The 2024 Northwest Connection: An Educators Conference

The 2024 Northwest Connection: An Educators Conference

Providing educators with up-to-date training, including best practices, technology, and subject-specific classroom implementation

By BJU Press

Date and time

August 20 · 7:45am - August 21 · 12pm PDT

Location

Corban University

5000 Deer Park Drive Southeast Salem, OR 97317

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.
Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

Agenda

Tuesday
Wednesday

7:45 AM

Conference Check-In Begins

8:15 AM - 8:35 AM

Welcome & Announcements

8:35 AM - 9:35 AM

Keynote: Battling for Hearts and Minds

Jeff Keaton, RenewaNation

There is a battle raging for the hearts and minds of today's children. As Christian educators, you are on the frontlines of this battle. In this presentation you will be reminded of the importance of...

9:40 AM - 10:05 AM

Refreshments Break

10:05 AM - 11:05 AM

Leading Endings

Dr. Deborah Miller, Educator and Author

(Administrative Breakout Session) Good leaders understand that endings are as important as beginnings—and that it is their job to determine when and how endings should occur: positions, programs, rel...

10:05 AM - 11:05 AM

Watch Me Grow! Understanding and Cultivating Preschoolers' Developmental...

Dr. Julie Madsen, BJU Press National Consultant

(Early Learning Breakout Session) Learn practical ways to instruct and inspire early learners to grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Explore the most productive methods for circle time and ...

10:05 AM - 11:05 AM

Learning and Loving Heritage Studies in the Classroom

Jamie Meachum, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary Breakout Session) Discover effective strategies for making heritage studies captivating and engaging for students in the classroom. This session focuses on practical approaches to infuse ...

10:05 AM - 11:05 AM

Making the Most of Your Math Manipulatives (K3–Grade 4)

Cindy Dickinson, BJU Press National Consultant

(Early Learning/Elementary Breakout Session) Do you have questions about using manipulatives in your math classroom? Perhaps you feel like manipulatives are a burden, a bother, or a waste of classroo...

10:05 AM - 11:05 AM

Christianity and Secularism: What Does It Mean to Teach as a Christian?

Dr. Renton Rathbun, Center for Biblical Worldview

(General Breakout Session) The act of teaching is really the act of teaching a worldview. The curriculum a teacher produces for a course outlines the worldview children are intended to have when they...

10:05 AM - 11:05 AM

Teaching Writing in a World of Artificial Intelligence

JR Remelgado, BJU Press Writer Manager

(Middle/High School Breakout Session) Since its recent inception, generative AI has been recognized by educators as a tool that could be useful but could also provide students with the easy ability t...

10:05 AM - 11:05 AM

Reading Groups vs. Whole-Class Instruction: Does It Really Matter?

Becky Teruel, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary Breakout Session) Shouldn’t it be up to the teacher whether grouping or whole-class instruction is used to teach reading? Isn’t the outcome the same for students no matter which way readi...

10:05 AM - 11:05 AM

Teaching Critical Thinking in the Secondary Math Classroom

Pam Litzenberger, BJU Press National Consultant

(Middle/High School Breakout Session) Students say, “It hurts to think!” or “It’s hard!” Our students must do more than just memorize facts and formulas. In this workshop we will discuss the levels o...

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM

Tips for Managing the Classroom of Little Learners (PreK)

Dr. Julie Madsen, BJU Press National Consultant

(Early Learning Breakout Session) In the classroom, the use of Pathways for Preschool and Footsteps for Fours fosters age-appropriate developmental skills and discovery learning. Learn creative manag...

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM

When Parents and Teachers Meet: A View from Both Sides of the Desk

Becky Teruel, BJU Press National Consultant

(General Breakout Session) Have you ever heard or said, “I would love teaching if it weren’t for the parents?” Parents should be viewed as a positive part of our teaching—helping our students to beco...

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM

Teaching Teenagers—Managing Your Secondary Class

Pam Litzenberger, BJU Press National Consultant

(Middle/High School Breakout Session) Trying to teach English skills or algebra to unruly teenagers is any teacher’s nightmare. How can you get these young people to focus on learning? How is teachin...

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM

Teaching and Delighting: Making Literature Both Educational and Fun

JR Remelgado, BJU Press Writer Manager

(Middle/High School Breakout Session) The Roman poet Horace once said literature should be both instructive and delightful. However, many English teachers struggle to teach literature in an academica...

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM

Instructional Strategies to Differentiate

Cindy Dickinson, BJU Press National Consultant

(General Breakout Session) Do you feel like your students sometimes just aren’t getting it? Are you looking for ways to provide differentiated instruction or new ways to present concepts? Instruction...

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM

Only in the Mind? Why Biblical Worldview MUST Develop Holiness

Dr. Renton Rathbun, Center for Biblical Worldview

(General Breakout Session) Biblical worldview tends to be discussed only in terms of one’s thinking patterns. However, if biblical worldview does not lead to holy living, we are really just making “...

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM

Why Curriculum Mapping Is Critical to School Culture

Michael Arnold, Curriculum Trak

(General Breakout Session) Curriculum mapping is often a major school initiative driven by accreditation and other external expectations, but it is best seen as a key cultural component for any faith...

