February 2017 Update

1.    The 2017 CEA Convention will be held on October 19 and 20, 2017 at Holland Christian High School in Holland, MI.

2.    Our Keynote Speaker on Thursday is Jim Schaap. Jim is a storyteller, a frequent presenter at CEA and recently retired from Dordt College.

3.    Our Capstone Speaker on Friday is Kurt Dykstra, the President of Trinity Christian College.

4.    October, 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. We will be commemorating that anniversary in several ways at the 2017 CEA Convention. Two of those ways are listed below.

a.    Every Word Project – Together as an association, we will be proclaiming out loud every word of the scripture during the time of the convention. Sign up to read today!

i.     Sign up to proclaim from Genesis – Numbers.

ii.     Sign up to proclaim from Deuteronomy – II Samuel.

iii.     Sign up to proclaim from I Kings – Ezra.

iv.     Sign up to proclaim from Nehemiah – Psalms.

v.     Sign up to proclaim from Proverbs – Jeremiah.

vi.     Sign up to proclaim from Lamentations – Malachi.

vii.     Sign up to proclaim from Matthew – Acts.

viii.     Sign up to proclaim from Romans – Revelation.

b.    All of the sessions in the first time slot will either be on the Reformation or on Reformed thinking. What a heritage we have to celebrate and learn about.

5.    The dues for the 2017 CEA convention will be $90.00 per person.

We look forward to seeing YOU on October 19 and 20 at Holland Christian High School!

Fall 2016 Update

The Convention Planning Committee is finalizing plans for the 2016 CEA Convention, which will be held October 20 and 21 at the Century Center and South Bend Doubletree Hotel in South Bend, Indiana. We hope this convention will provide professional stimulation and challenge each one of you!

Theme: Be Rooted, Be Relevant

Verse: Colossians 2:2-3, 6-7

Thursday

  • Keynote Speaker: Bruce Hekman
  • Opening Worship begins at 9:00 a.m.    

Friday

  • Capstone Speaker: Randy Buursma
  • Closing Worship begins at 11:30 a.m. (Convention begins at 9:00 a.m.)

All of the 2016 CEA Sectionals can be viewed at www.ceateachers.org. Click on the “Convention” tab, and then on “Convention Planner.”

The delegates are invited to attend an important Delegates’ Meeting on Thursday at 10:15 a.m., immediately following the Opening Worship, in the Recital Hall on the lower level of the Century Center.

2016 CEA Convention Theme: Be Rooted, Be Relevant

Christian educators have the privilege to prepare our students for tomorrow’s world with feet grounded firmly in the faith.

Out of respect to speakers and fellow teachers, the Planning Committee requests that those in attendance at meetings not leave until the chairperson 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.  Contact your hotel for babysitting services or make other arrangements for your children if you choose to take them along to the convention. 

A hotel reservation form was sent to you in the spring and you have hopefully already made your hotel/motel arrangements directly with the hotel/motel.  Another copy is included below. 

On Thursday there will be a lunch break in the schedule. There will be no sessions scheduled. The exhibit hall will be open. There will be snacks and sandwiches available on the lower level and in the snack shop (in the brick entryway) of the Century Center and in the restaurants in the South Bend Doubletree, and area restaurants.  A list of additional eating places close to the Century Center will be available at Convention Headquarters. The list of restaurants is also available online atwww.sjchamber.org

The following Loaves and Fishes will be meeting in a room during a session time.

Thursday from 11:00 – 12:00 noon

  • L+F ~ Band Music Reading Session (Please bring your instruments)
  • L+F ~ FLES Educators (Foreign Language in Elementary Schools)
  • L+F ~ Yearbook Sponors

Thursday from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

  • L+F ~ Favorite Choral School Music

Remember that 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)

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. Contact Brenda VanderPloeg (cea@ceateachers.org) for a Student Teacher Voucher.

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.

River City Improv is coming to 2016 CEA! Admission is free! River City Improv begins at 8:00 pm, Thursday night in the Bendix Theatre on the lower level of the Century Center.  Come with your colleagues to laugh and enjoy!

Gather by CEA headquarters at the Century Center for our 2016 CEA 5K Walk/Run. The event begins at 7:00 am, Friday morning. Follow the St. Joseph River for a beautiful morning walk or run. This will be an un-chipped event. There is no cost for this event.

Twitter – Use #CEA2016 to get connected and share your experience.

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 Convention Headquarters before the convention starts to pick up a registration form.

If you have any questions please stop by headquarters to speak with a Graduate Program representative or stop by the Calvin College display booth in the Exhibits Hall.

CONVENTION HEADQUARTERS will be located on the Street Level of the Century Center. If you are a chairperson, please stop at Convention Headquarters to pick up AND return your session envelope.

