Westar Educational Services will provide every Christian educator whose job it is to educate the generation to come with services, information, insights, ideas and specific guidance.
OUR GOAL
Our goal is to point as clearly and vibrantly as the first Christmas star to Jesus Christ, the foundation of Truth, so that any advise or help we give will be rooted in Truth. We desire to provide practical, usable, effective suggestions to help you be a remarkable Christian educator. Over the past thirty years God has placed us in almost every conceivable learning environment to equip us to serve you, the classroom teacher, administrator, or parent in training the generation to come.
Wouldn't you just like to get out of the fog and see clearly? Have you ever had:
* A student with whom you've tried everything you know, and they still don't understand?
* A class that caused you to question your thoughts about academic excellence?
* An upcoming parent conference that made you nervous? No Problem.
* That deer in the headlights feeling. .. .
"learning styles", "self-esteem", "curriculum objectives", etc.
Helen Boen is the founder and owner of Westar Educational Services, an educational consulting service providing information, encouragement, insight and instruction to Christian educators throughout the United States. Westar provides a testing service for parents of struggling students, teacher training for Christian schools across the country and parent training seminars. As a consultant, Helen has had the privilege of assisting schools in curriculum evaluation, teacher evaluation and training, program development, and strategic planning.
Helen and her husband founded Westar in the early 1970s. Since that time she has had the opportunity to experience almost every facet of education from being a classroom teacher in elementary, middle school and high school classrooms to being the Head of School for several schools. Helen developed bilingual programs in her early years in Christian education, and established special needs programs in several schools. She is a sought after seminar leader at teachers conventions with the Association of Christian Schools International and the American Association of Christian Schools. She has also spoken for the National Institute of Learning Disabilities. Helen holds her Masters degree in Educational Administration from San Diego State University.
n July of 2007, Helen joined the faculty of Columbia International University where she taught in the undergraduate Teacher Education Program. She currently serves as the Assistant Head of School and Elementary Principal for Ben Lippen School, a K-12 Christian school on the Columbia International University campus.
Helen draws on a vast reservoir of experience to provide meaningful, applicable and useable information to school boards, administrators and teachers. She provides consulting in three broad areas; Program Evaluation, Program Planning, and Program Establishment.
Program Evaluation - this area includes, but is not limited to, evaluating your program for accreditation, an evaluation of your current curriculum, and evaluating the overall strengths and weaknesses of your program. She is also available to evaluate the performance of your teaching staff and whether your student's academic achievement is meeting your mission statement. These are just broad possibilities. A specific evaluation process could be designed to meet the particular needs of your school.
Program Planning - this area includes an evaluation of the type of program for which your school is best suited, taking into account your current strengths and weaknesses. Helen can help you establish educational and administrative goals and objectives for your school.
Program Establishment - this service basically helps you organize and apply the information gathered in your program evaluation and program planning meetings. Now that you know where you are and where you want to go, this is how to do it. This area could include, but is not limited to, implementing; teacher training, tutoring programs, directed studies programs, training of substitute teachers,establishing school procedures and policies, establishing a learning disabilities program, or whatever you require for your particular school.
This seminar is a discussion of the real lessons and values students learn in the classroom. These lessons aren't consciously "taught" by the teacher; they're taught inadvertently and affect each student's development. Your school reflects the lessons "caught" by your students.
This seminar presents a format for teachers to regularly evaluate their performance in the classroom. This evaluation allows the teacher to identify strong and weak areas in their performance, and pinpoint methods for professional growth.
Methods are presented for developing disciplinary policies that teach students to be independently responsible for their behavior. Specific techniques are discussed which both help and hinder the establishment of a proper climate in the classroom. A consistent application of God's principles is necessary to train and mold students with Christ-controlled attitudes.
Many students in Christian schools haven't learned to think. They memorize and compute, but have difficulty applying information. This affects every aspect of their lives. The challenge is given to teach students to think on higher levels. Spiritual and academic benefits are discussed, and practical methods for integrating thinking skills into the curriculum are suggested.
The focus of this seminar is a demonstration of methods and materials for developing thinking skills. You will learn techniques through participation. Every teacher can incorporate methods into their current teaching strategies which challenge students to think.
The key to successfully incorporating thinking skills into daily lesson plans is well focused objectives. In this seminar teachers will learn how to write objectives which build thinking skills. Specific key concepts are presented to make the task of writing these objectives easier.
This seminar will provide suggestions for developing a thinking skills program in your school. You will learn the components of a well developed program, and methods for integrating the program into your curriculum.
