FSi 2026: Wisdom & Wonder

Dr. Taylor, ACSI President & CEO, previously spent 20 years as head of school at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, TX. During this time Dr. Taylor co-launched a national training institute for schools, the "Becoming a Kingdom School Institute," and developed a training program for parents titled, "Becoming a Kingdom Family." Dr. Taylor authored the book, Running with Horses, which helps parents raise children to be servant-leaders for Christ and helps to build a family plan.​

The Wisdom of Leading Christian Schools with Timeless Purpose

The Wonder of Exploring New Frontiers in Christian Education

As a former middle school teacher, mother of four digital natives, and cofounder of the international nonprofit Screen Sanity, Krista dreams of a world where kids know to look up - not down on their screens - for answers. Her authored works include the highly acclaimed Screen Sanity program, the Social Media Playbook, Well Framed and Grab Your Crown. Her current work is developing simple social media discipleship resources for tweens at Road to Social. Krista has been featured in Christianity Today, Wall Street Journal, NBC with Diane Sawyer, and The New York Times. She completed her undergraduate degress in Psychology and English at the University of Kansas, and her Master of Education (M.Ed.) at Rockhurst University. A 2019 Praxis Nonprofit Fellow, Krista lives in Kansas City with her husband and four t(weens).

Cofounder of Screen Sanity

When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007, he promised it would change the world. Almost twenty years later, we've discovered that while technology offers a multitude of benefits--it also comes with many costs. Join Krista Boan, cofounder of Screen Sanity + author of The Social Compass newsletter, as we unpack the challenges and traps today's families are facing in the digital world and explore practical ways Christian schools can help reverse our digital health crisis. Krista's work has been featured in Christianity Today, Wall Street Journal, NBC with Diane Sawyer, and New York Times.

Dennis Eastman Ph.D. (Claremont Graduate University), has dedicated 15 years to various roles in education, including Social Studies teacher, coach, Athletic Director, and Director of New Faculty Development, before transitioning to a principal position. During his tenure as principal, he collaborated with faculty and students to achieve recognition by U.S. News and World Report as one of the most improved schools in California. Currently, Dr. Eastman is a Professor and the Director of Secondary Education in the School of Education at Biola University, where he has been preparing teachers to effectively serve all students in diverse settings for the past 14 years. His extensive international travel includes conducting professional development workshops aimed at partnering with administrators and faculty in local schools to develop inclusive, active, and effective learning strategies for all students. Dr. Eastman's research agenda has positioned him as an educational architect, dedicated to equipping teachers with skills in student motivation, program design, creating learning environments for all students, and preparing teachers for international educational settings. His commitment to education and passion for fostering inclusive learning environments continue to drive his work and impact in the field.

The Wisdom of Reclaiming Joy in the Classroom

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 When joy is present, education becomes more than instruction—it becomes transformative. At a time when many educators are navigating the various stressors of the classroom, reclaiming joy becomes a restorative act. In this session, Dr. Dennis Eastman invites educators to rediscover joy as an essential catalyst that fuels resilience, renews purpose, and reimagines what is possible in the classroom. Participants will explore how to cultivate joy through life-giving habits and meaningful connections.

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.

The Wisdom of Stewardship & Resourcing

The business model for nearly all Christian schools in America is significantly different than in past decades. Each year, the calculus of keeping tuition affordable, maintaining enrollment, and fairly compensating our Christian educators becomes more complex and challenging. At the same time, Christian education has never been more relevant or vital to our communities than right now. In this session, Schuyler Lehman will discuss the forces bearing down on the business model of Christian education today as well as solutions for today and into the future.

President Lindsay is a sociologist who focuses on religion, culture, and leadership. As part of his award-winning PLATINUM study, he interviewed 550 of the world’s most senior leaders including Presidents Carter and Bush, the CEOs of more than twenty Fortune 100 companies, and the presidents of virtually every major nonprofit in the United States, including the presidents of Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford. He is the author of two dozen scholarly publications and his first book, Faith in the Halls of Power, was nominated for the nonfiction Pulitzer Prize in 2007. His next book, View from the Top, won two awards and has been translated into Chinese and Japanese. His most recent release, Hinge Moments, explores how leaders successfully navigate moments of transition in their lives.

The Wonder of Leading Through Life's Defining Moments

Leading Through Transition: A Framework for Hinge Moments In this talk, Dr. Michael Lindsay presents a structured framework for navigating major transitions. He highlights strategies for maintaining organizational stability, strengthening relationships, and building resilience during uncertain times. Leaders facing career moves, leadership changes, or institutional shifts will come away with practical approaches for managing transition thoughtfully and effectively. Drawing on a distinctly Christian perspective that emphasizes leading with godly character, strategic wisdom, and deep spiritual commitment, his insights offer guidance for those seeking to lead with integrity while staying rooted in their faith.

