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, - Tha...

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 thin...

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 leade...

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 sols...

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...

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 insp...

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 p...

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...

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 m...

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 sto...

We go international in episode 32, as Ruth Rodriguez invites us to AMG (Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel) in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Ruth is the executive director of AMG Guatemala and helps bring Christian education to some of the poorest and most dangerous communities in Guatemala. Join the ESC “shadow” as we learn: - who was “privileged” to have comic strips available on the back of th...

In episode 31, Eli Banta invites us to Great Lakes Christian High School, in Beamsville, Ontario. Join the ESC “Run” as we learn: - about “hookin’ humpies” and hitting “seagulls with suckers,” - that residents of Beamsville are either Sunbeams or Beamsvillians, - that half of the student population of Great Lakes Christian High School are international students that live on campus, - that Physics...

In episode 30, Darren hosts another Every Square Centimetre “campfire” conversation. Recognizing that there are a number of exhausted educators across our country, we invite Tricia Schinkel, school counsellor at Calvin Christian School in Hamilton, to help us process some of our questions: How do we stay well as we engage life in the present season? What role does the school play in promoting the...

We go international in episode 29, as Paul Matthews invites us to Calvin Christian School in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Paul believes AI tools, like chatGPT, can be a real beneficial tool to help keep Christian educators in Christian schools. Join the ESC “Mob” as we learn: - sometimes it's necessary to kill a bass to catch a muskie - which Canadian or Australian beast would win a “battle of the...

In episode 28, Stephanie Montojo invites us to Academia Stella Maris, an independent bi-lingual Catholic school in Limoges, ON. Stella Maris means Star of the Sea in Latin. Catholics see Mary as the Star of the Sea who points the way to her Son; just like sailors would use the stars for direction, so ASM looks to Mary for direction to Jesus. Join the ESC “Scurry” as we learn: - warm June evenings...

In episode 27, ESC goes to Leduc, AB, to visit Colin Ward, who is committed to helping students when school gets hard. Join the ESC “Passel” as we learn: - School musical programs have long lasting memories - Sometimes bribing kids with candy for the sake of adult-student relationships can be a great thing - The CANAMEX corridor goes straight through Leduc and stretches all the way from edmonton t...

In episode 26, our second “Big Boss” episode, Ed Noot, the retiring Executive Director of the Society of Christian Schools in British Columbia, offers us his reflection on the state of Christian education through the Wayfinder prompts “praise, lament, and hope.” Join the ESC “Band” as we learn: - A donation of bone marrow might result in a lifelong friendship. - When Ed grows up he hopes to be lik...

In episode 25, Darren hosts another Every Square Centimetre “campfire” conversation. Building on the conversation with Joonyong, the three of us discuss how competition seems to be such a lingering ethos for education and how Joonyong urges us to replace competition with systems of compassion in our schools. How do we intersect some of the natural aspects of competition in nature, sports, etc. wit...

In episode 24, ESC goes to St. Catharines to visit Lisa Vanderkuip who is committed to helping students when school gets hard. Join the ESC “Passel” as we learn: - Lisa’s sister befriended Sting and ended up with back-stage passes to Amnesty International! - through our new game, “AI or A+,” sometimes you can tell the difference between ChatGPT and an actual poet! - St. Catharines is a canal town...

In episode 23, ESC once again goes global to Paju, Korea! Joonyong provides a fantastic look into both Korean and Canadian Christian education, highlighting the need for educators to actively combat the way schooling can default to an ethos of competition. Join the ESC “Clutter” as we learn: - Korean males have mandatory military service due to Korea’s ongoing conflict with North Korea. - “Stew Sp...

In episode 22, John van der Leek and PADS dog Summer welcome us to Abbotsford Christian School, where they work together to help all students give and receive love and acceptance. Join the ESC “Family” as we learn: - that when it comes to anniversary arguments, Darren says Jeremy’s wife is always right, - that the place you’d park your car at a dog school is the “barking lot,” - that according to...

In episode 21, Alex Farquhar welcomes us to Drayton Christian School in Drayton Valley, Alberta, where Alex wants all grade six students to know they are capable in their learning. Join the ESC “Clowder” as we learn: - Darren has an uncanny ability to identify the cost of esoteric items in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalogue, - international teaching experiences can be an education in itself, - havi...

In this episode we connect with some of our favorite Christian school podcast friends and have some fun drafting our ideal schools using peculiar pools to choose from. - In round 1 we draft our school's name and motto using 80’s bands and their songs. - In round 2 we draft our school's sports teams, colors and mascot using a current pro sports team. - In round 3 we draft our school’s framework usi...

In episode 20, Darren hosts another Every Square Centimetre “campfire” conversation. Reflecting on the last couple of years, Darren wonders what skills graduates need to walk well in a world full of contradictory and combative voices. Once again, we included a fun “crossfire” segment, responding to listener messages/questions like: - Who is somebody you should celebrate? - What are some summer lis...

In episode 19, Matt Rock welcomes us to his maker studio and high school Construction Technologies courses, where he and his students love engaging in “high impact projects.” Join the ESC “Herd” as we learn: - that cedar strip canoes can be a labour of love - that Darren knows every square centimetre of Canadian farm to table restaurants - that every Friday deserves a good classroom cheer of “What...