Edith van der Boom
Director, MA (Phil) in Educational Leadership (MA-EL) Program
Associate Professor of Philosophy of Education and Practice of Pedagogy
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Something Worth Considering...
"The growth of any craft depends on shared practice and honest dialogue among the people who do it."
— Parker Palmer
"Authentic education is not carried on by ‘A’ for ‘B’ or by ‘A’ about ‘B,’ but rather by ‘A’ with ‘B,’ mediated by the world—a world which impresses and challenges both parties, giving rise to views or opinions about it."
— Paulo Freire
"An account of Christian education that focuses only on the truth of what is taught, and fails to address the meaning molded through how it is taught and learned is at best incomplete."
— James K. A. Smith
About My Work
My philosophy of education is rooted in the belief that each student is uniquely created by God and that education should celebrate both diversity and community. I believe that Christian schools need to be places of inclusive education where solid foundations are provided for all students both spiritually and academically. Learning should be an experience that brings joy and a sense of belonging for students in a class that integrates academic and social-emotional learning. I believe that instruction should be engaging and differentiated in a way that both challenges and meets the needs of each student.
The Master of Arts in Philosophy in Educational Leadership (MA-EL) Program at ICS provides educators with the opportunity to develop their thinking and pedagogy through Biblically-based teaching. It allows them to develop the gifts that they have in the context of their practice. The program encourages educators to design innovative classrooms to provide opportunities that develop skills through active learning and connecting skills to a real-life context.
This graduate program embraces a growth mindset in each student’s journey of learning. As such it motivates students to seek out new challenges, to be inspired by the success of others, to persist when they encounter stumbling blocks, and to develop a lifelong love of learning. In doing so, we help students discover how they can best use their God-given talents and gifts in service to the Lord.
Research Foci
Inclusive Education
Inquiry-Based Learning
Deeper Learning
Differentiated Instruction
Decolonizing Education
Biography
Edith van der Boom, Phd
Associate Professor of Philosophy of Education and Practice of Pedagogy
Director, MA (Phil) in Educational Leadership (MA-EL) Program
BA (Calvin College), PhD (University of Toronto)
I completed my doctoral studies at the University of Toronto in Developmental Psychology and Education. The focus of my research was on examining the differences in reading comprehension skill profiles among struggling adolescent readers based on their status of having a Learning Disability (LD) and/or being an English Language Learner. It was my goal to contribute to the understanding of struggling readers to in turn inform school and classroom practices.
I have had extensive experience in both the public and Christian school systems in Ontario—as a classroom teacher, a Special Education Coordinator, and a Director of Learning. My work has focused on supporting the implementation of differentiated instruction as a means to create inclusive learning environments, inquiry-based learning, and providing professional development and support through all-day sessions, professional learning communities, and instructional coaching.
Publications & Projects
My Publications
Articles & Reviews
van der Boom, E. H. (2024). Participating in God’s redemptive work: A cyclical model for learning and assessment. International Journal of Christianity & Education, 28(1).
van der Boom, E. (2022). Book Review: Becoming a critically reflective teacher, second edition. International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal, 17(2).
van der Boom, E. (2022). Speaking our truth: A text for teaching students about residential schools. Christian Educators Journal, 61(4).
van der Boom, E. (2021). Encouraging conversations about race and culture. Christian Educators Journal, 61(2).
van der Boom, E. (2021). Book Review: Autism spectrum disorder in the Canadian context: An introduction. International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal, 16(1).
van der Boom, E. (2021). Global Education and the Image of God in the Classroom. Perspective 55(1), 6-8.
van der Boom, E. H., Jang, E. E. (2018). The effects of holistic diagnostic feedback intervention on improving struggling readers' reading skills. Journal of Teaching and Learning 12(2), 54-69.
