The question that arises after watching the Tokyo Olympics is, how often are we promoting the stories of our own students? We have incredible examples of students who have been impacted by our schools and by our faculty and staff. These stories are powerful and may encourage other families in a different way than just the facts and figures.
Student:Teacher Ratios
What is the right number of children in a class? Is this primarily an academic or a financial decision? Does it matter what age the children are? Let’s investigate the different aspects of this important question.
Lessons Confirmed from 2020
This blog is inspired by my great friend, Joel Gaines, who wrote a Converge blog “Three Lessons I Can’t Unlearn from 2020.” If you haven’t read his thoughts, I would highly encourage you to; however, this blog is not a follow-up to Joel’s, but inspired as I am more convinced of things, I’ve written about in the past as we … Read More
What Kind of a School?
During the eight years I taught EDUC 501 as an adjunct at Dordt University, my graduate classes increasingly became a mix of Christian and public school teachers. In order to put all of my students on a common ground of biblical understanding, I used Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony, a wonderful “creed” published by the Christian Reformed … Read More
Retaining Educators
There are several reasons teacher retention should be a priority for Christian school leaders. Keeping good teachers affects students’ academic growth, staff morale, the ability to align classroom practices with the school’s mission and vision, and teacher replacement costs. Bottomline, high teacher retention is critical because it is good for students and their learning.
All the Stuff We Collect
What’s precious? What’s worth keeping? What’s worthy but could be moved on or needs to be refreshed? And, what should we ditch? What things would I put in which category? You could also play this game. It’s an interesting exercise.
See the Story, Live the Story
Much of my work with CACE involves Christian Deeper Learning in one form or another. I have had the opportunity to facilitate workshops with EL Education , Project Based Learning, Redemptive Education, and most recently, Teaching for Transformation (TfT). TfT teachers at Mt. Zion Christian School in Manchester, New Hampshire and New Covenant School in Arlington, Massachusetts wanted to complete … Read More
The Bible: A Living Part of the Christian School
Christians understand and use the Bible in many different ways. It’s important that, as a Christian school community, we have ‘strong and clear’ view of the importance and place of the Bible and a framework for understanding how to use the Bible. Otherwise, every approach and use might be ‘up for grabs,’ causing teacher and student confusion.
Difference Makers
This time of year I usually offer some recommendations for your summer reading. But this year, I hesitate. For starters, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t feel like reading one professional book this summer. Most of you are tired and weary. To have survived this year is an accomplishment that you should either celebrate and/or forget like a bad … Read More
Confessions of an Armchair Teacher
I didn’t learn all the tech stuff you know because I didn’t have to. But you did, and I want to thank you. Not only have you served your students well: you have renewed my faith that we can rise to meet any challenge.