Events

During the month of January, Faith Builders offers classes during a five-week term. The courses offered are focused in the areas of Bible, theology and music.

This five-week term offers courses and schedules to serve a wide variety of students, from young people seeking spiritual growth and practical teaching to seasoned pastors seeking refreshment and encouragement. Students can attend for two, three, or five weeks. Winter Term includes courses to challenge and deepen your faith, whatever your phase or direction in life. Regular Faith Builders instructors are joined by church and mission leaders with teaching experience. A complete listing of courses follows.

Some courses run the entire five weeks while others may run for as little as one week. A typical course load is 6-8 semester hours, or two-three courses. Winter Term is open to students applying for as little as one week, but admissions preference is given to those applying for all five weeks.

The effectiveness of our schools depends significantly on the effectiveness of the school administrator. This retreat helps administrators build vision for their schools and become effective leaders.

2020 PROGRAM

The work of leading a school is difficult and challenging at times. Relationships sour. Teachers achieve subpar results. Students make poor decisions. The inevitable disappointments can cause school leaders to conclude that their efforts are in vain. School leaders need a compelling vision that will sustain them through challenges and difficulties.

The Administrators Conference 2020 offers content designed to inspire and encourage attendees to invest deeply in the work of Christian education. In the main sessions, long-term educators and pastors Clayton Shenk and Melvin Lehman will recount ways they have seen God work through Christian education. While acknowledging some of the disappointments, difficulties, and failures they have seen, these men will inspire attendees with hope and energy to carry forward the work of Christian education. It is our prayer that these presentations will refresh and encourage school leaders with a vision that sustains.

The words of the Apostle Paul anchor us in a reality that sustains our labor: in the Lord, our work is not in vain. His ringing proclamation offers hope in difficult times: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NKJV).

2020 SCHEDULE

A Vision that Sustains

The 2020 Administrators Conference will be held at the Antiochian Village Conference Center near Ligonier, Pennsylvania. This conference is designed to encourage and support administrators working in educational settings. Those who attended previous conferences have appreciated the focused interaction and input this event provides.

This conference is limited to 45 administrators and their spouses. The event costs $225 for an administrator and $345 for a couple. This includes lodging for two nights and all meals. Payment in full is requested at the time of registration.

Register

During the month of January, Faith Builders offers classes during a five-week term. The courses offered are focused in the areas of Bible, theology and music.

This five-week term offers courses and schedules to serve a wide variety of students, from young people seeking spiritual growth and practical teaching to seasoned pastors seeking refreshment and encouragement. Students can attend for two, three, or five weeks. Winter Term includes courses to challenge and deepen your faith, whatever your phase or direction in life. Regular Faith Builders instructors are joined by church and mission leaders with teaching experience. A complete listing of courses follows.

Some courses run the entire five weeks while others may run for as little as one week. A typical course load is 6-8 semester hours, or two-three courses. Winter Term is open to students applying for as little as one week, but admissions preference is given to those applying for all five weeks.

The effectiveness of our schools depends significantly on the effectiveness of the school administrator. This retreat helps administrators build vision for their schools and become effective leaders.

2020 PROGRAM

The work of leading a school is difficult and challenging at times. Relationships sour. Teachers achieve subpar results. Students make poor decisions. The inevitable disappointments can cause school leaders to conclude that their efforts are in vain. School leaders need a compelling vision that will sustain them through challenges and difficulties.

The Administrators Conference 2020 offers content designed to inspire and encourage attendees to invest deeply in the work of Christian education. In the main sessions, long-term educators and pastors Clayton Shenk and Melvin Lehman will recount ways they have seen God work through Christian education. While acknowledging some of the disappointments, difficulties, and failures they have seen, these men will inspire attendees with hope and energy to carry forward the work of Christian education. It is our prayer that these presentations will refresh and encourage school leaders with a vision that sustains.

The words of the Apostle Paul anchor us in a reality that sustains our labor: in the Lord, our work is not in vain. His ringing proclamation offers hope in difficult times: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NKJV).

2020 SCHEDULE

A Vision that Sustains

The 2020 Administrators Conference will be held at the Antiochian Village Conference Center near Ligonier, Pennsylvania. This conference is designed to encourage and support administrators working in educational settings. Those who attended previous conferences have appreciated the focused interaction and input this event provides.

This conference is limited to 45 administrators and their spouses. The event costs $225 for an administrator and $345 for a couple. This includes lodging for two nights and all meals. Payment in full is requested at the time of registration.

Register

The 51^st Annual Virginia School Institute is scheduled for February 7 in Free Union, VA. Review the schedule below and register to attend.

To register, email j.[email protected]. Include your school name, contact person’s email, and the number of attendees. The registration deadline is January 15, 2020.

