What is the

The Nexus for Innovation in Education is the articulation of the vision of HCOS to be a place of relentless innovation, educational transformation, and intentional generosity. As both a physical location and virtual ecosystem, the Nexus serves as a gathering point for thought leaders and innovation implementers to gain knowledge, inspiration and support in the growing movement to transform education locally, nationally and globally.

The Nexus is not a building, yet it needs a building. The Nexus building will empower us to:

Make a difference globally by expanding resources, infrastructure, and education into at-risk communities globally through StudyForge and Spero, helping to reduce education barriers and break cycles of poverty through the power of accessible, high quality education

Expand Flex Academy to provide Christian education to 500 students from Jr. Kindergarten to grade 12, setting a new standard for innovative hybrid education

Support other schools to explore hybrid education as an option for their educational institutions. With lessons learned and resources to share, we are ready to offer support to other schools looking to learn about Flex Academy, access resources and support, and consider adopting and implementing a hybrid approach

Expand HCOS and Flex Academy’s curriculum and technology, amplifying the impact of StudyForge, which is already used by over 140 institutions and over 31,000 students across North America. Some notable institutions include Arizona State University Prep, Florida Virtual School, Sevenstar, BYU Independent Study, Idaho Digital Learning Alliance and more

Create a Centre of Innovation in Education, providing training conferences, resources, and education on best practices for teachers, staff, and parents throughout BC and beyond

A International Network of Partnerships

Currently, HCOS collaborates with other educational institutions in over 40 communities from British Columbia to Ontario. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to innovative, Christ-centered education and the belief that the future of education lies in hybrid learning—combining the best of campus and online experiences to allow students to flourish according to their individualized goals.

We’re ready to bring these partners together to innovate further, share our learning, and build lasting partnerships for the benefit of communities across Canada.

A Space Designed for Belonging and Growth

Stepping into the Education Nexus will feel like entering a place filled with possibility

The facility is intentionally designed to be inspiring yet welcoming, creating a nurturing environment where every student, educator, and visitor feels connected and at home. At the heart of the Nexus is the emphasis on relationships—between students and teachers, families and staff, learners and their community, and most importantly, between each person and God

The entire environment is crafted to be hopeful, fresh, and joyful, reflecting the vibrant, Christ-centered learning community it houses. Every space is designed to inspire curiosity, growth, and belonging, inviting all to experience the transformative power of education grounded in faith and excellence.

Nexus Leadership

Craig Kwiatkowski

Chief Operating Officer

Sara Kraushar

Head of Schools

Bri Dyck

Director of Flex Academy

Calvin Johnston

Director of Inclusive Education

Jeremy Tjosvold

Director of Information & Engagement

Chelsea Bitgood

Director of Innovations 5-12

Dr. Karen Roeck

Director of Learning

Brian Oger

Director of StudyForge

Jonathan Zuidhof

Director of Learning Groups: Community Connections

Craig Kwiatkowski

Chief Operating Officer

Craig has been with HCOS for 17 years and has been overseeing the business, finance and operations of the schools for the past 8 years, as well as partnering with the Head of Schools to develop and implement strategic planning and direction. Together managing over 800 staff, he thoroughly enjoys solving challenging problems and planning how to make the vision happen.

A proud Heritage Christian School alumnus, Craig is passionate about developing the infrastructure and pathways to facilitate a shift in the educational system to a personalized, academically rigorous, financially astute, and real-life applicable learning journey for students.

He recently completed his term serving as the chair of the Association of Christian Schools International Western Canada (ACSIWC) board of directors, and currently sits on the board of Spero Learning Society. He has fulfilled various speaking engagements, most recently for ACSIWC and the Digital Learning Annual Conference, for practitioners and educators working for change and evidence-based improvements in education in North America.

Sara Kraushar

Head of Schools

Sara has been with HCOS for 14 years, serving as the Head of Schools for the past 7 years. She has a Master of Education in Leadership in Digital, Open and Online Learning but felt her true education came from home educating her own children for over a decade. Sara loves to dream about what is possible and truly loved the opportunity to help design and launch Flex Academy in September 2023. Sara is strongly committed to the global movement for Christian education, having worked for independent schools in BC and Kuwasha, Uganda.

Sara consults on innovation and change management with K-12 schools and universities across Canada and the US. Recruited to serve as a member of the Sector Advisory Committee for Online Learning to the MoECC, she is also a member of the Steering Committee for Online Learning to the MoECC. She also sits on the board for the Association of Christian Schools International Western Canada, Spero Learning and the Advisory Board for the State of the Nation: K-12 e-learning in Canada Study.

