Education Commons^™

Iccte Spotlight: Dr. James Swezey, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

As Editor of the ICCTE journal, I am so blessed to work with many other souls in our community of Christian Higher Education. In addition to our other tasks and interests in the service of teaching and learning, your Editorial Committee seeks to not only serve you, but know you and make ourselves known to you as peers, colleagues, and interdisciplinary collaborators. To assist you in knowing us as real people and not just names on a website, I shall be ‘spotlighting’ my appreciation for people in upcoming issues of the journal. For this issue, I would like to spotlight …

Letter From The Editor, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Once again, we stand at a new semester and share with you Volume 7, Issue 1 of the ICCTE journal. It is by God’s grace that we continue to be able to bless you with the fruits of the labours of others who faithfully send us their manuscripts. Our production is blessed by the tireless and joyful work of a wonderfully gregarious and collaborative editorial committee, of which I am blessed to be a member.

Book Review: Creation Regained – Biblical Basics For A Reformational Worldview, Heekap Lee

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

It is my hope that most Christian educators have read Wolter’s book, Creation Regained. Since it came out two decades ago, this book has had a tremendous impact on Christians to be equipped with sound Christian worldviews, a sense of identity, and godly responsibilities. However, one may ask, “Does this book say something about the roles and functions of a Christian education?” In fact, it does. This book provides many practical ideas and applicable points regarding teaching and learning in faith-based settings. In fact, Wolter’s revisions to his original manuscript emphasize the proper role of a Christian education. I …

Reflective Collaboration Practices To Explore Personal Belief Systems In Teacher Preparation Courses, Kathryn Picano

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

The purpose of this article is to examine the need for intentionally designed faith integration conversations to explore the personal belief systems and concerns of teacher candidates through the use of effective reflective collaboration strategies in their preparation courses. The influence of one’s prior experiences and personal belief system cannot be underestimated when working effectively in a pluralistic society. This necessitates that all teachers be cognizant of how their belief system shapes interactions with students and families, as well as how they plan for instruction. Student voice and reflective collaboration techniques are important instructional tools that can be integrated into …

“Is It Because I’M Black?”: Creating Space For Diversity In The Christian University, Mary Ashun Ph.D., Steve Sider Ph.D.

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

This paper examines the experiences of a black female faculty member as she enters the Christian university where there is limited ethnic diversity. She experiences critical student responses to her teaching which lead her to consider the reasons why she may be experiencing such resistance. As she confronts the possibility that it’s because she’s black, she enters into an on-going dialogue with a white male faculty member. Their experiences and conversations create a space for shared learning. The paper raises the question of how Christian universities might intentionally create space for faculty of color to feel welcome and embraced in …

Letter From The Editor, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Welcome to the summer issue of the ICCTE Journal. Recently, your ICCTE Leadership Council met at Azusa Pacific University in preparation for the 2012 Biennial Conference. While there, we contemplated what it meant to implement ’emphatic listening’, as expressed in the book Messengers of God: The sensuous side of spirituality by Arthur Roberts as an act of worship to God and out of respect to each other. In this beneficial devotional within community, we were able to fellowship, plan, eat and laugh as a team who would return with something to share with you all. I invite you to send …

High-Stakes Assessment: Is A Christian Ethic Of Care Possible?, Paul Shotsberger Ph.D.

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

The No Child Left Behind Act, the 2002 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), has fundamentally changed the landscape of education in the United States. Amidst the current debate over reauthorization of ESEA, it is vital that Christian educators consider the moral implications of continuing and expanding current policies, especially as they relate to high-stakes assessment and its impact on students and teachers. The focus of the article is the challenge a high-stakes environment poses for educators who truly desire to demonstrate a Christian ethic of care in their teaching and what Christian teacher education can do …

Transforming Teaching In Inclusive Settings: An Educator Looks At Vim, Robin Labarbera Ph.D.

