Thursday, October 1, 2026 until Friday, October 2, 2026 Central Daylight Time UTC -05:00
Dordt University700 7th St NESioux Center, IA 51250United States
The Heartland Convention will strengthen and inspire attendees in their work and life through networking, discussion, learning, and worship.
Serious Joy: Wonder, Play, and the Calling of Christian Educators
“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.”
Psalm 89:15–16
Dr. Dave Mulder
Thursday, 9:30 a.m. · Friday, 10:45 a.m.
Dr. Dave Mulder is Professor and Chair of the Education Department at Dordt University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in educational foundations, curriculum and instruction, educational technology, and STEM education. A former Christian school teacher, he has spent more than 25 years equipping educators through teaching, writing, and professional development.
He authored Always Becoming, Never Arriving and Teach Like a Human: Playful Practice and Serious Faith in the Age of AI, and has presented more than 100 keynote addresses, workshops, and professional learning sessions for Christian educators across North America. Dr. Mulder brings a thoughtful, engaging, and distinctly Christian perspective to teaching, learning, and leadership.
Thursday Continental Breakfast
Thursday Lunch 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Lunch options:
Refreshments Throughout the Convention
We look forward to welcoming you!
Cost: $135/credit
Before you register, please read these 2 documents:
Are you a paraprofessional that wants to learn more about your craft? Paras play a vital role in the operation of a school. They wear so many 'hats' and need to pivot often based on student needs. In this session, you will learn about the different aspects of special education, how to best meet student needs, and how to use different tools to help your students. Attendees will come away with a bag full of goodies that they can use to help their students learn best!
Presented by Kristina Harmelink, Kathleen Van Tol, Stephanie Peters, and Sarah Hawley.
* If a session is not listed under a Select a Session dropdown, it has reached capacity and can no longer be selected.
Zig Ziglar says, "Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude." Every year we see students finish high school with stellar grades who struggle to manage their lives on their own when they graduate. Learn the four attitudes that will propel your students to thrive.
Presented by Rebecca Weier, National Consultant, BJU Press.
Assessment is an ongoing journey for all educators. This session will include an exploration of mastery-based learning tools as well as time to reflect on our professed and controlling beliefs about assessment alongside insights from Alfie Kohn, James Lang, Lee Jenkins, and Harro Van Brummelen.
Presented by Ryan & Valorie Zonnefeld, Professor of Education & Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Dordt University.
Move beyond traditional reading responses and discover creative projects that help students think deeply about what they read. I'll share classroom-tested ideas that encourage choice, creativity, and authentic learning while giving students meaningful ways to demonstrate understanding. You'll leave with practical projects you can adapt and use right away.
Presented by Autumn Den Boer & Jo Harvey, 7th and 8th grade ELA teacher, Orange City Christian School.
Among first-year teachers and even veteran teachers, the rate of teacher burnout is rising steadily. Why are teachers feeling exhausted and desiring to leave the profession? How can we as teachers recognize the signs of burnout, and how can we reverse this process? How can administrators help teachers to avoid burnout before it happens? This workshop will help both teachers and administrators address and deal with burnout.
Presented by Pam Litzenberger, Senior National Consultant, BJU Press.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday work in education. In this practical session, Christian school teachers and leaders will learn how to design their own custom AI assistants, often called Custom GPTs, that handle repetitive tasks, generate resources, and create reports. Participants will see how AI can help draft lesson ideas, create assessments, summarize information, and streamline communication while still keeping human judgment at the center. The goal is simple: steward technology wisely so it frees time for what matters most. It is not required to bring your laptop, but participants will have a more robust experience during the hands on portion of this presentation.
Presented by David De Jong, Dean of the College of Education & Human Performance; Director of Teacher Apprenticeships, Dakota State University.
In this session, I will briefly share a Can-Do based oral assessment approach and share examples of what that looks like in beginner, intermediate, and advanced Spanish language classes across a variety of content. The rest of the session will be spend in workshop format for you to apply this approach to your own classes to increase demonstrating proficiency through oral assessments. While examples will be drawn from Spanish, the strategies and workshop activities are applicable to teachers of any world language.
Presented by Rikki Brons, Professor of Spanish, Dordt University.
Kevin and Mark will discuss the importance of administrators reflecting Christ through intentional student relationships. They will share intentional strategies to connect with students and to support them on their Christian journeys through daily interactions, the discipline process and regular encouragements. They will encourage participants to share effective methods to make meaningful connections with students, in an effort for us all to learn from one another.
Presented by Mark Pettengil & Kevin Vanderwal, K-12 Administrator, Sioux Falls Christian.
