The Dock List

What makes education distinctly Christian? Is this more a question of what it is or what it isn't? But whatever we make of those questions, how do educators remain passionate about their mundane, sometimes thankless, often discouraging role in carrying this work forward? Anthony Hurst, who has over 25 years of experience in Christian Day Schools and currently works as school representative for Christian Light, offers valuable insight on these perennial questions. School leaders, you've likely experienced just how quickly your own vision and motivation can fade. You are also in a prime position to renew the passion of the teams that you lead. Join Anthony in reflecting on what keeps the fire burning. As you listen to his ideas and insights, take note of memories and experiences this brings to mind. How could you and your team tap into the experiences of the past year to renew your commitment for the next one?   Links This recording was first published on The Dock as Why I am Passionate About Christian Education: https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/why-i-am-passionate-about-christian-education/  More Recordings from Pacific School Leadership Institute 2021: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/psli/pacific-school-leadership-institute-2021/ More Information about Pacific School Leaders Institute: https://psli.info/

How do children develop? How do we give them the best chance of healthy development? The fact of the ocean of ink spilled on this question has not lessened the actual wonder of this process or the reality of its mystery.   In a presentation filled with stories and examples, Brandon Mullet explores the basic needs of children. Brandon speaks as an administrator, teacher, and parent.   He discusses themes such as: Laboring for what is right and fulfilling for children without regard for own reputation and recognition Ministering sacrificially to children Walking with Christ so we can minister in his love Letting children know that we love them and enjoy them and like being with them   This presentation was given over 25 years ago which highlights the reality that these issues are timeless. May you find them illuminating and orienting as you head into the summer and engage with the children in your life as well as reflecting on this past school year. Links Child Development Workshop 1998: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/child-development-workshop/  Opening comic: https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1962/02/04 This was first published on The Dock as "Child Development: Biblical Orientation:" https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/child-development-biblical-orientation/ 

How are your teachers' root systems? If you have the opportunity, ask an arborist talk about root systems and about the tree planting and care process. From root hairs to mycorrhizae, it's a fascinating world. But one that is mostly invisible to us and that tends to fall prey to our drive to control and manipulate what is visible to us. Melvin Lehman employs the metaphor of roots as he reflects on nearly four decades of teaching.   He did his first teaching back in the early days of the Christian school movement when he observed much rapid planting driven by the need to quickly fill the empty spaces in all the new classrooms. We have better opportunities for cultivating strong and healthy roots today. But of course, this is not automatic and there are plenty of pressing reasons for ignoring our root systems. As a school leader, you are in a position to model the development of healthy roots and to care for those of your team. Without them, as Melvin says, we will be unable to access and appropriate the resources around them, however rich and abundant they may be.   Here are some of the main recommendations that Melvin makes in his talk: Develop of the discipline of meditation and prayer Be wholesome (and holy) Accept new or challenging assignments Read widely and with a plan Teach in diverse situations Pursue stimulating and productive hobbies Master new and essential skills Surround yourself with stimulating and challenging people Take advanced courses of study This episode was first published on The Dock as "Intentional Growth:" https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/intentional-growth-melvin-lehman/  More from Teachers Week 2012: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/fbep-teachers-week/teachers-week-2012/ 

Does your school have mission, vision, and values statements? Who knows about them? We're probably all familiar with these three terms and in this episode, Merle Burkholder offers simple definitions and provides clear examples of each one to refresh our usage. He also suggests a variety of means to communicate these guiding statements so that they can become second nature for you and your people. Merle brings many years of experience in church and organizational leadership including his work at Open Hands and Servant Institute. After working through definitions and examples of guiding statements Merle explains four elements of an organization that can be used to measure its health and life-stage from birth to death. It's a useful grid for evaluating the health of a school. On that note, this episode echoes our last episode on evaluation. Merle proposes that, “People produce what you measure.” Clear guiding statements, particularly core values, give you an effective basis to evaluate your school. Merle was addressing leaders of different types of organizations. Where Merle discusses the responsibilities of a leadership team and CEO in carrying the vision, I think we can insert the school board and administrator. You might consider going back to episode 14 by Steven Brubaker outlining the role of an administrator who works at the intersection of the various parties involved in a school. Finally, it is possible for a school team to share a vision that is sufficiently vivid and understood to occasionally take away your breath and consistently guide your decision-making. May this strengthen your gains here or guide your steps in that direction. Links Why Administrators? on The Dock School Leader Podcast: https://administratorspodcast.podbean.com/e/why-administrators/  This recording was originally published on The Dock as "Clarifying Mission Vision and Values": https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/clarifying-mission-vision-and-values/  More recordings from REACH 2017: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/reach/reach-2017/ 

