The Christian Education Café

Schools are seeing a surge in enrollment, but with it comes new challenges and opportunities, especially regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Dr. Althea Penn and special guest Krista Bontrager (theologian and co-founder of the Center for Biblical Unity) discuss how Christian schools can approach DEI from a biblical perspective. They explore: Biblical definitions of unity, equity, and inclusionHow to ensure hiring and admissions policies promote biblical diversityPractical strategies for staff and board development on these topicsResources like the book "Walking in Unity" by Monique Duson and Krista Bontrager Empower Christian educators and leaders to create a welcoming and flourishing school environment for all students! Listen now! #ChristianEducation #BiblicalUnity #DEI #ChristianSchools #WalkinginUnity

Join us as we dive deep into the importance of developing a Biblical worldview in children amid contemporary cultural practices. Cecil and Jenelle Davis share their insights on counteracting syncretism and pluralism, focusing on Biblical spiritual formation and faith development. Learn from their family's journey and strategies for integrating Biblical truth into education, leading to remarkable achievements in spiritual and academic arenas. Don't miss this episode!

Join Dr. Penn as she interview Tiffany Cameron, Chief of Staff at the #1 K-12 school in Milwaukee! We are excited about Saint Augustine Prep’s growth and best practices in Kingdom education. With growth there are both challenges and opportunities in this season that are unique to Christian schools serving in urban locales. 85% of their students would be considered at risk because they live in an economically disadvantaged community, yet this school is bringing about transformation. They love their neighbor by making high quality Christ-centered education accessible to every student including those who have access to special needs vouchers due to developmental delays and difficulties in learning or behavior. She shares ways Christian school leaders, educators, and parents can address the specific hurdles that Christian schools in urban areas encounter. Subscribe to our channels and never miss an episode! Follow us on Facebook, Podbean, Spotify, or Amazon or your favorite podcast platforms in order to be notified when the next episode drops.

Join Dr. Penn as she interviews Monique Duson, co-founder of the Center for Biblical Unity as they discuss racial reconciliation as it pertains to Christian education. The Bible does not even use the word race in reference to people, but it does describe all human beings as being of “one blood” (Acts 17:26). This of course emphasizes that we are all related, as all humans are descendants of the first man, Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45) who was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). The Last Adam, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45) also became a descendant of Adam. Any descendant of Adam can be saved because our mutual relative by blood (Jesus) died and rose again. This is why the gospel can (and should) be preached to all tribes and nations. Monique co-authored Walking in Unity with Krista Bontrager and you are encouraged to join their book club and meet weekly as they read and discuss CFBU’s new book, “Walking in Unity,” which addresses race and racism from a Gospel-centered perspective. In this divided culture they are a voice that needs to be heard. Their vision aligns with biblical truth that we are one race, one people in need of the Savior. Visit the Center for Biblical Unity website (https://www.centerforbiblicalunity.com/) to learn more about resources and events that will equip and empower you and your family to flourish.

Thank you for joining us at the Christian Education Café. We hope today’s episode with Derona King, former Executive Director of Atlanta & Dekalb Citizen Advocacy inspires and equips you to make a meaningful impact in your educational community. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review. The resources below were relevant to our conversation: https://zilphy.com/ https://www.ldonline.org/ https://www.ncld.org/ https://www.togetherwecarega.org/ https://dph.georgia.gov/children1st https://www.p2pga.org/ https://www.cdc.gov/.../mil.../digital-online-checklist.html Disorder Fact Sheet Resource Booklet: For Parents and Teachers of Exceptional Learners Order your copy at https://amzn.to/4dZEjcN Follow us on our Facebook and YouTube social media channels for more resources and updates. Until next time, keep fostering faith and excellence in all you do. God bless!