Back by popular demand, our very own CEA Book Club! Read, Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee and come discuss this book at book club on Thursday, from 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

South Bend is in the Eastern Time zone. That means that South Bend is on “Michigan Time.”

The CEA would like to express our deep appreciation to Junior, Megan Haagsma, from South Christian High School forthe winning entry in designing the 2016 CEA Banner. All banner entries can be picked up at CEA headquarters.

The exhibits will be in Convention Hall C on the Street Level of the Century Center.  Our Chairperson of Exhibits is Jerry Mastenbrook (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 either products or 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

Outstanding Donor - The FAST Project

CEA 2016 CONVENTION HOUSING INFORMATION

This important housing/lodging information is being sent to you in preparation for our fall 2016 CEA Convention which will be held in South Bend, Indiana on October 20 and 21.  (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 20 and 21, 2016.  You will most likely need lodging for Wednesday, October 19 and/or Thursday, October 20. 
  • You will need a credit card number to make a reservation.
  • You will be dealing directly with the hotel/motel for ALL arrangements and will receive a confirmation directly from that hotel/motel.
  • Hotel/motel names, rates, etc. are listed below.

South Bend DoubleTree Hotel

123 North St. Joseph Street,  South Bend, IN 46601

(connected to the Century Center with a skywalk)

PH:  574-234-2000 

Rooms = $129.00

 

Waterford Estates Lodge

52890 IN-933 North,  South Bend, IN 46637  (3.5 miles north of the Century Center)

PH: 574-272-5220

Single or Double = $90.00 (complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary wifi)

 

SpringHill Suites

5225 Edison Lakes Parkway, Mishawaka, IN 46545 (5.2 miles east of the Century Center)

PH: 574-271-0832

Double or King = $89.00 (complimentary hot breakfast buffet)

 

Comfort Suites

60971 US 31 South, South Bend. IN 46614 (5 miles south of Century Center)

PH:  574-291-3100

Single or Double=$90.00 (complimentary hot breakfast buffet)

May 2016 Update

1.    The 2016 CEA Convention will be held on October 20 and 21, 2016 at the Century Center in South Bend, IN.

2.    Our Keynote Speaker on Thursday is Bruce Hekman. Bruce is on the faculty of The VanLunen Center at Calvin College; a Leadership Mentor and Coach; A disciple of Jesus, husband, father, grandfather, teacher and school administrator.

3.    Our Capstone Speaker on Friday is Randy Buursma. Randy is the Senior Pastor at First CRC in Grand Rapids, MI and has presented at CEA several times. Welcome back, Randy!

4.    The 2016 CEA dues will be $90.00 per person.

5.    For the first time, 2016 CEA welcomes Nathan Siebenga, principal at Hamilton District Christian High School, and Justin Cook, the Director of Learning at the Ontario Alliance for Christian Education. Both Nathan and Justin are passionate leaders in Christian education. 

a.    Nathan Sibenga: Those who know Nathan describe him as ‘Edupreneurial’; as a visionary who executes and delivers. He wears his heart on his sleeve and clearly loves leadership. Nathan desires to see students design, develop and deploy beautiful, purposeful work and loves leading HDCH towards this vision. As a Principal, he is committed to making a difference in his small corner of the world so that the graduates of HDCH can have an enormous impact where ever they land. A number of years ago he married his best friend and together they have fun raising their five kids.
b.    Justin Cook: After teaching high school English in British Columbia and Ontario, Justin has joined the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools as the Director of Learning, where he is excited to partner with schools in a vision of learning for flourishing communities. At home, Justin and his wife Rachel (and their three beautiful children!) love trying to live intentionally in their neighborhood: sharing and restoring a multi-unit house, practicing hospitality, walking to church with their children, feasting with friends.

6.    River City Improv is returning to the 2016 CEA Convention! Plan on attending this event for free at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday night, Oct 20 with your staff for some great laughs.

7.    The CEA 5K run / walk is returning to the 2016 CEA Convention. We will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Come join us!

8.    If you know of a business that would like to rent space in the 2016 CEA Exhibit hall, please contact our exhibit chairman, Jerry Mastenbrook. Jerry’s email is jemastenbrook@kcsa.org

9.    We are thankful for so many who volunteer as session chairpersons each year. You provide a welcoming atmosphere that is so greatly appreciated. Many are needed to serve as chairpersons for the 2016 CEA Convention. Please sign up to serve as a 2016 CEA Chairperson. Thank you in advance!

10.    In addition to the normal quality sessions that we offer, 2016 CEA will for the first time offer “strands” of sessions. There will be a line up of sessions on the same general topic presented by different speakers. These strands will be noted with a color code on the brochure that you will receive when you arrive in South Bend. There will be a music strand, a problem-based learning strand, a reading/writing workshop strand, and a reformed Christian perspective education strand.