A good study skills program will strengthen the general academic environment of your school. The foundation for study skills begins in elementary school and builds in junior and senior high. This seminar will present a rationale for including study skills as a regular part of the curriculum, and methods for developing "introductory" study skills in elementary school.
A good study skills program will strengthen the general academic environment of your school. The foundation for study skills begins in elementary school and builds in junior and senior high. This seminar will present a rational for including study skills as a regular part of the curriculum, and methods for developing study skills in middle and high school students.
Every teacher could develop daily lessons which teach course content AND develop study skills simultaneously. Interested? Come and see!
This seminar is designed to give teachers suggestions regarding the development of responsibility in their students. They can, in turn, teach the students' parents how to do the same. Responsible children are more productive students in every aspect. The spiritual, academic, and emotional benefits of developing responsible children are discussed. Practical suggestions are given regarding methods for working with students.
We will discuss methods used in identifying a student's learning strengths and weaknesses. Early detection is the key to helping a child perform to his potential. Specific suggestions will be offered to help teachers detect students with possible learning weaknesses.
Methods for working with students possessing learning weaknesses are discussed. Suggestions are made about the classroom environment and expectations for the student, with specific suggestions for teaching subjects such as reading, math, and language.
Each processing weakness affects a student's performance in a different manner. After an area of weakness is identified, those working with a student can anticipate the type of difficulty students will experience in any situation, and plan productive strategies to overcome the problem. This seminar will present strategies which can be used by teachers and students.
This seminar will be a discussion of the causes and effects of weak listening skills. Methods will be discussed for developing listening skills on an individual, classroom and school-wide basis. A distinction will be made between listening weaknesses which result from underdeveloped auditory processing skills and those centered in improper study habits.
Why are so many Christian schools confronted with rebellious students? How has this attitude taken root? What can be done about it? We will discuss methods for effectively dealing with rebellion.
This seminar provides an unusual look at those qualities which characterize a good co-worker. The insights gained from this discussion could lay the foundation for a more focused, productive, and unified staff. Participants will be challenged to evaluate themselves.
We will discuss how to deal with the changes and challenges which arise each year with a new class. Principles will be suggested to help teachers determine the needs of students, and plan effective m ethods to meet those needs.
What are the characteristics of a good student? How can we train and encourage our students to meet their potential? We will discuss the attitudes and attributes of good students, and the teacher's role in training them.
This seminar gives you first hand experience in the complexities of the learning process. Experience the joys, fears, frustrations, and excitement of learning. This experience will have an effect on your teaching.
In this seminar you will learn how to recognize truly gifted children, and effective methods for working with these children which extend beyond giving them "busy work."
If we are going to "train up a child in the way he should go," we must focus our attention on training attitudes. Frequently we discipline students' actions, and do not address the central issue, their attitudes. This seminar will offer suggestions to change the focus of our attention.
Lesson plans are a blessing to some teachers and a burden to others. They should be a tool which aids the teacher in presenting well-coordinated, meaningful lessons. Learn practical techniques for writing effective lesson plans.
Professionalism is a term avoided by many Christian schools. It sounds so "non-spiritual." This should not be. Professionalism = a quality program which brings honor and glory to God.
Two of the most effective tools available to every classroom teacher are tests and homework. All too often they are overlooked as teaching tools. Participants will learn how to develop effective tests and plan homework assignments which enhance classroom instruction. They are challenged to make these two elements a vital part of their teaching strategy.
Parents are a key element in educating children, yet Christian schools increasingly overlook their role. This seminar emphasizes the need for Christian educators to "train" parents regarding their role in education. This generation of children will suffer if we don't motivate parents to active involvement.
Training involves communication, information and involvement. If you hope to awaken and train parents regarding their role in their child's education, you will have to incorporate three elements into your school's program. In this seminar you can listen to and discuss ideas that work.
God holds parents accountable for the education of their children. This seminar will provide suggestions for training parents regarding the importance of this responsibility. It is designed for teachers and administrators interested in sharpening the focus of parents as to their role in their child's education.
Many parents are frustrated because they do not know how to help their children work up to their potential in the classroom. Parents are intimidated by the curriculum and unfamiliar course content. This seminar identifies specific suggestions any parent could use. If applied consistently, these techniques would serve to strengthen the academic performance of any student.
One of the most effective tools in the education of children is open communication with parents, yet many teachers hesitate to interact with parents. This seminar discusses the benefits of open communication between parents and the teacher, and suggests techniques which should insure positive results.
Repeatedly throughout Christian schools we find students who seem callous to the things of God. Many of these students have come up through the Christian school. How does this happen? What can we do to defeat Satan's influence in this area?