Learning is a process that develops one step at a time. This presentation focuses on the Instructional Hierarchy and how students progress from building accuracy, to developing fluency, to applying skills independently across settings. Participants will explore how identifying a student's current stage of learning can guide instructional decisions and improve intervention effectiveness. The session will also highlight Explicit Instruction guidelines that support student achievement through clear modeling, guided practice, and purposeful feedback. By understanding the steps of learning and using effective instructional practices, educators can provide the targeted support students need to build confidence and success.
Presented by Renee Saarloos, Reading Interventionist, Ireton Christian School.
Before, during, and after the voice change is a challenging time for young male singers. This session will focus on some tried and true techniques for helping middle school and early high school boys find their voice and have a positive experience in choir.
Presented by Ryan Smit, Director of Choral Activities, Music Department Chair, Dordt University.
As preschool teachers, GOLD is a big part of your school day. Do you often feel like GOLD is time consuming? Do you feel like it is something to mark off your list but not very helpful? This session will show you different ways to incorporate GOLD into all of your day and embed it into your daily activities.
Presented by Melissa Boer, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Consultant, Northwest AEA.
Classroom management is about much more than responding to behavior. It is about intentionally creating a classroom environment where students feel respected, supported, and ready to learn. In this session, participants will explore the idea of being a warm demander and how strong relationships paired with clear expectations help create a classroom where students can thrive. We will discuss practical strategies for setting expectations from the very first day and ways to reinforce positive behavior through meaningful, relationship focused rewards rather than tangible prizes. Participants will have opportunities to reflect, share experiences, and begin building a classroom management plan they can take back and use right away.
Presented by Trista Logan, Assistant Professor of Education, Dordt University.
This session introduces the audience to common morphological terms and morphological activities that can be used with all students. Helping students understand how words are put together and explicitly teaching word parts/meanings can help students develop their literacy skills. This session addresses word-attack, writing skills, and increasing comprehension.
Presented by Gwen Marra, Professor of Education / Director of Thrive Center for Achievement, Dordt University.
As Christian educators, we certainly must take our work very seriously. But is it possible that we sometimes take ourselves too seriously? In this session we will explore mystery, playfulness, authentic inquiry, and wonder as means of boosting engagement in our students' learningand in our own ongoing learning as educators as well. Becoming "whimsical" is not the learning target...but embracing a little whimsy might help us take better aim at the target: teaching Christianly!
Presented by Dave Mulder, Professor and Chair of the Education Department, Dordt University.
In this session, Kim Huizenga offers a highly practical look at teaching through the lens of many years in the middle school band, choir, and music classroom. Attendees will walk away with concrete strategies they can use right awayideas for classroom management, student motivation, building positive relationships, and maintaining joy and balance in teaching. Drawing from real successes and hard-earned experience in a Christian school setting, this presentation focuses on what actually works day to day, helping teachers strengthen both their craft and their calling.
Presented by Kim Huizenga, 5-8 General Music, Band, & Choir, Orange City Christian School.
In this new tech era where \"the answer\" is only an AI prompt away, the role of the educator is shifting from the creator of questions to the architect of inquiry. As we navigate the rise of generative AI, we must teach our students more than just how to answer the questions; we must teach them to courageously and critically question the answers.\ \ Join me for an informative, interactive session where we will dive into the intersection of media literacy, prompt engineering, and Biblical discernment. We will go beyond the basics of AI to explore how \"the output\" is often just the beginning of the learning process.
Presented by Kristin Mulder, Director of Technology and Digital Education, Sioux Falls Christian Schools.
In this session, we will review a variety of life science lab ideas as well as supplementary resources for supporting the lab. The session will contain at least 10 lab ideas! Participants will gain access to the lab procedure, materials, content, and lab organizational materials. We will review the lab, its connection to content, general procedure and purpose, and best ways to get materials. This session will also include ways to save money on labs, make them easier to set up/tear down, and review some logistical ways to make labs easier on the teacher.\ \ Teachers in life science grades 7-12 can adapt these labs to fit their grade level.
Presented by Sarah Wilson, Director of Learning/ Biology Teacher, Western Christian High School.
Learn more about a special book called \"Stuffy the Bear Had a Hole in His Heart\" which was placed on Kris' heart by God many years ago and is now being shared through local schools as an opportunity to open up conversations about your childrens' salvation. You'll hear the story and see the images shared within and how it's being used to give parents of your students a practical way to discuss accepting Christ into their heart as their Savior. We hope your school will choose to help us help the millions of children out there not only hear about Jesus, but decide to take that next step of their faith journey with Him!
Presented by Kris Jerke, Executive Director, In Jesus' Name, Inc.
Christian schools rightly prioritize curriculum and doctrine, yet the structures surrounding instructionpolicies, discipline systems, evaluation methods, and daily routinesmay shape students just as powerfully. This session explores how institutional systems quietly communicate theology and examines how schools can ensure that structure serves formation rather than undermines it.
