Is boredom a necessary evil when it comes to some things we must do in school? What are some practical ideas of how to keep learning and education fresh and interesting without losing our overarching goals for education?

Bursting Boredom’s Bubble was presented by Jonathan Miller at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Structured routines prevent negative behaviors and foster a safe, organized learning environment. Abigail differentiates between procedures (consistent methods for classroom tasks) and discipline (addressing inappropriate behavior).

She provides many actionable steps towards fostering strong procedures in the classroom, such as simple rules, modeling procedures, setting high yet appropriate expectations, being a role model for respect and empathy, brain breaks, positive reinforcement, and good communication with parents.

Structured procedures reduce stress, enhance learning, and create a nurturing classroom environment.

“Establishing Patterns and Procedures” was presented by Abigail Miller at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Does motivation come naturally or is it up to the teachers to make sure that their students are motivated and remain motivated? Is motivation a shared responsibility of the teacher and the student? Do the parents enter into this picture at all? Come to hear some guidelines for ways that teachers can inspire and maintain the motivation levels of their students.

Promoting Concentration was presented by Jadon Stoltzfus at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

How can teachers help a student to concentrate? Is it more than just a quiet room? Sometimes we may think that it is all up to the student to figure out how to concentrate on their work, but is that true? Come to this workshop to hear pointers that teachers can use to enhance the ability of their students to concentrate on their work and maintain their focus.

Promoting Concentration was presented by Doug Mast at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Am I prepared to teach school? Where do I start? What is most important? If you feel like an elephant that has been dropped into the ocean, this class will give you some techniques and strategies to help keep your head above water! This session is intended for new teachers.

Preparation was presented by Derek Overholt at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Does a teacher have the time to manage his time? Sometimes the demands of teaching can be so great that a teacher focuses more on simply keeping the fires out rather than considering how to better use the time he has. This workshop will provide you with tips and principles that will help you be more in control of your time in all areas related to teaching.

Time Management was presented by Dennis Sensenig at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Help! I've agreed to teach and feel totally unprepared. Do first-year-teachers have pre-existing sources of experience that are useful in the classroom? Where should new teachers look for ideas? Inspiration? Tools? This session is intended for new teachers.

Presources was presented by Jonah Avina at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

How do we know if we are dealing with a student’s carnal rebellious nature or if the student is lacking the necessary tools to be able to do what we’re asking of them? What are some of the signs of the more common differences/disabilities we might see in children that could affect their learning?

Listen to Disobedience or Disability Part 2.

Disobedience or Disability was presented by Jonathan Miller at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Singing is an important part of worship in our communities. Come to this three-part series of workshops to learn practical ways to inspire and teach young students to sing.

• Listen to Elementary Music Culture Part 2.
• Listen to Elementary Music Culture Part 3.

Elementary Music Culture was presented by Regina Troyer at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024

What is the difference between a procedure and a rule? How do procedures help me have a disciplined classroom? What are procedures that can help me teach in a multi-grade classroom? Come to this workshop that helps us understand how procedures are foundational to learning. This session is intended for new teachers.

Procedures was presented by Verlin Miller at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

The topic of mental health can be a hot-button issue, whether in the secular setting or within the church. But there is no denying that cases of mental health affect Anabaptist schools.

Millard outlines three primary views on mental health within Christian perspectives, explores how mental health is defined and measured, and offers insight on specific clinical issues and disorders (such as anxiety, depression, OCD, paranoia, and schizophrenia).

The calling of the Christian is to address mental health needs with compassion and love.

“Recognizing Emotional or Health Needs” was presented by Millard Martin at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Students need to learn to respect each other physically. Boys need to learn to be gentlemen and to lead out. Girls need to respect the boys in their attempts to be gentleman and leaders. Can you keep cliques from forming? And just be kind.

Healthy Boy/Girl Relationships was presented by Joe Beiler at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Is it important to have a disciplined classroom? When we think of discipline we can tend to think of it as punishments. Are there ways to manage a classroom so you as a teacher are ahead of the curve instead of coming along behind and “smacking hands”?

Practical Discipline (lower grades) was presented by Rowena Swartzentruber at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

“I’m chairman, my brother-in-law (whose son is causing trouble at school) is secretary, my daughter is a teacher… How can I involve myself objectively? Oh, and I’m also a father, busy business owner, trustee at church, Sunday morning superintendent, etc. I hardly have enough leftover mental space to give to the school. But I was voted on by a trusting brotherhood.”

Conflicting Interests was presented by Aaron Troyer at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Sometimes discipline in the upper grades can present some dilemmas for the teacher. What discipline is effective and works? Should a teacher tailor the discipline to each student or should all suffer the same punishment across the board? Should all students suffer for one student's misdemeanor? These and other questions often can create headaches for the teachers of older students. We would like to hear practical guidelines for discipline and principles that should direct whatever discipline is administered.

Practical Discipline (upper grades) was presented by Ben Troyer at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

How do I “catch” my student’s attention? What do I do once they are “on the hook”? What is the purpose of a presentation at the class table? This session is intended for new teachers.

Presentation was presented by Jonah Avina at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

What are the components of a culture of healthy communication between board members, parents, and teachers and how can we promote these? What questions are asked in effective board meetings? Is there a board meeting template I should follow? How often should a board member visit school or visit with the teachers? Chairmen and schoolboard members, come learn and share.

Board Meetings and Beyond was presented by Jason Derstine at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

When it comes to mental health, not all help is helpful. How does one navigate the complexities of various psychological philosophies, therapies, or medications to help those with mental health struggles?

Millard speaks into this question and many more. He offers a balance of caution and encouragement along with practical advice. He emphasizes the importance of prayer, collaboration, and creating safe and supportive spaces for those facing mental health issues.

“Responding to Emotional and Health Needs” was presented by Millard Martin at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Being a good sport is a learned art, something that doesn’t come naturally in most people. How can we as teachers exemplify and encourage how God wants us to respond when we lose at something?

Teaching Sportsmanship was presented by Jonathan Miller at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Singing is an important part of worship in our communities. Come to this three-part series of workshops to learn practical ways to inspire and teach young students to sing.

• Listen to Elementary Music Culture Part 1.
• Listen to Elementary Music Culture Part 3

Elementary Music Culture was presented by Regina Troyer at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.