Course Offerings

CHURCH SCHOOL DIRECTOR TRACK
 
CHURCH SCHOOL DIRECTOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
The following three courses are required: CSD Seminar: Basic, Curriculum and Resources for the CSD, and Build Your Staff, Build Your Students. If you have previously taken CSD Seminar: Basic and wish to receive credit towards the Church School Director certificate, contact Rosemary Shumski at aodce@aol.com and course credit will be noted.
 
•CSD SEMINAR: BASIC This is an introductory course designed for the first-time church school director as well as those directors who have never before participated in the basic seminar. You will receive a CSD Manual and learn the fundamentals of organizing a church school and planning throughout the year. (Kh. Betty Randolph)
 
•CURRICULUM & RESOURCES FOR THE CSD Participants will be presented with information on Orthodox educational curricula and resources (including those available online) as well as planning and scheduling. Grade level standards will be introduced along with special instruction for their implementation. (Mat. Myra Kovalak and Joseph Tershay)
 
•BUILD YOUR STAFF, BUILD YOUR STUDENTS This course will cover positive techniques for recruiting qualified teachers and staff as well as building and boosting enrollment in church school programs. The format of this class will include open discussions, handouts, and small group activities. (Robert Snyder and Gail Meena )
 
IMPLEMENTING THE CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL AND USING A THEME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Attend this seminar and learn new ways to implement the Antiochian Archdiocese Creative Arts Festival in your parish and increase student participation. Lesson plans will be offered along with ideas on using the theme throughout the year. (Kh. Leslee Abud and Vasiliki Oldziey)
 
SMALL CHURCH SCHOOL IDEAS AND RESOURCES The unique needs of the small church school will be addressed. Specific programs, materials and resources will be offered to improve the diversity and quality of Christian education in this setting. (Catherine Sullivan)
 
“TO TITHE IS TO SHARE” 2006 This course will present the 2006 themes of prayer, fasting, and giving along with new program guidelines and lesson plans. (Carole Buleza)
 
TEACHER TRAINING TRACK
 
TEACHER CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
In order to receive a certificate in the Teacher Training Track, the participant must take all three specified courses.
 
Teacher Training I* course requirements are: Overview of Orthodoxy, Introduction to Teaching, and Curriculum and Resources.
 
*OVERVIEW OF ORTHODOXY This course provides a foundation in Orthodox doctrine so the teacher may, in turn, properly instruct the students in the basic tenets of our faith. (Kh. Linda Funk)
 
*INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING Participants will receive instruction in basic teaching techniques and how to write effective lesson plans. Information concerning the developmental stages of children will be provided. (Gail Meena)
 
*CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES Small groups will be formed for those teaching the same grade level. Curriculum and resources will be available for review and practice lesson plans will be constructed. Ideas for crafts and games will be shared. Teachers using The Way, The Truth, and The Life will receive special instruction. (Carole Buleza, Kh. Linda Funk, Mat. Myra Kovalak)
 
Teacher Training II** course requirements are: Enriching the Classroom Experience, Utilizing Crafts, and Moral Issues Overview.
 
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT  Participants will learn how to develop rules and procedures in the following categories: general expectations for behavior, beginning and ending the class period, transitions and interruptions, materials and equipment, group work, seat work, and teacher-led activities. (Joseph Tershay)
 
**ENRICHING THE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE Teachers will be provided with the tools to instruct students in a variety of ways, based on how they learn. The principles of teaching special needs students will also be addressed. (Jacquelyn Fadel)
 
HELPING CHILDREN SHARE THEIR FAITH This course will help parents and teachers guide and nurture children’s spiritual development, so they may ultimately have the ability to share their faith with others. Examples from Scripture, Tradition, and wisdom from the Saints will provide inspiration and practical advice. (Sandy Mitchell)
 
**UTILIZING CRAFTS Easy arts and crafts ideas will be introduced for use in the church school among various age levels and different degrees of skill. Crafts that can be used to help reinforce lessons on evangelism will be featured. (Kh. Carol Alberts)
 
SAINT RAPHAEL This class will explore the impact of the work of St. Raphael on Orthodoxy in America. By examining his life’s work we will gain a deeper understanding of his sainthood, the work required to share the faith with others, and compare this saint’s life with that of the Apostles. (Vasiliki Oldziey)
           
**MORAL ISSUES OVERVIEW The Orthodox viewpoint on moral issues will be contrasted with those of our secular society. Major topics of concern to youth will be touched upon throughout the presentation. (Fr. George Alberts)
 
SAINTS WHO EVANGELIZED This course will explore the Saints of the Orthodox Church who are recognized for their missionary efforts, especially those working in America. Based on an interactive model, the participants will experience activities they can later use in the classroom. (Robert Snyder)
 
ORTHODOXY TRACK
 
SPECIAL CERTIFICATE
When we talk to those of another faith, whether for purposes of evangelism or merely as one neighbor to another, it is important that we know something about the beliefs of the person with whom we are speaking. A special certificate is offered this year in “Sharing Your Faith”†. Required courses are Overview of Evangelism, Orthodoxy and Catholicism, and Orthodoxy and Protestantism. We are offering these courses twice in order to afford all participants the opportunity to take them if they wish.
 
† OVERVIEW OF EVANGELISM For Orthodox Christians who have been entrusted with the life-giving ancient faith, sharing Orthodoxy is not optional. The course will discuss what adults can and must do, to overcome difficulties in sharing their faith. (Fr. John Reeves)
 
† ORTHODOXY & CATHOLICISM The two traditions share a 1000-year common history. The division, or “Great Schism,” will be touched upon, but the focus of the course will be on current significant similarities and differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Participants will be provided with resource materials to reference for interactions with Catholic friends. (Bishop MARK)
 
† ORTHODOXY AND PROTESTANTISM We will examine a number of the better known groups that accept the title of “Protestant,” and compare their beliefs with Orthodox positions on the sacraments, the priesthood, and other major issues. (Catherine Sullivan)