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Dr. Valorie Zonnefeld, professor of mathematics at ��͹��Ƶ, created a website called to help equip educators with tools and insight to teach math from a Christian perspective.

“Math is often viewed as a difficult subject to teach from a Christian perspective,” says Zonnefeld. “2+2=4, whether you are Christian or not; however, teaching math without recognizing the creator of math, the beauty in it and the ways in which it can help us live as kingdom citizens is anemic and lacks motivation.”

Zonnefeld’s vision was to create “a document that I could share with my pre-service and practicing teachers to crowdsource the good ideas teachers have.” She first shared the framework in 2016 at the Heartland Teacher's conference, where educators provided valuable feedback. Zonnefeld has since presented at multiple conferences, including the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences in Charleston, South Carolina, the Vermeer Mathematics Conference for Christian Mathematics Education in Pella, Iowa, and at Sioux Falls Christian's professional development day. Feedback from teachers in all these settings, as well as students in various math education methods courses, has shaped and refined the framework.

In the early years of the project, Zonnefeld coauthored the material with her husband, Dr. Ryan Zonnefeld, associate dean and director of assessment at ��͹��Ƶ. However, after a few years, Zonnefeld realized that a new format needed to be explored. A document stored on her computer was insufficient, and a book wouldn't allow for easy updates. After collaborating with ��͹��Ƶalumna Eliana (Kuperus) Bos during an independent study, Zonnefeld’s website was created to provide a more dynamic platform for sharing resources and ideas.

The site highlights the contributions of practicing teachers, colleagues, and students. “Students in undergraduate and master’s level courses have all given feedback and made suggested additions as I share the document with them each year that I teach,” says Zonnefeld. “Practicing teachers and colleagues that have given more input or were early readers are listed on the acknowledgements page, as well as three undergraduates who played a larger role in the development of the site.”

Zonnefeld’s hope is that “every student is provided with an education that allows them to appreciate mathematics as an integral part of God's good creation.” She believes the website is a key resource to help make that vision a reality: “For that to happen, more teachers need to see the website, and the ideas need to be easy to consume.”

With this in mind, Zonnefeld continues to refine and share the platform, aiming to make Christian perspectives on math education accessible and impactful for educators at all levels.

About ��͹��Ƶ

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, ��͹��Ƶ equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Dordt, located in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, Forbes.com, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.