Jang, E. E., Vincett, M., van der Boom, E. H., Lau, C., & Yang, Y. (2017). Considerations for innovative young learner assessment design and use. In M. K. Wolf & Y. Butler (Eds.), English language proficiency assessments for young learners.
Jang, E. E., Dunlop, M., Park, G., & van der Boom, E. H. (2015). How do young students with different profiles of reading skill mastery, perceived ability, and goal orientation respond to holistic diagnostic feedback? Language Testing, Special Issue, 1-25.
Blog Posts
van der Boom, E. (2022, May 24). Kintsugi: Putting broken pieces together. Christian Deeper Learning.
van der Boom, E. (2022, May 1). Global citizen education: A responsiveness to culture. Christian Deeper Learning.
van der Boom, E. (2022, April 24). The why of Christian Deeper learning: A mindfulness towards learning design. Christian Deeper Learning.
van der Boom, E. (2022, April 17). Ubuntu: I am because we are. Christian Deeper Learning.
My Other Professional Activities
Paper Presentations
van der Boom, E. H. & Jang, E. (April 2016). The effects of diagnostic feedback intervention on the literacy skills of struggling learners. Paper presented to the conference of Canadian Society for the Studies of Education, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Jang, E., Lau, C., Vincett, M., van der Boom, E., Park, G., & Dunlop, M. (April 2016). Investigating the Effects of Cognitive and Psychosocial Factors on Young Learners' Use of Cognitively Diagnostic Feedback. Paper presented at the Conference of American Educational Research Association, Washington, DC, United States.
Park, G, Dunlop, M., van der Boom, E. H., & Jang, E., (March 2015). A mixed-methods investigation into young learners' cognitive and metacognitive strategy use in a reading test. Paper presented at the 37th Language Testing Research Colloquium, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Jang, E., Dunlop, M., Park, G., & van der Boom, E. H. (June 2014). A mixed-methods investigation into the role of cognitively diagnostic assessment. Paper presented at the 36th Language Testing Research Colloquium, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
van der Boom, E. H. (May 2014). Using DIF analysis to improve fairness in testing: Multiple-choice items and students with learning disabilities. Paper presented to the conference of Canadian Society for the Studies of Education, St. Catherines, ON, Canada.
Baba, A., Jang, E. E., Dunlop, M., Park, G., & van der Boom, E. H. (May 2014). Predictors of reading achievement: Student goal orientations in contrast to perceived parent goal orientations. Paper presented to the conference of Canadian Society for the Studies of Education, St. Catherines, ON, Canada.
Park, G., Jang, E. E., Dunlop, M., & van der Boom, E. H. (March 2014). The uptake and use of cognitively diagnostic feedback: Responses of students, parents, and a teacher. Paper presented at the Conference of American Association of Applied Linguistics, Portland, OR, United States.
Park, G. & van der Boom, E. H. (January 2014). Which students are diagnosed as having a learning disability and how do they perform? 14th Annual Dean’s Graduate Student Research Conference. Workshop presented at OISE/UT, Toronto, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (November 2007) Learning differences. Ontario Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada.
Roundtable Discussion
van der Boom, E. H. (April 2016). Who is failing the provincial reading test in Ontario? A cognitive view of reading comprehension profiles. Roundtable discussion presented to the conference of Canadian Society for the Studies of Education, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Poster Presentations
Jang, E. E., Lau, C., Vincett, M., van der Boom, E. Park, G., & Dunlop, M. (2016). Investigating the effects of cognitive and psycho-social factors on young learners' use of cognitively diagnostic feedback. Poster presented at American Educational Research Association, Washington, DC, USA.
