In “Biblical Principles Guiding Relationships" Uve Steinmann explores foundational Christian principles for building and maintaining healthy relationships, particularly in the context of teaching and community. His main points are:

• Safety of order
• Fruit of the Spirit
• Golden Rule
• Return good for evil
• Intrinsic value of every person.

You may enjoy the other talks from this series:

1. Biblical Principles of Education
2. Biblical Principles Guiding Priorities
3. Biblical Principles of Service
4. Biblical Principles Guiding Relationships

“Biblical Principles Guiding Relationships” was presented by Uve Steinmann at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

In "Biblical Principles of Service" Uve Steinmann emphasizes one core principle: Remember Christ. He highlights Jesus' example of selfless service, from his humble birth to his sacrificial death, exemplified by washing his disciples' feet. Despite exhaustion, rejection, and betrayal, Christ served with compassion, even forgiving those who wronged him. Uve urges Christians, especially teachers, to emulate this by serving others selflessly, forgiving without expectation, and glorifying God, not self.

You may enjoy the other talks from this series:

1. Biblical Principles of Education
2. Biblical Principles Guiding Priorities
3. Biblical Principles of Service
4. Biblical Principles Guiding Relationships

“Biblical Principles of Service" was presented by Uve Steinmann at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

You are teaching in a classroom and there is a family that does not fit the culture that runs through the main part of the school. How can you create a classroom culture that allows other ethnic groups, opinions, ideas, and thinking patterns to thrive in a godly and productive way?

“Bridging the Cultural Gap” was presented by Verlin Miller at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Jonah Avina explores preventing classroom boredom through engaging, educational, and age-appropriate activities that maintain order.

He discusses:

• Principles for Engagement
• Student Expectations
• Challenging and Rewarding Students
• Strategies to Avoid Boredom
• Biblical Perspective

“Boredom Busters” was presented by Jonah Avina at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

In this session, Steve Overholt explores:

• Spiritual Tool: Singing teaches, admonishes, and expresses thanks to God.
• Invigorating Effect: Music engages the brain with predictable yet surprising patterns.
• Educational Benefit: Singing boosts reading and math skills by integrating brain functions.
• Pursuing Excellence: Strive for excellence in music to glorify God, balancing fun and discipline.
• Community Building: Singing unites people, resolves conflicts, and channels energy.

“Invigorating Music” was presented by Steve Overholt at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Uve Steinmann discusses the value and purpose of education from a Christian perspective, contrasting the lives of an uneducated but productive couple with a highly educated doctor, both of whom served their communities well. He explores how education should equip individuals to fulfill biblical mandates, such as subduing the earth and spreading the gospel, while avoiding extremes of ignorance or prideful over-education. He outlines scriptural principles and practical guidelines for determining the appropriate level of education, emphasizing skills like reading, math, and communication, and balancing formal learning with practical application to produce useful, godly citizens.

“High School--How High? How Much?” was presented by Uve Steinmann at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Steve Overholt explores lessons from influential teachers, highlighting traits of resilience, passion, creativity, compassion, and commitment to students' individual and collective needs. He draws from:

• Sister Nancy
• Jesus Christ
• Apostle Paul
• Origen
• John Amos Comenius
• Christopher Dock

“Learning from Teachers of the Past” was presented by Steve Overholt at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

This panel discussion covers four main topics, with specific questions and themes explored under each.

The topics are:

• Respect in Schools
• School Culture
• School Attendance
• Parent-Teacher Relationships

“Panel Discussion” was presented by Duane Erb, Austin Smucker, Jonah Avina, Susan Hofer, Rhonda Bear, Faith Sommers, and Paul Sommers at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

In this session 5 different speakers spend a few minutes addressing 5 different areas of preparation.