Presented by Kevin Christy, Retired from Teaching, Independent.
With 30 years of experience in having meaningful conversations with young people, TheHopeLine has become a trusted voice in youth mental health. Jen DeJong brings a frontline perspective on the real challenges today's students face. TheHopeLine's custom conversation model, LEAP, is a proven framework built to create trust and inspire hope. Jen will equip educators with the LEAP model, offering a simple approach to life-giving conversations with students of all ages. The U.S. Surgeon General has called youth mental health a leading cause of poor outcomes for young people, with rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts steadily rising. Now more than ever, students need trusted adults ready to show up, speak truth, and offer hope.
Presented by Jen DeJong, Chief Operating Officer, TheHopeLine.
Ever struggle to get your students to engage in meaningful conversations about a text you are teaching? This session is designed to empower your students to become insightful thinkers and communicators through Socratic Seminars. It will provide educators with practical strategies for teaching students the essential skills for engaging in meaningful discussions. We'll explore this fun and effective method that cultivates active listening, respectful dialogue, and the ability to formulate thoughtful responses. By the end of this session, you'll be equipped to foster a classroom culture where every student's voice is valued!
Presented by Ashley Huisken, 7th Grade Language Arts, Sioux Falls Christian.
How can we leverage AI to enhance student writing while ensuring students maintain full ownership of their work? This session explores how to implement structured AI "guardrails" that help students understand the tool's benefits and limitations within the writing cycle.\ Brainstorming: Organizing initial thoughts and student-led ideas.\ Drafting: Providing timely formative feedback to guide revisions.\ Evaluation: Streamlining teacher assessment of final compositions.\ We will share practical takeaways and lessons learned from a two year pilot with junior classes at SFC during their formal writing projects.
Presented by Natalie Sax, HS English Teacher, Sioux Falls Christian School.
In this session we will discover practical strategies for integrating biblical principles into your English classroom. We'll explore how to empower students to write for God's glory, establish meaningful classroom rhythms that engage students with Scripture, and transform your writing units into opportunities for authentic, faith-centered application.
Presented by Kym Patterson, K-6 Assistant Principal, Siouxland Christian.
This presentation will feature brief booktalks on newer nonfiction picture book titles from the Teaching Resource Collection in the Hulst Library at Dordt University. The booktalks will cover a variety of disciplines and include books appropriate for preK-middle school. There will be time to browse the selected books.
Presented by Jenni Breems, Director of Library Services, Dordt University.
Description coming soon.
Presented by Trista Logan.
The culture of a classroom implicitly communicates to students what you value. Is your classroom marked by grace? Truth? Belonging? This session considers how our classroom practices reflect our beliefs.
Presented by Valorie Zonnefeld, Professor of Mathematics, Dordt University.
Have plenty of student data, but wish it worked harder for you? Discover how to turn raw numbers into an organized, time-saving tool. No spreadsheet expertise required! In this guided session, you will receive a customizable Google Sheets dashboard template to centralize your classroom links and student metrics. Through a flexible, "choose your own tech adventure" format, beginners can explore sorting, filtering, and instant color-coding to spot student needs, while advanced users can preview adding dynamic charts and graphs. Whether you want step-by-step guidance or prefer to explore independently, you will leave with practical ideas, a digital reference guide, and a template you can adapt further at your own pace. Please bring a laptop or Chromebook.
Presented by Rose Philbrick, Learning Center Teacher & Assessment Coordinator, Sioux Falls Christian.
Are you the teacher who is in the profession for the summers off, break days, and 8 AM-3 PM hours? Is it just a job? Or do you desire to be the teacher who enters the teaching field to reach those difficult students and open the door to learning for them? There is a middle ground here. How can we become an effective teacher-a master teacher-the kind every administrator wants to clone-but without school taking over our lives 24/7?
We will cover the essential maintenance procedures that will help keep your class instruments working better long term and some emergency and basic repairs that you can do yourself to keep your students playing instead of waiting for t heir instrument to come back from the shop.
Presented by Dwight VanTol, Instructor of Band Instrument Repair, Western Iowa Tech Community College.
This workshop will highlight practical, real-life ways our staff has intentionally built a positive, Christ-centered school culture. Through shared experiences, examples, and interactive discussion, we will explore simple yet impactful activities that have helped create a joyful, supportive, and engaging environment. From small daily practices to larger school-wide traditions, participants will walk away with ideas they can immediately apply in their own school to help make it a place where your staff will love to be.
Presented by Diane Krommendyk, Director of Learning, Orange City Christian.
