Nazarene Educator Appreciation Sunday
The Church of the Nazarene has set aside Sunday, August 29, to show appreciation to Nazarene teachers. This includes Sunday School teachers and all Nazarene educators in the congregation.
Dr. Woodie Stevens, Director of Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International, will be sending information to local pastors and SDMI Chairs with ideas to help local churches honor the Sunday School teachers. You can use most of the ideas listed to honor all types of teachers.
The Nazarene Educators Worldwide, an official organization to resource and network Nazarene educators in Christian schools, public schools, homeschools, preschools and early childhood learning centers, and our Nazarene colleges/universities, would like to offer some ideas for honoring our weekday educators.
Here are some suggestions from Nazarene Educators Worldwide:
1. A "School Survival Kit"—To help teachers make it through the year.
Include any or all of these items in a closable plastic bag. Attach the explanation for the items to the bag.
Band-Aid™--For when things get a little rough
Crayon--To color your year bright and cheerful
Highlighter--To remind you that you can illustrate the Light of the World
Hershey's hug--For those times when you need a hug and there is no one else to give it
Marble--For those times when you think you have lost all of yours
Rubber band--To remind yourself you are resilient and can spring back and hold things together when you need to
Starburst--To give you a burst of energy when you need it
Tissues--To wipe away the tears--your student's as well as your own
Pencil--To help in your attemps to "write the wrongs" in the lives of your students
Toothpick--To help you pick out the good qualities in others, as well as yourself
Cotton ball--To help you when you can't hear yourself think
Tootsie Roll--To help you roll with the punches
Lifesaver mint--To remind you that you often save lives from disaster and are worth a mint
Almond Joy™ candy bar--To remind you to watch for the JOY that students can bring to your life
A snowflake or flame--When all else fails, pray for a SNOW or a HEAT day!
2. Invite a public school educator to your church. Recognize all educators, including the public school educator, and pray a special prayer for all who minister to children and youth through weekday education. This includes educators in Christian schools, public schools, homeschools, preschools/early childhood learning centers, and colleges/universities.
2. Provide special recognition to educators in the morning worship service. Invite all educators to the front for special recognition (certificate of honor) and prayer. Go to www.naznew.org for a downloadable sample certificate.
3. Conduct the entire Sunday morning service as a special time of worship of praise, prayer, and celebration to honor those who serve as educators. Ask community leaders to speak, pray, and recognize the role that educators play in the lives of children.
4. Send an official invitation from the pastor to educators in the church and/or the community. On Sunday morning, recognize all educators and provide a luncheon for them.
5. Ask the Worship Arts Team to provide special "musical and/or /video presentation” to honor all educators. The Christian Teachers Association website, www.ctainc.com has additional ideas to honor teachers.
6. Invite a community leader (mayor, school superintendent, university leader) to bring special greetings/scripture reading to encourage all educators.
7. Select a few members to read affirmations of praise to honor educators.
8. Give a small gift/gift certificate to each educator in the church.
9. On a video screen, showcase all educators by listing their names on the screen and announcing their names as they come to the front for a "standing ovation" of love and appreciation!
10. Ask all students to draw/color/write a special "Thank You" to be given to the educators.
11. Ask the people of the church to bring an apple to church to represent an educator who impacted their life. Ask the people to write the educator’s name on an index card. Fold the index card so it will stand up beside the apple. Display the apples and names on a table outside the sanctuary. (Have apples available for those who forget but still want to participate.) Pray for all educators who impact the lives of children and students of all ages.
12. Give an apple, with a note of gratitude attached, as a gift to all educators.
13. Ask a young child (age 6), older child (10-12), teen (15-17), young adult (college-age), adult, and senior member to pray for educators.
14. Give a flower, such as a carnation or a rose, to all educators. Let children or teens distribute the flowers and verbally say “Thank You” to the educators.
For additional ideas to help your local church celebrate Nazarene Teacher Appreciation Day, go to www.naznew.org.
Contributed by Beula Postlewait, Coordinator of Nazarene Education Office (birth—secondary) and Liaison to Nazarene Educators Worldwide
In May, the members of Nazarene Educators Worldwide elected officers for the NEW Executive Council for 2009—2013. These educators will meet in Kansas City in October to share a vision and goals for the next four years.
CHAIR
James Upchurch
James Upchurch is the dean of the School of Education at Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinios. He served for 33 years in public school education as a teacher and superintendent of schools. He has been at ONU for five years. jupchurch@olivet.edu
CHILDCARE/PRESCHOOLS
Midge Simpson
Midge is the administrator/director of the Sonshine Learning Center in Greenville, South Carolina. She has worked in the childcare field for over 40 years. She enjoys helping preschools in the execution of high-quality childcare programs and curriculum. mustangmidge@gmail.com
Jan Wilton
Jan has been the director of two preschools and one private elementary school. She is currently the director of Noah’s Ark Preschool and Kindergarten in Tempe, Arizona. She also serves as the children’s pastor at Scottsdale First Church of the Nazarene. joyunlimitedcm@msn.com
CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
Lance D. Howard
Lance worked for eight years in a private Christian school in the classroom and as principal/administrator. He has worked for over six years in a public and charter school in the classroom and as vice-principal. He has a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and Principal Licensure from the University of Phoenix, Colorado Springs. Lance is from Peyton, Colorado. ldjlhoward@msn.com Lance is also the Vice-Chair the Nazarene Educators Worldwide executive council.
