Rethinking Recess

Chad DirkseThe CACE Roundtable3 Comments

Some of my clearest memories of elementary school are the all-out sprints from the door to be the first to the basketball court, baseball diamond or the merry-go-round at recess. I remember, like it was yesterday, how hard it was to stay in the single file line from the classroom to the exit door, frustrated by how slowly the line had to … Read More

The CACE Effect: Lessons from Parkview Christian Academy

Chad DirkseCACE StudiesLeave a Comment

One of the great privileges of being a CACE Fellow is the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with other Christian schools to improve Christian schooling. When I graduated from Covenant College in 1989, I was ready to dive in head first teaching middle school math, coaching soccer and basketball and directing the athletic program at a small, struggling Christian school in … Read More

This Happens in Christian Schools Too

Chad DirkseThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

One of the advantages of leading a Christian school while also contributing to Christian schooling through The Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE) is the frequency of my encounters with the extraordinary opportunities students experience through distinctive, Christ-centered education. In addition to being known for their comprehensive, Biblical integration, many Christian schools are becoming broadly recognized for the high quality … Read More

The Intersection of Lament and Hope

Chad DirkseThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

One of the great things about working in education is experiencing first hand the excitement of a new school year.  Yes, I know not everyone is enthusiastic about summer’s end, but generally speaking, the buzz of a new year and a fresh start is invigorating.  For some however, many events of this past summer cast a dim shadow on the … Read More

Rethinking Recess

Chad DirkseThe CACE Roundtable3 Comments

Some of my clearest memories of elementary school are the all-out sprints from the door to be the first to the basketball court, baseball diamond or the merry-go-round at recess. I remember, like it was yesterday, how hard it was to stay in the single file line from the classroom to the exit door, frustrated by how slowly the line had to … Read More

Changing Views on Church: Considering The Impact on Christian Schooling

Chad DirkseThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

There has been much written recently on the changing attitudes towards church in American culture.  It is doubtful that many of us are surprised at what the data is showing; a shrinking percentage of people feel church involvement is a priority.  The data is particularly concerning for Gen Xers (ages 48-30) and Millennials (29 and younger).  A March 25, 2014 study by … Read More

Incarnational Christian Education: More than Concepts, Objectives and Standards

Chad DirkseSchool Leaders, The CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

In his recent CACE Blog, Dan Beerens effectively challenges educators to raise levels of student inquiry with well-crafted Essential Questions that engage students in active learning while encouraging a spirit of respect and humility.  To illustrate the value of Essential Questions he points us to questions Jesus asked during his incarnational ministry on earth. Jesus’ question “who do you think I … Read More

Two Types of Wisdom and the Christian School

Chad DirkseThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

I recently read a blog post featuring an excerpt entitled “How Productivity Advances the Gospel” from a book by Matt Perman- What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Perman’s exposition of the two types of wisdom go directly to the heart of the content and process of a holistic Biblical integration of faith and life … Read More

But I’ve Earned the Right To…

Chad DirkseThe CACE Roundtable1 Comment

The older I get and the more tread comes off my tires, the more my eyes are opened to my warped sense of identity and value.  As I rewind the story of my career as an educator and educational leader, I witness far too many scenes where I have fallen prey to a defensiveness in the face of conflict and … Read More

Critical Thinking: A plea for less problem “saying” and more problem “solving”

Chad DirkseUncategorizedLeave a Comment

So much has been written about the realities (positive and negative) of the digital information age.  Information is disseminated at increasingly higher speeds, granting the end user unprecedented access to the seemingly most up-to-date information.  Social media and blogs create platforms for posting and re-posting ideas, perspectives and opinions.  It could be argued that society, in one sense, is more … Read More