Restoring Classrooms to Wholeness

Struggling with classroom dynamics? Alan’s seminars and workshops draw on relevant research, biblical principals, and classroom experience to offer practical, faith-informed solutions. Through real-life scenarios and open dialogue, Alan fosters a collaborative space where questions and fresh perspectives are always welcome.

Heartland Christian Educators’ Conference

International Christian Community for Teacher Education Conference

Christian Deeper Learning Conference

Rise Up With Joy Summit

Christian Educators Association Conference

Recent and upcoming sessions

How do nervous systems impact group dynamics? Discover how to meet needs for safety and connection in classroom discipline. Learn how to account for biblical truths when implementing brain-based classroom management techniques
Strong personalities shouldn’t dominate your classroom. Explore how to teach students the art of boundary-setting with kindness. Gain strategies to model boundary-setting yourself, coach students through tricky moments, and foster a culture where confidence and respect thrive together.
Why do some learners prefer to squat at the edge or wade in the shallows? How can we craft invitations that help kids forget themselves and dive into learning?

What causes attitudes to spread like contagions? Learn how to fortify yourself and your students against infectious behavior. Discover how to retore wholeness in your learning space.

Why should educators add storytelling to their classroom management repertoire? How can we craft and deliver stories that shift mindsets and redirect collective behavior?
Are you struggling to create a positive classroom culture? Why not focus on healing instead? Discover why learning environments fall prey to mistrust and conflict. Explore how to safeguard tender areas and transform your broken culture into a thriving community.
Today’s technologies often expose children to distorted views about human relationships. How do we respond when pop culture’s notions about sexuality worm their way into classroom dynamics?

Oddly, a silent bunch can unnerve a teacher just as quickly as the crew who won’t sit still. What are some factors that contribute to learner aloofness? How can we keep learning alive when children disengage?
How do you motivate learning when children only want to score cool points among peers? Learn why prestige is now considered a fundamental human motive. Explore ideas for managing classrooms amid rampant status-seeking behavior.
How do dominant children thwart others’ needs for autonomy, competence, and belonging? How can teachers support these motivational drives when learners feel their worth is tied to peer approval?

Endorsements

Al Bandstra has served as a session presenter at the Heartland Christian Educators Convention for several years. His topics have reached teachers in positive ways and his sessions have received outstanding comments such as:

Al Bandstra is a phenomenal teacher, and showed us practically how we could craft stories to use with our students.
I absolutely loved Al Bandstra's session! He shared several personal stories that made it such an engaging session. He also taught us more about how to use storytelling as a behavior management tool.
Al is such a great leader. He is so easy to listen to. I appreciate his honesty and his advice on how to handle certain situations.
Al Bandstra's session was an excellent blend of research and connections to teaching experiences. A Biblical worldview was evident! I gained future understanding of the why behind both student actions and teacher responses as well as ways to respond differently to meet student needs.

Al has encouraged and mentored teachers by sharing stories and ideas on how to Biblically frame student and parent interactions. He stands out as a leader in Christian education today.

Nicki Kuiper, Heartland Christian Schools , Dordt University