11.    We will be welcoming first time attendees to the CEA in a new way. CEA Delegates, we will be depending on you to let us know who is experiencing CEA for the first time.

12.    Thank you for the many submissions of artwork for the 2016 CEA banner. We enjoyed looking at them all. The Convention Planning Committee has chosen one entry and would like to announce that Megan Haagsma from South Christian High School is our winner. Please enjoy Megan’s artwork when you arrive in South Bend. Thank you very much to all who submitted their artwork.

13.    2016 CEA Book Club title is announced! Please join us and read Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.
 
We look forward to seeing YOU on October 20 and 21 at the Century Center!

 

Housing Information

This important housing/lodging information is being sent to you in preparation for our fall 2016 CEA Convention which will be held in South Bend, Indiana on October 20 and 21.  (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 20 and 21, 2016.  You will most likely need lodging for Wednesday, October 19 and/or Thursday, October 20.  
  • You will need a credit card number to make a reservation.
  • You will be dealing directly with the hotel/motel for ALL arrangements and will receive a confirmation directly from that hotel/motel.
  • Hotel/motel names, rates, etc. are listed below.

South Bend DoubleTree Hotel ➢  123 North St. Joseph Street,  South Bend, IN 46601
(connected to the Century Center with a skywalk)
PH:  574-234-2000  
Rooms = $129.00 

Waterford Estates Lodge ➢ 52890 IN-933 North,  South Bend, IN 46637  
(3.5 miles north of the Century Center)
PH: 574-272-5220
Single or Double = $90.00 (complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary wifi)

SpringHill Suites➢ 5225 Edison Lakes Parkway, Mishawaka, IN 46545
(5.2 miles east of the Century Center)
PH: 574-271-0832
Double or King = $89.00 (complimentary hot breakfast buffet)

Comfort Suites ➢ 60971 US 31 South, South Bend. IN 46614
(5 miles south of Century Center)
PH:  574-291-3100
Single or Double=$90.00 (complimentary hot breakfast buffet)

March 2016 Update

1.    The 2016 CEA Convention will be held on October 20 and 21, 2016 atthe Century Center in South Bend, IN.

2.    Our Keynote Speaker on Thursday is Bruce Hekman. Bruce is faculty at The VanLunen Center at Calvin College; a Leadership Mentor and Coach; A disciple of Jesus, husband, father, grandfather, teacher and school administrator.

3.    Our Capstone Speaker on Friday is Randy Buursma. Randy is the Senior Pastor at First CRC in Grand Rapids, MI and has presented at CEA several times. Welcome back, Randy! 

4.    The 2015 CEA dues will be $90.00 per person.

5.    River City Improv is returning to the 2016 CEA Convention! Plan on attending this event for free on Thursday night, Oct 20 with your staff for some great laughs.

6.    The CEA 5K run / walk is returning to the 2016 CEA Convention. We will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Come join us!

7.    We will be welcoming first time attendees to the CEA in a new way. CEA Delegates, we will be depending on you to let us know who is experiencing CEA for the first time.

8.    2016 CEA Book Club title is announced! Please join us and read Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee.

We look forward to seeing YOU on October 20 and 21 at the Century Center!

October 2015 Update

The convention begins at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday at the Century Center.

1.     We will be holding a vote at the convention for all of our association members. You will find a ballot on your seat as you enter the Opening Worship on Thursday morning. We ask everyone for your participation. The CEA Executive Board, after much discussion, feels our association would be better served if we change Article V, Section D of our CEA Constitution.

Article V, Section D currently reads:

The CEA membership shall vote on all Elect positions of the Executive Committee.

Change Article V, Section D to:

The Executive Committee members are responsible for presenting future members of the Executive Committee to the current CEA Board.  Each name presented for the Executive Committee must receive a 2/3 approval vote by the entire CEA Board.

Rationale for Change – Appointment vs. Election:

1.     CEA serves teachers in a five state area.  The current election process favors candidates from larger schools in the West Michigan area.  Appointing members to the Executive Committee will allow the Committee to better represent the members of CEA by including those from smaller schools and those from outside of West Michigan.

2.     It is becoming increasingly more difficult to get CEA members to agree to have their name put up for an election.  Individual contacts to fewer members will allow the Executive Committee to appoint members who are willing to serve in a leadership role.

3.     Appointing members to the Executive Board will allow members to be sought who are passionate about Christian education and skilled in leadership.

4.     Delegates have difficulty getting their staffs to turn in ballots for Executive Board positions.

 

2.      Use the 2015 CEA Convention Planner online to plan your time at the 2015 CEA convention.  Organizing your plan online will help us accommodate and adjust rooms that are getting too full.