van der Boom, E. H., Lau, C., Yang, Y., Vincett, M., Dobski, M., & Jang, E. (August 2015). Using Individualized Diagnostic Feedback Intervention to Engage Student Learning. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Convention, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Dunlop, M., Jang, E. E., Park, G., & van der Boom, E. H. (April 2014). Triangulation of Learner Latent Profiles: Cognitively Diagnostic Reading Skills, Goal Orientations and Self-Perceived Reading Skills. Poster presented at the Conference of American Educational Research Association, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
Most Recent Invited Talks
van der Boom, E. H. (October 2023). Decolonizing Assessment: Using the Story of Residential Schooling to Rethink Learning and Assessment. Hamilton, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (September 2023). Women Leading in Christian Education. Edvance Leadership Retreat. Mississauga, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (March 2023). From Listening to Participating in God’s Redemptive Work: Using the Indigenous Medicine Wheel for Assessment and Learning. Christian Deeper Learning Conference. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
van der Boom, E. (January 2023). Differentiated Instruction. Jarvis Christian School. Jarvis, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. (October 2022). Decolonizing Christian Education for Human Flourishing. Kuyers/INCHE Conference, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
van der Boom, E. (June 2022). Decolonizing Christian education for human flourishing. Paper presented at ICS 2022 Summer Community Conference, Online.
van der Boom, E. H. (May 2021). Inclusion Informed by a Christian Worldview. Wellspring “You Belong Here” Virtual Gala.
van der Boom, E. H. (2020, August). Why We Need to Differentiate More Than Ever. Presented at Edvance Bootcamp, Ancaster, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2017, February). Differentiated Instruction: One Size Doesn't Fit All. Presented at Netherlands Reformed Teachers Convention, Jordan Station, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2017, February). Leaders of Their Own Learning. Presented at Netherlands Reformed Teachers Convention, Jordan Station, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2017, October). Differentiated Instruction: One Size Doesn't Fit All. Presented at Canadian Reformed Teachers Convention, Smithville, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2017, October). Leaders of Their Own Learning. Presented at Edifide Teachers Convention, Ancaster, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2015, October). Developing effective learning goals. Presented at Edifide Teachers Convention, Ancaster, ON, Canada.
Sutherland, M. & van der Boom, E. H. (2015, October). Exploring curriculum track: Our journey towards curriculum stewardship. Presented at Edifide Teachers Convention, Ancaster, ON, Canada.
Petrusma, G., van der Boom, E. H. & Panza, B. (2015, October). Celebrations of Learning. Presented at Edifide Teachers Convention, Ancaster, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2014, October). Differentiated Instruction: Putting it all together in your differentiated classroom. Presented at Edifide Teachers Convention, Ancaster, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2014, October). Differentiated Instruction: Instructional strategies for differentiated instruction. Presented at Edifide Teachers Convention, Ancaster, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2014, October). Differentiated Instruction: Recognizing and honouring diversity. Presented at Edifide Teachers Convention, Ancaster, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2014, October). Differentiated Instruction: One Size Doesn't Fit All. Presented at Edifide Teachers Convention, Ancaster, ON, Canada.
van der Boom, E. H. (2014, January). Differentiated Instruction: One Size Doesn't Fit All. Presented at Rehoboth Christian School, Copetown, ON, Canada.
Jang, E. E., Dunlop, M., Park, G., & van der Boom, E. H. (2013, March). Centrality of cognitively diagnostic feedback in language learning classrooms. Paper presented at CERLL Colloquium, OISE/UT, ON, Canada.
Files & Podcast Episodes
"Global Education and the Image of God in the Classroom." in Perspective 55.1 (Toronto ON, 2021), 6-8.
"The Wake of 2020: Inclusivity Begins in the Classroom." Critical Faith podcast episode (June 17, 2021).
"A Growth Mindset for Christian Education with Edith van der Boom." Critical Faith podcast episode (July 17, 2020).
Teaching
Courses and Syllabi
My current and recent courses and syllabi can be found here on the ICS Course Catalogue.
MA-EL Courses Taught at ICS
Deeper Learning: From Wonder to Inquiry to Practice
Transformative Teaching: The Role of the Christian Educator
Called to Teach: Formation & Learning
Cultivating Learning Communities of Belonging