Every Square Centimetre

In episode 42, Andrea Wiebe invites us into the 5W classroom at Vancouver Christian School in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Join the ESC “Pod” as we learn:

- That systemic deception involving spray-painted BBs and fake gold panning may or may not be acceptable educational practice,

- How a classroom can be transformed simply by making students feel seen, known, and genuinely welcomed,

- That “we can do hard things” can become a powerful rhythm for both students and educators,

- Why Christian education must push back against the idea that school is only about getting a good job and making lots of money,

- How moving from teacher, to principal, and back to teacher again can be both freeing and deeply life-giving,

- That being mistaken for “the cleaning guy” is a humbling reminder that seasons change,

- What spy hopping, kelping, porpoising, and tail lobbing entail.

Connect with Andrea at [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by:

EduDeo: Visit https://edudeo.com, their school’s page (https://edudeo.com/schools), or email EduDeo at [email protected].

In episode 41, Erika Anderson invites us into her High School English classroom at Immanuel Christian Secondary School in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Join the ESC “Rhumba” as we learn:

- That sports can be hard on our bodies

- That a student checking a baby monitor to see their kidding goats during class is just part of teaching in southern Alberta

- How essential questions can help students think for themselves

- That if a student feels like they are learning something, they will engage

- How teaching at a Christian school allows teachers to be their whole self

- The difficulty of improving PR for snakes

Connect with Erika at [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by:

EduDeo: Visit https://edudeo.com, their school’s page (https://edudeo.com/schools), or email EduDeo at [email protected].

In episode 40, Josh Pawluk invites us into the Room 107 of Cornerstone Christian School in Emo, Ontario, Canada. Join the ESC “Sleuth” as we learn:

- That sometimes the age we teach becomes our favourite age to parent our own children

- About “metalcore” music

- How important it is for teachers to keep learning and being open to change throughout their career

- The sacrifices teachers/school leaders will make when they believe in the school’s vision/mission

- How making up cookie recipes can be a way for students to practice living into God’s story

- There’s a world famous bear man in Emo

Connect with Josh at [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by:

EduDeo: Visit https://edudeo.com, their school’s page (https://edudeo.com/schools), or email EduDeo at [email protected].

In episode 39, Heather Joy invites us into the kindergarten room in Fort McMurray Christian School in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Join the ESC “Skulk” as we learn:

- How travelling abroad should help make us more hospitable when we’re back home welcoming new Canadian residents

- That we need to be intentional about being grateful

- That Fort McMurray gets nearly 18 hours of sunlight on the summer solstice

- How a kindergarten student put Jesus in the blue zone

- That along with prayer, compassion, compassion and compassion is so important when working with challenging students and complex family dynamics

- How to reduce the chances of having foxes and coyotes in your yard

Connect with Heather Joy at [email protected]

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Nicholas Freake and Joshua Reimer.

This episode is sponsored by:

EduDeo: Visit https://edudeo.com, their school’s page (https://edudeo.com/schools), or email EduDeo at [email protected].

In episode 38, Darren hosts another Every Square Centimetre “campfire” conversation. As we imagined sitting on the lush shores of Centennial Beach in Tsawassen our conversations were inspired by Darren’s article in The Link, “The Most Dangerous Game,” in which he reflects on how our schools need to choose cultural dialogue and engagement over culture wars. With this in mind, we pondered questions like:

- Why do Christian schools exist?

- What role do they play in society?

- How do we stay true to our mission statements at such a time as this?

- What does it mean to be courageous in our faith?

- How can a couple Aussie writers speak into our current context?

And to close out this season, we end this episode with a “cross-fire” segment that involves playing a game to see how well we remember the animals that have been showcased over the past 4 years of podcasts.

In episode 37, Tyler Capton invites us into the high school wing of Gateway Christian School in Red Deer, Alberta. Join the ESC “Prickle” as we learn:

- That confessing can be good for the soul… and, sometimes, a good laugh,

- How “cringe rap” is a special genre of music within school staff rooms

- That teachers need to model a growth mindset for their students

- How a heavy metal band can be inspiration for a classroom Storyline

- That creativity and adaptability is key when working with students with diverse learning needs

- That the “Lord of all” approach to Christian education can bring about some challenging, but often rewarding, conversations into the classroom.

Connect with Tyler at [email protected], check out the "Harmonious Gentlemen" podcast or check out "Mr. Capton's Youtube Channel" for more fun content.

This episode is sponsored by:

EduDeo: Visit https://edudeo.com, their school’s page (https://edudeo.com/schools), or email EduDeo at [email protected].

In episode 36, Bill Beeke invites us into the hallways of Timothy Christian School in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Join the ESC “Walk” as we learn:

- That nobody avoids aging

- How Adam Wasik’s bike repair story (see episode 34 of the ESC podcast) inspired Bill to create a mechanic’s shop at Timothy Christian school that serves the Chilliwack community in beautiful ways

- That teacher’s weren’t prophets when they used to say, “when you’re an adult you won’t always have a calculator in your pocket”

- How passion projects give different students the opportunity to showcase their unique God-given gifts

- The ironic name for a group of snails

Connect with Bill at [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by:

EduDeo: Visit https://edudeo.com, their school’s page (https://edudeo.com/schools), or email EduDeo at [email protected].

In our third “Big Boss” episode, Deani Van Pelt, President of the Edvance Christian Schools Association, joins the ESC “Bivouac” as we learn:

- About the “intense, practical utility of a water lily”

- Why “interleaving” may be the next buzzword in education

- That there is a growing appetite for independent schooling across Canada and it’s a huge privilege to be involved in Christian education at this time

- How watching our own kids go through school can motivate us to do Christian education better

- That leaders have a duty to respond to the life giving movement of the Holy Spirit that’s often evident in our burning question and in our tears

- That a group of Monarch butterfly’s is a bivouac

Connect with Deani at [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by:

EduDeo: Visit https://edudeo.com, their school’s page (https://edudeo.com/schools), or email EduDeo at [email protected].

In episode 34, Adam Wasik invites us into the principal’s office of John Knox Christian School’s Secondary Campus in New Westminster, British Columbia. Join the ESC “Dynasty” as we learn:

- The longest a free diver can hold their breath

- How somebody that flooded a classroom was still able to receive an outstanding practicum award as a UBC teacher candidate

- That New Westminster is home to the most famous lacrosse team in the world: the salmon bellies!

- How a bike repair room can be a principal’s favorite space in the school.

- That meritocracy and competition are still a huge distraction in Christian schools

- That discussing our journeys with learning and social challenges can not only help make space for vulnerable kids in our schools/classrooms but also help the “neurotypical kids” to feel that they don’t have to perform to be valued

Connect with Adam at [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by:

EduDeo: Visit https://edudeo.com, their school’s page (https://edudeo.com/schools), or email EduDeo at [email protected].

In episode 33, Sara Douma invites us to Rocky Christian School, an alternative Christian school program in the Wild Rose School Division. Join the ESC “Madness” as we learn:

- That whether or not you teach Phys Ed, you should have some go-to games to play with your students

- That Rocky Mountain Mudd can refer to a filthy hike or some filthy coffee

- How lego can help connect students to God’s story

- Why apologizing to students teaches that every single person in our classrooms needs to be treated like an image bearer of God

- What an honor and a gift it is to be invited into your student’s lives and to walk alongside them as they figure out how to understand and accept God’s love for them

- That “fly’s” and “oranges” could use a rebranding

Connect with Sara at [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by:

EduDeo: Visit https://edudeo.com, their school’s page (https://edudeo.com/schools), or email EduDeo at [email protected].