as part of God’s plan.

The CrossTrain Kids Mission

At CrossTrain Kids, we aim to equip pastors and teachers with a Christ-centered curriculum that focuses on physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness and resiliency. We strive to strengthen individuals and communities in faith and overall well-being. Rooted in the truth of Scripture, we are committed to cultivating a generation that is resilient, whole, and firmly grounded in Christ.

MEET OUR TEAM

Cyndi Loewen

Curriculum Developer and Instruction Coordinator

Cyndi graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in 1979 with a degree in Elementary Teaching. Spent 10 years teaching in six different WELS grade schools before earning a Special Education Cross-Categorical licensure from the University of Phoenix in 2002.

Dedicated 19 years to special education, supporting students with learning disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, emotional and behavioral challenges, as well as health-related and brain injuries. Also spent eight years providing early intervention in math and reading for general education students.

Earned a Master’s degree in Differentiated Instruction from Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, in 2010. Continued professional growth with 54 additional credits in special education and disability-related studies.

Retired in the fall of 2020 but remains actively engaged in tutoring students with learning challenges. Cyndi co-wrote the CrossTrain Kids curriculum and led the pilot at Our Savior’s school in Peridot, AZ. She is currently supporting the ministry of CrossTrain Kids as Instruction Coordinator.

Director of Curriculum Development and Instruction

Samantha Bialozynski, EdS & NCSP

Attended WELS schools from Pre-K through college, graduating from Arizona Lutheran Academy and completing two years at Bethany Lutheran College. Earned a degree in Psychology from St. Cloud State University before obtaining a graduate degree in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.

As a nationally certified school psychologist, she worked in schools for six years in a traditional school psychology role before transitioning to teaching special education at the high school level, where she worked with students with moderate to severe disabilities. Later, she transitioned into a Special Education leadership role in one of Minnesota’s top school districts, where she coached teachers and supported due process work. In this role, she supported Federal Setting III programs, working with students who qualified for services due to significant behavioral challenges. She is certified in PREPaRE crisis training and has extensive experience supporting students with trauma backgrounds. Additionally, she has led training sessions on various topics, including emotional regulation, executive functioning skills, trauma-sensitive teaching, and other related areas.

Most recently, she worked with a consulting company that coaches teachers and administrators to help them achieve their professional and district-wide goals. For the past two years, she has contributed to curriculum development at CrossTrain Kids and recently moved into the role as Director of Curriculum Development.

Claire Knightly

Financial Operations Coordinator

Director of CrossTrain Kids & CrossTrain Ministries

Rick Loewen

Rick served as a police officer for 20 years before transitioning into a ministry role. During his law enforcement career, he worked as a patrol officer, narcotics detective, vice detective, and homicide detective. He also trained fellow officers in areas such as interviews and interrogation, undercover operations, and crime scene investigation.

While still serving as a police officer, Rick enrolled in the staff ministry program at DMLC and received a divine call to establish the first youth and family ministry program on the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Arizona. WLCFS later called him to develop and implement family ministry programs on a Synod-wide scale. As the director of ministries at WLCFS, he oversaw ministry support services, family life education, and the counseling division.

Rick is currently serving at Crosswalk Lutheran Church, where he works through its subsidiary ministry, CrossTrain Ministries. Additionally, he serves as the director of CrossTrain Kids Ministries.

Tim Glende

Director of Operations

Tim Glende has been a WELS pastor since 1998, beginning his ministry with a mission start-up in Urbana/Savoy, IL. In 2006, he accepted a call to serve as the associate pastor at St. Peter Lutheran in Appleton, WI. Passionate about preaching and sharing God’s Word, Tim embraces innovative and traditional approaches to connect with people in an ever-changing world.

He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of 922 Ministries in Appleton, WI—a thriving multi-site church that includes St. Peter Lutheran Church and The CORE. Beyond pastoral leadership, Tim has been deeply involved with CrossTrain Ministries since 2010. In 2014, he earned a life coaching certificate and began coaching pastors, a role he continues today, while also overseeing the administrative operations of CrossTrain and CrossTrain Kids.

In his free time, Tim enjoys working out, spending time with his wife, Holly, and visiting their adult children and grandchildren.

Originally from the Seattle area, Claire earned her Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Western Washington University. Seeking sunshine and warmer weather, she relocated to Phoenix after college and began her career in nonprofit financial roles in the healthcare sector in 2001.

She joined CrossWalk and CrossTrain as Financial Operations Manager in 2014, bringing her strong financial background and passion for supporting mission-driven organizations.

Outside of work, Claire enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and spending time outdoors. She has been married for 21 years and is the proud mom of two teenage sons who keep life full of energy and keep her on her toes!