 

3.     On Friday morning, October 23, 2015 beginning at 7:00 a.m. we will be hosting a CEA 5K run along the St. Joseph River in South Bend. This will be a free non-chipped event. Please email Brenda VanderPloeg  to sign up for this event.

 

4.     2015 CEA Convention will have a music reading session for band and a music reading session for choir. Please bring your instruments, your music stands and your voices.

 

5.     Many of the 2015 CEA Convention sessions will qualify for Michigan SCECH credit. Use the online convention planner and search SCECH for a complete listing. Please note that the keynote and capstone lectures are included and can earn SCECH. Please listen for the beginning and ending code for each lecture. Please print off the SCECH Instructions and the SCECH Sign In/Sign Out sheet and bring them with you to the convention.

 

6.     You can purchase books at a discount when you purchase them in the exhibit hall during the convention. Books can be purchased from “Bookbug” (replacing Pooh’s Corner), “Eerdmans”, “Arky’s Bookstore”, “Baker Book House”, and “United Art and Education.”

 

We look forward to seeing you on

Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23, 2015 in South Bend, IN!

Fall 2015 Update

The mission of the Christian Educators Association is to inspire and support Christian educators and encourage community by providing opportunities for spiritual and professional growth based on God’s Word.

The Convention Planning Committee is finalizing plans for the 2015 CEA Convention, which will be held October 22 and 23 at the Century Center and South Bend Doubletree Hotel in South Bend, Indiana. We hope this convention will provide professional stimulation and challenge each one of you!

  • Theme: Uniquely HIS
  • Verse: I John 4:12, Ephesians 2:1
  • Thursday
    • Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jeff Myers (Summit Ministries)
    • Opening Worship begins at 9:00 a.m.
    • “What Does it Mean to Be a Reformed Educator”: Rod Brandsen
  • Friday
    • Capstone Speaker: Father Joseph Krupp
    • Closing Worship begins at 11:30 a.m. (Convention begins at 9:00 a.m.)
    • “What Does it Mean to Be a Reformed Educator”: Mariano Avila

All of the 2015 CEA Sectionals can soon be viewed at www.ceateachers.org. Click on SCHED on the homepage.

The delegates are invited to attend an important Delegates’ Meeting on Thursday at 10:15 a.m., immediately following the Opening Worship, in the Recital Hall on the lower level of the Century Center.

2015 CEA Convention Theme: Uniquely HIS

As children of God, we have been created in His image, each of us reflecting a unique part of His character.  As educators, we need to recognize, celebrate, and cultivate our students’ unique, God-given gifts.  He has equipped us, teachers and students alike, to be kingdom builders in this world.  Alone we do not reflect the full image of God, but together we can accomplish the good works for which He has prepared us.

Out of respect to speakers and fellow teachers, the Planning Committee requests that those in attendance at meetings not leave until the chairperson 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.  Contact your hotel for babysitting services or make other arrangements for your children if you choose to take them along to the convention. 

An instrumental ensemble will be formed to assist at the Opening Worship on Thursday.  If you are interested, please bring your instrument and a music stand and plan on participating.

A hotel reservation form was sent to you in the spring and you have hopefully already made your hotel/motel arrangements directly with the hotel/motel.  Another copy is included below. 

On Thursday there will be a lunch break in the schedule. There will be no sessions scheduled. The exhibit hall will be open. There will be snacks and sandwiches available on the lower level and in the snack shop (in the brick entryway) of the Century Center and in the restaurants in the South Bend Doubletree, and area restaurants.  A list of additional eating places close to the Century Center will be available at Convention Headquarters. The list of restaurants is also available online atwww.sjchamber.org  

The following Loaves and Fishes will be meeting in a room during a session time.

Thursday from 11:00 – 12:00 noon

  • L+F for band, called “Something Bold, Something True”
  • L+F for Theatre Directors

Remember that 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)

Spouse passes may be obtained at Convention Headquarters for $5 and guest passes for educators who are not CEA members are $100. 

Student Teachers may attend the convention for free, if they send in a Student Teacher Voucher to Brenda VanderPloeg. Contact Brenda VanderPloeg (cea@ceateachers.org) for a Student Teacher Voucher.

CEA dues for this year will be $80 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.

River City Improv is coming to 2015 CEA! Admission is free! River City Improv begins at 8:00 pm, Thursday night in the Bendix Theatre on the lower level of the Century Center.  Come with your colleagues to laugh and enjoy!

Gather by CEA headquarters at the Century Center for our 2015 CEA 5K Walk/Run. The event begins at 7:00 am, Friday morning. Follow the St. Joseph River for a beautiful morning walk or run. This will be an un-chipped event. There is no cost for this event.

Twitter – Use #CEA2015 to get connected and share your experience.