The advice to "study harder" often causes discouragement for students who are already trying but not finding success. Explore five study strategies that lead to success in STEM-related subjects! This session is geared toward high school-level math and science teachers.
Artificial intelligence has the ability to save Christian school teachers and leaders time, which can be used on what matters most\...relationships. In this hands-on session, teachers and school leaders will learn how to verify their free ChatGPT for Teachers account using their school email, unlocking OpenAI's education-focused version of ChatGPT at no cost through June 2027. Participants will complete the verification process and explore practical ways ChatGPT can support their work, including lesson planning, differentiated materials, and everyday communication. Bring a laptop or smartphone and leave with a clear plan for saving time and money.
Unlock a new standard of productivity with Gemini and Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM). This session moves beyond basic chatbots to explore Gemini as a creative architect and Gemini Notebook as a source-grounded research specialist. We will first master the technical interfaces of both tools, exploring Gems, Videos, and "Studio" features like Audio Overviews and Slides generation. The second half of the session shifts to pedagogical application: demonstrating how teachers can automate unit planning and how students can use grounded AI to synthesize complex texts safely. Leave with a strategic roadmap for integrating these "co-intelligence" tools into any content area to expand productivity and to foster deeper inquiry and discernment.
God promised Abraham People. He gave them a Land, He made them a Nation and after all their mistakes, He made sure they had a Savior. This is God's PLaNS. In this engaging session, we will use key words & hand motions to remember the key events of the entire Bible so we share God's redeeming story in about 2 minutes.
Presented by Tim Thomas, Upper Elementary Teacher, Westside Christian.
Does grace go dormant when behavior crosses a certain threshold? Or can grace guide us, even when children require firmness? This session draws from interpersonal neuroscience to reframe the tension between showing grace and maintaining classroom order. It highlights the ways in which physiological stress responses impact both student behavior and teacher reactions. Participants will explore how awareness of internal triggers and a focus on relational safety can support clear, compassionate correction. Grounded in classroom practice, "Grace That Guides" shows how to foster student trust, accountability, and engagement in a context of care.
Presented by Alan Bandstra, Sixth grade math and science teacher, Sioux Center Christian School.
As our school has grown from only one section of kindergarten to three, the children have met in my classroom for Bible time. I take my passion for teaching to make the stories of the Bible come alive. The curriculum plans include stories from the Old Testament first semester until the week before Christmas when I transition to the life of Christ. I will show how teaching children scripture passages using sign language prompts and daily repetition will instill the Word of God in the hearts of the children. I will share techniques, resources, and lesson plans to revitalize your Bible teaching.\ (This is a repeat of the class that I began teaching last year but had to leave early for a family emergency.)
Presented by Jean Thomas, Interventionist Teacher, Kindergarten Bible Teacher, and Chapel Leader Grades K-3, Siouxland Christian School.
Accommodations and modifications are essential tools in inclusive classrooms to help students access learning and demonstrate understanding. In this session, you will identify the difference between accommodations and modifications, explore practical classroom examples, and learn strategies for adapting instruction, curriculum, and assessment. You will leave with tools to create supportive classroom environments where each student can participate meaningfully and experience a greater sense of belonging.
Presented by Jenna Zemaitis, Teacher Consultant, All Belong Center for Inclusive Education.
Oral language skills are the base for all other literacy skills, yet their importance is often forgotten. This session will help participants develop a better understanding of the impact oral language has on executive function and literacy development and it will include routines for you to include in your classroom instruction to boost these skills.
Presented by Gwen Marra, Professor of Education and Director of Thrive Center for Achievement, Dordt University.
Discover how board games can spark deep thinking about creation care in middle and high school classrooms. This hands-on session introduces Perennial, a cooperative board game that models ecological systems and land management, serving as a spring board for discussions of creational connections and Christian environmental ethics. Participants will play excerpts of the game, explore how gameplay invites systems thinking, collaboration, and moral reflection, and learn practical ways to integrate game-based learning into science, Bible, and interdisciplinary courses.\ \*Free board game sets will be made available to Iowa participants through an Iowa Conservation Education Program grant.
Presented by Jeffrey Ploegstra, Professor of Biology and Dean for Foundational and Health Sciences, Dordt University.
In an active killer situation, one can no longer wait for a police or sheriff's office response to immediately stop the horror of the situation. Whether we like it or not, the burden of safety and survival becomes a personal obligation. You are THE first responder if you are present during the initial stage of an active killer incident. Acquiring and maintaining a survival mindset—consisting of awareness, preparation, and rehearsal—is necessary to increase your chances of surviving such an encounter.
Presented by Don Armstrong & Todd Wieck.