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Inclusive classrooms are those in which students with special needs are educated alongside their non-disabled peers. This article examines the attitudes that teachers in inclusive settings may hold that are believed to be barriers to successful inclusion. Given that historically, students with special needs in inclusive classrooms have made limited academic progress through traditional whole-class instruction, it is suggested that a transformation in inclusive teaching take place. This article suggests that educators apply Dallas Willard’s (2002) concept of VIM, outlined in his book, Renovation of the Heart. Christian teachers may find the vision, intention, and means Willard advocates to be …

Teaching And Learning By Analogy: Psychological Perspectives On The Parables Of Jesus, Kevin B. Zook Ph.D.

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Christian teachers are often encouraged to use Jesus’ teaching strategies as models for their own pedagogy. Jesus frequently utilized analogical comparisons, or parables, to help his learners understand elements of his Gospel message. Although teachers can use analogical models to facilitate comprehension, such models also can sow the seeds of confusion and misconception. Recent advances in cognitive psychology have provided new theoretical frameworks to help us understand how instructional analogies function in the teaching-learning process. The goal of this paper is to analyze Jesus’ analogical teaching from these psychological perspectives, with implications for all teachers who utilize instructional analogies. In …

Letter From The Editor, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

As summer leans closer to the start of another school year, I invite you to put your feet up and read Volume 5, Issue 2 (Summer Issue) of the ICCTE e-journal. This publication includes papers from the recent ICCTE conference. The theme of the 2010 ICCTE conference in Longview, Texas was Igniting the Flames of Faith and Learning. Papers submitted probe this theme from different perspectives. In addition, this issue includes papers forthcoming since our last online publication.

Iccte 2010 Conference Review, Scot Headley

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

This past May, the Ninth Biennial Conference of the ICCTE took place at LeTourneau University in Longview Texas. About 75 faculty members from a number of colleges and universities gathered to share their research, to fellowship together and to enjoy the hospitality of colleagues. Every other year our group gathers. In the spring of 2012, we will gather at Azusa Pacific University in the Los Angeles area. I am grateful to colleagues who have worked diligently for about 20 years to provide opportunity for Christian professors of education and in related fields to gather for the purpose of sharing our …

Book Review: Smith, J.K.A.: Desiring The Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, And Cultural Formation, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

What if education was not first and foremost about what we know, but about what we love? (Smith, 2009, p.18)

This is one of the driving questions that frames Smith’s book; a question worthy of educational reflection. Smith organizes his argument around the ideas of the dichotomy between thinking and doing; work and worship [liturgy]. His argument is that worldview must not be merely cognitive and intellectual, but must include a robust ‘social imaginary’ (flowing from the work of Charles Taylor) that is grounded in the practices of Christian worship. So far so good.

Building A Community Of Shalom: What The Bible Says About Multicultural Education, Heekap Lee

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Multicultural education is a highly controversial topic in which it has been the center of contentions and conflicts as it has evolved for the last couple of decades. Several concerns and problems existed in the field of multicultural education will be addressed in this article. In addition, a new framework of multicultural education, called the shalom model, which is drawn from the Bible is presented, along with the characteristics of the model. The goal of multicultural education, according to this model, is to build a community of shalom, an image that is clearly described in Isaiah 11:6. In order to …

Core Competencies And Christian Education: An Integrative Approach To Education In Marriage And Family Therapy Programs, Thomas V. Frederick Ph.D., Laura L. Steele

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

For educating marriage and family therapy (MFT) students, there has been an increasing emphasis on their ability to demonstrate a series of core competencies as identified by the American Associate for Marriage and Family (AAMFT) (Nelson et al., 2007). This type of therapist education from outcome-based education (OBE) fosters the characteristics or worldview associated with educational institutions and the profession. At the most general level, OBE is education or socialization into the professional MFT worldview. As a corrective to this, there is a need to seek this moral character in a Christian worldview which emphasizes a metanarrative informed by the …

Special Education And Spiritual Formation, David W. Anderson

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Faith-learning integration is a complex and sometimes challenging issue for university faculty, and something which our students have not likely engaged in. Rather than “integration,” emphasis will be on how Christian thought informs educational practice, and contributes to our spiritual formation, igniting flames of faith-learning and helping prepare caring and competent teachers.

