When a child doesn't perform according to our expectations, what are some of the root causes? Is the issue we face a problem of the will, a disability, a developed inability, a habit, a lack of training? We'll look at a variety...

This presentation considers ways to cultivate children’s reading comprehension skills through a variety of oral and written activities that can be used either in the midst of reading a selection or after the selection is finished.

No amount of skill or training can replace the need for essential inner qualities of a teacher’s heart. Teachers must carry authority, bring order, value learning, burn with compassion, have a vision, and exercise patience. We’ll...

How should parents prepare their children for school (and life in general)? How does a school assess whether a child is ready to enroll in first grade? Jonas offers this list of preparation goals.

The teacher is the school. Who are our teachers? Who are these people who will enflesh the school? We can do whatever talk we want about curriculum, methods, but when the teacher shows up the teacher embodies whatever is going to...

Sometimes students can learn to express clearly articulated thoughts better in settings that are not formally called public speaking. We will consider ways to develop students' oral skills as they answer questions, explain...

Every student brings an attitude along to school. How can teachers help students discipline their attitudes?

Students make choices every day. How can teachers train them to freely, cheerfully and willingly will to do their best?

Students can study identical content, yet develop different thought processes. How can teachers influence students' thinking?

We will look together at the role and responsibilities of the teacher in light of the expectations of students, parents, board and the community you serve. We’ll also discuss what teachers can do to get ready for the beginning of...

Teaching is intensely personal. Students have minds, abilities, and wills that sometimes foil our lesson plans. They may be so full of apathy or energy that our procedures are frustrated. How do we keep order, stimulate students...

From mental math to local trivia, this document contains 52 activities for teams to complete. The tasks were collected for teams at an end-of-year family day, but many could be used to encourage teamwork at a wide variety of...

This post describes ten aspects of the school program that principals must constantly be aware of and monitor for the health of the school. Effective principals “have their senses (powers of discernment) exercised” (Heb. 5:14) to...

This list of expectations was compiled as a joint staff activity by a faculty of ten by invitation of their principal, at Lititz Area Mennonite School, December 1982. Qualities the principal should have Good...

At CASBI 2018 , John Risser shared this sample questionnaire for use with prospective teachers. Feel free to adapt the content below to your needs.