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 Convention Headquarters before the convention starts to pick up a registration form.

If you have any questions please stop by headquarters to speak with a Graduate Program representative or stop by the Calvin College display booth in the Exhibits Hall.

CONVENTION HEADQUARTERS will be located on the Street Level of the Century Center.  This is very important for you to remember if you are a session chairperson or need to buy additional passes to the convention.

Back by popular demand, our very own CEA Book Club! Read, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and come discuss this book at book club on Thursday, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

As of April, 2006 South Bend has participated in Daylight Savings Time. South Bend is now in the Eastern Time zone, rather than the Eastern Standard Time Zone. That means that South Bend is now on “Michigan Time.”

The CEA would like to express our deep appreciation to Jim Kamphuis from Illiana Christian High School for designing the 2015 CEA Banner.

The exhibits will be in Convention Hall C on the Street Level of the Century Center.  Our Chairperson of Exhibits is Jerry Mastenbrook (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 either products or 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

 

 

Christian Educators Association 2015 Election Ballot

 

Elections for new officers will be held at your school sometime before the convention.  Your CEA delegate will be in charge of the procedure.  The candidates are as follows:

Vice President Elect (vote for 1)

Myron Bolkema:  M.A. – University of South Dakota

Myron is in his fifteenth year at Sheboygan County Christian High School in Sheboygan, WI as a high school math teacher. Previously, Myron taught at Oostburg Christian School (5 years), Hollandale Christian School in MN (6 years) and Calvin Christian School in Sioux Falls, SD (10 years). Myron serves on the technology committee, as well as being an elder at his church.

 

Mary Jo Staal:  B.A. – Calvin College

Mary Jo taught in the classroom for sixteen years and is now serving in the Media Center at Hudsonville Christian School. Previously, she has served on the CEA Convention Planning Committee. Mary Jo spent a week studying at the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy and is part of various professional teacher associations. She directs the 8th grade play at Hudsonville Christian Middle School. Outside of school, Mary Jo is very involved with her church, Niekerk CRC, as a member of the praise team, a Sunday School teacher, and a Youth Group Leader. You can find her Dutch Dancing in Holland during Tulip Time.

 

Melissa VanTil:  B.A. – Calvin College

Melissa is in her ninth year teaching at West Side Christian School in Grand Rapids. She has taught kindergarten, middle school and is currently teaching 3rd grade. Previously, Melissa has taught at Vista Charter Academy and five years for the Christian Learning Center. Melissa is pursuing her Masters in Education at Calvin College. She serves as the President of Faculty Council and on the school leadership team at West Side Christian School. Melissa enjoys being a coach for girls on the run and worships at Madison Square’s North Campus.

 

Treasurer Elect (vote for 1)

Mark Buteyn:  B.A. Calvin College

Mark served as a grades 9-12 Social Studies Teacher for twenty five years at Central Wisconsin Christian High School and now is in his ninth year as the administrator for CWC. Mark has served twice before for the CEA, both on the Convention Planning Committee and on the Professional Standards Committee. He is currently on the WCRIS Board in WI. Mark is also part of various other professional teacher and coach organizations. Mark has served his local congregation as a Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, Elder and Teacher. He serves on the Waupun Educational Foundation Board and on a local community committee (REACH) addressing poverty in his community.

 

Sue DeZeeuw: M.A. – Eastern Michigan University

Sue is beginning her seventeenth year of teaching at Ann Arbor Christian School. Sue also taught for one year at Lansing Christian School in MI. Sue is involved with 4th graders, 6th graders and 8th graders at Ann Arbor Christian as well as serving as a part time administrator. Sue is a member of various professional teaching organizations. She worships at Ann Arbor CRC and serves as a Nursery Angel and a Worship Team Member.

 

Renee Nieuwsma: M.A. – Calvin College

Renee is starting year number eighteen at Dutton Christian School. Previously, Renee taught at John Knox Christian School in Woodstock, ON (1 year), and Caledonia Community School (6 years). Renee is a member of IRA and is presently the lead teacher at Dutton Christian School, a role she has fulfilled for six years. At church, Renee has served as an Elder and the chairperson of the Missions Team as well as a teacher in Worship Centers. She volunteers at the local public library and at the W.A.R. (Women At Risk) International Store. 

           

 

CEA 2015 CONVENTION HOUSING INFORMATION

To:      ALL CEA MEMBERS

From:  Brenda VanderPloeg, Executive Secretary

            Christian Educators Association

            Phone:  616.669.3497   Fax: 616.662.0484

email:  cea@ceateachers.org

Date:   MAY, 2015

Re:       CEA 2015 CONVENTION HOUSING/LODGING

This important housing/lodging information is being sent to you in preparation for our fall 2015 CEA Convention which will be held in South Bend, Indiana on October 22 and 23.  (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 22 and 23, 2015.  You will most likely need lodging for Wednesday, October 21 and/or Thursday, October 22. 
  • You will need a credit card number to make a reservation.
  • You will be dealing directly with the hotel/motel for ALL arrangements and will receive a confirmation directly from that hotel/motel.
  • Hotel/motel names, rates, etc. are listed below.

