The 2026 Golden State Connection: An Educators Conference

The 2026 Golden State Connection: An Educators Conference

By BJU Press

Teaching the next generation through a proper understanding of biblical worldview shaping with practical tools in the classroom

Date and time

Location

Newport Christian School

1000 Bison Avenue Newport Beach, CA 92660

Agenda

Thursday
Friday

7:45 AM

Conference Check-In Begins

8:15 AM - 8:35 AM

Welcome & Announcements

8:35 AM - 9:35 AM

Keynote: Onward, Christian Teacher: Bible Keys to Advancing the Kingdom...

Ben Schettler, The Center for Truth in Love

In a confused and chaotic culture, it can feel like Christianity is in retreat. Ben Schettler provides keys to biblical worldview shaping, advancing truth in an education paradigm, and equipping Gen ...

9:35 AM - 9:45 AM

Announcements

9:45 AM - 10:10 AM

Refreshment Break

10:10 AM - 11:10 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...

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

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

Dr. Julie Madsen, BJU Press National Consultant

(Early Childhood Breakout Session) This workshop will explore strategies for developing early learners’ developmental skills, including gross and fine motor skills as well as language, cognitive, soc...

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

History Beyond the Dates and Facts

Jamie Meachum, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary Breakout Session) History should be an engaging, essential subject in the elementary classroom. Let’s look at practical ways to teach social studies that lay a foundation in government, e...

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

Loving to Read or Required to Read: How Do Your Students Feel?

Becky Teruel, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary Breakout Session) Does it seem that schools give awards for sports accomplishments more than academic and reading achievements? Rewarding and encouraging students to read will open a path...

10:10 AM - 11:10 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 leve...

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

Teaching English Christianly

Dr. Bryan Smith, BJU Press

(Middle & High School Breakout Session) Can writing, grammar, and literature be taught Christianly? Absolutely—but only if we approach these subjects in the right way. Effective biblical integration ...

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

Give Backstage Prep a Break: Technology Tools with Minimal Prep

Dr. Jenny Copeland, BJU Press

(General Breakout Session) Incorporating technology into your classroom should take your instruction to the next level—not hijack your preparation time! Discover some amazing tools that will help you...

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

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...

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

Mindset Matters: Thinking Biblically About Thinking

Dr. Rebecca Weier, BJU Press National Consultant

(General Breakout Session) The way we think and talk about our life matters. We want to help students to develop the language and thought patterns that encourage growth. As students recognize that fa...

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

BJU Press AI by TrekAI

Erin Burchik, TrekAI

(General Breakout Session) "Discover how this new AI platform can strengthen biblical worldview instruction and support both teachers and students in your school. Join us for a special workshop intro...

11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Refreshment Break

11:25 AM - 12:25 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...

11:25 AM - 12:25 PM

Friends from Focus on Fives

Dr. Julie Madsen, BJU Press National Consultant

(Early Childhood 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...

11:25 AM - 12:25 PM

Discovering Science in the World Around 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...

11:25 AM - 12:25 PM

Who's Running the Show?

Cindy Dickinson, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary Breakout Session) Teachers play many roles in the classroom. One of the most important is being a classroom manager. Learn how to organize your classroom from a biblical perspective to be...

11:25 AM - 12:25 PM

Writing Tips and Tricks for Success in the Elementary Classroom

Becky Teruel, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary Breakout Session) Are your students eager to write or do you hear moans when you mention writing? In this session, teachers will learn ways to make writing exciting and a subject students...

11:25 AM - 12:25 PM

Five Learning Strategies for STEM Students

Dr. Rebecca Weier, BU Press National Consultant

(Middle & High School Breakout Session) The advice to “study harder” often causes discouragement for students who are already trying but not finding success. Explore five study strategies that lead t...

11:25 AM - 12:25 PM

iCheat: Staying One Step Ahead of the Devices

Dr. Jenny Copeland, BJU Press

(General Breakout Session) Technology is no longer a novelty in education; it is a vital and powerful force in education. But while we focus our attention on finding the newest tool or incorporating ...

11:25 AM - 12:25 PM

Effective Teacher or Master Teacher: Which Are You?

