In my career I have had the opportunity to work in both public and Christian education. We need Christian educators in both places and I have had opportunities to further God’s kingdom in both places. However, here are a dozen unique opportunities that Christian school educators enjoy: Teaching students the joy and pleasure to be found in glorifying God by … Read More
God Is a Creator, Not a Manufacturer
By the time this blog is published, it’s probably too late. Students with new sneakers, shiny lunchboxes and sharpened pencils have bounced across sparkling hallways (thank you custodians, everywhere!) to your classroom door. They were greeted by posters that say “Welcome,” or “It’s a Great Day for Learning,” or maybe your favorite Bible verse. There might be an apple tree … Read More
Candles or Coals?
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
Leadership Encouragement for 2017
Ten years ago, at the age of 31, I was entrusted by a bold superintendent and school board with an opportunity to lead a school. At this school, 2006 was known as the “Year of Shock and Awe” because a data dive discovered that the school was having a negative demographic impact on the education of its students, which is … Read More
The Parable of the Chevrolet Owner and the Ford Service Center
A friend from Church asked me recently, “Why would I send my daughter to a Christian School when it is so much cheaper and closer to send her to the state school down the road – they are both schools after all?” I told my friend of a man called Harry. Harry saved up for years to buy a brand … Read More
Meet the TfT Team
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
Kingdom Assessment
Joanna (my wife and principal of New Covenant School in Arlington, MA) and I had the privilege of facilitating two institutes this summer on Deeper Learning in Christian Schools. The first was a week with 30 teachers and school leaders at a beautiful retreat center in North Andover, MA. The second was a three-day institute with teachers and administrators from … Read More
Deeper Learning in Christian Schools – Update and Invitation
In recent years there has been a movement among Christian schools in Canada and the U.S. towards Deeper Learning, led by a core group of educators, who have gathered from time to time for mutual growth, encouragement, and further networking. In this blog post I would like to clarify terminology and share the efforts of various groups as well as … Read More
Peculiar in the Storm
You may have heard the big news from CACE this summer: we are partnering with the Prairie Centre for Christian Education on the Teaching for Transformation (TfT) Project! One of the primary goals of TfT is that Christian schools engage in the formation of a peculiar people, an idea taken from Dr. James K. Smith’s book Desiring the Kingdom. He … Read More
Thinking About Conferences?
I just finished reading a blog suggesting a number of good books published in 2017 that I should consider for my summer reading. I usually look for these lists both at the beginning of the new year and the start of summer as a shortcut to finding work to include on my vacation. I enjoy reading and like to use … Read More