“You will impact lives everyday,” Kathy Lee, executive director of Early Childhood Resources in Suwanee, Ga., reminded teachers and administrators gathered for the annual church weekday education workshop.
Cindy Morris, director of the childhood ministry group, SCBC, is recognized by Sandra Reed, consultant to the group, for 10 years of service with church weekday education.Lee, in a session on “Creating Memories,” asked the church weekday education workers to recall some of their most treasured memories through their school-aged life and what events created those memories.
“You are working with precious, moldable preschoolers,” she said.
Lee asked participants to leave their seats and crawl on the floor to gain the perspective of a child entering into a classroom.
“The first thing you should do when you get into your classroom is crawl on your hands and knees. See it from their perspective,” she remarked.
Most classrooms at White Oak Conference Center looked child-ready, with displayed books and toys and colorful shapes on the walls. But for this July weekend, teachers were pupils.
Following the theme “Choosing Wisely,” based on Psalm 19:7-8, the workshop centered on equipping children to make wise choices. The yearly workshop offers church weekday education faculty multiple training opportunities. Workers from 71 South Carolina Baptist churches – representing nearly 7,000 students – participated in this year’s workshop.
Church weekday education participants hold small group sessions.Sessions included choosing the best books for the classroom, language development, curriculum development and proper nutrition.
Sue Harmon, associate director of the childhood ministry group at the South Carolina Baptist Convention, taught a session on how to foster intergenerational relationships between children and adults.
Jeanne Spray, adjunct professor at North Greenville University, was recognized for serving as president of the South Carolina Association of Church Weekday Administrators this past year.
Cindy Morris, director of the childhood ministry group at the South Carolina Baptist Convention was honored for 10 years of service working with church weekday education.
“It is hard for me to believe I have been here for 10 years. It has been a wonderful joy and privilege,” Morris remarked. “You are teaching our future. Thank you for what you are doing for boys and girls.”