From the Director's Desk
I want to take the time to thank each of you for the work you do in Christian school education. The Lord has raised up a tremendously committed and talented group of leaders in our region. The opportunity that I have to meet and get to know you and your staff is the professional privilege of a lifetime. I want to also thank you for the trust that you have given us as your professional association. It is not a trust that we take lightly or for granted. We pray often as a staff to ask the Lord to guide us as we make decisions and plans which will impact a generation of young people attending Christian schools in the region.
I think you will see continued value added to your membership in ACSI. Just this week, the first-of-a-kind alliance with Microsoft was announced; the Mid-Atlantic region is merging with the Northeast region to be good stewards of our resources and to provide staffing for increased services to our member schools; with this newsletter you see the roll out of our distance education via webinar for next year which provides quality professional development at a minimal expense for your staff; our conventions have been upgraded to provide in-depth opportunities for veteran and master teachers; and the list could go on. We are working hard to provide you value for your membership dollars.
Perhaps what you do not see is the most important part of your membership. You don’t often see the international work in under-resourced schools and with under-educated children that goes on as a result of your membership with ACSI. You don’t often see the results of relationships ACSI staff has developed influencing legislation and public policy in favor of Christian schools. You don’t often see the result of the effort the Urban School Services department puts forth in lifting up the arms of our brothers and sisters in the great cities of our country. You don’t often see the result of ACSI’s being at the table with other educational institutions, such as CAPE (Council for American Private Education—Dr. Ken Smitherman, ACSI President (retired 2009), has been the Chair of this board for several years now; I am the founder of PA CAPE), accrediting bodies (I am the Vice-Chair of the Middle States Elementary Commission), and REACH (Road to Educational Achievement though Choice—Dr. David Hegedus, Associate Director of the ACSI Mid-Atlantic Region, is on this board).
My point in all this is simple. As you look towards the next academic year, many (perhaps most) of you will have challenges economically. Don’t make an impulsive decision not to be a part of a professional association to “save” the membership dollars. In saving a few dollars you may lose a lot more, and you will not contribute to the greater good which is Christian school education.
Please feel free to call or email the regional office if we may pray with or for you. Our staff makes your contact with us our first priority. May the Lord grant each of you a great end of the school year filled with the joy that is ours in serving in Christian school education.
John W. Storey, Ed.D.
Regional Director