Iowa's Hispanic community is growing, creating new opportunities for Christian schools to build meaningful relationships with families in their communities. Every community is a mission field, but reaching Hispanic families requires more than translating materialsit requires trust, understanding, and intentional partnership.\ \ This session will equip school leaders with practical strategies to build authentic relationships, overcome common barriers, strengthen community connections, and create welcoming pathways where more families can experience the opportunity of Christian education.
Presented by Arlene McClintock, Executive Director, HACER (Hispanics Aligned for Choice in Education Reform).
Discover how the Iowa STEM Council empowers educators with high-impact programs, funding opportunities, and classroom-ready resources designed to ignite student curiosity and achievement.\ \ In this interactive session, you'll explore the Council's STEM Scale-Up Program and experience hands-on STEM just as your students would. You'll collaborate with fellow educators to test-drive engaging STEM Challenges and see how these experiences build critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills.\ \ You'll Take Home:\ A ready-to-implement STEM Challenge\ A Computer Science Challenge\ An AI Challenge designed to spark innovation and responsible technology use\ Join the Fun!
Presented by Mary Trent, NW STEM Regional Manager, NW STEM.
Sentence diagramming is more than a grammar exerciseit is a joyful way to discover the beauty and order of language. In this session, participants will see how diagramming turns grammar into a puzzle of patterns, play, and precision. With practical strategies and classroom examples, primary and secondary educators will learn how it helps students understand how words work together, strengthen writing, and appreciate language. Each participant will receive Writely, a diagramming booklet by Luke DeBoer.
Presented by Luke DeBoer, High School Teacher, Sioux Falls Christian High School.
Do you tend to overwhelm or underwhelm your classroom? Do you command attention with volume and aggression, or would you prefer to blend into the background? Have you ever wished that you could find a way to really reach the student--connecting with them, who they really are, and who God has made them to be? Acting teacher Patsy Rodenburg has given us the gift of the three circles of communication--and in this session, you will learn how to access all three circles, but how to intentionally utilize second circle to have a stronger connection with your students.
Presented by Emily Hageman.
What if every student came with an instruction manual? Accommodations are that guide, helping students access learning, build independence, and thrive. For students with language-based learning disabilities, support shouldn't stop at language arts; it should travel with them across every classroom. Explore practical ways to embed accommodations and assistive technology (AT) in math, science, art, music, and physical education to remove barriers and unlock potential. Leave with strategies you can use right away and a fresh perspective on what's possible when every student has the tools to succeed.
In environments shaped by fear of conflict, litigation, or inconsistency, schools often respond by increasing policy. But spiritual formation cannot be automated. This session examines the risks of over-mechanized systems and offers a framework for leading with biblical wisdom rather than procedural reflex.
Discover 30 exceptional picture books that inspire wonder, spark meaningful conversations, and enrich learning across every grade level. While written for children, these books offer timeless lessons in character, faith, resilience, beauty, and the human experience. You'll leave with a carefully curated list of titles and practical ideas for using them to cultivate both hearts and minds in your classroom.
Presented by Lindsay Laurich, Co-Director Heartland Christian Schools, Heartland Christian.
Led by a former burnt-out teacher, this session explores intentional habits and strategies to optimize your school day, empowering you to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Participants will learn the importance of claiming your time.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a practical tool for educators, yet many teachers are unsure where to begin. This introductory session is designed specifically for Christian school teachers who want to explore AI in a thoughtful and responsible way. Participants will be introduced to tools such as ChatGPT and MagicSchool and learn how they can support lesson planning, differentiation, and assessment. Through simple demonstrations and guided practice, attendees will see how a few prompts can generate lesson ideas, scaffolded activities, and clear rubrics in minutes. Participants may bring their laptop or smart phone for the best hands on experience.
Christian education lives at the intersection of ministry and profession. When those roles are blurred, devotion can quietly become an obligation. This session explores how schools can honor calling without spiritualizing exhaustion and build structures that sustain those who serve.
Strong comprehension instruction helps students think deeply about what they read while making meaningful connections across literacy skills. In this session, participants will explore how a single anchor text can be used to support multiple literacy standards, including vocabulary development, comprehension strategies, and purposeful discussion. Educators will see how think alouds and other research based instructional techniques can make the thinking process visible for students and strengthen understanding of complex texts. This practical session will provide classroom ready strategies, planning ideas, and resources that teachers can immediately take back and implement in their own classrooms.
What if the greatest driver of faith formation isn't a new curriculum, but teachers learning from one another? This session introduces Faith Engagement Groups which is a simple, structured "iron sharpens iron" communities where teachers share, reflect, and refine how they reveal God in their teaching. These groups create a rhythm of continual improvement by focusing on real classroom evidence. You'll experience a practical feedback framework using what is "revealed" and what remains "hidden," and leave with a clear, replicable model to strengthen practice and make student faith engagement more visible. **Participants are asked to bring their laptops to this session.**
Presented by Kent Ezell, Founder, Faith Journey.
