Dan Sullivan likens the school year to a 30-ft cliff jump: prep is everything, mid-air is short, landing depends on what you set up before Day 1. His main points are: Stay Salty Build the Culture, Not Just Rules Pattern Early &...

Peter Whitt, a dyslexic electrician-turned-teacher shares his journey and passion: helping educators understand why 1-in-5 children truly “learn differently.” With humor, scripture, and brain science, he reframes struggle as...

Kyle Lehman explores how teachers in Christian education can intentionally use classroom walls and decor to reinforce spiritual and educational goals. Drawing from Deuteronomy 11 and Habakkuk 2:2, he emphasizes being purposeful...

Solomon’s humble prayer for wisdom to judge “this thy so great a people” becomes a lens for seeing the astonishing greatness of God’s kingdom today. Jay Martin highlights four facets of this greatness: The King’s jealous honor...

"This Thy So Great a People" was presented at Western Fellowship Teachers' Institute 2017. You may also enjoy the rest of this series: "I Am But a Child," "Give Me an Understanding Heart," and "That I May Discern."

Jay Martin contrasts undermining teamwork with building it through selflessness. His main points are: Dying to self The allegory “The Seven Kingdoms and the Hidden Spring” Four practical principles for teachers, parents, and...

Bryan Overholt uses humor, Bible verses, a seesaw diagram, sports-team analogies, and personal stories to teach teachers how to: Replace fear with fearless, humble communication Value board members as teammates, not bosses Speak...

Great teaching flows out of great teacher-to-teacher relationships. In this session, Bryan Overholt focuses on: Turn Out, Not In Christ is the Hub Practical Verbs Teachers Live By Unselfishness is the Engine to help build a staff...

Bryan Overholt speaks on teachers and parents learning to build joyful partnerships through Christ-centered communication. Using the cross as the lens, he urges everyone to sandwich negatives between positives, speak with...

Jay Martin uses a poem about two stubborn donkeys to help us look in the mirror to spot the hidden fires—pride, gossip, ego, and petty gripes—that quietly burn under our schools and churches, wasting Kingdom energy at opposite...

Laura Smucker explores God’s redemptive work in suffering. Drawing from Hagar’s story and her own losses, she shows how pain can drive us to God’s presence, build compassion, and yield hope. She shares some small steps we can...

Jonathan Erb focuses on reducing absences, arguing teachers can’t control them directly but can soften their impact and curb them. Austin Smucker addresses reducing distractions in three main points: Own your quirks Expect the...

Aaron Derstine directs an interactive class in which he presents: The 3-Box Trick Step-by-Step Process 7 Live Story Problems solved together Visuals & Memory Aids Teaching Tips Surprise Ending Last 8 min pivot: “Your classroom is...

Field trips are fun for students, but are they always effective? Conrad Smucker guides a discussion on: Purpose Destinations Planning Tips How to Make It Effective Pitfalls to Avoid "Planning Effective Field Trips" was presented...

Jason Schrock gives a history lesson on the Pacific Northwest followed by questions/interactive discussion and some pointers for teaching history. "Pacific Northwest History" was presented at Western Fellowship Teachers'...

Maryanne Schrock discusses bringing order to the classroom without losing heart for students. Some points she covers are: Personality 5 basic student disciplines Decluttering Training students in self-discipline while loving them...

In his session on ‘Motivating Your Students’, Conrad Smucker delves into: The importance of goals The motivating teacher Methods of motivation "Motivating Your Students" was presented at Western Fellowship Teachers' Institute...

Dan Sullivan insists that no teacher can wield godly authority until he first forgives every authority who ever wounded him and submits afresh to Christ. Only then, he says, can we carry both “grace and truth” into the room—clear...

Kyle Lehman’s talk, “Inspiring to Write,” roots writing in the ultimate Story: God’s Word made flesh. He shows teachers how to light a fire under students by incarnating truth in stories—using vivid senses, snowballing choices,...

Jonathan Erb gives some praise and background for the book The Seven Laws of Teaching and a little history of its author. Seven different teachers then give brief overviews of the 7 laws: The Law of the Teacher The Law of the...