They cover:

• Preparing Devotionals
• Preparing Incentives
• Preparing for a Test
• Preparing for Lessons
• Preparing for Programs

"Six Minute Talks" was presented by Jerry Troyer, Conrad Smucker, Jeremy Bechtel, Jonathan Erb, and Paul Bear at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

In 10-minute segments, Verlin Miller, Loren Kropf, and Paul Bear discuss:

• Using Analogies: Simplify problems, apply concepts, condense information, stimulate thinking, make concepts memorable.
• Using Electronic Technology: Use technology purposefully, avoid spiritual distraction, leverage tools for teaching tasks, maintain control, and prioritize God's glory.
• Using Communication: Reflect your heart through speech, prioritize prayer, teach clearly with questions, be tactful, and be faithful and consistent to build trust.

"High Fives in Ten Minutes" was presented by Verlin Miller, Loren Kropf, and Paul Bear at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Jonathan Erb provides an overview of the book "The Seven Laws of Teaching" by John Milton Gregory, emphasizing its practical, enduring principles for effective teaching. He discusses the book's history and its core premise that overarching laws govern teaching, fostering skill-based enthusiasm over emotional enthusiasm. He then introduces the first four laws:

• Law of the Teacher: Teachers must know the material thoroughly.
• Law of the Learner: Learners must engage with interest, sparked by the teacher.
• Law of the Language: Communication must use terms both teacher and learner understand.
• Law of the Lesson: New knowledge must build on what the learner already knows.

"The Seven Laws of Teaching" was presented by Jonathan Erb at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

If procrastination were a disease, many of us are certainly infected. Is there a difference between procrastination and reasonable delay? It is not always wrong to put a disliked task off to another time, but we will take a look at how we can “eat that frog”—now!

“Penalties of Procrastination” was presented by Conrad Smucker at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

I have heard a lot of good things at a teachers’ institute. Now, it’s time to get in gear and do it all, right? Not so fast. Becoming a better teacher takes time and experience and often comes with hard knocks to soften my heart.

“Reckoning with Reality” was presented by Matt Derstine at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Is God to be seen in science anywhere? Do we have to fit God into science or does science fit into God? Does God have a grudge against science or does science have a grudge against God? Come explore the scientific realm from a godly viewpoint.

“God In Science” was presented by Wes Bauman at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Teachers are generally not the parents of the students, but it seems that often there is a need for some sort of discipline at school. Can we create a consistent, disciplined environment without taking the place of the parent? What about the tough issues that tend to get teachers into trouble?

“Discipline Dilemmas (Lower Grades)” was presented by Regina Derstine at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

The session, led by first-grade teacher Kayla Hartman, explores strategies for teaching math to young students, focusing on number sense, counting, patterns, time, place value, calendar skills, math facts, money, fractions, and measurements. In it she emphasizes simple, hands-on, and visual methods like counting charts, manipulatives, and group activities to engage students. She also includes interactive elements, encouraging other teachers to share their methods and ask questions to foster collaborative learning.

“First Grade Math” was presented by Kayla Hartman at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Come here to explore the interweaving of relationships among parents, board, and parents. Who is the teacher accountable to? What should I do when a peeved parent or school board member has some things to help me in my teaching career?

“To Whom Do You Answer” was presented by Conrad Smucker at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

As a teacher, you need to lead out in the classroom. How can I gently lead the forward thinking student to do it someone else’s way? My authority is to be respected, but how do I earn that respect and lead with humility and patience?

“Taking the Wheel” was presented by Paul Bear at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Regina Troyer addresses:

• Why we sing
• Curriculum

She then switches to demonstration mode and ‘teaches a music class’ to some of her students from the previous year. She follows up with some more activity suggestions and other tips and closes with a time for Q&A.

"Music for Little Ones" was presented at Western Fellowship Teachers' Institute 2017.

In this session, Jonathan Erb identifies four common challenges for novice teachers:

• Faulty self-concept (e.g., over-apologizing, perfectionism)
• Ignorance of technique (e.g., poor lesson sequencing, vague questions)
• Poor planning (e.g., neglecting details, focusing on peripherals)
• Ineffective discipline (e.g., delaying action, over-lecturing).

He stresses awareness, preparation, and balanced discipline to avoid these issues, noting first-year teachers' advantages such as eagerness to learn and freshness.

“Pitfalls” was presented by Jonathan Erb at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2018 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.