2024 CEA Convention

HISTORY OF THE MCTA/CEA

Earliest records indicate that the first meeting of the Michigan Christian Teacher’ Institute was held October 30 and 31, 1924, at the LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. About 140 Michigan teachers signed the register. From 1924 until 1927 the Principal’s Club sponsored annual meetings with a format strikingly similar to that of our present conventions.

The minutes of the first meeting of the Christian Teacher’s Association held on May 11, 1928 state that they plan a convention to be held in the fall – and they so inform the Principal’s Club. In spite of the fact that they have planned their annual Institute, the Principal’s Club admits relief that the teachers are willing to take the responsibility of planning a convention. The very aggressive Teacher’s Association, in the second meeting, calls for research on a Code of Ethics, group insurance, teacher’s ratings, and salary schedules. They proposed a publicity campaign and issued their first bulletin on October 1, 1928. Their first convention was held in the Franklin Street Christian Reformed Church on October 25 and 26, 1928.

The original constitution states its purpose: To promote the welfare of the Christian Schools and the teachers of the state of Michigan. Ways and Means:
    1. Provide for annual and other meetings
    2. Provide for and enforce the Code of Ethics
    3. Provide for publication of educational materials
    4. Propagate the cause of Christian education.
E.R. Post was the first president and J.R. Dornbush the secretary. The dues were $1.00.

From the beginning some convention speakers were from outside of the Christian school circle. At one of the early conventions the Superintendent of Public Education of the State of Michigan was a main speaker. Much later, the committees asked Adlai Stevenson or Barry Goldwater to speak. Even at the earliest conventions much emphasis was placed on the use of visual aids like slides, films, and the magic lantern. Demonstration lessons with practical suggestions were popular.

In formulating a Code of Ethics the committee sought the help of influential and respected men like Professor J. Borene and Dr. H. Jellema.

In the lean years of 1933 and 1934, one-day conventions, without the usual banquet, were held. Dues were cut to 50 cents. The minutes state that there were “many reduced and unpaid salaries”.

At the annual MCTA convention held on October 22, 1936, the Chicago Delegation was welcomed as members. This merger called for a change in name from Michigan to Midwest Christian Teachers Association. Constitutional changes were needed to provide for regional representation on the board and in its committees.

At the same convention, H. Kuiper from Sheboygan called for the organization of a National Association of Christian Teachers for the “development of truly professional consciousness and the application of Christian ethics”.

The minutes of the Business Meeting at the Convention, October 27, 1938, records a decision to hold the convention in Chicago in 1939 at Chicago Christian High School. The speakers came from Chicago University, Concordia Teacher’s College, and Chicago Normal. A tour of Chicago costing $1.00 per person was the highlight of that convention.

In 1952 a Study Committee for the Reorganization of the MCTA proposed a geographical split and emasculation of duties – so that the organization would simply plan the convention. This proposal was defeated.

1954 and 1955 were important years. A new constitution was adopted. The House of Delegates was formed and their first recorded minutes are dated October 21, 1955. Educational book displays at the convention were approved and promoted. February 24, 1956 minutes give a very detailed account of the duties and various permanent committees including a Professional Ethics Committee.

By October 1958 it became necessary to hire a corresponding secretary. Repeated references to the unwieldy House of Delegates indicated the growth of the MCTA, resulting in problems of providing a big enough facility for the annual convention. Once more in 1958 questionnaires were sent out to get membership opinions on splitting the MCTA. In 1959 the House of Delegates adopted the recommendation to keep the MCTA intact. Since 1962 the conventions have been held in the Sherman House in Chicago.

Provocative articles in the Christian Educators Journal prompted the Executive Board of the MCTA to appoint a study committee “to develop a set of professional principles which would give guidance to the MCTA as they seek to fulfill their mandate to give leadership to the teachers”. In 1969 the Professional Standard committee was formed for this purpose. Since then the committee has published several policies involving the teacher as a professional.

In 1973 the convention met at the Palmer House in Chicago. Menus had to be chosen, dues collected, and tickets and programs printed. Subjects, often clothed in educational jargon, were assigned to prominent speakers. A new constitution (Christian Educators Association) and a new name has been adopted.

For the next few years, new convention sites were selected including the Pick-Congress in Chicago and Kalamazoo. In 1980 the “Tree of Life” logo was adopted for the organization and used on the letterheads. Dues at this time were $18.00.

1982 saw the organization join with the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools in Detroit for an annual convention, 1983 was the year the Professional Standards Committee published their “Policy Guidelines Handbook” for teacher, administrator and boards, and in 1984 the Century Center in South Bend, Indiana was selected for a convention site. By now, the Governing Board, Convention Planning Committee and Professional Standards Committee were all still functioning and carrying through on keeping the organization up to date and useful to its members.

1984 was the year to buy additional office equipment for the Corresponding Secretary with the increased workload.

From 1985-1992, convention sites rotated amongst Chicago, Grand Rapids, and South Bend (and MANS in 1988). Keynote speakers were featured along with Outstanding Lectures and as many as 75-80 sectionals were offered in all subject areas as well as general interest topics.

By 1993, dues had increased to $34.00 and in 1994 CEA once again joined MANS for their annual convention. In the following years, much discussion was held as to the direction of CEA and how well it was meeting the needs of its members. This, along with the pressure of increased number school days per year by state governments, caused the Governing Board to mandate a survey in 1997 of all CEA members as to the value of the annual convention and various other functions. By now CEA had grown to over 1700 members. This was a huge venture but was very successful in helping the Governing Board know how to proceed with the organization. As a follow up, a Strategic Planning Session was held in the summer of 1998 with several members within CEA participating, including CEA committee members and administrators. These results were presented to the House of Delegates in October of 1998. Another result of this discussion was a revision of the CEA Constitution in 1996.

2005 offered a regional one-day conventions occurring in both Grand Rapids and Chicago. It didn’t feel right to be separated. 2006 saw a change in the CEA secretary position. Brenda VanderPloeg was hired as the Executive Secretary. CEA is indebted to Sue Lucas for serving the CEA for 25 years in her position as Corresponding Secretary. We joined with MANS in Grand Rapids as well in 2006. 2007 saw the CEA dues at $75.00, sectionals numbering 110 – 120, Keynote and Featured lectures, and a return after a 3 year absence to South Bend, IN at the Century Center.

In 2008 the CEA Constitution was revised to reflect a new organization of the CEA Committees. The Professional Standards Committee was dissolved, the Conve