The Convention Planning Committee is finalizing plans for the 2023 CEA Convention which will be held October 19 and 20 at the Century Center and South Bend Marriott in South Bend, Indiana. We hope this convention will provide professional stimulation and challenge each one of you!
Theme: For Such A Time As This
Verse: Esther 4:14b: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Thursday
o Keynote Speaker: Various
o Opening Worship begins at 9:00 a.m.
Friday
o Capstone Speaker: Lynn Swaner
o Closing Worship begins at 11:30 a.m. (Convention begins at 9:00 a.m.)
All of the 2023 CEA Sessions can be viewed at www.ceateachers.org.
2023 CEA Convention Theme: For Such A Time As This
By this we mean that in an uncertain world, we face times of fear and doubt. We wonder about God's plan and our place in his grand story. The story of Esther reminds us that we, like Esther, were made for this very moment. We can trust our loving Father as we live out our "for such a time as this" day, right where we are. The theme verse is Esther 4:14b "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Out of respect to speakers and fellow teachers, the Convention Planning Committee requests that those in attendance at meetings not leave until the chairperson or the presenter indicates the close of the session.
Children and infants may not attend any CEA session or opening or closing worship. We ask for your cooperation so someone from the Planning Committee will not be forced to ask you to leave.
The delegates are invited to attend an important House of Delegates’ Meeting on Thursday at 10:15 a.m., immediately following the Opening Worship, in the Pointe. You’ll find it just behind the stage in the Convention Hall.
CEA dues for this year will be $90 per member. These dues cover your convention registration, a subscription to the Christian Educators Journal, and committee expenses. Your delegate will be collecting dues in September.
Spouse passes may be obtained at Convention Headquarters for $5 and guest passes for educators who are not CEA members are $110.
Student Teachers may attend the convention for free, if they send in a Student Teacher Voucher to Brenda VanderPloeg. Here is the link to the student teacher voucher.
Retired Christian school teachers and administrators may attend the convention free of the normal registration charges. Contact the Executive Secretary, Brenda VanderPloeg, for details. (cea@ceateachers.org)
Two name badges will be sent to each teacher this year for use at the convention. Those who are being honored for 25 or 35 years of service will receive a special set of name badges. Your delegate will have those for you.
Calvin’s Graduate Education Department will offer SCECH’s (State Continuing Education Clock Hours) through the State of Michigan. Educators may earn Michigan SCECH’s for attending selected sessions. Specific directions may be obtained from your CEA delegate. You may also stop at the Information Desk before the convention starts to pick up a registration form. If you have any questions, please stop by the Calvin University display booth in the Exhibits Hall. Use the word “SCECH” to search for which sessions apply in SCHED.
CEA INFORMATION DESK will be located on the Street Level of the Century Center. If you are a chairperson, please stop at Information Desk to pick up AND return your session envelope.
CEA Activities: Climbing Wall, Laser Tag, 5K Run/Walk
The Climbing Wall and Laser Tag will be free and will be open on Thursday from 11:45 am – 1:00 pm, and from 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
The 5K Run/Walk will be free and take place on Friday at 7:00 am along the St. Joseph. Meet at the Convention Information Desk
CEA Demonstrations: Keva Planks and Robotics
The Keva Planks will be demonstrated on Thursday at 3:30. Search the word “Keva” for more information in SCHED.
The Robotics will be demonstrated on Thursday at 2:15. Search the word “Robotics” for more information in SCHED.
CEA Music Thread: Bring your instruments! All music sessions will be held in The Pointe
Thursday at 10:45 – 11:45: Choral Repertoire
Thursday 1:00 – 2:00: Band Reading Session: Beginner to Easy Level Repertoire (Grade 0.5 – 1.5)
Thursday 2:15 – 3:15: Band Reading Session: Medium Easy to Advanced Repertoire (Grade 2 and above)
Thursday 3:30 – 4:30: How to Build a Pep Band + Reading Sessions
Friday 9:00 – 10:00: Large Group Improvisation and Composition in the 5th Grade Ensemble Classroom
Friday 10:15 – 11:15: ForScore in the Music Classroom: Transformative Teaching for All Levels
Lunch on Thursday: Lunch will be available to purchase on the River Level of the Century Center. Search the word “Lunch” on Sched for a list of the menu items and prices. Please note that the area restaurants will be very busy and you might not make it back in time.
Is this your first time attending a CEA Convention? We have a special reception just for you! We will plan to meet you immediately after the opening worship. Exit the Great Hall and turn right and look for the poster showing you where the first-time attendees will meet. We can answer any questions you have and you can sign up for a drawing just for first time attendees. We will be drawing 4 winners: two cash prizes and two gift certificates to Bookbug (in the CEA exhibit hall.)
2023 CEA Banner: The CEA would like to express our deep appreciation to Anne Brouwer from Kalamazoo Christian Middle School for designing the 2023 CEA Banner.
The exhibits will be ringing the great room on the River Level of the Century Center. Our Chairperson of Exhibits is Jerry Mastenbrook (retired from Kalamazoo Christian Middle School). He has worked very hard at obtaining vendors to come to our convention. Please be sure to visit the exhibits and order materials right at the convention whenever possible. Even when placing an order later in the year, be sure to mention the convention exhibit. Since the exhibits are an important source of CEA income, we urge your cooperation.
The following have donated cash for us to provide exhibitor prizes. Visit the exhibit hall and receive a ticket from the vendors, Drop your ticket off in the prize bowl at the CEA headquarters. We will be drawing prizes each hour.
Many thanks to:
Distinguished Donor....................................................................................................………………..
ANDY STEENSMA INSURANCE AGENCY - Serving the Michigan Educational Community since 1950
Outstanding Donor.................................................................................................................................. Providence Bank
A hotel reservation form was sent to you in the spring and you have hopefully already made your hotel arrangements directly with the hotel/motel. Another copy is included below.
CEA Special Rate at South Bend Area Hotels
CEA 2023 CONVENTION HOUSING INFORMATION
This important housing/lodging information is being sent to you in preparation for our fall 2023 CEA Convention to be held in South Bend, IN on October 19 and 20. (More convention information and a request for dues will be sent to you in the fall.) EACH CEA MEMBER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING HIS/HER OWN HOUSING/LODGING RESERVATIONS.
You must tell the hotels that you are with CEA to receive these rates.
Remember to reserve the correct dates. The actual CEA Convention is Thursday and Friday, October 19 and 20, 2023. You will most likely need lodging for Wednesday, October 18 and/or Thursday, October 19.
You will be dealing directly with the hotel/motel for ALL arrangements and will receive a confirmation directly from that hotel/motel.
REDUCED RATES FOR CEA MEMBERS AT THE FOLLOWING HOTELS:
Southbend DoubleTree Hotel SpringHill Suites
123 North St. Joseph Street 5225 Edison Lakes Parkway
South Bend, IN 46601 Mishawaka, IN 46545
Connected to the Century Center via a skywalk 5.2 miles East of the Century Center
Parking $8.00 per day. Complimentary Hot Breakfast Buffet
Reservation Number: 574-234-2000 Reservation Number: 574-271-0832
Rooms: $139.00 Rooms: $139.00
Courtyard by Marriott Comfort Suites
121 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd 60971 US 31 South
South Bend, IN 46601 South Bend, IN 46614
Across the street from the Century Center 5 miles South of the Century Center
Newly built Complimentary Hot Breakfast
Free wifi Reservation Number: 574-291-3100
In and Out valet parking, $15.00 per day. Rooms: $97.00
Reservation Number: 574-237-7777 Booking Link
Rooms: $119.00