The Convention Planning Committee
is finalizing plans for the 2009 CEA Convention which will be held October 22
and 23 at the Century Center and South Bend Marriott in South Bend,
Indiana.  We hope this convention
will provide professional stimulation and challenge each one of you!

Theme: Reclaiming the World: Walk Humbly
Verse: Micah 6:8

Thursday

• Keynote Speaker: Cal DeWitt
• Mass Meeting begins at 8:45 a.m.           
• Featured Lecturer: Nathan Dungan

Friday

• Devotional Leader: Randy Buursma
• Mass Meeting begins at 10:30 a.m.         
• Featured Lecturer: Dave Warners

The delegate's are invited to
attend an important Delegate's Meeting on Thursday at 10:45 a.m., immediately following the Mass Meeting, in the Recital
Hall on the lower level of the Century
Center.

2009 CEA Convention Theme:
Reclaiming the World: Walk Humbly

The theme for the 2009 CEA Convention
revolves around God, his creation and our responsibility to be caretakers of
it.

The poem "God's Grandeur" by Gerard
Manley Hopkins expresses a point of view that gets us thinking about God's
impressive creative work, the fallen condition of the creation and the 'wear
and tear' humans have inflicted on it. 
In spite of humanity's disregard for God and his handiwork, the poem
reminds us of God's ongoing creative work and providential care.

Please reflect on these words prior to
our time of worship together at the Mass Meeting on Thursday, October 22, 2009.

"God's Grandeur"

The world is charged with the
grandeur of God.                  And
for all this, nature is never spent;

It will flame out, like shining
from shook foil;                      There
lives the dearest freshness deep down things;

It gathers to a greatness, like the
ooze of oil,                                   And
though the last lights off the black West went

Crushed. Why do men then now not
reck his rod?                 Oh,
morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs-

Generations have trod, have trod,
have trod;                                    Because
the Holy Ghost over the bent,

And all is seared with trade;
bleared, smeared with toil;       World
broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings

And wears man's smudge and shares
man's smell: the soil

Is bare now, nor can foot feel,
being shod.

On Thursday there will be no
lunch break in the schedule. Please plan
your own lunch according to the sectionals you wish to attend.  There will be snacks and sandwiches
available in the Century Center, South Bend Marriott, and area restaurants.  A list of additional eating places
close to the Century Center will be available at Convention Headquarters. The
list of restaurants is also available online at  www.sjchamber.org
where you can click on business directory and then type in restaurants.

In respect to speakers and
fellow teachers, the Planning Committee
requests that those in attendance at meetings not leave until the chairperson
indicates the close of the session.

Children and infants may not attend any CEA sectional or mass
meetings.  We ask for your
cooperation in this area so someone from the Planning Committee will not be
forced to ask you to leave. 
Contact your hotel for babysitting services or make other arrangements
for your children if you choose to take them along to the convention. 

Visitor's Guides and information
will be available at Convention
Headquarters.

Remember that retired
Christian school teachers and administrators
may attend the convention free of the normal registration charges.  Contact the Executive Secretary, Brenda
VanderPloeg, for details.  (cea@ceateachers.org)

Spouse passes may be obtained at Convention Headquarters for $5
and guest passes for educators who are not CEA members are $100. 
Student Teachers may
attend for $5.If you forget your program booklet, additional booklets will be
available at Convention Headquarters for a $2 fee (to cover printing costs).

CEA dues for this year will be $80 per member.  These dues cover your convention
registration, a subscription to the Christian Educators Journal, and
committee expenses.  Your delegate
will be collecting dues in September.

An instrumental ensemble will
be formed to assist only at the Mass Meetings on Thursday.  If
you are interested, please bring your instrument and a music stand and plan on
participating.  If you have questions,
feel free to contact the director Scott VandenBerg at svandenberg@hollandchristian.org
  

A hotel reservation form was sent to you in the spring and you have hopefully
already made your hotel/motel arrangements directly with the hotel/motel.  Another copy is included below. 

NEW AT CONVENTION FOR
2009

CALVIN
COLLEGE WORKSHOP

PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

Calvin's Graduate Teacher
Education Program is excited about a new CEA and Calvin College partnership
that provides all CEA members an additional value in attending the 2009 CEA
Convention: graduate credit or SB-CEUs.

