Welcome to TEC21 Connections

Greetings teachers, principals and pastors! Welcome to TEC21 Connections! 

My name is Brent Dieckhoff and I am the founder and executive director of TEC21–Technology Enriched Classrooms for the 21st Century Learner. I’m coming to you from Concordia University, in Seward, Nebraska, where my leadership team and I are beginning our 16th year of leading in person and virtual workshops to equip, train, encourage and support Lutheran school church workers–teachers, principals, pastors, and DCEs–in the area of tech integration in the classroom. On behalf of the TEC21 Facilitators, Vikki Gremel and myself, we look forward to serving alongside you in this community for the sake of the gospel.   

Today, technology influences every aspect of our teaching, administrative, and preaching ministries. It has allowed us to do some amazing, unprecedented things and accomplish a lot in terms of organizational practices, classroom management, instructional methods, and student learning and activities. The importance of tech-savvy educators in our Lutheran schools, skilled at leveraging technology effectively to impact student learning and success is necessary for our schools to remain relevant today. 

As we all try to keep up with the advances in technology and the speed in which it changes, we have created this online community to serve as an extension of our in person and virtual cohorts (for both past and present participants) where you can jump in for support when you need it or when you are able to give it. Unlike other social networking platforms, this is not a place where you will find political, controversial or edgy content. Rather, in this space and in the spirit of Paul's letter to the Philippians, we can find encouragement and support as we walk and serve together in ministry. "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:4-6.

To that end, we would like to share with you our mission, vision, and values for our learning cohorts and this learning community.

Our Mission: We equip, train, encourage and support educators serving in Lutheran schools to inspire student learning in Technology Enriched Classrooms. 

Our Vision: We support Lutheran school ministries in the 35 districts of the LCMS and Lutheran schools internationally.

Our 5 Pillars of Learning: We believe there are five interrelated components that are critical to building, fostering and maintaining high-functioning educator cohorts and our learning community: 

1. CONNECT and build relationships
2. SHARE resources and teaching methodologies
3. INSPIRE one another to impact and enhance teacher and student learning
4. GROW in knowledge and best practices 
5. SUPPORT as we encourage one another in our respective ministries

Interested in joining one of our learning cohorts and becoming a member of our community? Simply select this link and pick a virtual cohort option or an in person cohort near you - https://tec21connect.com/registration/. 

We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you!

JoyFully HIS,

Brent Dieckhoff

Founder and Executive Director of TEC21