Summit Schedule

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MISSION
Serving Jesus in Your Classroom Mission Field

with David Platt of Radical

In all the busyness of teaching, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that God has placed us right where we are for a reason. Join us as David Platt, author of Radical, inspires us to teach on mission - reaching those people whom God has placed in our path, and clinging to the hope that is to be found only in Christ.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MISSION
Insights for Educators on Race, Identity, the Gospel & Hope

with author Jasmine Holmes

As Christian teachers, we stand emphatically against racism. But trying to understand complex racial issues can still be confusing. In this session, Jasmine Holmes, teacher and author of Mother to Son: Letters to a Black Boy on Identity & Hope, provides valuable insights, helping us view race and identity through the lens of the Gospel and exploring how we can exhibit care, grace, and love in our classrooms and conversations.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MISSION
Building Positive Relationships with Students, Colleagues & Parents

with Sarah Trussell of TeachBeyond

Having good relationships is vital if we hope to make a difference in our students' lives, but that doesn't mean it's easy. In this session, Sarah Trussell from TeachBeyond will provide guidance on how to develop positive relationships not only with students but also with colleagues and parents.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MISSION

Gender Identity, Anxiety, and Depression: Reshaping Identity Issues with the Gospel

with Jonathan Holmes of Fieldstone Counseling

At the core of many of the issues facing both teens and adults is a question of identity. From confusion about gender or sexual identity to struggles with anxiety, depression, and self-worth, how we view ourselves is at the core. Join us to discover the differences between a traditional view of identity and a modern one, and how a Gospel identity transcends and transforms both views, enabling us to overcome with our identity fixed in Christ.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MINDSET

The Forgotten Power of Intercessory Prayer

with Tyler Staton of Bridgetown Church

Prayer is the subject of Jesus’ most audacious promises this side of grace, but prayer is also the subject of doubt and disappointment for so many believers. What if something as simple as prayer, properly understood and practiced, can not only become the source of intimacy in our personal lives but also create renewal and revival in our schools?

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MISSION

Don’t Get Fired: Best Practices & Common Missteps in Public School Employment

with David Schmus, Finn Laursen and David Piccolo of CEAI

Avoidable missteps can often land well-meaning Christian educators in unfortunate circumstances in our public schools. Let a panel of experts from Christian Educators help you remain long-term in your calling and be a blessing to your school. We will answer the most critical questions we receive from our members, helping you to avoid pitfalls, learn best practices, and thrive as an ambassador for Christ where He has placed you.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN YOUR MISSION EXHIBITION SESSION
5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Teaching Abroad

with Heather Brown of TeachBeyond

Have you ever thought about teaching internationally? In this session, the Director of Mobilization at TeachBeyond will walk you through self-coaching questions to help you discern if God is calling you to a new opportunity: perhaps teaching abroad. You’ll consider how God has been leading you up to this point and explore possible next steps to pursue serving with TeachBeyond.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN YOUR MISSION EXHIBITION SESSION
Using Education to Reach the Unreached Around the World

with Tim Wong of International Schools Consortium

More and more of the world is closing its doors to Christians, and countries like China and the UAE are limiting the number of Christians able to work and serve in them. But in spite of these closed doors, teachers and educators can still get into these largely unreached areas. Come and learn how education continues to be the key that opens even the greatest barriers and helps fulfill God's call to bring the gospel to the lost around the world.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MINDSET

Responding to Controversial Issues with Compassion, Conviction, & Hope

with author/speaker Dr. Sean McDowell

So much of our cultural discourse has devolved into shouting past each other. How can we engage with students, parents, and colleagues on important controversial issues in ways that both speak the truth and demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus? Join author and Christian apologist Sean McDowell as he equips & inspires us to be a light in our schools through conversations we may have previously thought impossible.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MINDSET
Walking in Hope When Life is Hard

with Vicki Davis of The Cool Cat Teacher

Whether they happen in or out of the classroom, trials are never easy - but, oh, how God can work in through them! In this hopeful session, Vicki Davis shares how God showed up and showed Himself strong as she dealt with a debilitating broken foot. Discover how you, too, can walk in hope every day of your life and rest in God's goodness, even in the midst of trials.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MINDSET

Stop Being a Superhero: Preventing Teacher Burnout

with Pratia Jordan of Prayer and Pedagogy

Too often we find ourselves trying to be a superhero, thinking somehow we can keep going, serve everyone, get everything done without getting the rest and refreshment that we need. Join us as we discuss the need to establish patterns of work and rest, bear each others' burdens, and see Jesus as the Superhero, not ourselves.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MINDSET
Overcoming self-censorship amidst a cancel culture

with Clint Elliot of A Cornerstone Law Group

In our current cancel-culture environment, many Christian educators end up self-censoring their own speech and actions. But when we fail to speak truth, our students’ learning is diminished, and we start to feel disillusioned and dispirited. In this session, we’ll examine recent research about why this is happening and discuss an empowered path forward to overcome self-censorship through faithful living.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MINDSET