How do you know when you have a good year at school? When the people around you talk about having a good year or a bad year, what do they have in mind? As an administrator, it matters that you feel a sense of satisfaction or concern when things are actually going well or going poorly as the case may be. You play a key role in setting the tone for celebrating success and learning from failure. But you need to know what success looks like, and it's often not enough just to trust your intuition. Further, Mark reminds us that we will never be effective evaluators if we are under the tyranny of only keeping up with what's urgent. Effective evaluation requires clarity about our desired ends, attentiveness to our current progress, and scrutiny of our chosen methods.   Mark Kurtz speaks with a background in both teaching and administrating and also shares the connections that he's made between raising strawberries and school children. Mark takes us through an overview of the who, what, and where to evaluate, offering a trove of penetrating questions for administrators and school boards.   You'll hear Mark describe the four quadrants used by Steven Covey and others to develop time management skills. If this is new for you, use the link below to find a copy of this diagram and consider keeping it in front of you for the section near the beginning where Mark introduces these concepts and gives a few examples of quadrant one and two activities. Links Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Steven Covey: https://a.co/d/2D8FvBL 

What were we created for and how does that inform our relationships? In this final episode in our segment on relationships, Jeff Swanson describes four fundamentals that become especially potent when relationships turn problematic: Love Listening Structure Direct communication If you know Jeff, you may catch the humor of his title and of his proposition to offer groundbreaking thoughts about relating to children and million-dollar hints for interacting with parents and other teachers. Jeff Swanson has taught in a wide range of school settings for several decades and offers here some of what he's learned in nurturing strong relationships around the school. Jeff throws in many anecdotes alongside of a very straightforward collection of principles. If you want to love your job and want your teachers to love their jobs five and ten years from now, this will help guide you towards that future. Links How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: https://a.co/d/gRnZ9qQ  This recording was first published on The Dock as "Naughty Students, Naughty Parents, and Naughty Teachers!": https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/naughty-students-naughty-parents-and-naughty-teachers/  More recordings from Teachers Week 2023: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/teachers-week-2023/ 

Why have an administrator? What can an administrator do in terms of the relationships around the school? Steve Brubaker makes the case that administrators inhabit and manage the complex meeting place of all the people involved in a school. It's a position of influence to be used not to lord it over others but to serve them. “Administrators exist to serve the servants,” says Steven. And schools that lack these people are hampered in their efforts to grow. Specifically, administrators are in a position to nurture growth in these two ways: Valuing the diversity – each person with whom or for whom we labor is worthwhile, and it is one of the administrator's primary roles to reveal and maximize that worth. Promoting the unity – helping all our people speak a common language, doing a lot of listening (which includes creating opportunities for listening), doing a lot of communicating (before, around, and during decision-making), and fostering shared experiences makes this a potent second role for an administrator. Steven develops both of those roles and also provides practical elaboration on the admin/board relationship and the admin/teacher relationship. Bonus: (from the discussion time in the original presentation) How can you go about growing into these responsibilities as an administrator if you're in a situation where the board currently has those responsibilities? Patience, build trust Appeal, ask to be involved/participate rather than trying to change the process Clarify, discuss job description/expectations Links Administrator's Conference: https://www.fbep.org/attend/events/administrators-conference-and-retreat/  The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick M. Lencioni: https://a.co/d/2dkE4wu Doing Good Even Better by Edgar Stoesz: https://a.co/d/ilJRVb2 This recording was originally published on The Dock as "Loving Those We Serve": https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/loving-those-we-serve/  More Recordings from 2017 Administrators Conference and Retreat: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/administrators-conference-and-retreat/ 