You are invited to the 14^th annual CASBI! Topics include the principal’s job description, addressing the teacher shortage, teaching a foreign language, and a vision for the next 20 years of Christian education.

Download the program or review it below.

Download the registration form or review it below.

You may also register online.

The 2020 Christian School Administration Institute is scheduled to be held in Ontario March 20, 2020. Expect the program to be released soon.

View recordings of past events.

This weekend event encourages and equips Anabaptists who are attending college and university.

Topics & speakers in 2019 included

• Enticed Into Yourself: Reflections on Spiritual (de)Formation  Jonas Sauder & Kyle Stoltzfus
• The Scientific Study of Nature: A Journey Towards Unbelief or God?  Phillip Martin
• Being a Science Ambassador in a Non-scientific Church  John Mark Kuhns
• A Christian Perspective on Bioethics   Ryan Hoover

Registration is required for the event. Registrations will be reviewed in April, May, and June, and registrants will be notified by email after their registrations are reviewed.

General Information

College Student Weekend encourages and equips Anabaptists who are attending college or university. It is our intention to create a place for college students to discuss and think about their college or university experiences in consideration of the contrast and challenge those bring to the students’ Anabaptist heritage and context. Participants gather on Friday afternoon and disperse after lunch on Sunday.

The structure of College Student Weekend allows college students to talk with peers and mentors about their questions and struggles. Each participant is assigned to a group of five peers and two mentors. This group meets multiple times throughout the weekend, offering support, guidance, and prayer in the challenges the participants face.

The weekend also features plenary presentations by a speaker who has navigated the world of higher education and remained committed to faith in Christ and to belonging to an Anabaptist congregation. These presentations offer insights to current students on how they might also experience the world of higher education and remain faithful to their heritage.

In addition, breakout sessions offer content devoted to the development of a Christian mind. Breakouts typically focus on discipline-specific issues in subjects such as history, literature, education, math, science, and the arts. Speakers present biblical perspectives on the role of identity in the formation of our beliefs and values, the role of ideas in the pursuit of career preparation, and the role of commitment to church community. Breakout presentations provide fodder for formal and informal discussion about integrating Biblical perspectives and principles into the routines of college life.

Faith Builders hosts College Student Weekend near Franklin, PA, at the River Ridge Mansion, an early 20th-century mansion built by an oil baron. The cost of attendance is $190 per person, including two nights of lodging and five meals. This event is limited to 42 participants. To attend, registration is required.

Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute is planned for Tuesday, August 4 to Friday, August 7. This is especially geared for teachers and so we cordially invite anyone who has taught, is teaching, or will be teaching. While we are delighted to see teachers come, we also want to invite board members, church leaders, school administrators and others who have a heart for and an interest in the Christian day school movement. We are convinced that there will be something inspirational for everyone, whatever your connection to Christian education may be.

We will include a few things of note for your consideration:

1. There is no tuition or registration cost to attend this school institute. The expenses are covered by freewill donations. If you would like to help with these costs, there will be a place designated at the institute for you to leave donations. The approximate expense per attendee is $85.
2. Teachers are always on the lookout for new ideas. At WFTI, we will have a place for you to display ideas for art and science projects, bulletin boards, or any other things you think could be a help to other teachers. Even if you brought it before, feel free to bring it again. Don’t leave them at home! There will be new teachers who may benefit.
3. Please take the time to register! It is easy to put it off or to ignore this, but for the organizers, this would be very helpful. The instructions for registering are on the back of the enclosed program. Also, if you want someone to help with your lodging, please be sure to register by July 27 and let Gary and Senesa know that you need lodging. Please be responsible to arrange your own transportation.
4. As always, please be free with your suggestions, questions, and any other feedback on any part of the WFTI program.

As a board, we are anticipating a wonderful time of fellowship, interaction, and encouragement at WFTI this coming summer! If you cannot be there in person, please pray for this effort. Pray for our Christian day schools throughout the country. Pray that we may continue to enjoy this privilege and that our schools may truly be effective in molding the character of our children in such a way that they want to serve the Lord and live a life that is active in His service as they become adults.

God bless each of you,
The WFTI Board: Jonathan Miller, chairman; Loren Kropf, secretary; Wendell Rohrer, treasurer; Nolan Bechtel and John Smucker, members

Program to follow in the spring.

Held each August, Teachers Week provides an opportunity for new and experienced teachers to participate in workshops and breakouts designed to increase their effectiveness in the classroom.

OVERVIEW

Teachers Week includes content for new and experienced teachers. Content-focused workshops and breakouts discuss history, science, math, literature, spelling, Bible, and more.

Teachers Week check-in begins at 6:00 PM on Monday, July 29. The event ends after lunch is served on Friday, August 2.