The Christian Education Cafe' podcast equips and empowers Christian educators, school leaders, and parents with the inspiration, information, and tools needed to foster developmental competence in their students, colleagues, families and themselves...   Listen as Dr. Penn interviews LaChrisa Bonds of Bonds Estate and Garden as they discuss the Vision for Kingdom education. They cover many insights regarding God's plan for the Joshua generation to thrive. Kingdom education recognizes God's design for every child to excel. Mrs. Bonds shares her journey from charter school board member to homeschooling mom. She shares about the importance of guiding students to discover their God-given gifts, talents, and vocation through Bible integrated educational endeavors. She also shared how holistic development can be enhanced by adhering to biblical nutrition principles.  Mrs. Bonds, a former playwright and producer, hosts the Cultivated Conversations podcast and offers a farm share, with her husband, Robert. They are the parents of 5 boys. You can find out more about Bonds Estate and Gardens and their marriage and Biblical Wellness ministries at: @Likewise Living @iamlabonds  Facebook.com/likewiseliving The Cultivating Conversations podcast is now available on the major podcast streams! Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/.../6a1.../cultivated-conversations Apple Music - https://podcasts.apple.com/.../cultivated.../id1758723856   Be sure to subscribe or follow the Christian education café podcast if you want to be notified when the next episode drops. If you found this content inspiring, please like and share it with other Christian educators or school leaders who need encouragement and inspiration.

Join Dr. Penn as she discusses issues of burnout and how to prevent it with Alynthia Penn. Christian teachers, whether in public or private schools, are not immune to burnout. Over 40% of early educators and K-12 teachers in the United States report often or always feeling burned out. 90% of teachers consider burnout a serious problem. Almost half of early childhood educators are experiencing high levels of burnout and stress, according to a nationwide survey of 2,300 educators. The survey, published by early childhood education resource provider Teaching Strategies, shows 45% of early child educators are battling mental health challenges and burnout. Twenty percent of early childhood educators said they are considering leaving the profession. Of that group, 40% cited mental health as their reason, and 43% said compensation is driving their decision — though only 8% of early childhood educators say they’re planning to leave in the next year. Alynthia served during 3 major hurricanes in the Eastern Caribbean with Peace Corps Response as a Literacy Support Specialist, Indonesia as a K-12 technology instructor during a Tsunami, and as an instructor in Memphis during Hurricane Katrina. She served in Alaska during the pandemic and lost everything in the Maui wildfires. She is a certified instructor with a masters in therapy and shared biblical burnout prevention strategies that promote resilience. She shared examples from the life of David and strategies such as music and dance theraphy, journaling, prayer and worship, and so much more. You can follow her or donate to the Live.Move.Be. teacher burnout prevention therapy program at https://archive.storycorps.org/user/alynthia-montrelle/

Dr. Althea Penn discusses Nature Based Learning with Arbendette Van, owner of the Pre-K Preparatory Learning Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. She has over 20 years of experience in helping students unlock their full potential and shares her story in early childhood education.

Join Dr. Penn and glean Biblical leadership principles from the life of Nehemiah and Esther that will help you to pivot and remain focused during VUCA times. How have you managed to maintain staff and retain students? How have students and family dynamics changed? Are you seeing more students with disabilities and how has that changed your training, hiring, instructional practices, etc.? Are you interested in leadership coaching or mentoring? Join the Christian Leadership Challenge facebook group! Deep Dive: Explore biblical principles for leadership and instruction with experts and practitioners.  Community: Join a vibrant community of like-minded kingdom educators and leaders.  Exclusive Content: Access bonus podcast episodes, Q&A sessions, and more. How to Subscribe: Click the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295254240329228/ For just $1.99/month, you’ll receive fresh content every week!  Bonus: The first 10 Althea Penn Subscribers get a FREE e-book entitled “Anchored: Three Biblical Leadership Principles for Leading Well”!

Join Dr. Penn as she interviews Erica Knowles of Civitas Strategies and DECAL's Thriving Childcare Business Academy. They discuss the importance of financial literacy in enabling students to reach their full potential and programs to attain the highest quality. Financial literacy helps administrators create and stick to budgets, allocate resources appropriately, and plan for both day-to-day expenses and long-term sustainability. Managing staff salaries, benefits, and other financial aspects is essential. Financial literacy enables administrators to make informed decisions about staffing levels and compensation. Civitas offers tax coaching and training in the following topics: Financial Foundations,  Recruitment & Staff Retention, Mitigating Risk, Sales & Marketing, and Tapping into Revenue & Growth.  Visit to learn more at: https://www.decal.ga.gov/Thriving.