If you are interested in graduate
workshop credit during the convention you must apply by Oct 3, 2009. To obtain
a registration form call 616-526-6158 and one will be mailed to you. For more
information regarding graduate credit please visit the Calvin graduate website
at
http://www.calvin.edu/academic/graduate_studies/academics/professional-development.html

Michigan educators may earn
SB-CEUs for attending selected workshops. Specific directions may be obtained
from your CEA delegate. You may also stop at Convention Headquarters before the
convention starts to pick up a registration form.

If you have any questions please
stop by headquarters to speak with a Graduate Program representative or stop by
the Calvin College display booth in the Exhibits Hall.

CHRISTIAN
LEARNING CENTER STAFFING AREA

Do you have a student in your
class or school who is struggling academically, emotionally, or behaviorally?
CLC Network will have staff available in the Century Center for drop in
conversations on Thursday, October 22 in Convention Hall A/B from 12:30 - 4:30
p.m., and again on Friday, October 23 in Suite 17 from 8:00 - 10:15 a.m. We're here
to support you.

Two name badges will be sent to each teacher this year for use at
the convention. 

Commemorative Edition Posters
of the Theme Banner by artist Jim Kamphuis
(Illiana CHS) and his students will be available for purchase at Convention Headquarters
for a $1.00 Fee.  Be sure to pick
one up for your room and one to give away.

CONVENTION HEADQUARTERS will be located on the Street
Level of the Century Center.  This
is very important for you to remember if you are a sectional chairperson or need
to buy additional passes to the convention.

Back by popular demand, our very
own CEA Book Club! Read, The Road by Cormac Mccarthy and
come discuss these books at book club on Thursday from 2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

As of April, 2006 South Bend will
now participate in Daylight Savings Time. South Bend is now in Eastern time zone, rather than the Eastern Standard Time
Zone. That means that South Bend is now on "Michigan Time."

The exhibits will be in Convention Hall C on the Street Level of
the Century Center.  Our
Chairperson of Exhibits is Jerry Mastenbrook (Kalamazoo Christian Middle
School).  He has worked very hard
at obtaining vendors to come to our convention.  Please be sure to visit the exhibits and order materials
right at the convention whenever possible.  Even when placing an order later in the year, be sure to
mention the convention exhibit. 
Since the exhibits are an important source of CEA income, we urge your
cooperation. 

The following have donated either
products or cash for us to provide exhibitor prizes. Visit the exhibit hall and receive a ticket from
the vendors, Drop your ticket off in the prize bowl at the CEA headquarters. We
will be drawing prizes each hour.

Our thanks goes out to:

Distinguished
Donor......................................................................................... ANDY
STEENSMA INSURANCE AGENCY

Serving
the Michigan Educational Community since 1950

Outstanding Donor.......................................................................................................................................... Able
Printing

Outstanding Donor......................................................................................................................... Digital
Songs and Hymns

Outstanding Donor.......................................................................................................................... Dunhill
Formal Wear Inc.

Outstanding Donor................................................................................................................................ Gordon
Food Service

Outstanding Donor......................................................................................................................... Israel's
Designs for Living

Outstanding Donor....................................................................................................................... Metro
Toyota in Kalamazoo

Outstanding Donor...................................................................................................................................... Providence
Bank

Outstanding Donor ............................................................................................................................................ Zondervans

Outstanding Donor........................................................ John
Klompmaker, CEA President for providing handmade wood carvings

Loaves and Fishes will once again be offered this year.  Come ready to share in
your subject area. The LFs on the schedule this year are:

THURSDAY 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.

• Business Educators (Come for a time of sharing ideas in teaching Business Education. If
  you plan to attend or if you have questions please contact Jim Boven at
  boven@timothychristian.com)
• Something Borrowed, Something New (For band directors - bring a piece of music to
  share with others. Please bring your own instrument to play.)
• Market Smarter: Lessons Learned in Marketing. (This sectional will both offer ideas on how to
  effectively market your school, as well provide the opportunity to share what
  has worked for you.)