Parents and students are very different from those we dealt with 20 and even 10 years ago. In this workshop, we will discuss several types of parental involvement, explore how and why parents are different than they were in the past, and talk about practical methods for handling difficult parental situations in your classroom-without losing your sanity!
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." -A.W. Tozer. If this is true, then it is vitally important that we as Christian educators are helping to prepare our students to navigate the Bible and the deep things of God. But, what does that actually look like? Join us as we explore what it means to help students think theologically.
Presented by Jimmy Buehler, High School Bible Teacher, Central Minnesota Christian School.
This session is designed for existing school leaders who want to better understand how the Christian education landscape is shifting and what those changes mean for their schools. We will examine key trends across private education, homeschooling, microschools, and classical education, while considering how parent expectations and new models are reshaping the market. The goal is to help leaders think strategically about innovation, mission alignment, and long-term strength in a changing environment.
Presented by Jonathan Edmondson, SchoolBox Director, Herzog Foundation.
Have you ever had to leave an organization? Ever had to move to a new grade? Change leadership or even states? How about a different country? In this session, we will discuss the importance of 'Leaving Well' from the perspective of a student and as an educator. We will discuss the RAFT process, interact with others in meaningful ways as we learn what it means to embrace the good and bad of any transition. We will build with our hands, engage in discussion, and walk away with resources to guide others and ourselves through the task of change in a healthy and God honoring way.
Are you new to Peter Liljedahl's "Building Thinking Classrooms" and want to experience it? Or have you taken steps to implement a thinking classroom and want more thinking tasks for your students? If so, this is a session for you. We will explore multiple rich math tasks together while implementing the Building Thinking Classrooms practices.
Copyright is complicated. This session is intended for the copyright-confused. U.S. Copyright Law protects the rights of creators. Fair Use exemptions protect the rights of users. Creative Commons licensing allows creators to specify in advance how people may use their works. This session is a high-level overview of these three main copyright concepts and how they work together. It will include hands-on examples to answer the always-practical question: May I copy that?
The way we think and talk about our life matters. We want to help students to develop the language and thought patterns that encourage growth. As students recognize that failure is a stepping stone to success and learn to take appropriate risks, they grow.
In this new tech era where "the answer" is only an AI prompt away, the role of the educator is shifting from the creator of questions to the architect of inquiry. As we navigate the rise of generative AI, we must teach our students more than just how to answer the questions; we must teach them to courageously and critically question the answers.\ \ Join me for an informative, interactive session where we will dive into the intersection of media literacy, prompt engineering, and Biblical discernment. We will go beyond the basics of AI to explore how "the output" is often just the beginning of the learning process.
Have you noticed a lack of practice time from students in your ensemble? Do you wish for a way to motivate students to work on those hard parts? In this session, we will walk through the process of a recording assessment assignment in middle and high school ensembles. Where in the concert process does it go? When and where can they record themselves? How would they be graded? All these questions and more will be answered!
Presented by Devin Veenstra, 5-12 Band Teacher, Central MN Christian.
Learn more about a special book called "Stuffy the Bear Had a Hole in His Heart" which was placed on Kris' heart by God many years ago and is now being shared through local schools as an opportunity to open up conversations about your childrens' salvation. You'll hear the story and see the images shared within and how it's being used to give parents of your students a practical way to discuss accepting Christ into their heart as their Savior. We hope your school will choose to help us help the millions of children out there not only hear about Jesus, but decide to take that next step of their faith journey with Him!
As an art educator, my main goal is to create an art room culture in which students can flourish as creators. Over the last several years, the Teaching for Transformation framework has been an excellent guide for accomplishing this goal. In this session I will share how I have used the TfT framework (and other fabulous resources) to create a positive culture, improve the organization of the art curriculum so that it is predictable and yet exciting, and increase student engagement in their studio experiences. Participants will see examples of my 5th-8th art curriculum, classroom materials, and student work.
Presented by Lori DeJong, 5-8 Art Teacher, Sioux Center Christian School.
This session explores implicit leadership theories (ILTs) and how they shape youth athletes' perceptions of effective leaders within sport. Attendees will gain an understanding of ILTs, why they matter in youth sport, and how athletes' beliefs about leadership influence leader selection, team dynamics, communication, and athlete development. The session will examine factors that contribute to the formation of these leadership prototypes, including personal experiences, coaching, and the sport environment. Practical implications for coaches, educators, and sport leaders will be discussed, with strategies for fostering inclusive leadership development and challenging biases that may limit leadership opportunities for young athletes.
Presented by Corina Vega, Professor of Health and Human Performance, Concordia University, Nebraska.
