In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson asserted that the pursuit of happiness was a self-evident truth and an inalienable right. The concept is everywhere, from advertisements to “happily ever after” tales. A search for “happy” on Amazon Books produces over 70,000 results and at least as many definitions of that word. We live in a culture built around the … Read More
Trauma-Informed Christian Education: More Than Behavior
And we believers also groan … for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. Romans 8:23 NLT As a school-based mental health counselor in a Christian school, I often work with students whose behaviors have become dysfunctional in the school setting. I have counseled students who were unable to make eye contact with their teachers. … Read More
Overflow and the Not-so-inspiring Spanish Teacher
In my first few years of teaching, I taught Spanish. I was not a good Spanish teacher, and my students knew it. It was the kind of teaching where the teacher said things and students did activities, but learning was minimal. I could not speak Spanish. I had never been to Spain or any Spanish-speaking countries. I did not know … Read More
Lessons from a Friend
My introduction to Dan Beerens was as a sixth-grade transfer to Timothy Christian Schools where Dan was a young fourth-grade teacher.
Shifting
The Teaching for Transformation framework has empowered our staff and students to engage in deeper learning experiences. We are shifting away from breadth of content to depth of content.
Unleashing Deeper Thinking with Debate
The word “debate” is a loaded term these days, and it can be easy to shy away from incorporating debate in the classroom.
Experience Deeper Learning: Reflecting on 2022 and Anticipating 2023
The Deeper Learning in Christian Schools Institute is spent designing curriculum that provokes complex thinking, inspires beautiful work, and forms Christlike character in the students.
Inviting Student Voice: Questions You Must Ask Students When Studying Animals
The animal kingdom reveals the extraordinary creativity of our Creator. Given the right assignment, students, too, are able to demonstrate incredible levels of creativity when reflecting on animals.
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
What the World Needs Now: A Preview of Christian Deeper Learning Conference 4
This year’s Christian Deeper Learning Conference will be a two-part experience. The first is a Professional Deeper Learning Keynote/PD package for you or your school to download and self-facilitate sometime before part 2, a virtual gathering on February 19. One advantage to not meeting at a central location is that an entire staff can experience the deeper learning package right from their school at a time convenient for them. Real and lasting progress in deeper learning for all students is more likely to happen when whole schools are involved, rather than just a few enthusiasts.