South Bend DoubleTree Hotel (formerly Marriott)  •  123 North St. Joseph Street,  South Bend, IN 46601 (connected to the Century Center with a skywalk)

PH:  574-234-2000 

Rooms = $125.00

 

Waterford Estates Lodge  •  52890 SR 933 North,  South Bend, IN 46637(1/4 mile west from the Century Center)

PH: 574-272-5220

2 Double or 1 Quees = $90.00 (includes continental breakfast)

 

Comfort Suites  •  60971 US 31 South, South Bend, IN 46614 (5 miles north of the Century Center)

PH: 574-291-3100

2 Queens, non-smoking suite = $90.00

 

Hampton Inn & Suites  •  52709 US 31 North, South Bend. IN 46637 (4 miles south of the Centery Center)

PH:  574-277-9373

Double/Double Suite=$105.00 (includes complimentary breakfast buffet, free wifi, indoor pool, fitness center)

May 2015 Update

  1. THANK YOU to everyone who has signed up to serve as a CEA Convention Session Chairperson. We need to have all the sessions covered with a chairperson by the end of May! We need you! A chairpersons’ job includes picking up the session envelope from convention headquarters the day of the session, introducing the speaker, giving the speaker his/her check, and passing out/collecting session surveys from the attendees.  Please click on this link to sign up as a CEA chairperson. Thank you! ** Schedule is subject to change**
  2. CEA Convention Housing information for hotels in the South Bend area has been sent to your CEA delegate.
  3. Dues for the 2015 CEA Convention will be $80.00 each.
  4. On Friday morning, October 23, 2015 beginning at 7:00 a.m. we will be hosting a CEA 5K run along the St. Joseph River. This will be a free non-chipped event.
  5. River City Improv is coming to the 2015 CEA Convention on Thursday night. This will be a no cost event. Come as a staff for a great night out!
  6. Bring your instruments to the 2015 CEA Convention! Please participate in the prelude and the band reading session on Thursday.
  7. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23 at the Century Center in South Bend, IN!

April 2015 Update

1.     We need you! Please sign up today to serve as a CEA Chairperson.  As a chairperson you pick up the session envelope from convention headquarters in the lobby of the Century Center, introduce the speaker, give the speaker his/her check and pass out/collect the surveys. 

We need all of our chairpersons in place by the end of May – Sign up today!

2.     Dues for the 2015 CEA Convention will remain at $80.00 per person.

3.     If you are an instrumentalist, please bring your instrument to South Bend and participate in the Thursday Opening Worship Prelude and the session on reading/playing through music.

4.     We are working with Calvin College and the MI Department of Education to provide you the opportunity to earn SCECH’s.

5.     One of the greatest joys we have as a gathering of Christian educators is to participate in worship together. The convention planning committee is busy planning our Thursday opening worship from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. and our Friday closing worship from 11:30 – 12:30. Dr. Jeff Meyers will provide our keynote on Thursday and Father Joseph Krupp will provide our capstone on Friday. We eagerly look forward to worshipping with you!

6.     We look forward to celebrating our 35 year honorees during the Thursday worship. If you are a 35 year honoree look for an email from Brenda VanderPloeg soon, asking for your favorite verse.

7.     We look forward to celebrating our 25 year honorees during the Friday worship.

8.     The information on reduced CEA rates for hotels in the South Bend area will be published the 2nd week of May.

9.     If the CEA delegate for your school has changed, please inform Brenda VanderPloeg.

10.   We look forward to seeing YOU on October 22 and 23, 2015 at the Century Center in South Bend, IN.

March 2015 Update

1.     It is a privilege to be able to teach from a Christian perspective at a Christian school. We are constantly working to define, understand and communicate what that means. We are thrilled to be able to offer two sessions specifically answering the question, “What Does It Mean To Be A Reformed Educator?” Rod Brandsen, principal at Rose Park Christian, a part of Holland Christian Schools, will be exploring that answer on Thursday. Mariano Avila, from Calvin Theological Seminary, will be exploring that answer on Friday.

2.     You can look forward to many and various Biblical based sessions that will be applicable to your class, your life and your community.

3.     The 2015 CEA Book Club Book has been announced! Plan on reading and discussing The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie at CEA in October.

4.     Thank you for providing pictures from your school for our 2015 CEA banner. We extended the deadline and will be accepting photos until Monday, March 30. Go to the CEA website, click on convention, click on Collect 2015 photos.