Fourth, seventh, and ninth grades are generally some of the most traumatic in a student's academic life. These are years of transition in most schools. This seminar discusses how to prepare students and their parents for the transition years. Suggestions will also be given for helping unprepared students cope with the trauma.
What is it? How prevalent is this problem? What can I do to help an ADHD child? These questions and others will be addressed in this seminar.
Children are constantly in the process of learning. Playtime can be fun, and a productive learning time if teachers are aware of the role of readiness skills in the learning process. Games and activities will be suggested which provide a healthy blend of play and learning for preschoolers.
Do you have a "good" preschool? Should your preschool possess qualities which distinguish your program from others because you are Christian? This seminar is designed to challenge preschool teachers and administrators to develop a program of excellence which would serve as a benchmark in the educational community, and draw students and families to the Lord.
Perceptual skills are a foundation upon which reading and other academic skills are built. This seminar will present a description of the basic perceptual skills, and methods for stimulating their development in young children.
Lack of organization can affect a student's performance as significantly as a learning problem. Some students never learn to manage their time, materials and assignments. For this reason many middle school and high school students struggle unnecessarily. This seminar will present specific suggestions for helping students organize effectively.
One of the inherent problems of middle school and high school years is a lack of consistency. Students have four to seven teachers whom they see for a limited amount of time each day. Students with academic and behavioral problems tend to "fall through the cracks" until they can no longer function and are dismissed from our schools. One practical, manageable solution is to develop a counselor system in your school that provides consistent, focused interaction with these students.
We are not as proficient in our understanding of the parent as our customer. As a result, even though we have qualified teachers and an excellent curriculum, parents are dissatisfied at times, and don't recognize the quality education their children are receiving. This exciting seminar will present insights and strategies, gleaned from the business world to address some of your most prevalent problems more effectively than ever before.
So many times Christian schools have dedicated teachers who work hard to train the children God places in their charge. These same schools continually evaluate their programs, always seeking to be their best. Yet, repeatedly they lose good families; families who were excited about the program when they entered, but leave upset. Why? What can be done?
Have you ever wondered why some students seem to be naturally organized and others aren't; why some students always question the rules and others always comply? Understanding learning styles is a key to understanding the innate differences in students. Learn to identify learning styles and effective methods for teaching to each style.
Now that you understand the basics of learning styles, let's talk about what that means in practical terms: homework, academic performance, attitudes, spiritual development, etc. Understanding learning styles can help you teach more effectively and equip parents. Come and learn practical strategies.
One of the most frequently used terms in Christian school advertising brochures is excellence, yet we dont seem to have a clear understanding of the term. What does excellence mean? By what standard are we measuring our program to declare it is excellent? How do you build an excellent Christian school?
God gave the responsibility for training children to their parents. Therefore, to work effectively with children, teachers must also work with their parents. At times, teachers and parents seem to be on different wave lengths. The typical parent of the 21st century is different from the parent of the 70's. They want their children to receive a good education, but their perspective on how that is achieved is different than in the past. Understanding the parent of the 21st century can help teachers and administrators work with them more effectively.
This seminar is a continuation of Parents of the 21st Century, and will focus on strategies for accomplishing the ministry to which God has called every teacher. Partnering with the parent of the 21st century to train children requires a clear focus and effective strategies.
Would you like to feel confident as you enter a parent conference? Would you like to learn techniques for orchestrating an effective, positive conference? Nothing in your educational training prepared you for the stress associated with parent conferences, yet communication with parents is vital. In this seminar you will learn powerful strategies for turning parent conferences into an experience you will be pleased to remember.
For the veteran and newcomer, teaching in the 21st century is a challenge. The philosophy which permeates our society places expectations on the classroom teacher which makes it difficult to act with assurance in many situations. This seminar will address the challenges of teaching in the 21st century, and present guidelines which should help you determine the what and how of your call to teach.
Do your students have difficulty following the focus of a lesson, or responding with complete thoughts? Are their thinking skills significantly underdeveloped? Without realizing it, we have lost a vital element in the development of children in our country. Language stimulation plays a crucial role in the development of critical thinking, communications skills, and attention. This seminar will address strategies that could bring about remarkable changes in your students' performance.
Over the years you have prepared hundreds of lesson plans, dealt with innumerable parents, lived through several administrators, and heard every excuse. Your have run the race, but have not yet finished the course. A new generation of teachers runs the race with you. In the future, they will run alone. The way in which you pass the baton is crucial. It could be your greatest contribution to Kingdom education for the generation to come.