Becky Ramsey
In Christian schools, Becky has taught fourth grade, a fifth/sixth grade combination, kindergarten, seventh—ninth grade math, high school English, and twelfth grade Bible. She has taught high school English and Bible for the last 12 years. Becky lives in Columbus, Ohio. bramsey001@insight.rr.com
GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Tammy Condon
Tammy is the Administrative Assistant for Strategic Projects for the International Board of Education at the Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas. She also serves as the director of the Bresee Institute for Metro-Ministries in Kansas City, Missouri. She has a master of divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary and is working on a doctorate from Capella University. tcondon@nazarene.org
HOMESCHOOLS
Brad King
Brad lives in Olathe, Kansas, and is the Chair of the Division of Health and Exercise Sciences at MidAmerica Nazarene University. He and his wife were homeschool parents for their two children from grade 5 through high school graduation. In 2000, he started the Metro Academy Sports Organization for homeschooled athletes in the Kansas City metro area. bking@mnu.edu
Janine Wilkins
Janine Wilkins is from Ferguson, Missouri. She has been a homeschooling mom for 16 years. She started the Christian Home Educator’s Cooperative at the Ferguson Church of the Nazarene in 2006. She is on a committee for the North County Christian School Board to help the school serve the homeschool community. wilkinsfamily6@sbcglobal.net
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Cindy Alsip
Cindy is the assistant principal at J. L. Mann High School in Greenville, South Carolina. Before becoming an administrator, she taught business and computer classes at the secondary level. calsip@greenville.k12.sc.us
Marilyn Dominick
Marilyn is the superintendent of schools for the Jordan-Elbridge District in Jordan, New York. Since 1993, she has been the superintendent of three different school districts. She has served in her present position since 2000. mdominick@jecsd.org
UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS
James Kiper
James is currently at Miami University of Ohio. He is the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. He has a Phd in Computer Science from Ohio State University and taught for seven years at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. James.Kiper@muohio.edu
Esther Swink
Esther is the dean of the School of Education at Trevecca Nazarene University. She has been a public school teacher, school librarian for elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as district level director of library and technological services. She has oversight of undergraduate and graduate teacher education, eight master’s degrees that prepare teachers and other school professionals, and a doctorate program in leadership. eswink@trevecca.edu
GLOBAL MINISTRY STAFF
Ex Officio members of the council from the Global Ministry Center are:
Leslie Hart
Leslie Hart is the Director of Children’s Ministries International at the Global Ministry Center. She has 17 years of full-time pastoral ministry experience to children and families. She is an experienced speaker and teacher, facilitating workshops and seminarsat the local, district, and international levels. She has directed a full-time licensed childcare serving over 100 children and families. She played an integral part in the development and construction of two children's ministries facilities, including a state-accredited preschool. lhart@nazarene.org
Beula Postlewait
Beula is a former public school teacher. She has been involved in Children’s Ministries for almost 29 years in writing and editing curriculum and articles and teacher training. She currently is the Coordinator of the Office of Education (birth—secondary) and the Liaison to the Nazarene Educators Worldwide. Beula lives in Leawood, Kansas. bpostlewait@nazarene.org
Woodie J. Stevens
Dr. Stevens is the Director of Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International at the Global Ministry Center, Lenexa, Kansas. He has been a pastor and district superintendent. At one of his pastorates, the church sponsored a preschool. wstevens@nazarene.org
Submitted by Beula Postlewait, Coordinator of the Office of Education (birth—secondary) and Liaison to the Nazarene Educators Worldwide.
Hello Leslie Hart! Our NEWest addition... to the council
SDMI Announces New Children's Ministries International Director
Woodie Stevens, Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) director, is pleased to announce the Board of General Superintendent's election of Leslie M. Hart as Children's Ministries International (CMI) director. The election of Hart follows the recent retirement of CMI director, Lynda T. Boardman.
"Rev. Hart brings a rich background of experience and wisdom to this vital role of being our denomination's voice as chief advocate for children," said Stevens. "Her gracious spirit of loving service will help all of us keep God's little ones high on our agendas. I am delighted that her ministry and influence will expand around the world as a vital part of the SDMI team."
Hart is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and has more than 17 years of full-time pastoral ministry experience to children and families. She is an experienced speaker and teacher, facilitating workshops and seminars at the local, district, and international levels. She has served on the board of the Nazarene Children's Leadership Network (NCLN) since 2001 and led the team in hosting the 2008 "ignite Children's Leadership Summit." She is a member of Children's Ministries International "Thought Partners." She has served Nazarene Publishing House/WordAction through the Children's Mission Education, Vacation Bible School (VBS) curriculum review committees, and as a VBS trainer. At the 2009 General SDMI Convention, Hart served on the CMI leadership team.
Leslie Hart has served churches in Tennessee and Texas, ranging in attendance from 75 to 1,000. She has also served on District Sunday School Ministries and camp boards, directed dozens of children's camps, and served as district children's director on both the Dallas and Tennessee districts. She has organized and led child-centered mission teams and hosted innumerable Bible quizzes, talent festivals, Vacation Bible Schools, musicals, retreats, and worker training events. She has also directed a full-time licensed daycare serving over 100 children and their families.
In addition, Hart played an integral part in the development and construction of two stellar children's ministry facilities, including a state-accredited preschool. She directed King's Kids, a weekly inner-city program that, as a result of her efforts, was awarded a $10,000 (U.S. dollar) grant by the Community Foundation of Nashville. She has been a guest lecturer in religious education at Trevecca Nazarene University and has mentored numerous undergraduates in children and family ministries.
While serving her local churches, Hart conducted reviews and comparative studies of available Sunday School curriculum. Her extensive research of child safety issues culminated in the creation of a comprehensive safety guidelines and procedures handbook, endorsed by a major church insurer.
Hart's passion for ministry is contagious, her purpose unswerving. She seeks to partner with God and his people in the spiritual transformation of children everywhere, encouraging, empowering, and equipping them to fulfill their role in the Body of Christ.
She currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, Bill, an ordained minister and attorney-at-law. They have three adult children and one granddaughter.
Submitted by Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries International
