The Christian Education Café

Episode 4 Changes and Challenges for Christian Early Education

Dr. Debbi Keeler, former Assistant Director of Early Education for ACSI and author of Open Hearts, Open Doors, and co-author of the Purposeful Design Early Education Directors Manual joined me to discuss changes and challenges for Christian early education. We have the same mandate and mission,

Episode 3 Self-Care and Well-Being in Christian Education

Dr. Penn interviewed Ms. Josephs, soon to be Dr. Josephs, A Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor and traumatologist with numerous certifications in psychotherapy. She studied Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regent University School of Psychology & Counseling. She has 20 years of behavioral health and leadership experience but also 32 years of experience in community service to underserved populations. She has been in private practice for 6+ years. She has been a Disruptive Event Consultant to multiple Fortune 500 companies in the Hampton Roads area since 2015. She has multiple workshop presentations. She and her daughter, Dr. Monica Riffey treat ADHD, Depression, PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and a variety of other diagnoses for patients ages 6 & up at Ascend Comprehensive healthcare in VA also known as Ascend 757. Their goal is to help you learn better ways of living, loving, and working well by engaging in safe and collaborative psychological support services. She shared the importance of working from a place of sabbath rest. We talked about labeling emotions and casting cares upon the Lord as well as catching and releasing negative thoughts and emotions. She shared a resource that holds wise nuggets: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller.

Episode 2 Biblical Principles for Trauma Informed Practices

The statistics on abuse and violence in the United States are sobering.  For FFY 2021, 600,000 children were victims of child abuse and neglect. The victim rate is 8.1 victims per 1,000 children in the population. Children younger than 1 year old have the highest rate of victimization at 25.3 per 1,000 children of the same age in the national population. Children are the most vulnerable members of society. Jesus loved children, in fact, Jesus clearly rebuked his disciples and proclaimed, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14). Jesus literally hugged them and blessed them (Matt. 19:15) although they were interrupting his teaching on the family. The treatment of children is revisited throughout Scripture, yet this one encounter sets the pattern most vividly for the value Jesus placed upon children. He called the children to himself and accepted and often healed those with neurological disorders. We are all created in God’s image.
During this episode of the Christian Education Cafe', we’re speaking with Dr. Barbara Sorrels. She  is a child development specialist, educator and consultant with a heart for “children from hard places.” She has over 45 years of experience in education. As the founder of Connected Kids, she provides educators, parents and advocates with compassionate, evidence-based strategies for guiding children through trauma and other challenges. Her approach is based on the belief that when children feel connected to themselves, their families and the world around them, they can overcome even the darkest of circumstances and reach their fullest potential.
Two practitioners will also joined the conversation:
Colleen Mullendore is the School Administrator for Destiny Christian School on the west coast . She has a son and daughter who serve with her. Colleen has worked with children for over 35 years. She is committed to partnering with families to help shape their child's destiny using the Bible as that foundation. With that in mind, looking for daily opportunities that place Jesus in the center of a child's learning is the most important part of that partnership embodied in Job 34:4, "Let us learn together what is good".
My colleague, Rebeca Rosa provides consulting and member support as the Association of Christian School’s International’s Early Education Coordinator. She has a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology, numerous certifications and almost forty years of experience in early childhood education and program administration. Rebeca has served on mission teams around the world; she’s a certified life coach, and her passion for kingdom education is evidenced by her desire to grow in and share her knowledge of God's Word by serving others.

Episode 1 The Importance of a Biblical Worldview

Join us as we discuss why Christian education is important in the formative years. Be equipped with strategies for cultivating a Biblical worldview in you staff and students.
A biblical worldview (or a Christian worldview) is a counter cultural worldview based on God’s unchanging Word. Since God is the Creator of everything in heaven and earth, He is the standard for truth. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and unchanging.
The Bible contains the words of God, and God is Truth. Therefore, we can trust what it says about every area of life (John 17:17). 2 Timothy 3:16 states that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” Inspiration means that God “breathed it out.” The Holy Spirit guided and directed humans to write down and preserve His words through Scripture for instruction in right living and being.
worldview n. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world; a set of beliefs that influences a person’s perspective, values and actions.
Our guest speaker is Dr. Glen Schultz and practitioners: Rebeca Rosa, EE Coordinator with Association of Christian Schools International and Colleen Mullendore of Destiny Christian School.