Concordia Nebraska offers education graduate students TEC21 Workshop Program

TEC21 launched in two schools in 2009 as a pilot program and today is regarded by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) school principals as the expert leader in tech integration in Lutheran education. The TEC21 Workshop Program trains educators to assimilate technology into their classrooms and is trusted by hundreds of Lutheran schools across the United States and globally. The TEC21 approach to teacher education is rooted in discipleship and principles of adult learning. 

Concordia University, Nebraska’s partnership with TEC21 began in 2012.  

“From the beginning, there has been important alignment and synergy in mission, values, priorities and objectives, and the partnership continues to bless teachers serving in Lutheran education,” said Brent Dieckhoff, founder and executive director of TEC21. “Concordia Nebraska and TEC21 deliver prestigious programs that are esteemed by Lutheran school principals and teachers for their integrity, quality and relevancy. Both are committed to training and supporting teachers in Lutheran schools throughout the LCMS.” 

The TEC21 Workshop Program provides a hands-on professional development experience wherein teachers further develop their pedagogy as it relates specifically to the effective integration of technology into their classroom environments.

Concordia Nebraska offers education-focused graduate students three graduate-level credit hours for completing the TEC21 Workshop Program through a class titled “Technology Enriched Classrooms in the 21st Century.” The TEC21 class credit can be used toward the university’s graduate programs in curriculum and instruction or master of education in educational administration with principal endorsement. The credit can also be used toward certificates in trauma and resilience, educational technology and educational technology science, technology, engineering and math. 

“The TEC21 Workshop Program provides a hands-on professional development experience wherein teachers further develop their pedagogy as it relates specifically to the effective integration of technology into their classroom environments,” explained Concordia Nebraska Assistant Director of Graduate Programs Justin Hoffman. 

In addition to its delivery to Concordia Nebraska graduate students, the TEC21 Workshop Program includes virtual and face-to-face early childhood through grade 12 and higher-education cohorts across the United States, positioning participating schools as frontrunners in education.  

“Teaching, leveraging and becoming proficient users of tried-and-true, evolving and even unprecedented technologies, our Lutheran school educators are poised to motivate tomorrow’s exceptional, collaborative, innovative and groundbreaking leaders,” said Dieckhoff. 

Workshops are scheduled throughout the school year and facilitated by expert Lutheran school educators. Through a series of sessions, cohorts of educators examine, question, evaluate and learn to understand technology while developing practical applications for their classrooms.  

“Concordia Nebraska and TEC21 can more fully leverage programs impacting Lutheran schools because of their affiliation with one another,” added Dieckhoff. “This successful, collaborative relationship equips Lutheran school educators to learn, serve and lead with excellence in the 21st-century classroom and foster cultures of innovation, creativity and relevancy in Lutheran school classrooms across the country.” 

Concordia Nebraska graduate education programs are 100-percent online and feature eight-week courses, faith-based academics and rolling start dates. The TEC21 Workshop Program and related credit are just one of many benefits available through the program. 

“Church worker wellness is a term that has been around since I started teaching, and likely before then. What is true for our pastors and DCEs is also true of our Lutheran school teachers. To thrive, they must feel supported inside a safe community,” added Dieckhoff. “Yes, we are here to train and equip, to focus on technology integration in the classroom, but that aspect of the TEC21 Workshop Program is too narrow. We are so much more than professional skills development. We are giving our Lutheran school educators the opportunity to learn among and be supported, encouraged and uplifted by their peers. That’s bucket filling!” 

Concordia Nebraska’s online graduate programs combine faith with rigorous academics and practical, real-life experiences, and that helps you fulfill a higher purpose in your vocations and your life. When you join Concordia Nebraska’s online graduate program, you become part of a community of believers that supports and values you as a whole individual—academically, emotionally and spiritually. And online classes mean you can complete courses at your own pace and study whenever and wherever you work best.