2019 PROGRAM

GENERAL ASSEMBLIES

Texts for Teachers
Steven Brubaker

SPLIT SESSIONS: NEWER TEACHERS

Becoming an Effective Teacher
Anthony Hurst

SPLIT SESSIONS: EXPERIENCED TEACHERS

A Kingdom Vision for Teachers
Matt Peachey

Also offering:

45 Breakouts

• Phonics: Learning to Read – Glenda Miller & Becky Sue Kreider
• Trauma: What Has it Done to My Students’ Brain? – Becky Sue Kreider
• Dyslexia: Signs, Symptoms, & Solutions – Becky Bollinger
• Mentoring Teens & Young Adults – Nate Nolt
• Making the Pen Mightier than the Sword – Carol Burkholder
• and many more

11 INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS

• New Teacher Orientation – Esther Bean, Howard Bean

Ready to teach? Effective teaching requires preparation, and this workshop is intended to help prepare you for your first year in the classroom. It will include such topics as motivation, a typical lesson, and the learning process. We recommend that new teachers also take the pertinent breakout sessions in conjunction with this workshop: Classroom Management (K-2) and Discipline: Preventive and Corrective.

• Leading Productive Classroom Discussions – Jonas Sauder

An important life skill to develop in school is the student’s ability to actively and purposefully engage in lively, thoughtful, respectful discussions. After participating in several discussions led by the workshop presenter, participants will take turns leading a group discussion on one or more topics of their choice, such as a literary selection, history, geography, current events, or Bible. A variety of techniques, guidelines, and models for enhancing discussions will be shared.

• Beginner’s Word, Excel, & Powerpoint – Ed Brunet

Designed for the new teacher who’s just getting started with the Microsoft Office programs, you will get hands-on experience with MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. We start with the basics and build a foundation giving you practical examples to use in the classroom right away.

• Big Songs for Little People – Jeff Swanson

Sweet warm ups. Easy to learn vocal techniques. Fun games. PIZZA. Sight singing. Solfege. Smiles. Grades 1-6. No stress program planning. Big Songs. Lots..

• Developing Math Teaching Skills – Rolin Martin

A math teacher’s job is never done. Content must be mastered, work must be graded, and better teaching frameworks need to be developed. This workshop will provide you with new teaching techniques to try and a chance to develop your math teaching skills. It will be geared toward seventh to twelfth grade math teachers, but fifth and sixth grade teachers will find plenty of helpful tips as well.

• Time For Recess! – Laura Conley

If it’s everyone’s favorite school subject why do they spend so much time arguing and complaining about it? How much is necessary? Should it always be organized games? What ages should play together? Can you share recess duty? What “new” game ideas can you share/take back to your school? Recess is for all ages; come prepared to play so you’re prepared to play.

• Nature: A Living Textbook – Dana Atkinson

As Peter Farb wrote, “We live on the rooftops of a hidden world”. Attendees participate in eye-opening investigations of plants, insects, and biological phenomena in the nearby yard and woods. This workshop offers teachers a set of ‘tools’ that enable them to guide students into discovering the wow-factor in something as ordinary as a stalk of goldenrod from the schoolyard. Walking shoes and curiosity are recommended.

• YAY! It’s Time for Reading – Deana Swanson

Reading should pretty much be pure pleasure– great stories, interesting characters, and wonderful endings. In this workshop we will be discussing how to really enjoy the stories while also covering comprehension, vocabulary, read-aloud techniques, and more. Infuse your reading class with excitement and passion. Bring a reader that you use in your classroom.

• Communicating Clearly – Anthony Hurst (FULL)

Communication is the connection that allows thoughts, ideas, and emotions to flow between people. After looking at Biblical principles, we will focus on developing useful skills for both public speaking and classroom instruction. Opportunity will be given for attendees to give a 3-5 minute presentation – a story, an academic or object lesson, etc. This workshop is now filled to capacity.

• Art with Intention – Hannah Scott Nolt

Come prepared to create and learn how to lead your students in creating. You don’t have to be a great artist to teach art concepts to your students! This workshop is open to all teachers. You will receive free lesson plans for students at the level you teach and will walk away with a finished example to show your students. $5 supply fee. Maximum of 40 participants.

• Teaching Low-Tech Science – John Mark Kuhns

“Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.” This proverb should ring in the mind of every science teacher, and should provide the backdrop for every science class. Unfortunately, though, many schools have little room in the budget for specialized science equipment or supplies, so science teachers must use extra creativity to involve their students. From homemade incubators to kitchen chemistry, this workshop will give ideas for teachers who must use everyday objects to teach science. The presentation will be geared toward science teachers in the middle to upper grades, but is open to teachers of all levels.

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