The U.S. child care market has been experiencing significant growth. As of 2022, its value stands at USD 60.4 billion, and it is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.18% from 2023 to 2030. As more parents return to working in offices, there is a rising need for reliable childcare options. Barna Group research indicated a person’s moral foundations are generally in place by the time they reach age nine. So faith based education during this critical stage of development is important. Dr. Penn and Frank Toral of Neighborhood Kids discuss opportunities for church leaders to establish Christ-centered universal preschools.  Learn more about Neighborhood Kids opportunities at: https://www.neighborhoodkids.com/opportunities-for-churches

Welcome to this episode of the 'Christian Education Podcast' hosted by Dr. Althea Penn. Today's enlightening conversation features guest-speaker Dr. Merle Skinner, who discusses the founding of Champion School in 1981 and his work in mental health and Christian education. The dialogue proves insightful for any education professional, emphasizing child development, family roles, and cultural values in today's Christian educational landscape. During the discussion, Dr. Skinner and Dr. Penn highlight mental health concerns concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. They stress the importance of social-emotional learning and trauma-informed practice in Christian schools, tackling mental health challenges head-on. Within the conversation, professionals will discover practical solutions for anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among students and educators. Addressing some of the significant challenges in Christian education today, they touch upon the 'great resignation,' teacher shortages, burnout, and liability in child handling. The duo explores how Christian educators can better advocate for funds and programs that benefit their school communities, encouraging Christian educators, parents, and stakeholders to stay resilient and actively shape the future direction of Christian education. The episode concludes with a call to action. Despite the contemporary challenges, Christian educators are encouraged to stay strong, supportive, and continue their excellent work. With the transformative power of Christian education, future generations can significantly benefit. Tune in to this invaluable episode for anyone involved in or interested in Christian education.

🌟🎙️ Tune in to the latest episode of the Christian Education Cafe podcast hosted by Dr. Althea Penn, featuring Coach Kadie Seweryn, as our special guest! 🎙️🌟 Join us as we explore the fascinating world of brain-based learning and its integration into faith-based classrooms. Kadie Seweryn, a devoted wife, mother, and an expert in early education, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table. Coach Kadie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. With a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences, a Master’s degree in Child Development, and a passion to help children build social-emotional skills through brain-based learning, In this enlightening episode, Kadie unveils the secrets of brain-based learning, sharing the "Big 5" practical strategies to seamlessly incorporate it into your teaching toolbox. Discover the transformative power of anchoring educational practices in the timeless wisdom of God's word, and learn how to foster holistic growth and faith development in your students. Don't miss out on Kadie's invaluable insights and actionable tips that are sure to revolutionize your classroom dynamics. Plus, she recommends the must-read book "Brain-Based Learning: Teaching the Way Students Really Learn" by Eric Jensen and Liesl McConchie as an indispensable resource for further exploration. Grab your favorite hot beverage and tune into this episode of the Christian Education Cafe podcast. We are equipping and empowering Christian educators to embark on a journey towards creating impactful, faith-infused learning environments that empower young minds to thrive! 🌱📚 The Christian Education Mandate Althea Penn #christianeducation #BrainBasedLearning #FaithDevelopment #podcastlisteners

Welcome to a special edition of our podcast for February, Black History Month, and the month of love. In this episode, we delve into an exploration of love, taking inspiration from the scriptures in Ephesians 3:17-19. We hear the call to be 'rooted and grounded in love', a profound prayer from Paul to the struggling church of Ephesus. Inspired by this, we challenge ourselves and our listeners to comprehend and reflect the boundless love of God. This is a love that transcends human knowledge, a love that we are encouraged to pour out indiscriminately to our neighbors, mirroring the love we give to God with all our hearts, minds, and souls. We emphasize the importance of loving actions—forgiving, blessing, praying, giving, fasting, and spending devoted time with our God. We also highlight the call to love our neighbours, to selflessly serve others, especially those who find it difficult to love us back. And importantly, we shed light on the need for self-care, an essential part of love. Lastly, we discuss the importance of teaching children to express unconditional 'agape' love, reflecting it in our celebration of God's diverse creation. We hope to inspire educators to incorporate multicultural materials in their classrooms. Children should learn to appreciate different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds, truly reflecting the essence of God’s love for all. Celebrating love interwoven with our diversity, after all, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Blessings await as we embrace the ethos of love in our lives. Join us on this journey within the Christian Education Cafe podcast.