If parents are responsible to train their children, what are the children doing in schools? Matt Peachy lays out a case for education that places schools squarely in a position of service to the church and to families. He then outlines some of the ways that this shapes a school, particularly in its relationships with parents and the church. Matt teaches at the secondary level and has administrative and pastoral experience. Notably, he is also a parent. Matt addresses three core questions in his talk: Who is responsible for education? Where do teachers fit? What kind of people should teachers be?   Outline of key sections of Matt's presentation: How can we support parents? See yourself as a servant Communicate well (Assume that parents want what is best for their children) Lead your classroom How do we sell the church? Recognize your impact Promote excellence Emphasize discipleship What qualities are we looking for in teachers? Christlikeness Competency Commitment   For those of you who have been to Faith Builders, there are a few doses of Guys Mills sirens to stir your nostalgia. Links This episode was first published on The Dock as “Supporting the Parents:” https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/supporting-the-parents/ Teachers Week 2019: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/fbep-teachers-week/teachers-week-2019/ Reclaiming the Future of Christian Education by Albert Greene: https://a.co/d/7x2oukN

What's your greatest advantage as a teacher or leader in a Christian school? Stephen submits that it is the immeasurable gift of most of our children having parents that love them. What are you doing to know and care for those parents and your students, especially the average ones? Stephen Gingerich speaks with year of experience teaching and administrating in a school in Guatemala that serves both mission and native families. This work carried him deep into serving severely broken families. School leaders are often busy enough just keeping things at school under control. How will you carry these extra things? First, if I hear Stephen correctly, I think he's telling us that if we're too busy to care for our families we're too busy. Second, Stephen leads us to trusting in God to provide in measure to what he's called you to carry. Third, I would add that sometimes God supplies the kind of strength and direction that's needed for leaders to facilitate reorganization, delegation, or other strategic responses to the awareness of overwhelming or unrealistic responsibilities. I don't know where this finds you, but I trust that as you follow his leading, God will supply the grace you need to help your school grow in caring for your families. They are precious to our Lord. Let's renew our commitment to counting it a privilege to serve them. Six ways to help Be a model/good example Be faithful Be a mentor Be a servant Be willing to use our gifts Be biblical In sum, let Ephesians four saturate your teaching. This episode was first published on The Dock as "Connecting With a Variety of Families:" https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/connecting-with-a-variety-of-families-stephan-gingerich/  Teachers Week 2013: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/fbep-teachers-week/teachers-week-2013/ 

Just investing in a culture of growth as Gerald described in the last episode won't solve all problems. Here he is again with a sequel episode exploring redemptive solutions to difficult people problems. Few people enjoy wading into these situations. Gerald won't tell you how to begin liking it, but he does outline a number of excellent methods for how to lead responsibly and honorably. This episode describes how to break down a problem by: Identifying the issues Agreeing on the issues Developing a plan (including specific steps, point person, timing, and contingencies) Following through Establishing accountability These methods will help you gain confidence in bringing clarity as you labor to help teachers stay in the classroom and grow if that's the right place for them or how to support them in moving forward to another vocation. This is not about toughing up as a leader. It's about school leaders who are ministers of God's grace through hard times. Principles covered in this episode Leaving things alone does not make problems go away Name the elephants in the room Principles of difficult conversations Know thyself Grace and truth Clarity with compassion You need eyewitnesses, kill assumptions Act as one Do what is best for your church's future and your teacher's future Be a part of the solution Speak no evil Confidentiality Links CASBI: https://casbi.info/   

Schools are places for growth and learning. Growth is essential for teachers. Teachers must be learners. This is not something that school leaders can force, but it very is definitely something that leaders can and should nurture. Gerald Miller, long-time teacher and administrator makes a compelling case for those propositions which will shape how you think about what you look for in a teacher. He also shares straightforward ideas for how you can cultivate habits of development in your school. Some of these ideas aren't as complicated as you might think. The Call Develop The Teacher as Learner Cultivating Development   Links Information about CASBI 2023: https://thedockforlearning.org/event/casbi-2023/ 

What does it look like to shepherd your school? This episode presents a passionate challenge by a board member to school leaders and to board members in particular to take full ownership of their responsibility for the people under their care. Ernie Weaver brings school board and business leadership experience to this talk as well as perspective from within the classroom through his own time as a teacher and as son and brother of long-time teachers. Ernie shoots straight here: make the hard decisions for the good of your school and stick with your team no matter what. He outlines the principles of the book, The Way of the Shepherd, and applies them to school. His talk is full of examples and concludes with a collection of ideas to try. See the show notes for a few other ideas from the post-session discussion. Additional ideas from post-session discussion Take coffee drinks to school Pack their lunches Make sure single teachers are eating well for suppers Pray over the school Facilitate teachers getting into the homes of their patrons   Links This recording was originally published on The Dock as "Encouraging and Blessing Your Teachers": https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/encouraging-and-blessing-your-teachers/  The Way of the Shepherd by Kevin Leman, William, Pentak, and Marc Cashman: https://www.zondervan.com/9780310305408/the-way-of-the-shepherd/ "Seven Essential Principles for Leading Productive People": https://thedockforlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Way-of-the-Shepherd.docx  Information about CASBI: https://casbi.info/  More recordings from CASBI 2022: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/casbi/casbi-2022/  Personality tests: DISC: https://www.discprofiles.com/  Working Genius: https://www.workinggenius.com/ 