In this session, we invite grade schools that send their students to Western Christian to gather together for a time of collaboration, sharing of resources, networking with similar content areas, and for an introduction to a new resources group that Western is working to coordinate. Since most students in our feeder school are going to end up at the same place, we want to create a space to talk about working towards common goals.
Presented by Sarah Wilson, Director of Learning/Biology Teacher, Western Christian High School.
What's holding you back from taking the next step in your educational journey? Whether it's concerns about time, cost, workload, or balancing family and career responsibilities, many educators share similar questions about graduate school. In this session, we will explore the realities of pursuing a graduate degree, address common fears and misconceptions, and discuss how graduate education can help you expand your influence and impact. Participants will also discover the opportunities available through Dordt University's graduate programs and learn how advancing their education can fit within their current season of life.
Presented by Evin Dickerson, Director of Graduate Admissions, Dordt University.
Are you wanting to add shop classes to your school but the thought of it is intimidating or overwhelming? In this course I will take you through the steps needed to build successful shop classes. You'll learn everything along the way from planning, and gaining community support to implementing them in your school. I will specifically cover woodworking, electricity and manufacturing (CNC mills and 3D printers).
Presented by Brandon Rothstein, Industrial Tech Instructor, Central Minnesota Christian School.
When students see numbers in math, they feel an immediate rush to calculate, often bypassing critical thinking entirely. By temporarily removing the numbers, we can completely transform how students approach problem solving. This session explores the power of numberless word problems to reveal the mathematical relationships behind real-life actions like joining, separating, equal grouping, or scaling. Learn how to spark genuine classroom wonder, guide students to visualize the context, and engage them in deep critical thinking before diving into computation. You will leave with practical techniques to integrate with your existing curriculum, turning everyday word problems into critical thinking opportunities that build a lasting conceptual foundation.
Presented by Rose Philbrick, Learning Center & Assessment Coordinator, Sioux Falls Christian.
Not all test subjects are built the same, and not all requirements are equal across different activities. Using an assessment tool called a VO2 Master, we will use this as an example of testing a student-athlete, being direct in what you're trying to find, and then applying information to make informed training and coaching decisions.\ \ From there, we can take principles of testing protocols and expand them out to various desired outcomes that are determined by the demands of the sport or class. This session will include a live demonstration of the VO2 Master followed by a walkthrough of the live results and how we would recommend protocol changes in various scenarios.
Presented by Justin/Kyle Pastoor/Van Wyk, Instructor of Kinesiology (Both), Dordt University.
This course is designed for EVERY teacher in EVERY grade. I don't know much about 9th grade Science, 6th grade History, or 2nd grade Speling\... but I know about our love for the Christ Who unites us all and about the Foundational Truths that must form the POSTURE of every Christian Educator. How could something this important have been hidden from you until now? It wasn't. Thankfully(!), there won't be anything in this presentation that you haven't heard before. My little hope is merely to re-excite you to the good things you already know and encourage you to embrace even more boldly the great truths of the Christian Worldview.
Presented by Trevor Mouw, Bible Teacher, Unity Christian High School.
Presented by Mark Pettengill, K-12 Administrator, Sioux Falls Christian.
Does your school utilize the learning platform IXL for math, language arts, spanish, science or social studies? Do you utilize a variety of functions on the platform and have some insights to share? In this session, I'll present a few tips that I have utilized in the English/Language Arts high school classroom including data collection and weekly quizzes. Whether you are curious about this learning platform, or your school has used it for a few years, this session is a great place to share advice on utilizing IXL features or to ask questions. \*computers and access to IXL platform will be helpful for this session
Presented by Ruth Clark, English Teacher, Unity Christian High School.
As your students discover who they are and how God has gifted them, they can pursue their calling and vocation with conviction and excitement. As you help students work through a series of questions and observations, they can discover where their gifting meets the world's greatest needs. This session is aimed at helping high school faculty and guidance counselors.
Every student walks into our classrooms carrying different needs, and no lesson plan can predict them all. As teachers, we are called to notice, listen, and respond to the students God has placed in front of us. In this session, we'll explore practical ways to create a classroom that responds to the whole student. We'll discuss building classroom community, using brain breaks to increase focus, creating meaningful engagement, supporting students through challenging moments, encouraging student voice and choice, and making small adjustments that have a big impact. You'll leave with realistic strategies you can use right away to help students feel known, valued, and ready to learnwhile still meeting the academic goals in front of you.
Presented by Autumn Den Boer, 7th and 8th grade ELA teacher, Orange City Christian School.
Modern pedagogy emphasizes student-centered learning, yet Christian theology emphasizes personal responsibility. What happens when these frameworks conflict? This session challenges prevailing assumptions and explores how cultivating responsibility can deepen both academic engagement and spiritual maturity.