She has been invited as a keynote speaker to numerous educational conferences, including:

  • Hybrid Schools in Action Panel on Emerging Innovative School Models
  • Hybrid Schools Perspectives Panel (partnered with Colorado State Online Learning Commissioner)
  • ACSI Teacher Convention 2024: Future Focused Teaching and Learning
  • ACSI Board and Admin Conference 2024: Leadership in Innovative Learning Models
  • Global Online Learning Conference: The HCOS Model and Course Development
  • Digital Learning Symposium: Middle School Course Development

Bri Dyck

Director of Flex Academy

Bri has been teaching since 2013 and in school leadership since 2020. In 2022, she stepped in to design and lead Flex Academy with a mandate to empower courageous learners and provide flexible educational opportunities built on relationships and personalized learning. Bri is a creative, resilient and compassionate leader who has paved the way for her staff and students to be brave pioneers in the field of hybrid education. She leads professional development workshops for the HCOS and Flex teams and has spoken on panels about hybrid learning and change management for the ACSI Board and Administrators Conference. Bri’s intelligent and intentional manner of leading has seen Flex grow at a staggering rate of 30%, with a 96% retention rate. She is sought out as a leader in designing hybrid programming and change management.

Calvin Johnston

Director of Inclusive Education

Calvin has developed the most comprehensive inclusive education department that we know of. Serving over 900 funded special education students, and all other students in the HCOS system with diverse learning needs, his team has designed unparalleled systems and processes to provide personalized education plans. Calvin’s team has built strong relationships with over 2500 community service providers who invest in the well-being of our students.

Calvin is sought after for his knowledge of both how to systematize and personalize student support to be able to respond to student needs expediently and effectively.

Jeremy Tjosvold

Director of Information & Engagement

Jeremy leads with a mix of systems thinking, people-centred leadership, and strategic clarity. With two decades of experience in educational technology, Jeremy specializes in building scalable, human-first systems that make digital and hybrid learning not only possible but also personal. Known for translating complexity into clarity, he equips teams with tools that work and processes that free educators to focus on relationships and impact. A systems thinker, people builder, and purpose finder, Jeremy brings warmth, wit, and wisdom to conversations about the future of learning and leadership.

Jeremy has served on the LMS Evaluation Committee and currently serves on the LMS Technical Committee and LMS TC Data Subcommittee with the Ministry of Education and Child Care.

Chelsea Bitgood

Director of Innovations 5-12

Chelsea plays a key leadership role in our grades 5–12 online program, where she oversees teacher onboarding and training, develops student processes and policies, and supports over 3,000 students annually in their learning journey. She leads school partnership initiatives that not only allow students to cross-enroll in online courses while remaining at their local schools, but also provides support to schools in implementing and expanding their high school programming. Chelsea is passionate about equipping both educators and students to thrive in an online learning environment. In addition to her leadership work, she brings deep curriculum expertise as one of the founding authors of our StudyForge Math and Science courses.

Chelsea contributes to provincial initiatives through her service on Ministry of Education and Child Care committees focused on developing online tools province wide implementation, including the LMS Technical Committee and the Brightspace Enhancement Subcommittee.

Dr. Karen Roeck

Director of Learning

Karen leads professional learning at HCOS. Described as a master educator and natural systems thinker, she equips staff to navigate new technologies, simplify complex ideas, and streamline evolving workflows. Karen designs and delivers timely, data-informed training that empowers others to live out their callings with purpose and confidence. Her active research portfolio explores the intersection of pedagogy, educational technology, and relational learning, shaping strategic initiatives across the school. Karen is also a sought-after conference presenter, sharing practical insights on digital pedagogy, AI in education, instructional design, and leadership across British Columbia and in online spaces.

Brian Oger

Director of StudyForge

Brian is the primary author of most of StudyForge’s online Humanities courses and now leads the curriculum development department. Driven by a passion to transform lives through the power of education, Brian and his team design courses that empower teachers to create exceptional learning experiences for students. He collaborates with curriculum writers across North America to develop world-class content used in both blended programs and online schools. StudyForge courses are recognized for their engaging content, beautiful design, academic rigor, and adaptability to diverse learner needs. Brian continually challenges his team to imagine the future of online education — equipping teachers and students around the world with high-quality, accredited learning experiences.

Jonathan Zuidhof

Director of Learning Groups: Community Connections

Jonathan leads the HCOS blended program, which offers online and home-educated students the opportunity to attend school one day a week. Serving over 1,700 students across more than 24 campuses throughout British Columbia, he has become an expert in “pop-up” schooling. With a team, Jonathan designs campus experiences tailored to the needs of local communities and equips leaders, teachers, and educational assistants to deliver instruction in a flipped classroom model. In this model, digital tools support student learning at home between weekly in-person classes. His creativity and responsiveness are evident in how each campus is uniquely designed to meet the needs of K–12 students across a wide range of subjects and locations.