Emerging Essential Questions:

• What issues/forces divert attention from the ultimate goal of Christian education?
• What approaches to teaching and learning will make it more likely that all students will flourish as learners learning to do justice, show constant love, and walk humbly with God?
• What is the role/influence of school structures, both physical and procedural, on working toward vision?
• What type of relationships among members of the schooling community might facilitate working toward vision?
• What types of professional development opportunities would be most effective in helping teachers and school leaders become more effective in working toward vision?
• What types of resources would be useful in helping schools to develop mission-driven approaches to curriculum, instruction, assessment and other aspects of schooling?
• What types of collaboration among schools and other organizations dedicated to serving K-12 Christian education might help schools to better accomplish their mission?
• How can we celebrate and help disseminate effective mission-driven practices?

Pedagogical beliefs and values that shape our work with Christian educators:

• All schooling is rooted in a worldview
• The goal of Christian schooling is wisdom – a right way of living VS right knowledge
• Biblical values of humility, justice, love, care, and delight shape learning directed toward a wisdom way of living.
• Schools are primarily sites for learning, not teaching
• All teaching must be done with pedagogical intent - to make learning possible for each student
• Learning involves acting, choosing, deciding – not just receiving
• Learners must see the value of their work and must experience a growing sense of efficacy when facing worthy challenges
• Helping learners come to understanding (VS acquiring information) requires deliberate planning on behalf of the teacher; it requires practice, coaching, and ongoing support
• Learners need to know the curricular priorities and how to meet them well
• Learners need rich, timely feedback to promote further learning
• Effective learning requires regular reflection, self-assessment and self-adjustment
• Effective learning requires a safe, supportive environment
• Learning is enhanced when it is personalized