It was a long week; in fact, every week is a long week. It seems the energy tank is constantly getting more and more empty. Will you be able to make it to the end of the school year? And then, after multiple years in the classroom, how do I drum up the energy and vision for a new year? Running on an empty tank is not a long-term solution to success. This workshop with outline important things for you to remember and to embrace so that you tank never gets to empty.

Avoiding Teacher Burnout was presented by Dennis Sensenig at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

What do healthy student/teacher relations look like? Are you, as a teacher, the student’s buddy? Mentor? Dictator?

As Derek Overholt addresses the topic of healthy relationships between teachers and students, he emphasizes:

• Built with Time and Love

• Avoid Inappropriate Roles

• Key Elements of Good Relationships

• Practical Tips

Healthy Student/Teacher Relations was presented by Derek Overholt 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 1.

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

Grading - isn't that the teacher's responsibility? Many board members feel like they don't know the first thing about grading a student's work in school. Sure, it needs to be graded, but how to mesh the daily work and the tests so as to gain an accurate grade is about more than they can figure out. This workshop will deal with principles that you can take home and implement in your school so that the efforts by the teacher to grade and to grade well are directed by something larger than the personal opinion and understanding of the teacher.

Principles for Grading (board) was presented by Jonathan Erb at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Everyone makes mistakes. But we don’t need to repeat all the mistakes of our predecessors. Come to learn about the common pitfalls that teachers can fall into and how we can avoid them. The first step in avoiding a pitfall is seeing it before you fall in! This session is intended for new teachers.

Pitfalls was presented by Derek Martin at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

One of the primary reasons for our Christian day school is to be able to teach the Bible to our students. How can we maximize this opportunity that we have?

The Bible in Our Classrooms was presented by Verlin Miller at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

In this workshop, we will explore ways to inspire students to read by structuring engaging reading classes and providing tips for encouraging independent reading. Participants are invited to share their favorite story time picture book.

Reading (Grades 2-4) was presented by Laurel Weaver at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

First grade is often the year when reading opens doors to new worlds for young students. First grade teachers have the privilege of helping children along this journey. Abigail offers practical advice about key teaching strategies for beginning readers:

1. Auditory skills and blending: Teachers should help students recognize and blend sounds.
2. Left-to-right reading: Teachers must consistently model and drill reading from left to right.
3. Review and practice: Teachers need to allow many opportunities for regular review through flashcards, word lists, and drills.
4. Spelling: Teachers can reinforce reading by teaching sound-letter connections in spelling class.
5. Oral reading: Teachers should model proper pronunciation, speed, tone, volume, and expression while encouraging students to do the same.
6. Following directions: Teachers can teach students the valuable life skill of following verbal and written instructions.
7. Fostering a love of reading: Teachers will encourage a life-long love of reading by offering creative activities and abundant reading opportunities.

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

In this class, we will spend a short time discussing the dearth of writing talent development in our schools and listing specific distractions that tend to keep us from changing our course. We will pivot then to specific strategies to develop writing skills.

Composition was presented by Joe Beiler at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Many of us find ourselves in a setting where we must teach more than one grade in one room. Come to this class to find tips on how to be a good time manager while connecting with each student in your class.

Managing a Multi-grade Classroom was presented by Jonah Avina at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Teaching literature is about much more than just reading stories. Literature class provides opportunities to shape communication and the understanding of traits like selfishness or courage.

Dennis uses many specific examples to illustrate the learning potential found in works of literature. He illustrates this in a hands-on way by focusing on Langston Hughes’ poem “Thank You, Ma’am.” He shows how a teacher can use a story evaluation sheet to guide analysis, discussing conflict, main character, themes, and character traits.

Literature allows the teacher to address themes such as racism, compassion, empathy, broadening worldviews, and many practical life lessons.

“Literature” was presented by Dennis Sensenig at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

What does the Bible say about teachers? How can we as teachers follow the Master Teacher? This session is intended for new teachers.

The Privilege of Teaching was presented by Jonah Avina, Derek Overholt, and Verlin Miller at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Is it really true that students need to learn how to think? Does that come naturally for every individual as they grow up and mature? Sometimes a student can seem to be bent on criticism rather than critical thinking. As a teacher, how can you provide your students with a framework that allows them to develop the ability to analyze a statement or a principle in a way that furthers their understanding of it.

Teaching Critical Thinking was presented by Ernest Zeiset at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute (WFTI) 2024.

Commitment is essential for starting and persevering in teaching. Drawing from experiences during his time in Poland, John highlights the importance of commitment in overcoming challenges. He references Biblical examples such as Abraham’s obedience, Ruth’s loyalty, Esther’s responsibility, Jeremiah’s truthfulness, and Paul’s boldness.

Ultimately, teachers can be inspired and challenged by the commitment of Jesus to lay down His very life for those He served.

“Commitment: The Way to Begin and Endure” was presented by John Smucker at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

You may be interested in the companion talks to this keynote address, “Communication: The Way to Know and Be Known,” “Culture: The Way to Understand and Respect,” and “Change: The Way to Strengthen and Mature.”

