Nearly 500 educators from around the world met online for the Distinctive Teaching and Learning Conference hosted by Columbia International University’s College of Education, Aug. 2-4. The event was a part of CIU’s 100^th anniversary celebration this year.

The Conference included six keynote speakers and 24 breakout session speakers. Among the keynote speakers:

• Dr. Michael Johnson, Dean of the CIU College of Education and former Commissioner for the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
• Dr. Annie Gallagher, CIU Alumna and Founder of TransformedPD
• Dr. Todd Marrah, CIU Alumnus and Superintendent of Tree of Life Christian Schools in Ohio
• CIU Professor Emeritus Dr. Milt Uecker
• Jeremy Kingsley, CIU alumnus and Motivational Speaker
• Dr. Rick Christman, CIU Interim President

Christman, whose doctorate degree is in Education, spoke on a topic that is dear to him. He discussed what he referred to as “life’s purpose” or “life’s calling.” He encourages college students to consider a personal mission in life, based on their passions — something they are willing to give their lives for. He says many school teachers discovered that passion despite being in a lower-paying job.

“But teachers have a passion to teach and to impact the lives of students,” Christman told the virtual audience of educators from his office on the CIU campus. “That’s what I’m talking about — giving my life to something regardless of the investment, regardless of the time or what it’s going to cost me personally, I’m going to do that. That’s what I mean by passion.”

The message apparently resonated with attendees. On a live chat box several of them articulated their passions:

“Leading students to become lifelong learners by encouraging a curiosity to discover truth.”

“To advance God’s Kingdom through teaching, training and mentoring Christian families and Christian teachers in China.”

“To equip each individual child with good potential. To leave no one hungry physically or spiritually. To enable each one we serve with the ability to serve someone else in need.”

After Christman’s message, conference co-host and CIU Professor Emeritus Dr. Milt Uecker noted that he encourages high school educators to focus their students on “calling prep” over “college prep.” 

To obtain recordings of the sessions, check out distinctiveteachingandlearning.com.

Also, in honor of CIU’s 100^th anniversary, the College of Education (COE) faculty has posted a series of articles about the Christian educators who shaped the college’s educational philosophy, courses and degree programs. Follow this series on the COE Facebook page.

CIU is celebrating 100 years of its mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.” The university consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.