2024 CEA Convention: Full Schedule

10:45am PDT

Implementation of PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) within a Christian Framework

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT

You will receive an overview of how to implement positive behavior interventions and supports school wide with a guide of how to get started, the research behind why it works to enhance the positivity of school climate and culture and the benefits it has on students' and adults' mental health. You will see an example of all of this implemented within a Christian framework.

Chairperson

Jen Menefee

Muskegon Christian School

Speakers

Bridget Ehlich

PBIS Coordinator / Spanish Teacher, Muskegon Christian and Grand Haven Christian

Bridget Ehlich comes to us with experience teaching in a Spanish Immersion classroom setting, working as a PBIS implementation administrator and now as a Spanish Specials teacher and PBIS coordinator. She has successfully led the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
240 History and Bible Commons, 2nd floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling

10:45am PDT

Navigating Change

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT

255

Our world and our lives are changing rapidly. Sometimes the change is your idea and sometimes you are impacted by other's decisions. Come learn how to navigate change intentionally both personally and in your school.

Speakers

Ben VanderKodde

Grace Adventures

Ben and Brett have over 30 years of combined facilitation experience at Grace Adventures in Mears, MI. They work with schools, sports teams, churches, nonprofits, and other organizations using experiential education. They facilitate high-adventure activities as well as team build... Read More →

Brett Boes

Grace Adventures

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
255 Clasroom, 2nd floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling

11:55am PDT

RT - K - 12th Counselors + Social Workers

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:55am - 12:55pm PDT

128

Round Table discussion with other CEA K - 12th CEA School Counselors.

Chairperson

Cristin Lenters

School Social Worker, Chicago Christian High School

Cristin has been a school counselor/social worker for 24 years. She loves the opportunity to discuss the profession with other Christian Counselors

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:55am - 12:55pm PDT
128 Classroom, 1st floor

Round Table

Audience K - 8th Grade
Subject Counseling

1:50pm PDT

Cultivating a Vibrant Student Culture in an Increasingly Diverse World

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

257

This session will describe why diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are integral components of student life and how to go about integrating it.

Speakers

Rona Das

School Culture Coordinator, Grand Rapids Christian High School

Rona Das is currently the Director of Student Programs at Grand Rapids Christian High School (GRCHS) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In her role, she ensures alignment to GRCHS DEIB efforts, collaborates with teachers to craft and guide curriculum and professional development under the... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
257 Classroom, 2nd floor

Session

Audience 9th - 12th
Subject Counseling

1:50pm PDT

The Beauty of the Historic Christian Sexual Ethic

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

230

Have Christians been taught the deepest understanding of what the Bible says about sex, gender and therefore marriage? If not, why? Through this dialogue we will trace the depth and beauty of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation to highlight God’s greater truth we are meant to point to.

Chairperson

Deb Feenstra

Holland Christian Schools

Speakers

Louis Phillips

Director of Church Relations, The Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender

Louis (Lou) attended Grove City College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science. He also received his certificate of theological studies from the University of Oxford (Wycliffe Hall) and was trained at The OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics.

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
230 Math and English Commons, 2nd floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling

3:00pm PDT

Defusing your Classroom

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

137

During this session, we will explore the ways that bias and misinformation or misreading a situation can lead to unintended negativity in the classroom. Practical suggestions that can be easily implemented will given out.

Chairperson

Laura Kamp

SW Chicago Chrsitian School

Speakers

Cristin Lenters

School Social Worker, Chicago Christian High School

Cristin has been a school counselor/social worker for 24 years. She loves the opportunity to discuss the profession with other Christian Counselors

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
137 Art room, 1st floor (Koetje)

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling

3:00pm PDT

Revealing and Reducing Patterns of Misbehavior

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

312

It's frustrating when you've used all the tools in your toolbox to address misbehavior and don't see the improvement you and the student desire. Come and learn a simple but effective tool to improve awareness, increase accountability and keep you, your students, and their families working together toward positive and lasting change.

Chairperson

Amy Westendorp

Moline Christian School

Speakers

Brandon Helder

Teacher, Grand Rapids Christian School

Brandon is currently the tallest third grader at Grand Rapids Christian Schools and has been teaching there for 8 years. He has also taught 5th grade at Holland Christian and 2nd grade at Hudsonville Christian Schools. The longer Brandon teaches, the more he realizes how much he has... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
312 Fitness studio, 3rd floor

Session

Audience K - 8th Grade
Subject Counseling

3:00pm PDT

The Beauty of the Historic Christian Sexual Ethic

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

230

Speakers

Louis Phillips

Director of Church Relations, The Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
230 Math and English Commons, 2nd floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling

9:00am PDT

Let's Talk: The High Cost of Poor Communication

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

243 + 245

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 →

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

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling

9:00am PDT

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

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

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 PDT
Auditorium 1st floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling
Area Administration

9:00am PDT

Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms: Putting Theory into Practice

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

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 →

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

Session

Audience General
Subject Counseling
Area Administration

10:10am PDT

Bullying Prevention and Management

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

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 →

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

Session

Audience 3rd - 12th
Subject Counseling