February 2025 Newsletter

CENTRAL DIVISION

Commissioner Highlight: Madi McCloskey 

Early education is often misunderstood or overlooked, so it’s a good thing people like Madi McCloskey have been blessed with the eyes to see and the heart to care for the youngest of the next generation. Madi is passionate about this field because early education is more than day care, “[EE] is the building blocks for all education. We teach children how to solve problems, interact with their peers, and follow two-step instructions. But mostly, we have the opportunity to form a child's worldview. A child's worldview is established in the first 5 years of their life. I help mold children's worldview with God as their Creator, Jesus as their Savior, and begin to teach them their access to the Holy Spirit.”  

ACSI’s mission is “to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ,” so we couldn’t be happier to come alongside Madi and Kiddie Prep School, IN, to pursue this mission together. Our whole organization works to strengthen your organization to expand the Kingdom of Heaven through Christian education. Madi has experienced this first-hand: “ACSI is always there for me when I need support. We needed legal assistance, and they were there. I need curriculum support, they were there. I need prayer, they are there. In the accreditation process I always feel like we come out better than before. Even the people who do the team visits are people I call for prayer or support. ACSI has created a community of educators that all have Jesus in common. I am a better administrator and educator because of what ACSI does for me and my school.” Madi, it is our joy to walk these roads alongside you. We are strengthened because the Lord comes with us, in front and behind. Thank you for your kind words, trust and support! God be praised!

ACSI’s accreditation team has the privilege to regularly interact with Madi McCloskey, and it is exciting to get to know her more. When she was asked what is next on the horizon, she answered that God has laid it on her heart to expand Kiddie Prep School! She is also spreading encouragement to other EE schools to seek accreditation. “When Christian accreditation is the standard, all children benefit and the Kingdom grows!” Amen, Madi!

VPP–What’s in a name?

No doubt you’ve noticed some changes in a few things: annual reports looked different this year, several of you have hosted a team visit which used ACSI’s new Inspire protocol, and details about CEUs changed. But perhaps one of the most obvious changes is the virtual professional portfolio (VPP). Let’s get into that a little bit more…

The VPP is a tool to empower educators to track and update professional development. It is now the avenue for CEU tracking and certification applications and status. Since ACSI requires 80% of faculty and 100% of administrators to remain current with their ACSI or state certification, and to complete the Christian Philosophy of Education (CPoE) by the end of their third year at the school (click here to learn more about the CPoE options), each member’s VPP is a hub to learn what’s needed to apply for and upgrade an ACSI certificate, track and upload CEUs and education degrees and certificates. 

These traditional requirements are not new but handling them now is practically in one spot and more streamlined, courtesy of the Office of Accreditation and Credentialing. Our goal is to make navigating components more convenient for our educators and schools. This is another way to be “stronger together.”

If you have any questions about your VPP account, please email ACSI’s Certification Team at certification@acsi.org. 

Blessings to you all,

Terry Caywood
Accreditation Director | ACSI Central Division