5.     We need you! Please sign up today to serve as a CEA Chairperson.  As a chairperson you pick up the session envelope from convention headquarters in the lobby of the Century Center, introduce the speaker, give the speaker his/her check and pass out/collect the surveys.  Click here to see all of the sessions and to sign up to be a chairperson. *The list is subject to change.

6.     Dues for the 2015 CEA Convention will remain at $80.00 per person.

7.     If you are an instrumentalist, please bring your instrument to South Bend and participate in the Opening Worship Prelude and the session on reading/playing through music.

8.     We are looking forward to hosting River City Improv on Thursday night. This will be a free event. Come, gather, laugh, enjoy!

9.     So far, we have three Loaves and Fishes sessions for you to participate in. Please join Jess Hollenbach in singing through some choral music. Join Scott VandenBerg in playing through some instrumental music. Join Nancy Pyle in discovering what Immersion Education looks like.

10.   We look forward to seeing YOU on October 22 and 23, 2015 at the Century Center in South Bend, IN.

January 2015 Update

1.    The 2015 CEA Convention will be held on October 22 and 23, 2015 at  the Century Center in South Bend, IN.

2.    Our Keynote Speaker on Thursday is Dr. Jeffrey Myers the president of Summit Ministries located in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

3.    Our Capstone Speaker on Friday is Father Joseph Krupp the Michigan State Chaplain.

4.    The 2015 CEA dues will remain at $80.00 per person.

5.    The CEA is currently collecting the names of those teachers for whom 2014-2015 is their 25th or 35th year of teaching. We look forward to honoring those teachers in October of 2015. If you are an honoree, be sure to report that to your CEA delegate.

6.    Are you ready to share something at the 2015 CEA Convention? Is your grade level or subject area team willing to share? If you would like to present alone or with a group contact Brenda VanderPloeg (cea@ceateachers.org) by the end of January. The Convention is more meaningful if you are contributing to it!

7.    2015 CEA Book Club title is announced! Please join us and read The Absolutely True Diary of a Half Time Indian by Alexie Sherman.

We look forward to seeing YOU on October 22 and 23 at the Century Center!

November 2014 Update

Thank you to all of our CEA members for your participation and attendance at the 2014 CEA Convention!

2014 CEA Convention Details

  • We are thankful for all 1, 393 members of the Christian Educators Association!
  • Please give us your feedback on the 2014 CEA Convention.
  • If you have any questions about your SCECH, please contact Cindi Hoekstra at choekstr@calvin.edu.

Christian Educators Journal

As part of your CEA membership, you will be soon receiving the Christian Educators Journal (CEJ).  From the Christian Educators Journal (CEJ):

We are planning to add a new column called “Teacher Voices” to future issues of the Christian Educators Journal. This would be a place where teachers can comment on the issue theme, respond to previous issues raised in the CEJ, or begin new conversations. Teacher comments would be published anonymously although author’s names should be included when comments are submitted to the editor. Comments should be no longer than about 100 words in length and may be edited for length and style. 

The February 2015 issue will deal with “Mental Health Issues in Christian Schools”. It will include articles on dealing with traumatic events, the management of stress, identifying mental health issues in teachers and students and offering appropriate support to those dealing with mental health issues, etc.  Teacher comments could deal with any of these issues. For this issue of CEJ, comments are due to the editor by December 10, 2014.

2015 CEA Convention Details

  • Who would you like to have present a session at the 2015 CEA Convention? Please contact Brenda VanderPloeg (cea@ceateachers.org) with the presenter’s  name, contact information and subject matter.
  • We look forward to seeing you next year on October 22 and 23, 2015 at the Century Center in South Bend, IN!

MEEMIC Information

The Andy Steensma Insurance Agency is a Grand Rapids based agency proudly representing Meemic Insurance company and proud of our partnership with CEA.  Contact Andy Steensma at 616.455.6200 or www.andysteensmaagency.com.  Michigan educators, if you are not currently insured with Meemic, give us a call and find out how you can earn $20 to be donated to CEA for use in Michigan Schools.  Simply request a no-obligation auto or home quote.  You may also visit our website www.AndySteensmaAgency.com and refer to CEA. This offer is available until November 30, 2014.

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary.  This offer is valid until 11/30/14 and only for Michigan residents that are employees of the educational community and members of CEA.  Limit one $20 donation per household.  This offer is not valid for current Meemic members.  You are required to speak with an Andy Steensma Insurance Agency representative to qualify for the $20 donation.  This offer is only available through the Andy Steensma Insurance Agency.

CSI Annual Update Report to CEA Delegates

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It is a privilege for Christian Schools International to serve our member schools. For information about Christian Schools International member services and resources go to www.csionline.org.  For specific questions, contact Jeff Blamer, Vice President of Member Services at jblamer@csionline.org. 

