2024 CEA Convention: Full Schedule

10:45am PDT

Faith Of Our Fathers.....LIVING Still!

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

Join this father/daughter duo in interactive, guided dialogue around the beauty and calling of Christian education. Together let's learn from the past and lean into the future as we seek to continue to bring glory to our God in growing this next generation of Kingdom Workers.
Join Miska Rynsburger and her dad, Ken Kuipers, in a participatory conversational jaunt as we look back over the past seventy years of Christian Schools, while at the same time, exploring the future. At the 1934 National Union of Christian Schools (NUCS) Convention in Englewood, IL, Dr W. Harry Jellema shared concern that if ‘Christian Schools continue to be outgrowths of group custom (Dutch subculture)…the life and world view will lose its vitality and Christians Schools will cease to be’. The implication is for those who follow to be sure that they are able to articulate the mission and flourish as a relevant school for families today.

Speakers

Ken Kuipers

Retired, Former principal at Holland Christian Schools

Ken and Miska are a father/daughter duo who have been learning and serving in Christian education for nearly 70 years combined. They enjoy sitting together over a cup of coffee summer mornings reflecting on the journey of Christian education, the challenges and proposing growth ideas... Read More →

Miska Rynsburger

Principal, Holland Christian Schools

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
137 Art room, 1st floor (Koetje)

Session

Audience General
Subject Reformed World and Life View

11:55am PDT

RT - 2nd Grade Teachers

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

137

Round Table discussion with other 2nd Grade Teachers.

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.

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:55am - 12:55pm PDT
137 Art room, 1st floor (Koetje)

Round Table

Audience 2nd

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)

Session

Audience General
Subject Professional Development

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

9:00am PDT

Connecting Bytes and Beliefs: Technology and the Biblical Story

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

137

What does it mean to be a faithful Christian in a digital world? What do bytes have to do with Christian beliefs? This presentation will sketch how computer technology can be understood within the biblical story and contrasted with how it is often understood within rival stories.

Speakers

Derek Schuurman

Professor of Computer Science, Calvin University

Derek Schuurman worked as an electrical engineer for several years and later completed a Ph.D. in robotics and computer vision. He is currently professor of computer science at Calvin University and author of "Shaping a Digital World" and co-author of "A Christian Field Guide to Technology... Read More →

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

Session

Audience General
Subject Reformed World and Life View
Area Technology

10:10am PDT

ChatGPT, AI, and the Biblical Story: Thoughts from a Christian Computer Scientist

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

137

Many believe that AI could lead us toward some sort of paradise. A rival story suggests that the future doesn’t need us and that AI will ultimately threaten humanity. This talk will explore a vision for AI informed by the Biblical story and some recommendations for how we might toward more responsible technology.

Chairperson

Jennifer Lewis

Western MI Christian High School

Speakers

Derek Schuurman

Professor of Computer Science, Calvin University

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

Session

Audience General
Subject Reformed World and Life View
Area Technology