Is an incompetent teacher better than not having a one? We are beginning a new segment focused on staff development and care. In this opening episode, Ken Kauffman speaks from his experience as a teacher, principle, and educational representative for Christian Light. He leads the way in thinking about the following three issues: How we prepare new teachers How we identify and nurture the next generation of teachers How we build up experienced teachers. This talk will give you a thought-provoking and actionable collection of ideas for you to take steps towards your school being a place where the craft of teaching is prized and where that craft is intentionally being reproduced. Ken suggests that teachers may have nearly as much influence on the church as its ministry. If that's the case, our vetting processes and methods of preparing teachers are often sadly lacking. And while good character is of fundamental importance, teachers need more than that. Links CASBI 2019: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/casbi/casbi-2019/  Teacher Training Programs Faith Builders Training Institute Summer Term: https://www.fbep.org/academics/summer-term/  Faith Builders Training Institute Teacher Apprenticing Program: https://www.fbep.org/attend/two-year-programs/  Teachers Week: https://www.fbep.org/attend/events/teachers-week/  Teachers Conference: https://www.fbep.org/attend/events/teachers-conference/ 

Our rationale, resources, and methodology matter. But what about the students who come to us with such deep brokenness and dysfunction that our best efforts to help them go nowhere unless backwards or in circles? The subject of disorders is huge. Here in this bonus episode we're going to look at just one of them: Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).  Wesley King is a father of a RAD child and has experience as a principle. He speaks vulnerably and compassionately about this issue. This talk will help prepare you to approach a situation involving a child with RAD, but it will also take you to a more basic level of questions about student needs than when we're talking about curriculum and rationale. These questions take us deeper into serving both our ordinary students as well as those dealing with RAD or other disorders. Links This episode was initially published as “Coping with Reactive Attachment Disorder” at: https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/coping-with-reactive-attachment-disorder/ Other presentations from CASBI 2015: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/casbi/casbi-2015/ “Specific Learning Disabilities” by Lynell Nissley: https://thedockforlearning.org/specific-learning-disabilities/ “Resources for The Exceptional Learner” by Lynell Nissley: https://thedockforlearning.org/document/resources-for-the-exceptional-learner/ “Reactive Attachment Disorder Part 2” by Sumner Loomis: https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/reactive-attachment-disorder-part-2-sumner-loomis/

A common theme in academic discussions is the curriculum. For our final episode in this segment on academics, we're looking at this common theme, but with an important distinction. Gerald Miller, teacher and current administrator at Faith Builders Christian School differentiates between the formal curriculum (what you pay money for every year) and the hidden curriculum, which is everything else. He's casting vision here for schools that produce students that both know things and know how to serve with the things they know. “Formal curriculum is intentional; hidden curriculum is inherent. Formal is obvious, hidden is subtle. What is learned in the formal curriculum leaves you eventually, at least the details. But what you learn in the hidden curriculum lasts a lifetime.” – John Ortberg   Links This presentation was initially published as "Examining Your School's Hidden Curriculum” at: https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/examining-your-schools-hidden-curriculum-by-gerald-miller/ Other presentations from CASBI 2019: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/casbi/casbi-2019/

We are continuing our segment of episodes addressing particular subject areas. Building a strong reading program is more than helping students with dyslexia. How well is your school doing overall at shaping your students into adults who love reading, who can do it well, and who can enter deeply into their reading? Drawing inspiration from Nehemiah where the law was rediscovered through distinct reading that gave the sense and caused the people to understand, Lyndon Hartman calls us to reevaluate our commitment to developing the essential craft of reading. Lyndon speaks from a background of teaching reading and literature in several different grades, working with reading curriculum, and most importantly speaks from a deep love of reading. He outlines six area for us to evaluate: Our teachers curriculum books judgement concerning struggling readers libraries examples Links This presentation was initially published as "Raising Readers” at: https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/raising-readers/ Other presentations from CASBI 2022: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/casbi/casbi-2022/ Find more resources that support teaching and learning at https://thedockforlearning.org/