Trying to teach English skills or algebra to unruly teenagers is any teacher's nightmare. How can you get these young people to focus on learning? How is teaching a teenager different from teaching, say, a fifth grader? Developing solid classroom management is a skill that requires love from the teacher, but also consistency. In this workshop, we will delve into these questions with many suggestions to help you build your classroom management skills and TEACH your class.
Why do we do co-curriculars, and are we doing them for the right reasons? This interactive session explores the biblical foundation for co-curriculars, the proper perspective for keeping them in balance, and practical strategies for breaking down silos within our schools. Come ready to engage, share, and rethink how co-curriculars fit within the mission of Christian education.
Presented by Jay Woudstra, Superintendent, Sioux Falls Christian.
Zig Ziglar says, "Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude." Every year we see students finish high school with stellar grades who struggle to manage their lives on their own when they graduate. Learn the four attitudes that will propel your students to thrive personally, academically, socially, and spiritually.
As followers of Christ, we are called to praise our Creator with music. How do we truly love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength? What does that look like using music? We will explore how to go beyond the notes on the page as we glorify our Lord through this art form. Using our own personal experiences, our music studies, and embodiment through our conducting gestures, we can learn to capture the joy and beauty of who God is in music. Come join us as we venture into ways to understand and convey music to our students, musicians, and audiences.
Presented by Angela (Holt) Carlson, Director of Instrumental Studies and Music Education at Northwestern College, Northwestern College.
Meaningful change in Christian education cannot be initiated by one group alone. This session explores shared risk, shared responsibility, and the humility required to pursue institutional growth without fracturing community.
Presented by Kevin Christy, Retired from Education, Independent.
ELA doesn't have to happen only on paper. Come experience an interactive session where you'll rotate through hands-on activities, collaborate with other teachers, and explore tangible resources you can use in your own classroom. You'll leave with practical ideas to help students think, move, discuss, and learn in meaningful ways.
This session will provide a glimpse into the unique cultural experience Heartland members had in traveling to Guinea, Africa. They worked alongside Teacher's Garden, a Christian educational organization that equips teachers through professional development. Participants in this session will hear about the joys and challenges of stepping into a different culture while training and encouraging local teachers. The experiences that will be shared went far beyond professional development—it was an opportunity to build friendships, experience genuine hospitality, and see the dedication the teachers had in their communities. Attendees will gain insight into how serving others can broaden our perspective and create lasting connections.
Presented by Randy Ten Pas, Hailey De Witt, and Rachelle Oordt.
This session will help schools make chapel come alive with hands-on ideas, games, and activities. Chapel doesn't have to mean sitting quietly and listening! Come discover creative, Christ-centered ways to make chapel engaging, memorable, and meaningful for students. Participants will leave with ideas they can use immediately in their own chapels.
Presented by Sue Beukelman, Donna DeLine, and Alisa Thill.
As many as 25%-50% of pre-college students have math anxiety. In this workshop, we will discuss this fear, where it may have originated, and most importantly, how we, as their math teachers, can help our students overcome their anxiety. We will also talk about math myths and how they affect our students.
STEM is often viewed as technical or skill-driven, which can deter teachers who value creativity and relationships. This session presents STEM as a pathway for cultivating compassion and care. Participants will explore classroom-tested projects that begin with real needs beyond the school walls and invite students to respond through design, problem solving, and collaboration. Grounded in the Teaching for Transformation framework, these ventures integrate STEM thinking with Christ-centered purposes, helping students grow not only in knowledge and skill, but also in empathy, responsibility, and meaningful engagement with God's world.
Presented by Alan Bandstra, Sixth grade math and science, Sioux Center Christian School.
Working in inclusive schools and collaborative settings often means that there is more than one adult present in the classroom. What do you do when a second adult is assigned to work in your space? How can you set yourself up for effective communication and collaboration? How do we build a positive working relationship and ensure that we reach and teach ALL learners? Join us to learn about various teaming models and strategies for effective collaboration in inclusive classrooms. This training is designed for classroom teachers, student support teachers, and support staff. Our main goal is to set you, your colleagues, and each of your students up for a successful year of working and learning together!
Presented by Lisa Dekker, Teacher Consultant, All Belong Center for Inclusive Education.
Join Heartland leadership for a conversation about our association's future and the opportunities ahead. We'll share key themes from conversations with member schools and our recent SWOT analysis, celebrate our community's strengths, and discuss strategic priorities for the coming years. This session is designed for Heartland member school leaders who want to help shape a thriving future for Christian education across the Heartland.
Presented by Josh Bowar, Director of School Relations for the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE) of Dordt University, Heartland Christian.
