Christian School Mission Statements

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE Roundtable1 Comment

Developing a Mission and Vision statement is a task that every Christian School has engaged in at one time or perhaps, multiple times throughout their history. A lot is asked of Christian school mission statements. They must sell the school to prospective families and donors alike, rally the community in a multitude of different ways, and direct the overall operations. … Read More

Lessons from the Playground: School Climate and Structures

Tim Van SoelenInnovation

As defined by the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASDC) School climate refers to the school’s effects on students, including teaching practices; diversity; and the relationships among administrators, teachers, parents, and students. My personal definition of school climate is the temperature of the school, “controlled” (think thermostat) by the structures that are in place, the things that have an effect … Read More

Teaching, Coaching, Administrating…Synonyms?

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE Roundtable

Earlier this year, I had a unique opportunity to accompany my father-in-law (Dr. Len Rhoda) on a trip to Southern California, to Valley Christian High School in Cerritos where he and my mother-in-law (Lee) began their teaching and coaching careers. The purpose of this trip was to meet up with a team he coached to the 1967-68 CIF State Basketball … Read More

Taxes, Christmas and Christian Education

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE Roundtable

The recently passed tax reform seems to be crowding out Christmas. Instead of stories of acts of kindness that seem to be on the uptick this time of year (I just experienced a rather small but maybe significant one on an airplane where a person gave up his first class seat to one of our armed services personnel who was … Read More

Norm and Norms

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE Roundtable

If your television viewing history includes the eleven-year period from 1982 – 1993, you probably recall a sitcom titled Cheers. The show is set in a bar named Cheers in Boston, Massachusetts, where a group of locals met to have a drink, relax and socialize. The refrain from the show’s theme song quickly became the tagline, Where Everybody Knows Your … Read More

What If We Called It Practice?

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE Roundtable2 Comments

“If the kids haven’t learned the concepts by the time they leave the classroom, the homework is pointless.” H.O.M.E.W.O.R.K = Half Of My Energy Wasted On Random Knowledge. “Homework – the teachers’ way to find out how smart parents are!” The recent articles, blogs, rants, and defenses of homework have definitely caused me to think deeply about what I assign … Read More

Meet New CACE Fellow David Urban

Tim Van SoelenCACE News1 Comment

CACE is very excited to announce that David Urban has joined the CACE Fellows. David comes to CACE with experience and expertise in enrollment management, marketing, and advancement. He has been “in the business” for over 20 years, most recently as the Chief Advancement Officer for Charlotte Christian School. David brings a number of best practices for schools to consider … Read More

Candles or Coals?

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, let it shine Don’t let Satan poof it out I’m gonna let it shine Don’t let Satan poof it out I’m gonna let it shine Don’t let … Read More

Meet the TfT Team

Tim Van SoelenCACE News, InnovationLeave a Comment

CACE is excited to introduce our three newest TfT Fellows! Darryl DeBoer, Pat Kornelis, and Doug Monsma are joining the CACE team to take on the Teaching for Transformation project. Doug’s most recent work was as Director of Learning for The Prairie Centre for Christian Education where he oversaw the TfT development from initial beginnings to current form. Pat is … Read More