Description Singing has been an important part of our Anabaptist heritage. But what are the trends of music literacy and quality in your community? Does your school delight in music making? And what is at stake if music education is off track? Lyle Stutzman approaches this topic with many years of experience in music teaching and directing. He's taught at the elementary, high school, and secondary levels including places like Shenandoah Christian Music Camp. He currently directs Laudate Mennonite Ensemble. Lyle brings a deep care and concern for music in the classroom. While he doesn't directly address the issue of music discernment, he describes a foundation for music making that will orient you for making decisions both at school and beyond. Lyle lays out three reasons why we should attend diligently to music education: Music is essential in the kingdom of God Christ-centered music education prepares students to be effective in the kingdom Illiteracy and it's results if we ignore music He finishes with a collection of ideas for how we can improve. It's heartening to see some progress in the years since Lyle gave this talk in 2014. There's more ground to be gained.    Links Pilgrim Choral Series: https://blueskymusic.net/pilgrim-choral-series/  Sing for Joy: https://blueskymusic.net/shop/satb/sing-for-joy-you-happy-people/  Lyle has taught at Faith Builders Training Institute: https://fbep.org/  Lyle has taught at Shenandoah Christian Music Camp : https://www.musiccamp.info/ 

We're beginning a segment of episodes exploring specific topics in the domain of academics. In today's episode, history teacher Michael Martin explores the foundations of why we include history in our curriculum. We rely on history, which for Michael includes divine revelation, to answer the following questions:  Who are we?  Where we are going?  What we are doing?  What we could become?  Our history teachers wield great power, or at least they could. Michael makes the case that we must access this power for the sacred work of shaping the worldviews of our children. He leaves us with something of a commission for evaluating our history curriculum.   How do we know our history teaching is working? When our children choose to suffer with the people of God rather than enjoying the pleasures of sins for a season.   How do we measure success in history teaching? When our children see God as the center of history.  Links  This presentation was initially published as "Why Teach History?" at https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/why-teach-history/    Other presentations from CASBI 2019: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/christian-school-administration-institute-2019/    Find more resources that support teaching and learning at https://thedockforlearning.org/. 

If there is no such thing as a culture-less school, then the question becomes: what is my school's culture? Is it what you want? And just as importantly, what are you doing to either build it or change it? In this episode, Anthony Hurst brings several decades of experience as a teacher and administrator to the question about how to cultivate the kind of culture that produces the fruit for which we hope. You will be challenged to be clear and specific, even painfully so, about what you need to do to realize your vision.  Links  Evaluating Seven Elements of Your Home's Influence, CASBI 2018, Gerald Miller https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/evaluating-seven-elements-of-your-homes-influence/   This presentation was initially published as "Cultivating a Healthy School Culture" at https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/cultivating-a-healthy-school-culture/   Other presentations from CASBI 2018: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/casbi/casbi-2018/   Find more resources that support teaching and learning at https://thedockforlearning.org/. 

In this episode, Gary Miller asks us to take a careful look at our target. We are all aiming at something. Our schools have a target in focus and so does each one of our students. At best, functional and ideal targets are misaligned. At worst, careful targeting is ignored in the press of responding to whatever is most urgent.  Gary Miller brings deep experience in finance and education. In 2011 he authored the book Charting a Course in Your Youth where he tried to leverage this experience to equip young people to focus early on the right things, particularly in finances. Unified focus on the right target is vital for kingdom building. In this talk in 2013, Gary offers clarifying insight about the difference between the apparatus involved in hitting targets and the step of selecting a target in the first place. He also offers wisdom about identifying the key target and homing in on it.   Links Charting a Course in Your Youth: https://cambooks.org/shop/cam-published-books/resources/kingdom-focused-finances/charting-a-course-in-your-youth/  Going Till You're Gone: https://cambooks.org/shop/cam-published-books/resources/kingdom-focused-finances/going-till-youre-gone/  This presentation was initially published as "Cultivating Hearts of Service in Children at" https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/cultivating-hearts-of-service-in-children/  Other presentations from CASBI 2013: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/casbi/casbi-2013/  Find more resources that support teaching and learning at https://thedockforlearning.org/.