THURSDAY 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

• Gifted Education (Come
  share your successful ideas about how to meet the needs of highly able
  students.)
• First and Second Grade Teachers (Please bring an idea or two to share. Print your
  idea on 20 copies to pass out to those in attendance.)
• A Few of My Favorite Things for HS & MS Choir (While targeting choir directors, this session
  is open to anyone who likes to sing.)
• Family and Consumer Science Teachers (Enjoy a time for sharing of ideas and
  encouraging each other. Bring a recipe to pass around to each participant.)

THURSDAY 2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

• Preschool Teachers (What are some successful ideas you use in your classroom to help
  children get ready for Kindergarten? Email them to me ahead of time to compile
  jfriend@dmchr.org)
• After-School Program Directors, Enrichment Teachers (Bring 20 copies of your practical information
  pertinent to operating an after-school program as well as enrichment
  opportunities.)
• High School Math
  (Please bring 15 copies of your favorite lesson plans, projects and teaching
  ideas to share.)
• High School Art Teachers (Ideas for merging art with everything from math and social studies
  to music and dance/movement will be welcome.)

FRIDAY 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

• Kindergarten teachers (An opportunity for kindergarten teachers to meet, encourage one
  another and share those ideas that work well..) 
• K-5 Music (Sharing
  elementary music lesson plans with fellow music educators.)
• K-8 Foreign Language Teachers (Visit our website www.whyflysolo.wetpaint.com  and
  www.hollandchristianfles.blogspot.com)
• Elementary Art (Let's
  share ideas of how we incorporate the creation theme into our art lessons.
  Let's also take a look at how we use recycled materials in both 2D and 3D
  materials. Please take along example to show!)
• Elementary and Middle School PE Teachers (Please bring some ideas to share of what is
  happening in your gym.)
• Third and Fourth Grade Teachers (Please bring 30 copies of 2-3 of your best ideas
  in all subject areas. If possible bring digital photos of students actively
  involved in the idea.)
• Secondary Media Specialists (Any media specialist and school librarians are
  welcome to join this discussion. Expected topics to include technology and
  plagiarism, dwindling budgets and a media specialists support group that is
  being sponsored by Calvin College.)
• High School Speech Teachers (We'll discuss the practical ways to enhance
  students' speaking skills for chapels, job interviews, social situations and
  witnessing for Christ.)
• High School Foreign Language Teachers (Please bring 20 copies of any ideas you may
  have to share with your colleagues. We can share emails and discuss ideas post
  convention as well.)
• High School Industrial Tech Teachers (Round table discussion fore Teachers in
  Industrial Arts)  
• Theatre Directors
  (Bring your own success stories, great play ideas, set solutions and costume
  connections. This a great place to meet and mingle.)
• Guidance Counselors (What issues are you struggling with in your school. Be ready to
  ask, listen and share.)
• Books and Beyond - The Christian School Library (Here's a chance to share new ideas for supporting
  your teachers and students in their reading and research needs.) 

More detailed information
regarding each Loaves and Fishes will be found in the program booklets when you
receive them shortly before the convention. 

Elections for new officers will be held at your school sometime before the convention.  Your CEA delegate will be in charge of
the procedure.  The candidates are
as follows:

Vice President Elect (vote for 1)

Wailand
Groenendyk:  M.A. - Michigan State University 

Wailand is a middle school teacher
at Grand Haven Christian School and has enjoyed this position for 29 years.
Previously, Wailand taught Adult Basic Ed and English as a Second Language for
1 year.  As a professional
educator, Wailand has been a member of the Professional Standards Committee as
well as a CEA delegate. Wailand is a member of the MNSA (National Middle School
Assoc. and WMCTA (Western MI Christian Teacher's Association.) At Spring Lake
Christian Reformed Church, Wailand has served as a deacon, elder and been the
chairman for several committees including the Pastoral Search Committee.           

Don
VerMerris:  M.A. - Calvin College               

Don is at Rockford Christian in the
Environmental Classroom. He has taught there for 7 years. Previously Don taught
for 24 years at Creston-Mayfield Christian. Don teaches Bible, Science and
Social Studies and is a member of the CEA. Don also serves as an elder at
Sunshine Community Church, as a member of the Singing Hims, at the CRC
Recreation Center and as a board member of Roger B. Chafee Scholarship
Committee.

