2024 CEA Convention: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

Let's Talk: The High Cost of Poor Communication

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

We spend about 70% of our waking moments communicating with others: students, colleagues, supervisors, family, and friends. If you often feel exhausted, frustrated, and baffled by daily interactions, whether in-person or written, help is here! Think about communication differently so you can help others and enjoy your relationships.
Brad Brewer will also be providing our Capstone address on Friday.

Speakers

Brad Brewer

President, LegacyKept

Brad Brewer helps educators and students overcome communication challenges that ruin relationships. He is a speaker, author, and trainer with 20 years of leadership experience in higher education and foundations. Brad holds a BA in Communication Studies and Leadership from Christopher... Read More →

Chairperson

Deanne Van Rosendale

Illiana Christian High School

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
243 + 245 Classroom, 2nd floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling

9:00am EDT

So Parents... Navigating Challenging Conversations with Parents and Families

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Auditorium

Have you ever received those emails? The ones you shouldn't read at night, but when you do, you can't sleep? Schools often talk about partnering with parents, but sometimes partnerships are challenging and cause conflict. Join us as we talk through practical strategies to navigate challenging conversations. We'll share lessons we've learned and invite you into a process to practice crafting a response you can use in your own work. Just hopefully not too soon.

Chairperson

Rachel Mefor

South Christian High School

Speakers

Andrew Kleyn

Director of Learning, Holland Christian Schools

Aaron and Andrew have had their share of challenging interactions with families. Aaron is the Head of School at South Christian, and Andrew is the Director of Learning at Holland Christian Schools. They are also both parents of children in Christian education and believe in the home... Read More →

Aaron Meckes

Head of School, South Christian High School

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Auditorium 1st floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling
Area Administration

9:00am EDT

Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms: Putting Theory into Practice

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 11:10am EDT

312

In this session, Allison will equip participants to understand the impacts of trauma and the roots of behavior, as well as how to respond to students who struggle. Participants will explore how to create a trauma-informed learning environment and will leave with specific next steps that are relevant for their own unique settings.

Speakers

Allison Nelson

Educational Advisor for Trauma Informed Children, Developmental Enhancement Behavioral Health

Allison is a trauma-informed consultant, coach, and educator with a long history of supporting kids and empowering the adults who care for them. She has taught in classrooms from Pre-K through College and has provided trauma-informed and resilience-focused support for hundreds of... Read More →

Chairperson

Jordyn Dykstra

Unity Christian High School

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 11:10am EDT
312 Fitness studio, 3rd floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling
Area Administration

10:10am EDT

Bullying Prevention and Management

Friday October 25, 2024 10:10am - 11:10am EDT

230

Bullying is antithetical to God's love, so it's particularly imperative to deal effectively with it in a Christian setting. What is bullying, and what isn't bullying? We'll explore what to teach students and staff, prevention, investigation, follow up, and well intended common missteps. This session is geared toward teachers, administrators, and counselors/social workers.

Speakers

Aaron Kauffman

School Social Worker, Zeeland Christian School

Aaron Kauffman, L.M.S.W., has enjoyed training and consulting with educators, parents, and summer camp staff for 25 years. He uses field-tested strategies carefully designed to make kids’ lives better while making adults’ lives a little easier. Aaron serves as school social worker... Read More →

Chairperson

Katelyn Richard

Northern Michigan Christian School

Friday October 25, 2024 10:10am - 11:10am EDT
230 Math and English Commons, 2nd floor

Session

Audience 3rd - 12th
Subject Counseling