Kyler and Jaran introduce The Dock School Leader Podcast, talks to inspire and equip Anabaptist school leaders. Find more resources that support teaching and learning at https://thedockforlearning.org/.

Student apathy can be a frustrating drag in any classroom. What might be going on beneath the surface of a student’s “don’t-care” attitude? For some, it might signal a fear of failure or a wrong view of education. For others, it might indicate disordered priorities and desires. Whatever the case, John Mark calls teachers to the daily work of forming… READ MORE

Students today have instant access to more information than previous generations could have imagined. For some, this begs a question: “Why should I bother learning it in school if I can just Google it?” John Mark challenges the skewed understanding of knowledge behind this question and calls teachers to cultivate intellectual humility—in themselves, first of all, and then in their… READ MORE

What type of teacher are you? The “Trying to Be Cool” teacher? The “Important Authority Figure”? In this light-hearted yet thought-provoking talk, Jeff Swanson caricatures some common teacher types and encourages teachers to grow toward personal and professional maturity. Download the video or download audio only

How should a teacher respond when a student challenges their authority in front of the class? What should a teacher do when they realized they’ve handled a situation poorly? Drawing on stories from his career, Jeff demonstrates how to respond to classroom conflict with confidence, tact, and humility. Download the video or download audio only

When faced with a difficult concept or task, students often ask, Why do we have to learn this? What is behind this familiar and frustrating response? In most cases, John Mark suggests, the question signals confusion or a lack of stimulation. More important than giving students the right answer is giving them clear instruction while cultivating the virtue of curiosity.… READ MORE

History is a lively story full of original characters, interesting places, and surprising plot twists. But history class tends to reduce it to a lifeless assortment of facts and dates. How can we resuscitate history for our students? Lyndon recommends seven tactics, beginning with telling a good story.   Download the video or download audio only

When students tell you they can’t do something, what are they really saying? What’s behind the expression of defeat? John Mark suggests three possibilities and how to respond: The student may be expressing a belief about people in general: “Some people can, I cannot.” The student may be dealing with a unhealthy reliance on the teacher. The student may be expressing a fear… READ MORE

Not all learning disabilities are internal or genetic. Traumatic experiences like neglect, violence, or injury can physically alter a child’s brain, making it difficult for to behave and learn normally. In this fifth and final installment of the diverse learners series, Becky describes how trauma works and how teachers can make their classrooms feel safe to students scarred by trauma.… READ MORE

In this installment of the diverse learners series, Becky gets into the complex world of autism—what it is, how it manifests, and how to address challenging behaviors caused by autism. Ultimately, Becky calls teachers to cultivate a classroom environment in which all students can thrive, including those on the autism spectrum, and to model Christlike love and sensitivity toward those… READ MORE

ADHD is one of the more recognizable acronyms in the field of learning disabilities. It also tends to be misunderstood and misrepresented in popular discourse, used as often to joke about one’s inability to sit still and concentrate as to describe an actual health condition. Drawing on research and her own classroom experience, Becky Bollinger sheds some light on ADHD… READ MORE

The best kind of student motivation is intrinsic to the process of learning, but sometimes students need an additional incentive to inspire that extra push toward excellence. What if you could offer hardworking students a rewarding experience that is both educational and fun? In this video, Deana Swanson explains how she uses achievement parties to motivate her students to invest… READ MORE

Good singing habits start early, but they need to be maintained with regular practice. In this video, Jeff Swanson draws on his years of music teaching experience to highlight some practices, tips, and tools proven to yield “music gold” at any grade level. By regularly practicing good posture, pitch-matching, rhythm, and vowel formation, music teachers can push all students toward… READ MORE

A typical school day might end mid-afternoon, but the teacher’s workday is far from over. In this video, Caleb Martin shares some practical tips for staying focused, efficient, and productive after the final bell rings. Rather than feeling overwhelmed and getting distracted after a full day of teaching, teachers can turn the after-school hours into a productive time of preparation… READ MORE

The second of a five-part video series by Becky Bollinger on diverse learners and learning disabilities, this video focuses on dyslexia. Becky explains what dyslexia is and is not, how it affects the learner, ways to diagnose it, and what a teacher can do to overcome the disadvantages it brings. The information in this video should be helpful for all… READ MORE

The process of becoming a better teacher holds so much potential for enjoyment and inspiration, especially when a group of teachers grows together. An administrator can help give this process the vital initiative and structure needed to unlock the potential. In this video, Howard Lichty gives his advice and suggestions for staff development, drawing from his experience as a school… READ MORE

