ACSI presents a professional development opportunity for Christian school leaders and teachers who want to transform their school culture to flourish.

It's no secret that large numbers of young people are leaving Christianity, in many cases due to the faith challenges posed by today's secular culture. Unprepared for the claims they hear against the truth of Christianity, they're unable to respond and are left ashamed and confused. In this session, Natasha Crane explains why teaching students apologetics is a critical part of the solution, offers a framework for defining what it means to teach apologetics, and gives practical tips for doing so.

Shawnteria D. Mack, Ph.D., is a High School Assistant Administrator at Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, where she has served for ten years. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Miami (FL) and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Covenant College (GA). Dr. Mack recently defended her dissertation in Language, Literature, Literacy, and Culture at Florida International University. Her research areas and interests include Curriculum Studies, Autoethnography, and Culture and Faith.

The constant shifts in culture and technology require educators to reimagine what discussions through a Christian worldview lens should reflect. In this session, Dr. Shawnteria Mack share her own classroom experiences and guides educators to consider how to organically transition from simply teaching objectives (teaching to the mind) to intentionally creating spaces for students to wrestle with issues of faith and culture (good tensions) as they look to God's Word for truth, wisdom, and guidance (teaching to the heart and soul).

Dr. Dean Ridder serves as the Head of School of Isaac Newton Christian Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He has served as a teacher and administrator at Christian schools throughout his career in education. He has a strong interest in helping Christian schools grow in spiritual formation and biblical worldview integration. Dean serves on ACSI’s Commission on Accreditation and also serves as the ACSI Divisional Representative for the State of Iowa.

As Christian schools plan for the intentional act of making disciples of Christ, what are the “fertile soils” to which leaders and teachers can tend? While a renewed spirit is the work of the Holy Spirit, there are key indicators that leaders and teachers can plan for to help create a nurturing environment that fosters discipleship. Dean Ridder examines tools to help educators investigate those areas of fertile soil at their schools.

How do leaders reduce stress and establish peaceful cultures? Mia Mbroh facilitates a discussion with leaders to help them identify types of stress that may spring up and the direct impact stress can have on wellness and efficacy. Leaders will learn personal wellness strategies that assist in cultivating and maintaining healthy environments in the midst of challenges for themselves and their staff.

For over 30 years, Wendy has poured into the lives of others in the fields of Christian education and counseling. She has also built into the lives of her family as a wife, a mom, and now a grandmother. Starting her professional career in the middle school classroom, Wendy quickly found her heart calling her to the guidance counseling office in the Christian school and to lay counseling in the church. She holds a master’s degree in Christian counseling and is a biblical counselor.

None of us can avoid life's problems. It's impossible to evade all things that will distress us. Trauma, worry, fear, and anxiety are all a part of our "norm" and we all wrestle with it. Wendy Mattner explores tools & strategies to help cultivate "resilience" in the midst of the difficulties, first for us and then for our students.

Nancy Gillespie is an experienced school counselor with a demonstrated history of working collaboratively and professionally to create and implement a comprehensive school counseling program at Grove City Christian. She has been a licensed school counselor for over 15 years and has served as a supervisor to over 23 master's-level students. Nancy is passionate about her role and is convinced she has the greatest job in the world as she invests in the lives of young people. In order to serve her students and families better, Nancy is in pursuit of her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The Ohio State University. Her research interests include adolescent mental health, COVID disruptions, the effects of technology on teens, and developmental assets. She was instrumental in bringing the Mental Health & Well-Being Network to ACSI and is an advocate of mental health and well-being for staff and students alike. She loves to write, speak and share God's amazing message of hope with those around her.

A culture of peace in our schools and classrooms begins with soul restoration. The past few years have taken a toll on many educators and the job responsibilities seem endless and often promote high stress. Nancy Gillespie shares practical strategies of personal wellbeing to cultivate an environment of peace both internally and externally. Together, let’s learn the art of rest, restraint, relationships, and restoration so that we can replenish the empty places. “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Dave Hill is the founder of HeartSmart, a curriculum that supports thousands of educators around the world in building an emotionally healthy school culture. He is also the Children’s Ministry Director at Bethel Church, Redding. Prior to this, Dave worked as a children’s pastor for over a decade, trained teachers in growth mindset and produced children’s television content. He is passionate about instilling love in the hearts of children and equipping them to build a compassionate and courageous internal dialogue.

What is it about the invitation of Fred Rogers and Jesus that leads children, not just to healthy community, but to the heart of God? We have been created by a relational God to live relationally. Dave Hill shares ways to lead classrooms and schools in a way that loving God and others becomes the cultural norm.

Dr. Gavin Brettenny lived most of his life in South Africa. As ACSI Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Brettenny works with leaders around the world to advance, advocate for, and increase access to quality Christian education. His experience in K-12 Christian school leadership includes being Head of a national Christian School in South Africa, which he transitioned onto the British Cambridge International Examinations, and Head of an international Christian school in Germany on the USA High School Diploma. Gavin received a Bachelor of Arts with majors in English Literature and Geography, a post-graduate diploma in secondary education, a Bachelor of Education, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, and a PhD in a ground-breaking study of the influence of transformational leadership behaviors on school improvement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dr. Gavin Brettenny shares findings from a research-proven study of six transformational and embodied leadership behaviors that relationally empower and envision teachers' behaviors towards increased commitment to the school's efficacy and missional integrity.

