What You'll Learn
Teaching as a Christian Practice is an in-person workshop for Christian educators who are eager to deepen their understanding of how their faith can meaningfully shape everyday classroom practices and instruction. The workshop draws on the insights and experiences of teachers and scholars. It will also provide opportunities for participants to share from their own classrooms, reflect together, and collaborate with fellow educators.
Details
June 8-11, 2026, 8:30-3:30 daily
Location: Grand Rapids Christian Schools Administrative Offices
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026
Teaching as Christian Practice
Teaching as a Christian Practice is led by David I. Smith, a highly regarded and in-demand worldwide conference speaker and workshop leader in Christian education. He is a professor of education at Calvin, and Director of the Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning. Professor Smith began his career teaching French, German, and Russian in public secondary schools in the United Kingdom, where he became fascinated by the question of how our beliefs, values, and commitments can shape and guide our approaches to teaching and learning. After graduate work in philosophical theology, philosophy of education, and curriculum studies, he moved to Calvin. He serves as Editor of the International Journal of Christianity and Education and is regularly involved nationally and internationally in professional development for schools, colleges, and universities, especially focusing on the connection between faith and teaching. Find out more at: onchristianteaching.com
Material for the workshop comes from David's book, On Christian Teaching. Christian teachers have long been thinking about what content to teach, but until now, little scholarship has been devoted to how faith forms the actual process of teaching. Is there a way to go beyond Christian perspectives on the subject matter and think about the teaching itself as Christian? In this book David I. Smith shows how faith can and should play a critical role in shaping pedagogy and the learning experience.
Teaching as a Christian Practice may be taken as professional development for SCECH hours or as a 2-credit graduate course. The registration system will guide you to the appropriate fee.
Other Opportunities
Interested in other professional development opportunities offered by Calvin University?
