Sharing Jesus in the Public School – Phil Swartzentruber, Retired Public School Teacher, KY
We realize that possibilities for sharing our faith vary depending on regulations of the school and district . Come prepared for a discussion of ways to make Jesus known in our public schools. Feel free to share things from your experience or what you have heard from others.

Anxious Generation: Book Review – Conrad, Senior Pastor of Fairview Mennonite Church, IA, and Heidi Hertzler, an educator with public and private school experience.
Technology has brought a wave of anxiety and isolation into our culture. Join us as we discuss the scientific data from the book Anxious Generation and our response as God’s people.

Discipleship vs. Discipline & Becoming a Wise School – Eugene Miller, Retired Christian School Principal/Superintendent, OH
Come hear about a simple system that I implemented in my later years of administration that worked well at Central Christian School. A shift from an efficient, fear-based system to a restorative, relationship based system made all of the difference in our school.

Resourceful Teaching: Rethinking How We Use and Apply What We Have (This includes our knowledge, attitude, skills, and tangible resources.)
                  – Adrienne Sauder, public pre-k teacher, MD
When challenges arise in student behavior, meeting diverse needs, or having the right resources, how do we cultivate solution-minded thinking?”

New Teachers: What they need to Survive AND Thrive – Abi Voth, 2nd year public school teacher, PA
It is commonly acknowledged that the early years of the teaching profession are filled with many challenges. Whether you are a new teacher, a veteran teacher, an administrator, or an educator in between one of these stages, you play a crucial role in supporting new teachers and enabling them to succeed. This session will explore teacher induction programs, mentorship opportunities, the importance of relationship building, and my personal experiences as a second-year public high school Spanish teacher.

Timeless Classroom Management Skills – Melinda Geiser, Asst. Principal Greenwood Mennonite School, DE
Effective classroom management is difficult to master, but it remains a timeless and vital skill in a classroom setting. In what ways can a teacher set up classroom routines to ensure a productive learning environment? How much does the teacher-student relationship play a part in the classroom culture? Come ready to hear tips from teachers from a variety of levels and be ready to share some of your own classroom management hacks!

School-Wide Community Building Activities and Events for a Christian School – Duane Miller, Greenwood Mennonite School Head Principal, DE
The idea of community is so important in the life of a Christian school and one of the ways we can encourage people to join the community is through activities and events where they are a part of something bigger than themselves. We will look at the big picture and discuss some very specific examples you could try at your school.

Charting the Course – Phil Puleo, Education  Consultant and Advocate, PA
From Sextant to GPS, knowing where one is and where one is going is important in carrying out one’s mission.  The Christian School Strategic Plan serves a road map as the school navigates into the future.  This breakout session will explore (1) the biblical foundation for a strategic plan, (2) the process for developing a strategic plan, (3) the communication of a strategic plan, and (4) the monitoring and evaluation of a strategic plan.

Promoting Student Resiliency through the Classroom – Cristen Puleo, School Counselor, PA
When anxiety and trauma related issues seize the headspace and hearts of students, the learning process is interrupted. Classroom teachers must recognize and respond to student needs in a way that fosters resiliency which ultimately promotes individual success.