Faith. Knowledge. Leadership.
Transformative Education at Concordia University Chicago
The Center for Christian Education at Concordia University Chicago is dedicated to disseminating educational knowledge, programming and resources to enrich the lives of students, faculty, staff, alumni and the wider community. Esteemed for its commitment to nurturing a holistic understanding of truth, freedom and vocation, the Center will integrate faith-based pedagogy, character development initiatives, leadership cultivation and innovative learning frameworks to forge an unparalleled educational experience.
Mission
The mission of the Center for Christian Education is to serve as a catalyst for the exploration, cultivation and expansion of educational initiatives imbued with faith-based principles founded in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
Vision
Our vision is to be a leading force in faith-based educational opportunities, significantly impacting and driving innovation in the field, setting new standards and expanding the limits of faith-based education aligned with the mission, vision and values of Concordia-Chicago.
Goals
The Center will serve to embody Concordia-Chicago's overarching mission of fostering academic excellence and preparing students for their vocational pursuits, all while upholding steadfast alignment to the doctrinal tenets of the LCMS.
In addition, the Center will provide innovative opportunities to integrate faith and scholarship while fostering robust partnerships to enrich the lives of students, faculty, staff, alumni and the broader community.
New Teacher Institute
Built upon CUC’s rich tradition of teacher preparation, the New Teacher Institute supports educators in their first through third years of teaching and shares successful classroom strategies so they feel confident in their new roles.
This fully online mentoring program is rooted in Carol Pelletier Radford's foundational work, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive support systems for beginning teachers to foster their growth and success within the educational system. Attendees will attend monthly sessions between Sept. 2024 and April 2025.
Upcoming Events
Spring Professional Development
Webinar Series
Join fellow education students, teachers and administrators for two FREE professional development webinars. CPDUs are available.
- Unpacking Oracy: Enhancing Literacy Practices through Intentional Implementation
Tues, March 25
4:30-6 p.m.
Presenter: Dr. Annette VanAnken
Learn More & Register - Picture Perfect: Using Picture Books Across Grade Levels to Support Literacy Instruction
April 22
4:30-6 p.m.
Presenters: Dr. Kari Pawl, Dr. Samantha Caesar
Learn More & Register
A Strong Community
Building strong partnerships with Lutheran educators is key to serving our constituents. Look to connect with the CCE team at an upcoming event.
Recent attendance at regional events include:
- Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF) Networking Conference
- LCMS Northern Illinois District Curriculum Mapping Workshop - Trinity Lutheran School (Lombard, IL)
Center Leadership
Dr. Anne Thies is the Director of the Center for Christian Education and an Associate Professor in the College of Education. She obtained her teaching license from Northwestern University and her Master’s and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Francis. With more than two decades of experience in education, Dr. Thies has held roles as an elementary classroom teacher, math specialist and school administrator. She started serving at Concordia University Chicago in 2016 and is an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lombard, IL.
