When you are asked the question, “Why Christian school?”, what is your reply? Do you perhaps point to the biblical imperative that parents should teach their children the faith, or perhaps you cite the sociological evidence that subcultures are effective at reproducing religious faith? Maybe you argue that Christian schools are a conserving force in the face of moral decay … Read More
Using Research to Prove Our Point – Part 2
As consumers, we go through the process of constantly gathering data in order to make the best purchasing decisions. Parents do the same with school choices. Parents want proof for the claims we make which should not surprise us. We are conditioned to expect evidence to back up claims made by others for two reasons: experience tells us that people … Read More
Choosing a College? Beware a Short-Sighted View
When I was a high school senior, I focused on finding the best college that would benefit me and my future. It was an individualistic approach, paying attention to the best scholarships offered, how nice the admissions counselor was, and how many complimented me for being accepted to the school. I didn’t really consider or give weight to how my … Read More
Cost of Leadership: Brief Inquiry into Head of School Compensation
Conclusion as the Introduction: Traditionally, an essay concludes with findings and ruminations, but for this blog I’m using a different approach as I’d like to frontload my comments before you dig into the information below. When I started this blog, my assumptions of leadership, which I’ve written about in many blogs are: School success is dependent upon quality and stable … Read More
Teacher Shortage and Strategic Compensation: Conversation with Jon Eckert
Jon and I have had prior conversations on Collective Leadership, and I’ve become more convinced that building the professional and leadership capacity of educators within our schools and profession who enjoy doing hard and innovative work together is the primary way to improve our schools, educational opportunities for students, and the enjoyment of our work. I recently wrote a bit … Read More
“My Masters Story…”
I was on vacation with my family in Florida when I saw a man wearing a Masters Tournament golf hat. I started a brief conversation with this complete stranger by asking him if he was attending the tournament this year. This led to a very fun conversation and something that I think is a great reminder for us as we … Read More
Considering the Power of Bilingual Christian Education
Let’s say a world-renowned soccer expert happens to observe your preschooler, and then approaches you saying, “Excuse me, but I just have to tell you that your child has ridiculous potential to become a soccer star.” Odds are you will enroll your future standout in a soccer program before the end of the week. What if I told you that … Read More
Rooftop Perspectives – A Big Picture View for Christian Educators
Part of the way through Eric Reender’s wonderful book, Rooftop Perspectives, a character states: “A story is not about answers, but making you think.” Reenders succeeds in doing this in his book by taking us into not one but two stories – using the technique of a story within a story, and of all things, set in China upon two … Read More
The Pedagogy and Theology of Leadership: A Conversation with Andy Wolfe
Without excellent school leaders we can’t have excellent schools. – Andy Wolfe Introduction: I was recently introduced to Andy Wolfe of The Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership who is eighteen months into the development of a process of training, developing, supporting, and networking school leaders in the 4,700 Church of England schools that serve over 1 million students … Read More
On the Deaths of Billy Graham and Stephen Hawking
These last two weeks saw the death of two great men; Stephen Hawking and Billy Graham. Both were men of great intellect and persuasion. Stephen Hawking was the great evangelist of science and Billy Graham was the great evangelist of Christian faith. Both men lived lives equally committed to their faith and both died firmly committed to a set of … Read More