2024 CEA Convention

Attending this event?

2024 CEA Convention

10:45am PDT

Ready or Not: Teacher Leadership

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

113

Teachers today often take on extra leadership responsibilities in addition to their teaching duties, thus changing the role of and relationships between teachers, administrators, and support staff. This presentation will provide an overview of teacher leadership and the dynamic between leaders and followers within a school community.

Chairperson

Meghan VanLente

Kalamazoo Christian Schools

Speakers

Kelly Lenarz

Dean of Education, Trinity Christian College

Dr. Kelly Lenarz serves as Dean of Education and Associate Professor of Education at Trinity Christian College. She is passionate about teacher recruitment and retention. This passion is what drives her research in the areas of teacher preparation and teacher leadership.

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
113 Teacher's Lounge, 1st floor

Audience General
Subject Professional Development
Area Trinity Chrisitan College Staff

10:45am PDT

Storytelling as Pedagogy

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

230

In a world of pedagogy options and strategies, we will discuss the ancient and modern skill of storytelling and how it can harness the imagination to deeply engage a topic. As good as learning targets and end goals are, rarely when cracking a great novel does the author tell you the end of the book, or the goals they have for you in your reading. Instead they take you on a journey of discovery and imagination. It is in that journey that you are drawn in and discover meaning. We will wonder if storytelling in the classroom can do the same.

Chairperson

Vicki Huizenga

Highland Christian School

Speakers

David Mosterd

Bible Teacher, Grand Rapids Christian High School

David Mosterd is in his 19th year in Christian Education and second year as a Bible teacher at Grand Rapids Christian High School, in Grand Rapids Michigan. He is married to Nicky and they have five boys. He is passionate about being a good dad and husband to his family, a friend... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
230 Math and English Commons, 2nd floor

11:55am PDT

RT - Instructional Coaches

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

211

Round Table disucssion with other Instructional Coaches.

Chairperson

Jen Rysdam

Director of Curriuculum and Instruction, Hudsonville Christian School

Jen Rysdam currently serves as the Director of Curriculum & Instruction at Hudsonville Christian School. Her professional experiences include classroom teacher, instructional coach, literacy consultant, college professor and student teacher supervisor.

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:55am - 12:55pm PDT
211 Classroom, 2nd floor

Audience General
Subject Professional Development

1:50pm PDT

An Introduction to Building Financial Security

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

137

An introduction into what someone early in their career should be thinking about as they begin to build for a secure financial future. This is also applicable to those further into their working years who want to consider how they are doing. The focus will be on creating a sound retirement plan.

Chairperson

Annalise Larson

1st Grade Spanish Immersion Teacher, Grandville Calvin Christian School

Annalise Larson graduated with her K-12 Spanish Education bachelors from Hope College in 2009. She has been an immersion educator for 11 years, working with both middle school and elementary school ages. She loves immersing her students not only in the Spanish language, but also exposing... Read More →

Speakers

John Bolt

U.S. Managing Director, CSI Christian Education Employee Benefit Team

John has served as US Managing Director since January 2023. Prior to this, he was the Deputy Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer for the Christian Reformed Church in North America since 2003. He has significant experience in the corporate world including Vice President... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
137 Art room, 1st floor (Koetje)

Audience General
Subject Professional Development

1:50pm PDT

Getting Kids to Actually Listen to and Learn From Each Other

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

312

Students often talk past each other or spend their time waiting to talk instead of really listening to others. This session will provide you with Monday morning ideas to increase accountability and improve communication in your classroom community.

Chairperson

Michelle Klooster

Second Grade Teacher, Moline Christian School

Michelle has been teaching second grade at Moline Christian for about 5 years. She is married, has two grown daughters and two grandchildren.

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 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
312 Fitness studio, 3rd floor

Audience General
Subject Professional Development

1:50pm PDT

Leading and Educating for Unity

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

120

How do we lead in joy? How do we lead in courage? How do we lead knowing God has the victory, for our graduates and the broader kingdom? How do we lead in faithfulness, while knowing God has always been perfectly faithful and kept His covenant with us?

Chairperson

Jennifer Lewis

Western MI Christian High School

Speakers

Greg Elzinga

Interim President, Calvin University

The mission of Christian education remains crucial—and it relies first on God’s faithfulness, and then on a spirit of unity among our teams. Through Deuteronomy 7:9 and examples from his own formative journey in education, Elzinga will encourage attendees and offer practical ways... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
120 Science Commons, 1st floor

Audience General
Subject Professional Development

1:50pm PDT

Reclaiming the Courage to Teach: Empowering Self and Empowering Others

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

260

Teaching is wonderful and beautiful and hard and complex. There are days when all is as it should be in the classroom, and there are days it can leave us questioning who we are and why we do what we do. In this session we will discuss how having a strong sense of identity, purpose and security as teachers and as people made in the image of God can spur us on in our work, and how we can help each other remember who we are and whose we are.