Prioritizing Your Time when There's Not Enough to Go Around

with Dr. Sandra Battige of Liberty University

Do you ever feel like you're living at warp speed twenty-four/seven? In this session, you'll learn how to prioritize your time and integrate spiritual disciplines throughout your day so you can walk in peace and experience true rest, despite the busyness.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR MINDSET

Responding with Hope & the Love of Jesus

with Ashley Ogal of WeTeachJoy

Whether in the classroom or in school leadership, God gives us opportunities to influence those around us and to be excellent for the Kingdom. Join us as Ashley Ogal shares tools to help us be hopeful educators, responding like Jesus (even when we might not feel like it), and speaking to families in different ways because of the love God has given us.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR METHODS

Teaching Reading comprehension with scripture (or any text) 

with Laura Kebart of Language Arts Teachers

Want to increase students' reading comprehension without needing a multitude of texts from different levels? Language expert Laura Kebart shares how you can use any single text (including Scripture in Christian schools) to both address reading struggles and also challenge advanced students.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR METHODS

Building Belonging: Strategies for Engaging Students of All Abilities

with Tyler Harms of All Belong

Too many students are simply not engaged at school, but with some intentional planning, you can change that in your classroom. Discover practical strategies to keep your students engaged and create a classroom community where students feel they belong.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR METHODS

Saving Time with Grading, Lesson Planning, & Paperwork

with Linda Kardamis, Alexx Seipp, Jen Frey, and Sarah Humes of Teach4theHeart

If grading, paperwork, and lesson planning are taking up way too much of your time, you won't want to miss this session. Join us as the Teach 4 the Heart team shares a variety of ideas to streamline and save time in these areas that need our attention, but shouldn't be taking over our lives.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR METHODS
Critical Thinking Skills to Help Students Navigate Our Confused Culture

with Dr. Bunnie Claxton of Liberty University

From social media to school hallways, students are bombarded with ideas and arguments that they rarely stop to analyze because the information is disguised or misleading. As a result, students believe false ideas which may hurt themselves and others. In this session, Dr. Claxton will teach a framework to help students think critically and discern truth for themselves in both public and private schools.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR METHODS

Choosing Hopeful Literature in a Depressing Culture

with Janie B. Cheaney & Team of RedeemedReader.com

As teachers, we know it’s vital for students to not only read well but to enjoy reading. But sometimes finding the right books for students can be difficult. In this session, the ladies of Redeemed Reader will teach us how to identify quality literature and use it to grow a love of reading in our students. We’ll also discuss how books can prompt worldview conversations and how to avoid books that could bring harm to the minds and hearts of our students.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN YOUR METHODS (EXHIBITION SESSION)
Using Your Unique Strengths to Create Moments of Meaningful Connection

with Joe Elliot of The Catalyst Collective

With limited time in the classroom and lots of material to cover, it can be challenging to make the connections you desire to have with students. In this session, you will learn how you can create intentional moments that drive a deeper connection with and among your students. Author, speaker and founder of the Catalyst Collective, Joe Elliott, will walk you through the 5 strategies that helped his team discover and leverage their strengths in order to spark a fresh movement of teen mentoring in Austin, Texas. Get ready to be inspired by real stories of impact that remind you why you chose to become a teacher in the first place!

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR LEADERSHIP

Marketing & Enrollment Strategies for Private Schools

with Sadie Elliot of the Herzog Foundation

"How can we increase enrollment?" If this question has been on your mind, this session with the Herzog Foundation will provide clarity, ideas, and next steps to improve your school's marketing, increase quality prospects, and, Lord willing, see your enrollment increase.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR LEADERSHIP

Preparing Your School to Face Risks & Change

with Pete Marra of the Colson Center

Learn about the risks facing schools today, ranging from big tech, government mandates, and teacher shortages. You'll gain practical tools to help you identify and plan for mitigating risks. Best practices for Business Continuity Planning will also be shared to help you prepare your school and leaders to be risk aware. Additionally, you will learn where and how to find opportunities for innovation along the way.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR LEADERSHIP

Trauma-Sensitive Schools: Building an Environment that Supports Healing & Success

with Andrea Parson of Trauma-Sensitive School Leadership

Learn about the risks facing schools today, ranging from big tech, government mandates, and teacher shortages. You'll gain practical tools to help you identify and plan for mitigating risks. Best practices for Business Continuity Planning will also be shared to help you prepare your school and leaders to be risk aware. Additionally, you will learn where and how to find opportunities for innovation along the way.

CATEGORY: HOPE IN OUR LEADERSHIP

Christian Admins in Public Schools: How to Lead Well

with the Public School Principal Panel

Being a Christian principal or administrator in a public school is one of the most challenging callings in our culture today, yet it holds incredible potential to extend justice and introduce students, faculty, parents, and entire communities to the culture and values of the Kingdom of God. Come learn from a panel of experienced public school principals who have successfully infused school culture with God’s love and wisdom while respecting the legal requirements of their roles.