Pam Litzenbeger, BJU Press National Consultant

(General Breakout Session) Are you the teacher who is in the profession for the summers off, break days, and 8 AM–3 PM hours? Is it just a job? Or do you desire to be the teacher who enters the teach...

11:25 AM - 12:25 PM

Christian by Design

Dr. Bryan Smith, BJU Press

(General Breakout Session) So you know about the importance of a biblical worldview, and you know about Creation, Fall, and Redemption. What’s next? Now it’s time to dig into some of the important co...

11:25 AM - 12:25 PM

BJU Press AI by TrekAI (repeat)

Erin Burchik, TrekAI

(General Breakout Session) "Discover how this new AI platform can strengthen biblical worldview instruction and support both teachers and students in your school. Join us for a special workshop intro...

12:25 PM - 1:25 PM

Lunch

1:25 PM - 2:25 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 ...

1:25 PM - 2:25 PM

Pathways for Preschool: Parts and Pieces (K3)

Dr. Julie Madsen, BJU Press National Consultant

(Early Childhood Breakout Session) This workshop takes a hands-on, center-based approach to learning. The Pathways for Preschool program gives the tools needed to address little learners’ cognitive, ...

1:25 PM - 2:25 PM

History and Science Instruction with a Biblical Worldview

Jamie Meachum, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary Breakout Session) Science and history are easily intertwined as we look at them through the lens of the Bible. We acknowledge God as Creator and Sustainer of the world and see also the pl...

1:25 PM - 2:25 PM

Yes! You Can M.A.T.H.

Cindy Dickinson, BJU Press National Consultant

(Early Childhood & Elementary Breakout Session) Math can be an engaging and exciting subject to teach. It is so much more than just recalling and memorizing. Interested in current ideas for your math...

1:25 PM - 2:25 PM

Reading: The Final Grade

Becky Teruel, BJU Press National Consultant

(Elementary & Middle Breakout Session) Isn’t giving a reading grade too subjective? Is it possible for a reading rubric to be consistent in all the elementary classes in your school? Come learn an ef...

1:25 PM - 2:25 PM

Breaking Free from Burnout

Pam Litzenberger, BJU Press National Consultant

(General Breakout Session) From first-year teachers to veteran teachers, the rate of teacher burnout is rising steadily. Why are teachers feeling exhausted and desiring to leave the profession? How c...

1:25 PM - 2:25 PM

AI 101: What is AI and Is It Affecting My School?

Dr. Jenny Copeland, BJU Press

(General Breakout Session) Generative AI entered the scene and has continued to make headlines nearly every day, but what is it, and how is it impacting Christian schools? Should it be banned or emb...

1:25 PM - 2:25 PM

Mindset Matters: Thinking Biblically About Thinking (repeat)

Dr. Rebecca Weier, BU Press National Consultant

(General Breakout Session) The way we think and talk about our life matters. We want to help students to develop the language and thought patterns that encourage growth. As students recognize that fa...

1:25 PM - 2:25 PM

BJU Press AI by TrekAI (repeat)

Erin Burchik, TrekAI

(General Breakout Session) "Discover how this new AI platform can strengthen biblical worldview instruction and support both teachers and students in your school. Join us for a special workshop intro...

2:25 PM - 2:40 PM

Refreshment Break

2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Keynote: Helping Students Defend Their Faith

Dr. Bryan Smith, BJU Press

We live in an age of secular unbelief. For that reason, we need to convey to our young people not just an understanding of the Christian faith but also skill in defending it. The challenge is that th...

3:40 PM

Closing Announcements

Good to know

Highlights

  • 1 day 4 hours
  • In person

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 14 days before event

Highlights

  • 1 day 4 hours
  • In person

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 14 days before event

About this event

Family & Education • Education

BJU Press is excited to host a professional development event in beautiful southern California! This event offers practical tools to equip educators for biblical worldview shaping. Continuing education units will be available, and sessions will feature BJU Press National Consultants and special speakers.

Thursday, February 26, 2026, 8:15 AM–3:45 PM (Check-in begins at 7:45 AM)

Friday, February 27, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:15 PM

The event will be held at Newport Christian School, 1000 Bison Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

Registration includes lunch on Thursday and refreshments throughout the event.

Please register by February 12, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Organized by

BJU Press

Followers

--

Events

--

Hosting

--

$35 – $45
Feb 26 · 7:45 AM PST