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM

Leading in the “In Between”

Dr. Deborah Miller, Educator and Author

(Administrative Breakout Session) Organizations sometimes find themselves in the space between endings and beginnings. Special leadership skills are required to maintain hope, goodwill, and unity dur...

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM

Discovering the Scientist in You

Jamie Meachum, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary Breakout Session) Anyone can be a scientist. Let’s look at fun ways to help students observe, touch, and discover the world around them through hands-on activities and strategies using BJ...

12:20 PM - 1:20 PM

Lunch on site

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Making the Most of Your Math Manipulatives (K3–Grade 4) (repeat)

Cindy Dickinson, BJU Press National Consultant

(Early Learning/Elementary Breakout Session) Do you have questions about using manipulatives in your math classroom? Perhaps you feel like manipulatives are a burden, a bother, or a waste of classroo...

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Grammar Games and Lively Literacy (K5–Grade 8)

Becky Teruel, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary/Middle School Breakout Session) Is grammar one of your least favorite subjects to teach because you can’t find a way to make it exciting? Is spelling just another time slot to make it thr...

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

STEM for Middle School Science and Math—without Breaking the Bank!

Pam Litzenberger, BJU Press National Consultant

(Middle School Breakout Session) How can you incorporate STEM activities into your small school's 5th–9th grade science and math classes? Often these activities are cost- and time- prohibitive. Let m...

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Let's Chat! Facilitating Deep Literature Discussions

JR Remelgado, BJU Press Writer Manager

(Middle/High School Breakout Session) While English teachers desire to have vibrant, deep discussions with students about literature, they often face apathetic students who give lackluster responses....

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

What Does It Mean to be Created in the Image of God?

Jeff Keaton, RenewaNation

(General Breakout Session) "What makes you valuable? Your answer to this question will in many ways determine your level of success and happiness in life. Today, millions of young people believe that...

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Leading New Beginnings

Dr. Deborah Miller, Educator and Author

(Administrative Breakout Session) Implementing change or moving to a new “thing” in an organization requires a particular skill set as well as knowing and practicing the principles of organizational ...

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Friends from Focus on Fives

Dr. Julie Madsen, BJU Press National Consultant

(Early Learning Breakout Session) What goals should an excellent K5 program have? We will learn about the friends from Focus on Fives and how they make learning fun and engaging. We will look at the ...

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Learning and Loving Heritage Studies in the Classroom (repeat)

Jamie Meachum, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary Breakout Session) Discover effective strategies for making heritage studies captivating and engaging for students in the classroom. This session focuses on practical approaches to infuse ...

2:35 PM - 3:35 PM

Keynote: Walking Away from the Faith: Preparing for the Public University

Dr. Renton Rathbun, Center for Biblical Worldview

There have been many news articles about unrest and political activism in public universities. There have also been many stories of students leaving the faith after attending public universities. Wha...

3:35 PM - 3:45 PM

Closing Announcements

About this event

  • 1 day 4 hours

BJU Press is excited to host a professional development event once again in the Pacific Northwest! This event offers practical tools to equip educators in all aspects of the teaching experience, including best practices, technology in the classroom, subject-specific implementation, and more. Keynote speakers will also provide a fresh look at biblical worldview shaping and how to improve its implementation in the classroom. Continuing education units will be available, and breakout sessions will feature BJU Press national consultants and special speakers.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 8:15 AM–3:45 PM (Check-in starts at 7:45 AM)

Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

The event will be held on the campus of Corban University, 5000 Deer Park Dr SE, Salem, OR 97317.

Registration includes lunch on Tuesday and refreshments throughout the event.

For more information about this event, please contact:

Jacob Franklin
Precept Territory Manager
jfranklin@preceptmarketing.com
425-239-8468

or

Christina Porter
Precept Educational Sales Consultant
cporter@preceptmarketing.com
610-304-6903

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear?

Business casual is appropriate.

Can I earn CEUs?

We will provide CEU instructions at the conference. You must determine whether CEUs are recognized by your state and accrediting organizations. The sessions have been pre-approved by ACSI. For ACTS member schools, contact Steve Lindquist (slindquist@actsschools.org) regarding CEU credit.

What is your refund policy?

We can provide registration refunds until August 5, 2024.

Do you offer group registration discounts?

We are happy to offer this event at an already discounted price. At this great rate, you will be provided with snacks, beverages, lunch on Tuesday, an opportunity to attend at least eight one-hour sessions, and the ability to receive CEU certificates.

Can I bring my child to this event?

Thank you for understanding, but we ask that children not attend this event. If you have further questions, please email your Precept Territory Manager.

Whom do I contact if I have further questions?

Contact Jacob Franklin at jfranklin@preceptmarketing.com or 425-239-8468 or Christina Porter at cporter@preceptmarketing.com or 610-304-6903.

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BJU Press

BJU Press is committed to Christian education. We support Christian educators by producing textbooks and materials that shape a biblical worldview, are academically rigorous, encourage critical thinking, and are supported with technology solutions.

$35