Speakers

Matthew Beimers

Director of School Leadership, Assistant Professor of Education, Dordt University

Matthew is an Associate Professor of Education and Director of School Leadership at Dordt University. He has previously served Christian schools in Montana and British Columbia in a variety of roles, including teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal. He began teaching in... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
260 Fireplace Common, 2nd floor

Audience General
Subject Professional Development
Area Dordt University Staff

1:50pm PDT

Teacher Certification in Michigan

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

253

Presenters will review current Michigan teacher certification requirements, including how to obtain and renew the Standard certificate, advance to the Professional certificate, and add additional endorsements. Recent changes to Michigan's teaching certificate structure and flexibilities due to the teacher shortage will be discussed.

Speakers

Brian Bolt

Education Dean at Calvin University, Calvin University

Dr. Brian Bolt, Dean of Education and Shari Brouwer, Teacher Certification Coordinator join you today from the Calvin University School of Education.

Shari Brouwer

Teacher Certification Coordinator, Calvin University

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

Audience General
Subject Professional Development

3:00pm PDT

CANCELLED - Medical topics in the classroom

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

255

This session has been cancelled by the presenter.

Speakers

Jacylnn Lubbers

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
255 Clasroom, 2nd floor

Subject Professional Development
Area Administration

3:00pm PDT

Incorporating TfT and Outdoor Ed

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

146

A fun way to incorporate TfT in grades PreK-2nd/3rd. Outdoor Ed for littles in an urban setting.

Chairperson

Janet Staal

Director of Nature Based and Outdoor Education, West Side Christian School

Janet Staal, BA in K-8 Education and a Master Naturalist Certification. Her journey from childhood explorations in West Michigan's woods to fostering nature-based education at WSCS reflects a lifelong commitment to teaching and glorifying God. Join us as she shares her passion for... Read More →

Speakers

Allison Westra

Preschool Teacher and Early Childhood Director, Muskegon Christian School

I would like to introduce Allison Westra. Shs is currently the Early Childhood Director at Muskegon Christian school. Allison is in her 9th year with MCS and 11th year teaching. She hopes to inspire you to try new things with TfT instruction and to love, learn, and lead for C... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
146 Choir room, 1st floor

Audience K - 4th
Subject Professional Development
Area Outdoor Education

3:00pm PDT

Steps to Take to Increase Your School's Safety and Security

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

257

School safety is an important part of our responsibility as teachers and administrators and everyone in a school can play a role in maintaining a safe campus. Come hear and discuss big things and little things that can be done to increase student and campus safety.

Speakers

Ross VanderBill

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
257 Classroom, 2nd floor

Audience General
Subject Professional Development
Area Administration

9:00am PDT

Beautiful Work: Whole School Journey to Christian Teaching

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

120

Christian Schools International, with the help of CACE, developed and delivers a beautiful work course for teachers. Each of the eight models is now also a full day professional learning that school faculty can journey through together. Why would a school take this journey, and how can your student make more Beautiful Work?

Speakers

Jim Peterson

Director of Membership and Operations, Christian Schools International

Teacher, administrator, professional development designer and leader, Christian School advocate; in all the roles God gives him, he strives to cultivate for flourishing lives.

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
120 Science Commons, 1st floor

Audience General
Subject Professional Development
Area Administration

9:00am PDT

How Being a Truck Driver Has Made Me a Better Christian School Teacher

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

260

The secular and the sacred are constantly at odds with one another, especially in the workplace. We have the amazing privilege of creating sacred space in our classrooms and buildings. Come and hear how working in the beer distribution industry has given insight to the importance of building God's kingdom through Christian education.

Speakers

Tyler Prough

8 Grade ELA & Bible Teacher, Hudsonville Christian Middle School

Tyler has been teaching ELA for over ten years; five years in Houston, Texas and six years in Hudsonville, Michigan. Tyler and his wife Laura live in Kentwood, Michigan with their two sons, Isaac and Benzy, and their miniature schnauzer Astro.

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
260 Fireplace Common, 2nd floor

Audience General
Subject Professional Development

9:00am PDT

Leading Schools and the Classroom with an Unoffendable Spirit

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

230

Christian school leaders and teachers work within one of the most challenging environments to embody consistently the image of God as exemplified in the person of Jesus. A parent sends an angry email to a you about her student's grade and copies a board member; a colleague challenges you in the lounge on who you voted for in the election; a student you've worked with for days lies to you about using ChatGPT on his senior thesis paper. These types of situations happen often, making schools challenging places to be "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." Dallas Willard posed in his seminal work, The Divine Conspiracy, that instead of simply learning how to repress hurt feelings and anger, "[s]uppose we devoted our time to inspiring Christians and others to be people who are not offendable and not angry and who are forgiving as a matter of course." In this session, Miles will provide a few ideas and practices that help us to become the kind of people who can both steward our schools and classrooms with accountability while, in equal measure, having a heart that says, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Chairperson

Verdical Group

Position at Company ABC.

