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When Brandon Kline was approached by his head of school at Evansville Christian School in Indiana about participating in Leadership U, he knew it could be a valuable resource.

Leadership U is a 14-month program that provides support and learning experiences for early education leaders, principals, and new heads of school. The program is designed for people like Kline, who is in his second year as a middle school principal.

Kline was hesitant about committing to the program amidst a busy schedule, but he agreed to join. He was paired with a mentor, Tom Hughes, who serves as a Field Director in ACSI’s Eastern Division.

"When we were first interviewing, I said, ‘Tom, I’m not really sure if I have time for this.’ And actually, it’s been an extremely valuable resource,” Kline said. “Not only meeting with Tom but in terms of being able to review content that is sent out as far as different articles and resources to help us gather more information to be able to make wiser decisions.”

The Leadership U program began with a week-long residency in Kansas City, Missouri (at the Flourishing Schools Institute), and will conclude with a similar experience at the Leadership U training and graduation in Plano, Texas in March of 2024.

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to work with other Leadership U mentees and mentors and to be able to talk to them, develop relationships, connections, and really just see how other schools are performing,” Kline recounted of the first institute.

Kline meets regularly over Zoom with Hughes, who casts a wide net in the ways he provides support.

“We cover everything from strategic planning to communication skills, what’s an effective team, what’s a dysfunctional team, and conflict resolution,“ Hughes said. “The whole gamut of leadership, we cover."

Kline says he has trusted members of his staff in Indiana that he discusses decisions with, but he finds it helpful to have a voice outside of his school to run ideas by.

“It's been great to talk with him and share my decision-making, changes that I was looking into and investigating about student behavior, communication with parents, and so forth,“ Kline said. “Tom’s done a great job as far as listening, asking ‘what are your thoughts within that?’ and then either affirming or also providing his insights. So I find that to all be very beneficial.”

Kline’s motivation in seeking out counsel came directly from Scripture.

“Jesus had His disciples and they sat there at His feet in order to learn,” he said. “If we don’t, especially as first-year teachers or administrators, look up and have someone to mentor us and lead us, you may get there eventually, but you’ll have a lot more difficulties along the way. To have a mentor who not only is leading you and guiding you but is also doing that from a Biblical perspective is just a blessing.”

Hughes said his motivation to give back is like other types of giving that are promoted more often, like tithing or serving at church. He believes that generosity should extend to helping others in a professional context.

“Brandon and people like him, they’re right there with the students and teachers and board members,” Hughes said. “They’re there in the heat of the battle. Anything we can do to help people, that’s what we’re called to do.”

The program is only about halfway done, but Kline has already made up his mind that his decision to join was a good one.

“I would encourage any leader in Christian education to take the time to invest in a leader and a mentor, both ways,” he said. “Leadership U provides that investment, and that investment will always be worth it. I’m very thankful that I’ve chosen to take that investment and that Tom agreed to be my mentor. And I want to come out the other side a lot better for it.”

For those interested in joining Leadership U as a mentor or as a scholar, applications for the 2024-2025 cohort are currently open. For more information, please visit www.acsi.org/professional-development/leadership-u/. If you would like to speak with a staff member, please contact the ACSI Professional Development Department at Leadership_University@acsi.org.