2024 CEA Convention: Full Schedule

10:45am PDT

Book Buzz: Middle Grades and Beyond

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

This session will review the wide range of books available for grades 5 through 8th and into high school. We try to review the year's award winners, and then we go on to any book that seems particularly relevant or just looks interesting!

Chairperson

Amanda Wilson

Lansing Christian School

Speakers

Tara Macias

High School Social Studies Teacher, Kalamazoo Christian Schools

Tara Macias is an educator, mom, and avid reader. She enjoys historical fiction best and talking to her students about the books they are reading, especially the intersections of historical themes, current events, and our Christian faith.

Heather VanDyke

Middle School Science Teacher, Kalamazoo Christian Schools

Heather has been in the world of education in a wide variety of roles for almost 30 years - and is always finding new things to learn about God's world. One of her favorite ways to learn is through reading.

Kim VanLoo

Retired, Kalamazoo Christian Schools

Kim is retired, but has graciously continued to present with us because she continues to love to read!

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
260 Fireplace Common, 2nd floor

Session

Audience 5th - 12th
Subject Book Buzz

11:55am PDT

RT - 5th Grade Teachers

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

260

Round Table for 5th Grade Teachers

Chairperson

John Vanden Berg

Fifth Grade Teacher, Allendale Christian School

John has taught for 18 years in both California and Michigan. He teaches with laughter and thrives on sharing knowledge and values collaborative environments.

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:55am - 12:55pm PDT
260 Fireplace Common, 2nd floor

Round Table

Audience 5th Grade

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

Session

Audience General
Subject Professional Development
Area Dordt University Staff

3:00pm PDT

Person Guided Planning in Inclusive Schools

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

260

Inclusive schools start by knowing students most excellently, rather than starting with a program. This leads to a culture where individuals are celebrated for their unique contributions to the school community and are more likely to experience authentic belonging. In this session, Janelle Sievert explores how our beliefs guide our planning for students with disabilities, shares how to know students most excellently, and provides examples to aid the planning processes. Join us as we dive deeper into person-guided planning based on individual strengths, leading to faith-based and research-based support for individual

Chairperson

Jennifer Lewis

Western MI Christian High School

Speakers

Janelle Sievert

All Belong

Janelle Sievert, M.Ed, is the Educational Services Manager and a Teacher Consultant for All Belong Center for Inclusive Education in Wyoming, MI. She completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education & Special Education at Hope College, Reading Recovery Certification at Oakland... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
260 Fireplace Common, 2nd floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Inclusion

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

Session

Audience General
Subject Professional Development

10:10am PDT

A Pastoral Presence in Christian Schools

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

260

Since Covid, the rise of anxiety/fear/panic attacks has risen amongst students, along with big questions about what is going on in the world and how to navigate these challenges from a Christian Worldview. I believe having a designated staff member who is available in the classroom and with open hours for pastoral care for staff and students is not simply a luxury, but a necessity as Christian Schools move into the future.

Chairperson

Clay Lubbers

Middle School Science Teacher, Byron Center Christian School

Clay is an outdoor enthusiast and is working towards integrating more outdoor learning into his middle school science curriculum. He's had a passion for the outdoors as long as he has been alive and he longs for kids to see the story of creation in creation itself.

Speakers

Chuck Swanson

Bible Teacher, South Christian High School

Dr. Charles W. Swanson spent sixteen years working at Cornerstone University in Student Development and for nine of those years as the Dean of Spiritual Formation and adjunct faculty. After leaving Cornerstone, he served eleven years as a pastor of a local church, while also serving... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
260 Fireplace Common, 2nd floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Reformed World and Life View
Area Counseling