Fill in the Blank

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

The schools that parents want to entrust their children to_________ (fill-in-the-blank). The schools that students want to be invited into __________ (fill-in-the-blank). Fill-in-the-blank questions are some of my favorites. While they remain on the lower end of Bloom’s Taxonomy (comprehension and understanding), they are relatively easy to write (as a teacher) and relatively easy to answer (as a student). It … Read More

Part III: To Be Deeply Rooted

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

Just so we are clear…CACE is not in the political business of endorsing candidates or platforms. However, we certainly realize the impact that government, state and federal, can have on how Christian schools operate which requires informed readers.  Therefore, we want to continue to provide information worth consuming for those with a common calling in Christian education. Missionally, we want … Read More

Staying Balanced…

Tim Van SoelenCACE Studies1 Comment

If you are reading this, and an educator, I am a bit surprised! This time of year is pretty crazy for those involved in the traditional agrarian school calendar that the Western culture holds tightly to. Professional development workshops, home visits with preschool families, department level or grade level meetings…all in full swing. These events, in addition to all of … Read More

Meet New CACE Fellow Steven Levy

Tim Van SoelenCACE NewsLeave a Comment

CACE is extremely excited to announce a new Fellow, Steven Levy. Steven is a master teacher who will be one of the main authors of our new column, The Teachers’ Lounge, a place for teachers to share best practices, ask questions, and connect with one another. Steven comes to CACE most recently from the world of Expeditionary Learning, where he … Read More

Part II: The Democrats and Education

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

American readers, we have our two major party nominees for President of the United States. Hillary Clinton made history by becoming the first woman to be nominated for presidency by a major party. Her nomination – bringing women who were first barred by law and then by custom, to the peak of the American political system – is cause for … Read More

Part I: The Republicans and Education

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

The political process in the United States is in full swing. Actually, if there is a phrase that describes more than full swing, I would certainly welcome it to describe this particular election cycle. With my home base in Iowa, I think that Iowans experience both the initial excitement of each election cycle and the fatigue of each election cycle. … Read More

Did You Ever Wonder…

Tim Van SoelenCACE Studies4 Comments

Why students (and their parents) are so grade obsessed? In a previous post: What Happened to the E?, I noted my lack of surprise when students petition for an extra point or two on an assignment or request extra credit opportunities. Some readers responded with notes of similar experience and frustration. One reader asked the question “how do students become so … Read More

Biblical Integration Conference: Improvement and Integration

Tim Van SoelenThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

The Biblical Integration Conference is designed for Christian school leaders and educators to explore the idea of biblical integration in a thoughtful and theological way with colleagues committed to doing Christian education well. The setting is on Cairn’s suburban Philadelphia campus for nearly three days of thought leadership, interaction, and presentations on a significant subject ripe for serious consideration. Christian schools … Read More

The Seven Last Words of a Dying Church [School]?

Tim Van SoelenCACE Studies1 Comment

The original version of this sentence used the word “church” instead of “school” but I hope you will permit me the substitution in order to stimulate your reflection on this statement. According to my research (although the sentence does show up in a number of references), D.E. Parkerson, a Baptist minister from North Carolina, coined the phrase in this narrative … Read More

Taxes, Investments, and Re-enrollment

Tim Van SoelenCACE Studies2 Comments

It is that time of year again…it seems like this phrase is often used in the world of education. I am guessing that all professions have such cyclical periods where certain responsibilities and events happen on a regular basis. In the world of education, it is that time of year again for report cards, parent-teacher conferences, and re-enrollment. The other … Read More