Nazarene Educators Worldwide at 2018 SDMI Leadership Conference by Marilyn J. Dominick, NEW Chairperson & Yolanda McHodgkings, NEW Council Member
While we were there, we took turns “manning” the booth so we could attend some of the great workshops that were offered. Yolanda attended a workshop on writing, taught by Charles Christian who is the editor for Holiness Today and Grace & Peace; one on the Theology of Salvation for Children, taught by Kyle Tyler, who is developing a new children’s curriculum for our denomination; and one on teaching children to pray by Mary Sims, a children’s pastor in Texas. I attended a workshop on intergenerational teaching presented by Dr. Holly Catterton Allen, and one presented by Kyle Tyler on helping children make biblical discoveries. They were excellent!
Special Projects
– Do you know of a Christian School or an individual Christian educator who needs the support of other Nazarene Educators Worldwide? Let NEW know the details and we will try to help!
Are you willing to mentor/disciple an educator?
– We all benefit from discipleship as we each have an incredible library of experiences and you can help share your expertise!
Prayer Care Opportunity
– Do you need prayer? Do you know an educator who needs God’s intervention in their life? Are you willing to join us as a prayer partner? Consider tapping into the Power of God through prayer.
Are you a College Student preparing for a career in education?
– Join NEW as a full time college student preparing for a career in education or full time Christian ministry!
Do you know of a Christian Educator or Christian School that is doing something amazing?
– We would like to feature them in a special section on our website or in our newsletter. Share your experience!
Let’s share resources and ideas!
– Connect with others through our Facebook group!
Ambassadors needed!
– Let us know if you are interested in representing NEW in your region!
Job opportunities
– Pending: please consider sharing your job opening!
Contact Marilyn at mjdominick77@gmail.com to submit your content for NEW in Action
Finish Well!
Spring has finally arrived! Students and teachers are dreaming of long lazy days and you may find that some have lost their focus and spark. Here are some tips to finish strong!
1. Refresh Student Expectations
2. Embrace New Beginnings – initiate a fresh theme for the remaining weeks.
3. Play Catch-Up – now may be the time to go back and revisit what you think you could have done a more thorough job of teaching.
4. Add Some Fun – lighten up and enjoy each other!
5. Prepare for Summer Break – provide resources for your students to minimize summer “slip – age”.
6. Leave Students with Lasting Memories – plan an event that will leave a lasting impression!
7. Cheer on Fellow Teachers – let your colleagues know that you recognize their hard work and dedication.
Have a wonderful summer break
A Brand New Nazarene School in Shawnee, MO!!
Kansas church extends discipleship efforts through school
by
Daniel Sperry for Nazarene News
Shawnee Church of the Nazarene, located in a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, will open a school this fall to meet the community’s new educational needs in the wake of the pandemic.
In 2020, the church hosted an on-site “study hall” staffed by substitute teachers who provided assistance for students under distance learning protocols. Church leaders received positive feedback from families, and those who staffed it were excited about finding a way to continue that type of ministry.
“What we’re recognizing is that our families just need more support,” said Cara Shonamon, Shawnee church co-lead pastor. “Not only do we have this vision for a school, but how do we come alongside that as the church? We don’t want to just say, ‘Hey, we’re going to teach your kids.’ [We want] to intentionally partner with families to give them tools to disciple their kids as well.”
“[The church] always had this vision of it being used in service of the community,” Cara said. “It was at the heart of that addition that the building is not just for the preschool but for an expansion of outreach as well.”
Nancy Shonamon is the principal of the new Shawnee Nazarene Academy and is also one of its primary teachers. She has more than 30 years of experience in public and private education as a teacher, guidance counselor, and administrator, and most recently served on accreditation boards. She had been looking for a change while she was in administration at Nazarene Christian Academy in Fort Worth, Texas.
In September of last year, Nancy got a call from Cara about starting a new school. The same last names are not a coincidence. Cara is married to Nancy’s nephew, and while the two are certainly family, Nancy had no idea about Cara’s plans.
“They listed everything the Lord had already put in my heart, and I knew it was our next calling,” Nancy said. “I just knew it was the answer to prayer.”
“When you biblically integrate everything, every conversation, every activity is a potential to point them back to God,” Nancy said. “You can show them even in science how that leads back to the scriptures.”
Demonstrating Christian principles in the classroom opens the door for more discipleship opportunities for the students and parents too. The church plans on holding parenting and mental health awareness classes for the parents and the congregation, bringing the two groups together for more discipleship.