More than 300 educators and leaders in Mennonite schools and organizations connected 500 years of Anabaptist history and tradition with a vision for the future of education Feb. 6-8 at the Mennonite Educators Conference in Leesburg, Va.

Educators represented 14 PreK-12 Mennonite schools across six states and three countries at the biannual gathering of the Mennonite Schools Network (formerly Mennonite Schools Council).

Anabaptism at 500 project director John D. Roth challenged attendees to consider how the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition is “both preserved and renewed” in Anabaptist-Mennonite schools during his keynote address.

“Where is the culture going, and what is the calling of Anabaptist schools in that context?” he asked.

Roth noted Mennonite schools are already challenging our relationships with the natural world, the world of social media, and consumerism, and encouraged further reflection on how artificial intelligence and the “collapse of the social construct” can be thoughtfully engaged in these spaces.

“For 500 years, Anabaptists have taught that followers of Jesus participate actively in healing of this world’s wounds,” he said, adding that Mennonite schools are “uniquely equipped to bridge the ‘is’ and the ‘ought’ ” of God’s reign.

Conference chair Justin King, high school principal at Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, thought there has never been a more important time for an Anabaptist education two years ago at the last conference.

“But I stand here today with even greater conviction,” he said, noting Mennonite schools are committed to embodying and modeling the radical love of Jesus rather than “indoctrination” and leaning into restorative practices.

Educators from nine schools pitched ideas for sharing resources within the network, including middle school service learning about immigrant experiences (Central Christian School, Kidron, Ohio), inclusive early childhood programs (New Holland Early Learning Center, New Holland, Pa.), and growing elementary students’ relationships with fruits and vegetables through sensory experiences (Bethany Christian School, Goshen, Ind.).

Educator and author Matinga Ragatz practices project-based learning and delivered three keynote addresses. She asked participants to reflect on “how the concept of ‘sharing power’ aligns with the values of community, stewardship and servant leadership,” and offered recommendations on how to connect effective teaching with social and emotional skills as a bridge to deeper learning and equity.

The Soil and the Seed Project shared new songs for the rhythms of classroom life to help early childhood and elementary teachers connect theological musical responses to classroom experiences. Roth shared about the Anabaptist Community Bible can be used by Mennonite educators. Eastern Mennonite University faculty shared about the Science of Reading. Mennonite Disaster Service explained its construction course available for Mennonite high schools.

Lindsay Carson is elementary principal at Lancaster Mennonite School and a member of the Mennonite Educators Conference planning team.