1. Commitment: The Way to Begin and Endure.
2. Communication: The Way to Know and to be Known.
3. Culture: The Way to Understand and Respect.
4. Change: The Way to Strengthen and Mature

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 2.

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

Have you ever wondered about the stories behind some of your favorite hymns? In this session, several speakers present the fascinating events that led to the creation of several popular hymns.

“Count Your Blessings” presented by Brian Birky

This song was inspired through the prayers of a mother, a transformative experience at a missions’ conference, the pleadings of a student in Japan, and in spite of persecution. The same man also wrote “Let There Be Light.”

“O for a Closer Walk with God” presented by Allan Kropf

This hymn was borne out of many difficulties, including depression, the death of a mother, bullying, suicide attempts, the sickness of a close friend, and time in a mental asylum.

“It Is Well with My Soul” presented by Dan Weaver

This hymn was composed in one of the lowest points of the author’s life, following the financial devastation of the Chicago fire and the tragic loss of his four daughters.

“Hymn Stories” were presented by Brian Birky, Allan Kropf, and Dan Weaver at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

Speaking from a wealth of experience from his time spent in Poland, John talks about the importance of communication and the ways that poor communication can be detrimental to relationships. Key principles for effective communication include dependence on God, taking time, finding common ground, building trust, showing interest, honesty with consideration, availability, and encouragement. On the other hand, barriers to communication include language differences, differing perspectives, withholding information, past experiences, arrogance, and fear.

When communication is clear, both parties can benefit from the empathy, understanding, and renewed energy that results. Teachers can develop their communication skills both with students and God to enjoy the beauty of knowing and being known.

“Communication: The Way to Know and Be Known” was presented by John Smucker at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

You may be interested in the companion talks to this keynote address, “Commitment: The Way to Begin and Endure,” “Culture: The Way to Understand and Respect,” and “Change: The Way to Strengthen and Mature.”

1. Listen to Commitment: The Way to Begin and Endure.
2. Listen to Communication: The Way to Know and to be Known.
3. Listen to Culture: The Way to Understand and Respect.
4. Listen to Change: The Way to Strengthen and Mature

Five speakers talk for six minutes about various topics.

PTA by Derek Overholt

Parent-teacher association is important to foster communication between teachers and parents. PTA meetings help to dispel misconceptions, provide updates on student progress, and foster collaboration.

Typing by Verlin Miller

Teaching typing is an essential life skill due to the prevalence of computers in homes and workplaces. Students who gain proficiency in typing benefit from advanced cognitive function, reading, and spelling skills.

Memorization by Jonathan Erb

Memorization is a critical subject for producing wise students. It is foundational for learning, it improves performance across subjects, it equips students to resist temptation, and it fulfills God’s command to be ready with answers.

Penmanship by Doug Mast

Despite technological advances, teaching cursive penmanship should still be prioritized in schools. Cursive reflects discipline and character and is a valuable, practical skill.

Story-time by Jonah Avina

Story time is a way to enrich students’ lives through time travel, the broadening of perspectives, the ignition of curiosity, the fostering of creativity, and the instilling of moral and biblical lessons. Further, stories expand vocabulary, improve attention spans, and connect lessons to real-world contexts.

“Six Minute Talks” were presented by Derek Overholt, Verlin Miller, Jonathan Erb, Doug Mast, and Jonah Avina at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

How can the church support individuals who are dealing with mental health struggles? Millard provides several guiding principles:

1. Responding with support and love. Instead of reacting with shame, avoidance, or gossip, churches need to foster open, supportive dialogue without stigma.
2. Following Scriptural guidance. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 offers three admonitions for helping without judging: comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, and be patient with all.
3. Avoiding Job’s friends syndrome. Job’s friends wrongly judged Job’s suffering as a result of sin. In the same way, churches can tend to oversimplify mental health struggles by attributing them solely to spiritual failings.
4. Offering practical support. Communities can offer practical help such as nutrition, routine, and rest, along with opportunities for spiritual connection.
5. Avoiding judgment. The church ought to be cautious about assuming demonic influence but instead rely on prayer and grace. Medication can be helpful, along with tailoring emotional support to the individual’s needs.

“The Role of the Church as a Safe and Healing Environment” was presented by Millard Martin at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.

When Jonathan started teaching, he thought grading would be straightforward. However, he soon learned that due to grading’s objective yet ambiguous nature, it requires care, thoughtfulness, and discipline.

He divides his presentation into two parts:

1. What are we trying to do?

   Grades serve as a dashboard to assess student performance, determine if a student can advance, and provide feedback to students, parents, and school boards.

2. How are we going to do it?

   Grading should be done consistently (using rubrics for predictability), understandably (clear to students), accurately (reflecting true performance), defensively (justifiable to challenges), and sustainably (prioritizing teaching over excessive checking).

When teachers grade with integrity, they can provide students with opportunities to learn life lessons in responsibility and accountability.

“Grading” was presented by Jonathan Erb at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.