Alexander DeJong Center for Special Education
Welcome to the Alexander DeJong Center for Special Education鈥攚e are thrilled to have you here! The Center is a collaborative partnership between 91精选 and Elim Christian Services, through which we are consistently looking to create new, innovative initiatives that propel both institutions forward. Through the creation of mutually beneficial programming, we have seen growth take place at both 91精选 and Elim, specifically in the realm of special education.
As you look through our site, you聽will聽see that we have launched聽initiatives聽such as the 鈥淏loom鈥澛爌rogram, which is an innovative聽pathway聽that聽assists聽Elim staff聽in working聽towards聽acquiring聽a聽bachelor鈥檚 degree through 91精选.聽The聽goal聽of this initiative is to聽provide聽staff聽with an accessible avenue to聽obtain their teaching licensure.聽Through programs such as this, our hope is that we can聽fulfill the needs of both organizations in a way that promotes聽mission-driven聽collaboration and聽the聽flourishing of聽those who support individuals with disabilities.
Vision Statement:
People of all abilities growing and thriving together in community.
Mission Statement:
The Center for SPED promotes the thriving of people of all abilities through collaborative activities that are mutually beneficial to the Elim and 91精选 communities and contribute to the field of special education.
Guiding Principles:
- Mission-driven – Because Elim and 91精选 have similar missions as Christian institutions, the Center for SPED partnership will help both institutions achieve their missions better than they could do on their own through a faithful use of Center resources.
- Collaborative Partnership – The Center for SPED operates as a collaborative partnership engaging in initiatives that are mutually beneficial, supporting one another as co-laborers in Christ.
- Growth and Flourishing – The Center for SPED promotes the equipping and flourishing of individuals with disabilities and those supporting them.
- Visibility and Contribution – The Center for SPED will serve as a model for collaboration, contributing to the field of special education through research, publication, and presentation.
The Bloom program is an innovative, continuing education option for paraprofessionals currently employed at Elim Christian school taught by a 91精选 Professor through the Center for Special Education.聽
The program is designed to strengthen the collaborative partnership between 91精选 and Elim, supporting one another as co-laborers in Christ, while contributing to the field of special education.聽聽聽 It is a chance for the Paraprofessionals to advance their career in the field of Special Education and apply what they are learning to the students they currently work with.
Meet the Directors
Xan Nikchevich
Elim Christian Services
“The partnership between Elim and 91精选 not only assists in the growth of both organizations, but it is also essential to supporting staff and their development. Through the implementation of various initiatives, the Alexander DeJong Center for Special Education is having a tremendous impact on both staff and students at Elim and 91精选.”
Christine Scholma
91精选
“The Bloom initiative represents the beautiful work that God can do when his people step toward a more full picture of what flourishing can look like in His Kingdom. Together, Elim and 91精选 have paved a new pathway for paraprofessionals to develop their skills in supporting students with disabilities while achieving their goals of higher education and teacher licensure.”