Letter From The Editor, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Welcome to Issue 6, Volume 1 of the ICCTE Journal.

Welcome back to the ICCTE online community as we share the fruits of yet another journal publication. Some of the five articles in this issue address the work of Christian colleagues in secular institutions. Others assist us in our quest to teach and learn by sharpening our thoughts on specific disciplines of teaching and learning in an educational setting. Topics include: teacher vitality as this relates to a two country study; faculty perspectives of academic freedom; students’ perceptions on motivations to learn; learning from the parables and controversial issues in …

The Role Of Controversial Issues In Moral Education: Approaches And Attitudes Of Christian School Educators, Samuel J. Smith

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

This study investigated the approaches and attitudes of Christian school teachers as they addressed controversial issues in moral education. Thirteen teachers from four schools were interviewed extensively. A hermeneutic phenomenological methodology was implemented. Participants conveyed that they attempted to remain pedagogically neutral in matters relating to denominational differences among Christian churches. While acknowledging that indoctrinative techniques may alienate students, teachers chose to indoctrinate selectively, especially in matters critical to the Christian faith. Issues impacting the classrooms included abortion, sex, doctrine, homosexuality, evolution, etc. Teachers rarely chose to remain neutral on controversial issues unless by doing so they sensed that they …

Letter From The Associate Editor, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

My how time flies! It seems like only last week since the last issue of the ICCTE Journal was posted. Since our last issue, many of you have inquired as to when the archives would be available. You will be pleased to know that the archives have not been forgotten, and that by the end of the month they will be available once again on our new ICCTE Journal site. Join me in giving thanks to the gifted Mr. Sean McKay for his accomplishments on our behalf, and our Senior Editor, Scot Headley for his wonderful leadership and labor of …

Letter From The Associate Editor, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Welcome to Volume 5, Issue 1 of the ICCTE e-journal. Before I give you a brief synopsis of what morsels this issue contains, I would like to provide a framework for the next two issues. Volume 5, Issue 2 will reflect the material from the upcoming ICCTE conference and forthcoming papers. Volume 6, Issue 1 will focus on a new idea. We would like to start with some theme issues for 2011. The first will be the theme “Christian colleagues in secular institutions: iron sharpening iron”, so get your pencils sharpened for that. The Lord has many things in store …

Book Review: James L. Drexler, Editor. Schools As Communities: Educational Leadership, Relationships, And The Eternal Value Of Christian Schooling., David W. Robinson

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Anyone who has engaged in the calling of Christian education knows that it can be — and usually is — one of the most exciting, delightful, fulfilling, and joyous ministries that a believer can know. Its golden days are a real “foretaste of glory divine,” its opportunities for those who truly love the possibilities of the mind and heart of Christ in the lives of our students are the very aroma of the Lord in our work. Lives are changed; parents are supportive; administrators are helpful; the board is productive. Sacrifices are engaged willingly, trials are gladly borne. We go …

Recalling Subject Centered Enthusiasm: The Essence Of Great Teaching, Vickie Shamp Ellis, Neal Cross

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

This phenomenological study took place at a Christian liberal arts university in Missouri. Specifically, the study assesses ten undergraduate students’ perspectives regarding the characteristics of the best teacher of their academic lives. Ultimately, 17 characteristics emerged as standards for great teaching. The results indicate that the most powerful learning environment is one in which the teacher is dynamically connected to the subject. Our results strongly support Parker Palmer’s (1998) argument that the subject matter itself is “the great thing” (p. 117) that focuses the authentic teacher in the community of truth. Consideration of these characteristics in relation to how teachers …

An Examination Of Professional Development Activities Available To Teachers In The Mid-America Region Of The Association Of Christian Schools International, Linda M. Neuzil, Marsha Vaughn

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

The spotlight in education in recent years has been focused on the areas of professional development activities for teachers and the development of professional learning communities. However, the majority of research has omitted the Christian school community which requires its own body of research examining the unique conditions in which both private school students and educators learn and work. While the need for student achievement remains constant in both public and private schools, the social, philosophical, political, financial, and emotional contexts are quite dissimilar. The purpose of this study is to examine the availability and utilization of professional development activities …