Classrooms are greenhouses, students are plants, and teachers are gardeners. This analogy introduces a five-part video series by Becky Bollinger on diverse learners and learning disabilities. In this introductory video, Becky outlines the purpose of the series, establishes some foundational terms and concepts related to learning disabilities, and discusses the drawbacks and benefits of diagnostic labels. As teachers study their… READ MORE

What does making a Renaissance-era dome out of newspaper or role-playing a labor strike have to do with school? Learning, of course. In this video, Deana Swanson shares some ideas and tips for making your classroom a lively site of learning that engages students not simply in reading and thinking but in making and handling. With enough creativity, forethought, and… READ MORE

Learning grammar doesn’t have to be a soul-crushing exercise in memorizing arcane rules and terms as Spencer and his students demonstrate in this video. Grammar songs not only make learning more lively and fun, they aid with memorization, helping students retain knowledge they might forget with more rote forms of learning. Spencer used grammar songs from these resources: Well-Ordered Language… READ MORE

Do your English students struggle with diagramming sentences? Sentence diagramming is a classic method for helping students see the structure of a complete thought, but the process can get messy, especially for some students. In this video, Deana Swanson demonstrates some teaching methods for making sentence diagramming effective and enjoyable for students. Download the video or download audio only

A well-managed classroom serves students by keeping the focus of class activity where it belongs: on learning. But classroom management takes effort, especially in larger classrooms. Amy Zimmerman shares some practical tips and methods for keeping classrooms running smoothly, including how to communicate expectations, practice procedures, and manage homework. With adequate planning and practice, even large classrooms can become lively… READ MORE

Transitions of leadership are always difficult. But do they have to be as disruptive and stressful as they often are? How can an outgoing administrator effectively pass on his knowledge to a new administrator, especially if that knowledge was accumulated over years of experience? In this video, Howard Lichty and Joseph Shantz offer recommendations and share perspectives from their current… READ MORE

Dysfunctional homes directly impact schools. While some situations cause only minor annoyances, others hinder the student’s and the school’s ability to function, and thus demand more significant intervention. In this video from CASBI 2019, Jonathan Erb discusses how schools can respond well to a range of issues stemming from dysfunctional home situations. Listen to Jonathan’s complete presentation here. Download the… READ MORE

Music is a powerful teaching tool because it involves the entire person: body and mind, sense and soul. In this video, Kyla encourages teachers to harness the pedagogical power of singing by making it a central part of their curriculum and classroom culture. As students sing Bible verses, math facts, or the countries of Western Europe, they internalize knowledge in… READ MORE

All teachers deal with the question of student motivation, but teachers in more individualized classroom arrangements face some unique challenges. If a student lacks internal motivation, what external motivators can help develop this capacity? How can a teacher get students to complete homework if homework completion is not reflected in the final test grade? And what about that student who… READ MORE

Meetings draw on the strengths of each person to accomplish a shared agenda. But a poorly planned meeting can easily waste more time and energy than it redeems. In this video, Philip Horst outlines some practices for making the school board meeting a genuinely collaboratively effort–one in which all members come prepared and ready to work. Download the video or… READ MORE

Many teachers lean heavily on post-reading questions to enable students to evaluate literature. Too often, suggests Sharon, we skip over pre-reading exercises. She shares pre-reading activities that prepare students to understand and appreciate the message of the chosen text. Download the video or download audio only

In school and at home, children encounter so many influences. Which ones are important? Jonathan urges us to take seriously the influences we place on our children. Each teacher in our school is curriculum, a system of living values by which our student learns. Our community culture is curriculum present in our schools. And of course, the course books present… READ MORE

The teacher’s job is to impart knowledge and to train skills. But students are more than knowledge acquisition machines. Anthony calls us to follow Christ’s example in caring for children’s needs for belonging, closeness, and blessing. As we care for children as whole persons, we prepare them to grow academically as well. Download the audio instead

The call of the school: Connecting the heart of the subject, the student, and the teacher. How can teachers as artists stimulate growth in their pupils as they engage God’s world together through any given subject? Download audio

How can you move into an uncertain school year with confidence? Stephan reminds us that the challenges we face are our opportunities to notice the good work of God. Watch the Wednesday Session Download the video Watch the Thursday Session Download the video Download both talks as a single audio file