In this illuminating episode of Christian Education Cafe, Dr. Althea Penn opens a thoughtful dialogue about language, an essential tool for communication. We delve deep into the crucial subject of children's language development, reflecting on the pandemic's effects and how language carries the gospel's power. We are joined by Lillian and Michael from Time to Sign, recounting their personal and shared journeys on implementing American Sign Language (ASL) in early childhood education. The duo’s accomplishments in ASL curriculums are celebrated across state schools for the deaf, reinforcing the impact of their enduring dedication to improving child communication. The conversation reveals the immense benefits of introducing sign language to children in their early years. It is proven to enhance cognitive development, IQ levels, and memory retention. We explore how signing aids in classroom management, builds robust teacher-student relationships, and can support spiritual formation. The episode provides an array of resources for educators keen to integrate sign language into their curriculum, across various areas of study. It also introduces Time to Sign’s extensive portfolio of sign language resources and how they cater to all students, fostering a more inclusive learning environment. Finally, we end with a prayer for the Lord's blessing on sign language as a critical educational tool. This episode acts as a comprehensive exploration of sign language's transformative role in early education, highlighting its fundamental importance for successful learning.

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.

Social and emotional health enables us to: Build and maintain healthy relationships with God and others (fulfilling the great commandment)Develop assertive skills and become comfortable with who you are in social situationsSurround yourself with a positive social network, which increases your self-esteemInteract and communicate with a range of diverse peopleHave a sense of belonging Kathy has published a workbook for adults called "Social Emotional Health: 21-Day Challenge: A Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Your Social & Emotional Health." It helps us all to see clearly how the 5 core competencies or skills align with the fruit of the Holy Spirit and suggests practical ways of growing in these areas. We discuss how social emotional health influences communication and leadership styles that impact student outcomes. There is a pre- and post- assessment in her book so that you can check your progress. It is available on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3s3el5M. Kathy also publishes Monthly Myrrh, a newsletter for parents and educators. Check it out at https://www.smore.com/vuqb3.  You can learn more about her high school curriculum at https://www.prep4successacademy.com/. Join me on the 21 Day Social and Emotional Health Challenge October 26-November 15.  If you’d like to receive daily texts for 21 days text @cecseh21 to the number 81010. You’ll receive a welcome text and daily affirmations or activities from Remind. If you have trouble with 81010, you can text @cecseh21 to (774) 353-0907. Kathy and I will also provide professional development at the ACSI Early Education Designed to Flourish: Reignite virtual conference February 16 and 24. Her session will focus on this topic and mine allows participants to evaluate their authentic leadership style. Learn more at https://www.acsi.org/early-education/conferences/virtual.

Join Dr. Althea Penn and her guest Colleen Mullendore as they discuss Back to School Essential traits for Christian educators and leaders. Dr. Althea Penn is an educational consultant, professional development specialist, author, conference speaker, and entrepreneur. She serves as the Director of the Early Education for the Association of Christian Schools International and has co-labored with Children's Ministry pastors and program directors such as Colleen for more than 30 years.  Colleen is an exceptional leader and shared encouraging principles that lead to Biblical success in leadership and instruction. She shared how her team will ROAR this school year! The purpose of the Christian Education Cafe' is to equip and empower emerging Christian educators and leaders with the information and tools needed to foster developmental competence in their students, colleagues, families and themselves... Check out the episode and visit the podcast on these channels. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to join us the next time we're live. https://clipchamp.com/watch/KMJvvDhqtG0 Podbean https://altheapenn.podbean.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/live/XlDv1rQzd48?si=7lc-UQToxQn3Zkfk Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Christianeducationcafe

Take a listen as I discuss Bible Engagement and Young Children with Anne Marie Gosnell of Future Flying Saucers. She uses object lessons to capture the next generations' hearts for Jesus. Visit her site to learn more about how you can use bible object lesson to make truth stick. https://www.futureflyingsaucers.com/

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,