Dr. Collette House began teaching high school mathematics and sports medicine at her alma mater, Aurora Christian Schools, in the fall of 1992. Throughout her years at ACS, she served as a certified athletic trainer, worship team director, and secondary principal. She assumed her current role as superintendent in 2010. Dr. House earned a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She completed a master's degree in Educational Leadership in 2001, and earned her doctorate in Organizational Leadership in 2016. In addition to her work at Aurora Christian, Dr. House is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). She also serves as a member of the Central Division West Accreditation Commission and as chair of the global ACSI Commission on Accreditation. She is passionate about peer support among school leaders and regularly collaborates with other administrators. She consults for accreditation and promotes excellence in Christian education throughout the Central Division and around the world.

Educators and children interact every hour of every school day, yet some students still “get lost in the cracks.” Although Christian school educators often make personalsacrifices to impact the next generation through Kingdom education, so many teachers struggle to truly connect beyond the classroom content. Fostering authentic relationships at your school does not have to drain your staff of all personal well-being, but it does require teamwork and intentionality. Collette House explores ways to cultivate more meaningful relationships with students and more authentic opportunities to speak truth into their lives.

As Christian educators, we certainly must take our work very seriously. But is it possible that we sometimes take ourselves too seriously? In this session Dr. Dave Mulder explores playfulness, mystery, authentic inquiry, and wonder as means of boosting engagement in our students’ learning—and in our own ongoing learning as educators as well. Becoming “whimsical” is not the learning target…but embracing a little whimsy might help us take better aim at the target: engaged learning!

Elisa Carlson, MS, is the head of school of Central Christian School in Redmond, Oregon. She has been a professional educator for 37 years, joined Central Christian in 2002 as the assistant administrator and became the head of school in 2007. Elisa serves on the ACSI Board and Accreditation Commission and as a Van Lunen Center faculty member.

Establishing and sustaining a professional culture that fosters a growth mindset in a Christian school, particularly in the face of competing priorities, requires deliberate and strategic actions. Elisa Carlson explores crucial strategies encompassing leadership commitment, growth mindset, and professional development. These approaches aim to assist Christian school leaders in shaping a professional culture dedicated to ongoing improvement in a flourishing Christian learning community.

Dr. Milton Louis Gonzalez is a distinguished educator with a 29-year tenure, leading educational institutions in both Mexico and The United States. Currently serving as the CEO at Covenant Christian Academy in South Texas, Milton's expertise spans diverse areas of specialization. Milton has a strong background in the Multiple Intelligence Theory, Differentiated Learning, and the Early Detection of Childhood Depression. He has a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology, a master’s degree in counseling and life-coaching, and a doctorate in traumatology from Liberty University. His doctoral research, titled "A Phenomenological Study of Adult Patients with Auto-Immune Disease and Their Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences," aims to understand the impact of adverse childhood experiences on individuals diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, providing invaluable insights for support and treatment. Committed to developing leaders of excellence and integrity, Milton provides unparalleled resources and training for personal and professional growth.

Christian schools can demonstrate a profound commitment to improvement through assessments and qualities expected of maturing Christians, mirroring faithful exemplars. Join us on this journey to develop a thriving school culture guided by divine vision and founded on biblical principles. Milton Gonzalez analyzes practical strategies and insights to help promote circular assessment pathways that engage stakeholders in ongoing, effective school improvement initiatives, all aligned with God's vision for growth. Learn how leaders and educators can nurture qualitative growth through regular evaluation, strategic planning, and dedicated efforts across all areas of flourishing, emphasizing the importance of being the best version of who God made us to be without falling into harmful pride or competition.

Dr. Derek Schuurman facilitates a discussion about how AI is shaped by a biblical worldview and how this approach differs from rival worldviews. Participants will have the opportunity to share their responses and brainstorm ways to apply these insights in their schools.

Schuyler Lehman created Mission Advancement with the objective of helping nonprofit organizations develop the capacity for relationship-based major and principal gifts. Throughout his career spanning nearly four decades, his unwavering focus on serving the passions, interests, and needs of the donor has helped to redefine institutional fundraising. Schuyler has authored three books outlining his unique philosophy and approach, and he is also a frequent speaker and presenter at regional, national, and international conferences. Schuyler has helped raise more than $6 billion for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. He has provided consultation and advice to more than 1,000 nonprofits for major capital and endowment campaigns, annual funds, and general development activities.

All Christian schools require capital from time to time to build and/or expand facilities. And raising capital is challenging at best in the most ideal conditions. Schuyler Lehman examines the steps necessary for school leaders to prepare for a successful capital campaign as well as the implications of different campaign models.

Chris Loncar is the VP of Human Resources at the Association of Christian Schools International. He spent the first 10 years of his calling as a pastor before transitioning to the human resources field, a blend that has given him a versatile and thoughtful approach to leading the HR function of an organization. He has a bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management and is a Senior Certified Professional through the Society of Human Resources Management. His passion is fostering environments and creating opportunities for employees to thrive in what they are gifted to do by coming alongside to advise, train, encourage, and inspire.

How does a school recruit and retain talented mission-fit individuals in an era of low labor supply and intense competition in compensation and benefits? Chris Loncar guides school leaders to effectively prioritize strategies aimed to ensure their school can fulfill their mission through quality hiring and retention.