Agents Of Hope, Steve Sider, Angie Davids, Amanda Knowles, Annalisa Luimes, Leanne Van Bostelen

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

This paper considers the Christian teacher’s “place” in today’s increasingly diverse public school classrooms. Specifically, the paper explores the complexities of working as a Christian within educational systems which promote tolerance of all cultures and religious views. Is it possible for a Christian teacher to remain committed to The Way while employed in a system which encourages pluralism, equity, and diversity? Using insights and responses of participants in a Christian university education course on teaching in multicultural classrooms, a framework is provided to consider what it means to teach as a Christian in multicultural school settings.

Culturally Responsive Teaching: The Bible Tells Me So, Nyaradzo Mvududu

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

The US population is becoming more and more diverse. This is the reality. In light of this fact people in all walks of life – e.g. education, healthcare, religion – will inevitably interact in their day to day lives with others who are increasingly different from themselves. It follows that for these interactions to be effective, we need to become more culturally competent. We need to be aware of how culture shapes us and those around us. In order to cross boundaries that can arise from our difference we need to acknowledge and value those differences. For Christians, being culturally …

St. Augustine's Learning For The Glory Of God: Adapting "Faith-Learning Integration" Terminology For The Modern World, Marie Valance, Jaliene Hollabaugh, Thu Truong

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

The scholastic debate about use and interpretation of the phrase “faith-learning integration” has spanned over fifty years. Glanzer (2008) proposed that this phrase be discarded and that scholars adopt the terminology “the creation and redemption of scholarship.” This concept is not new to Christian dialogue: it can be found in the writings of St. Augustine. However, there needs to be further clarification of Glanzer’s language in order to make it accessible to people of all faiths, backgrounds, and education levels. This paper will attempt to support both Glanzer’s proposal and a new direction for the discussion and encourage educators to …

Book Review: Paul D. Spears & Steven R. Loomis. Education For Human Flourishing: A Christian Perspective., David W. Robinson

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV).

Those of us who have spent many years in Christian education, presumably engaged in thinking as Christians about the issues facing each of us in our academic disciplines, are familiar with …

Bible Theory Or Biblical Living: What Are Christian Schools Providing For Families With Children With Special Needs?, A.Y. "Fred" Ramirez Ph.D.

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Private Christian elementary and secondary schools, along with Bible training and Bible exercises, have been a part of the United States and international community since the 1800s. This article examines these questions: (1) What Biblically-based principles are in evidence in Christian schools’ treatment of children with special needs; and (2) how do Christian schools work with the parents of these children. Results from the Christian schools that participated in this study indicate although that they were attending to their children with special needs, these schools may actually be missing many more students who are in need of services.

Book Review: Blomberg, Doug. (2007). Wisdom And Curriculum: Christian Schooling After Postmodernity, Dirk Windhorst

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

This essay reviews Doug Blomberg’s Wisdom and Curriculum and responds to various issues raised there. It highlights the value of wisdom in terms of its relationship to embodied practical knowledge and the norms embedded in God’s creation. The concluding comments take issue with Blomberg’s interpretation of Plato.

Best They Forget: Challenging Notions Of Remembering And Forgetting, Chris Baird

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

In Jeremiah 31:34 the LORD declares, “No longer will a man teach his neighbour, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest… For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (The NIV Study Bible, 1995, p.1170). It is not the intention of this paper to enter into a theological discussion as to whether or not God is capable of forgetting; however, at very least He chooses the metaphor of forgetting to display his forgiveness for his people. This seems to …

Christian Education And Worldview, Richard Edlin

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

What we believe as Christian educators is conveyed in many different ways to our students. The concept of worldview has been used in recent years to describe the comprehensive approach to reality that provides the foundation for how we understand the world and how we teach our students. Christians assert that worldview is a deeply religious concept, and that, particularly in education, we need to understand and critique our own worldviews to ensure that we are offering education that is faithful to our calling to celebrate the lordship of Christ over all of creation rather than an education that is …