Speakers

Miles Colago

High School Principal, Holland Christian High School

Miles Colago currently serves as the Principal of Holland Christian High School. Miles originally is from Anoka, MN where he attended Anoka High School. He earned his BA in English and Secondary Education with a minor in International Development Studies and MA in Educational... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
230 Math and English Commons, 2nd floor

Audience General
Subject Professional Development
Area Administration

9:00am PDT

Teachers as Video Storytellers

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

121

Telling captivating stories with quality video doesn’t always require professional equipment. What would it look like for teachers to tell the stories unfolding in their own classrooms through video captured with a smartphone? In this session, attendees will learn the basics of smartphone videography and storytelling through real world practice.

Speakers

Jason Lohman

Middle School Teacher / Chapel Coordinator, Lansing Christian School, IL

Jason is a middle school STEM, Math, and Social Studies teacher at Lansing Christian School in Lansing, Michigan. In addition to his role as a classroom teacher, he also coordinates chapels and coaches student worship teams. He has taught in a variety of subject areas in both elementary... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
121 Art room, 1st floor (VanHaitsma)

Audience General
Subject Professional Development
Area Technology

10:10am PDT

Differentiation Can Be Manageable

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

255

K-8 classroom teachers will receive recommendations on how to manage differentiation in their classroom along with strategies for effective implementation.

Chairperson

Alecia Vanden Berg

MS Tech Teacher and Tech Integration Specialist, Allendale Christian School Dutton Christian School

As a lifelong learner and wife of a 5th grade teacher, Alecia is passionate about the educational experience for both teachers and students. She finds immense joy in equipping them with practical, accessible tools for success! She has 18 years of classroom experience in grades 6-12... Read More →

Speakers

Andrea Harvey

Assistant Principal, Highland Christian School

Since second grade, Andrea has always wanted to be a teacher. After spending 14 years in the classroom teaching Science, Language Arts and Bible in grades 5th-8th she transitioned into administration. She now serves as the Assistant Principal at Highland Christian School. She lives... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
255 Clasroom, 2nd floor

Audience K - 8th Grade
Subject Professional Development

10:10am PDT

How to handle teaching when life outside of school doesn't go as planned.

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

121

Do you wonder how God can expect you to carry personal burdens and still lovingly teach his children? Do emotions run high and you just don't know if you can tackle another day in the classroom? Come hear strategies and receive encouragement for strength to carry out daily tasks when life gets messy.

Chairperson

Annalise Larson

1st Grade Spanish Immersion Teacher, Grandville Calvin Christian School

Annalise Larson graduated with her K-12 Spanish Education bachelors from Hope College in 2009. She has been an immersion educator for 11 years, working with both middle school and elementary school ages. She loves immersing her students not only in the Spanish language, but also exposing... Read More →

Speakers

Jennifer Hoekstra

8th Grade Bible & Social Studies Teacher, Hudsonville Christian Middle School

Jennifer Hoekstra is a passionate, excitable teacher and coach. She is mom to four kids, and wife to a husband who is battling stage 4 colon cancer. She loves to adventure outdoors with her family by hiking, snowshoeing, biking or camping. She loves coaching and pouring encouragement... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
121 Art room, 1st floor (VanHaitsma)

10:10am PDT

Supporting Disorganized Students - Creating Order, Showing Grace

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

Students who struggle with organization need help but it's hard to know where to begin. Come to gain fresh perspective inside the mind of the disorganized child and ways that we can support and encourage them to master their materials and take pride in their classroom spaces.

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 →

Friday October 25, 2024 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
222 + 228 Classroom, 2nd floor

Audience K - 5th Grade
Subject Professional Development
Area Counseling

10:10am PDT

The Lives of the Saints: Pedagogical Practices for Teaching the Faith

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

120

The Apostle Paul writes, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ" (1 Cor 11:1). We don't often talk about saints or the "Lives of the Saints," but what if the saints offer our students - and us! - a new way of engaging and thinking about the faith. What if the saints are calling to each of us: "imitate us as we imitate Christ." This session will look at what we can learn from the saints as well as ways we can use and incorporate the saints in our teaching - and not just in Bible classes.

Speakers

Mark VanderWerf

Chaplain and Bible Teacher, Grand Rapids Christian High School

Mark VanderWerf is the high school chaplain and Bible teacher at Grand Rapids Christian High School. His work includes teaching Bible and theology courses, working with student interns to plan and implement weekly chapels, and mentoring students in the school’s Spiritual Formation... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
120 Science Commons, 1st floor