Vice Treasurer Elect (vote for 1)

Emily
Bosscher:  M.A. - Governors State University

Emily is in her 10^th
year of teaching Senior English, Drama, and Freshman Bible at Illiana Christian
High. Previously Emily taught for one year at Ft. Lauderdale Christian School.
Emily serves as a CEA delegate and is a CEA member. Emily directs a play and a
musical at Illiana each year. Emily serves by planning events for the
post-college group at Hope Christian Reformed Church where she is a member.

Timothy
Leugs: M.A. - Michigan State University

Tim teaches 5^th grade at
Legacy Christian School. Previously Tim was at Cutlerville Christian prior to
the merger of Cutlerville Christian and Kelloggsville Christian forming Legacy
Christian in 2006. Tim has been a member of the MACUL since 2007. Tim is a
panelist for "panel.edu" in the Christian Educators Journal. Tim is an elder
and member at Eastern Ave. Christian Reformed Church where he also serves on
the Worship Committee.

Randy
Moes:  M.A. - Olivet Nazarene
University

Randy is at Southwest Chicago
Christian where he spent 2 years teaching 3^rd grade, 2 years
directing Preschool and Before & After School Care Programs and is
currently in his 4^th year as principal. Randy continues to work in
the classroom by teaching one period a day in 4^th grade math.
Previously Randy taught for 2 years at Credo Christian Elementary in Canada and
2 years at Santiago Christian School in the Domincan Republic. Randy is a
member of the CEA, NMSA (National Middle School Association) and the National
Association for the Education of Young Children. Randy serves and is a member
of Pullman Christian Reformed Church where he enjoys being a sound technician
and developing a small group for young adults.

CEA 2009 CONVENTION

HOUSING INFORMATION

To:       ALL CEA MEMBERS

From:  Brenda VanderPloeg, Executive Secretary

            Christian
Educators Association

            Phone:  616.669.3497   Fax: 616.662.0484

email:  cea@ceateachers.org

Date:    MAY, 2009

Re:       CEA 2009 CONVENTION
HOUSING/LODGING

This important housing/lodging
information is being sent to you in preparation for our fall 2009 CEA
Convention which will be held in South Bend, Indiana on October 22 and 23.  (More convention information and a
request for dues will be sent to you in the fall.)    EACH CEA MEMBER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
MAKING HIS/HER OWN HOUSING/LODGING RESERVATIONS.

• You must tell the
  hotels that you are with CEA to receive these rates.
• Remember to reserve the
  correct dates. The actual CEA
  Convention is Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23, 2009. You will most likely need lodging for
  Wednesday, October 21 and/or Thursday, October 22.
• You will need a credit
  card number to make a reservation.
• You will be dealing
  directly with the hotel/motel for ALL arrangements and will receive a confirmation
  directly from that hotel/motel.
• Hotel/motel names,
  rates, etc. are listed below.

South Bend Marriott Hotel 
Ø  123
North St. Joseph Street,  South
Bend, IN 46601

(connected to the Century Center with a skywalk)

PH:  574-234-2000  or  1-800-228-9290      

Online:  www.southbendmarriotthotel.com
and enter the Group Code CHECHEA

Single or Double = $109.00    Triple
= $109.00     
Quad = $109.00

Holiday Inn Downtown    Ø 213 W Washington Street,  South Bend, IN 46601

 (2 blocks from the
Century Center)

PH: 574-232-3941

Single
or Double = $104.00    

Hampton Inn & Suites       Ø 52709 State Rout 933, South Bend, IN 46637  

(2-3
miles north of Century Center)                 

PH:  574-277-9373     King = $109.00     Double
=$109.00

Quality
Inn University    Ø 515 Dixieway North, South Bend. IN 46637

(2-3
miles north of Century Center)

PH:  574-272-6600     or 1-800-4choice

King
= $66.99              Double=$66.99

Residence Inn by Marriott      Ø716 N. Niles Ave. South Bend, IN 46617

(1/2
mile from Century Center)

PH: 574-289-5555      Studio
Suite=$109.00