Curriculum Development track k-8
Cohort Schedule Best Practices for the Christian School ™
impacting early
Explore foundational strategies in K-8 curriculum development and instructional practices that support whole-student growth and engagement. This cohort includes sessions on creating a Christ-centered culture, applying effective teaching practices, and designing engaging lessons. Participants will also learn data-gathering methods for instructional improvement. Take your curriculum to the next level—register today!
Please Note: Sessions for BPI 2025 are still being finalized. The sessions listed below are examples from 2024 and may be subject to change, but they provide a preview of the types of learning experiences you can expect.
example sessions
Session #1:
What sets you apart and Writing Your Faith Story
Parents are seeking an alternative to public school education. What sets you apart and are you leaning into your Christ centered roots enough? In this session we’ll help your organization put that front and center. We’ll also refresh our own faith stories and learn a strategy for teachers and students to share their faith with others.
Session #2 :
BLESS
5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World
Based on the book by the same title by Dave and Jon Ferguson, Lisa Ferguson will walk us through how a school community can come together to share the love of Jesus with their friends and neighbors.
Session #3:
Work Smarter, Not Harder Part 1:
Leveraging AI to use with your staff and in turn helping them use it to develop activities and lessons for their students.
PRESENTERS
Dr. Brad Mitchell, HS Principal from Timothy Christian School
Session #4:
Work Smarter, Not Harder Part 2:
How to teach your staff to gather great data through the use of high and low tech procedures. Learn how to gather formative data in a variety of ways including Plickers, “My favorite no”, Socrative, and more.
Session #5:
God’s design through “Agape Sticks”
with guest facilitator Pastor David Seabaugh, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Elmhurst
Pastor Seabaugh has written discipleship curricula and presented at other Best Practices Conferences using a method that is perfect for educators to share God’s design for our world and how selfishness breaks it apart. The best thing is it’s done through arrows and stick figures!
Session #6:
Going From Good to Great
Learn a protocol and methods to move your staff from good to great, proficient to distinguished, or whatever the “next” level is for your staff’s instructional practice.
Session #7:
Reaching ALL Learners through Math Intervention
Learn several researched based approaches to math instruction and intervention. These broad approaches will fit any school with any amount of staff support.
PRESENTERS
Laura Groenewold, Director of Educational Support Pk-8 at Timothy Christian.
Faculty
Justin Horne
PS-8th Principal | Timothy Christian School, Elmhurst, IL
Justin Horne is the PS-8th grade principal at Timothy Christian Schools in Elmhurst, Illinois. He has been an educator for 20 years. First as a 4th and 5th grade teacher and then an elementary principal. By God’s grace he’s been part of schools that have all won US Department of Education Blue Ribbons. Justin has Elementary Education and Psychology degrees from University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Masters of Education from Loyola University Chicago. He earned his National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification in 2009 and has spoken at various conferences.
Sue Macaluso
Director of Curriculum and Instruction | Wheaton Christian Grammar School, Winfield, IL
Bio Coming Soon
Dr. Brad Mitchell
High School Principal | Timothy Christian School, Elmhurst, IL
Dr. Brad Mitchell is an experienced educator with over 25 years of experience in the field. He began his career as a mathematics teacher at Naperville North High School, before moving into roles as an Instructional Coordinator, Instructional Support Coach, and Department Chair at various schools. For the past 12 years, he has served as the Principal of Timothy Christian High School, where he has led the school’s transformation to a more student-centered, technology-rich environment with innovative programs like a one-to-one iPad initiative and an Innovation and Design Lab. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Calvin College, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Kent State University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from Concordia University Chicago.
Laura Groenewold
Director of Educational Support | Timothy Christian School, Elmhurst, IL
I graduated from Trinity Christian College in 2011 with a double major in Special Education and Elementary Education. While I attended Trinity, I was one of the Sign Language Club leaders, ASCD student chapter leaders, on the student advisory committee, and on the General Education Committee. I have had several different educational experiences, thoroughly enjoying all, especially when I was teaching in middle school.
Upon graduation, God called my husband and me to teach in a high-needs school district in Freeport, IL. My first two years in Freeport, I was a resource room teacher for Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School. After my first year teaching there, I received the 2013 Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education “Outstanding Beginning Teacher” award. During the summer of 2013, our school district decided to create a new curriculum based on the Common Core Standards. I jumped at the chance to have an influential role in what I would be teaching. I co-created the first grade ELA curriculum for our school district (six elementary schools, 17 first grade teachers use the units). This, of course, led me to wanting to teach first grade; so, after teaching as a resource room teacher for two years, I switched to teaching language arts to all of the first grade students at Lincoln-Douglas. We dedicated our time and hearts to Freeport for four years, but felt the calling to return to our families in the Chicago suburbs. From 2015-2017 I taught Language Arts in sixth grade at Timothy, and I am excited for the next part of my teaching journey!
Lisa Ferguson
MAT | Author, Chicago, IL
For over 25 years, Lisa has dedicated herself to early childhood education with expertise in language and literacy, math development and play. Throughout her career, Lisa has held various roles, including classroom teacher, university instructor, professional development facilitator, instructional coach, and conference presenter. Lisa currently works at the Erikson Institute where she is a professional development content creator and facilitator, supporting early childhood administrators and teachers across the country. She is an author of Bringing Baby Home in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Chicago Mayor’s Office, as well as The B.L.E.S.S. Family Resource. She serves on the board of Reach Out and Read Illinois and is a member of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree from Moody Bible Institute and a Master of Arts in Teaching from National-Louis University. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Jon Ferguson, an author and co-founding pastor of Community Christian Church and the New Thing Network.