 

CURRICULUM

A new science teacher resource And It Was Good: Teaching Science from a Christian Worldview is currently in development, with plans to be completed in early 2015. This science resource contains both print and online components that connect the Teaching for Transformation Throughlines (developed by the Prairie Centre for Christian Education) and essential questions with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) storylines.

 

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT 

Christian Schools International believes that every member school should have a school improvement plan and be held accountable to mission and standards. To assist schools in making their plans, Christian Schools International offers Vision to Action generally used by schools new to the accreditation process and Measuring the Mission the benchmarking model connecting mission, learning, and faith integration.

Agreements for dual accreditation are in place between Christian Schools International and most U.S. regional accreditors including AdvancED (North Central Association).

 

SPIRITUAL FORMATION                 

Christian Schools International is partnering with ENGAGE Inc. to offer REVEAL for Christian high schools. The tool is intended to assess the climate of the school as a greenhouse for spiritual formation.

 

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

Between Members electronic newsletter is produced bi-weekly. It is emailed to all administrators, teachers, and staff whose emails have been provided by the school for our database.

Our Called-to-Lead blog is providing spiritual enrichment, worldview perspective, and leadership thoughts to more than 12,000 visitors in more than 100 countries.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Christian Schools International offers an Educational Leadership Development Institute that enables teachers to explore school leadership. Seventy percent of ELDI alumni are serving in school leadership. Holland Michigan will be an ELDI site in July 2015.

The expanded 2014-2015 webinar series is engaging school leaders and teachers in distance learning.

A full list of leadership development programs is available on the website.

 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Christian Schools International pension plan remains a highly valued program and it is fully funded.  Five new schools joined the plan this fall.

The Christian Schools International insurance plan continues to serve schools. An important component of this service is assisting the school to insure that its practices comply with the new requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

 

CSIonline ACADEMY

Christian Schools International launched CSIonline Academy in the 2012-2013 school year. In 2014-2015, our CSIonline Academy has entered a new partnership agreement with SevenStar

Uncompromised worldview: the CSIonline Academy is diligently working to insure that enduring understandings and essential questions challenge students to think Christianly.

 

Christian Educator's Journal Report

Editor’s Report to the CEA

October, 2014

The Christian Educators Journal continues to enjoy strong support from readers, writers and advertisers. It is our hope that our readers have found the issues of the past year helpful in encouraging staff room conversations about the very important work of Christian education. Your comments and contributions are always welcome, as are your suggestions for issue themes and books to be reviewed.

 

The February 2015 issue of the Christian Educators Journal will focus on the issue of mental health issues in our schools. One of parts of this issue will be titled “Teacher Voices” and it will feature a series of brief comments and anecdotes from educators on how they have dealt with the stress of their work and how they have supported students and colleagues who may be facing mental health issues. Your contributions can be submitted anonymously if that is your wish. Please contact the editor at editor@cejonline.com to submit your comments or for further information.

 

For the April 2015 issue you are invited to submit reviews of books and non print materials that you have useful in your work and that you believe would be useful to other readers.

 

The Board of the Christian Educators Journal is exploring ways of creating a more effective online presence for the journal.  A number of issues are being considered including ways of making the journal available to a wider audience, adding blogs and other interactive forums for our readers to our website, etc. We will keep you informed of developments as these occur.

 

One of the annual issues of the Christian Educators Journal is not organized around a particular theme and contains contributions which could not be included earlier either for reasons of space or because the contribution did not fit in with the issue theme.  We encourage you to contribute your responses to anything you may have read in the journal or anything that you have been working on and that you believe would be helpful to the journal readers to this issue.

 

 Each issue of the Christian Educators Journal also includes information describing the themes for future issues and you are encouraged to consider submitting proposals and articles for those themes. 

 

We appreciate the support of our readers and we welcome your feedback at any time on ways that the Christian Educators Journal can be more effective in supporting the work of Christian educators everywhere.

 

Respectfully submitted                                                                                        

Gary VanArragon

Editor, The Christian Educators Journal

editor@cejonline.com

Fall 2014 Update

Fall 2014 Update

The Convention Planning Committee is finalizing plans for the 2014 CEA Convention which will be held October 23 and 24 at Holland Christian High School and Central Wesleyan Church. We hope this convention will provide professional stimulation and challenge for each one of you!

Read More

May 2014 Update

 THANK YOU to everyone who has signed up to serve as a CEA Convention Session Chairperson. We need to have all the sessions covered with a chairperson by the end of May! We need you! A chairpersons’ job includes picking up the session envelope from convention headquarters the day of the session, introducing the speaker, giving the speaker his/her check, and passing out/collecting session surveys from the attendees. 

Read More