Dr. Mulder currently serves as Professor of Education at Dordt University, where he teaches courses in educational foundations, STEM education, and educational technology, and chairs the Education department. He cohosts the Hallway Conversations podcast, and provides professional development experiences for educators in schools across North America. Dr. Mulder is a learner and a thinker, and has a wide range of interests both within and outside of education. He is a voracious reader, an avid cyclist, a mediocre guitarist, a scholar of Educational Technology, an amateur geographer, and a self-described sci-fi geek. 

The Wonder of Awakening Curiosity & Engagement

We are wired to wonder—it’s how God created human beings to be! But school doesn’t always feel like a “wonder” oriented space…for students, and even for teachers. With so many standards to teach and overstuffed curriculum guides, how can we make space for students to play around with ideas, to create, to wonder? As Dr. Dave Mulder emphasizes, fostering classrooms full of wonder, curiosity, and engagement is joyful work we get to do!

Trillia Newbell is the author of the kids’ books Creative God, Colorful Us, God’s Very Good Idea, a Bible study on Hebrews 11, A Great Cloud of Witnesses, and a Bible study on Romans 8, If God Is For Us, as well as the books Sacred Endurance: Finding Grace and Strength for a Lasting Faith, Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God’s Good Gifts (2016),  Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves (2015), and United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity (2014). Her writings on issues of faith, family, and diversity have been published in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Desiring God, True Woman, Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and more. She was also a commentator for World Radio (a sister platform for World Magazine). She has spoken at numerous conferences, churches, women’s retreats, colleges and seminaries, including True Woman, The Gospel Coalition Women’s conference, Southeastern Theological Seminary, and more. She spent seven years serving as the Director of Community Outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention. She is currently the Acquisitions Director for Moody Publishers.

The Wonder of A Creative God

Clarity, Conviction, and Compassion: Clarity - what does the Bible say about the beauty of diversity, the image of God, and all that Jesus has done for us? Conviction - why should we care? Compassion - how can we care?

Trevin Wax is VP of Research and Resource Development at the North American Mission Board and a visiting professor at Cedarville University. A former missionary to Romania, Trevin is a regular columnist at The Gospel Coalition and has contributed to The Washington Post, World, and Christianity Today. He has taught courses on mission and ministry at Wheaton College and has lectured on Christianity and culture at Oxford University. He is a founding editor of The Gospel Project, has served as publisher for the Christian Standard Bible, and is currently a fellow for The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. He is the author of multiple books, including The Thrill of Orthodoxy, The Multi-Directional Leader, Rethink Your Self, This Is Our Time, and Gospel Centered Teaching. His podcast is Reconstructing Faith. He and his wife, Corina, have three children. 

The Wisdom of the Gospel & Faithfully Following Christ in Today's Culture

Christians today face a number of challenges—the culture of "you be you," the privatization of faith, the controversies of Christianity's vision of sex and morality, and the rise of pseudo-religions in a secular world. These shifts present threats to faithfulness, but also opportunities for Christians to re-center on God, reclaim the essence of grace, and cultivate a love for truth and beauty. As Trevin Wax will share, the gospel’s wisdom remains the surest guide for faithful living in turbulent times.

Abby serves as the CEO of St. Augustine Preparatory Academy. She believes deeply in the potential of every student that walks through our door – in Christ’s love for them and in each student’s ability to achieve their highest potential. Before joining Aug Prep in 2019, Abby co-founded and served as executive director of Schools That Can Milwaukee (now City Forward Collective), where for eight years her team collaborated with over 250 leaders across MPS, charter, and private schools to expand high-quality educational opportunities for Milwaukee students and families. Abby also held leadership positions at both Husco and the Doris & Donald Fisher Fund. She holds master’s degrees in both education and business from Stanford University, and earned her bachelor’s degree in commerce with a concentration in finance from the University of Virginia. She currently serves on the boards of All-In Milwaukee, Aug Prep, and Husco.

The Power of AND: Breathing Jesus, Driving Excellence, Building Impact

Our world pressures us to see everything in black and white, creating false dichotomies: “We are teaching students about Jesus—standardized tests don't matter.” Our missional imperative is not an “or”—it is an AND. We best equip our students to flourish and glorify God by teaching them about Jesus AND serving them with excellence. The key? Building the right TEAM. Learn how Aug Prep has grown from 0 to serving 2,350 students with excellence in only nine years through robust hiring practices and intentional staff development that empowers us to serve ALL students. In this session, Abby Andrietsch will present on key hiring attributes and provide strategies to build these attributes into the hiring process. 

Dr. Bogaczyk currently serves as Head of School at Christian Life School. His commitment is to scholarship and learning as well as being passionate about serving Jesus and modeling it for students and faculty. Previously, Dr. Bogaczyk has served as the Executive Director of Evangel Heights Christian Academy in Sarver, PA. Jeff has also served in several roles at Evangel Heights Church including Executive Pastor. Dr. Bogaczyk’s educational background includes a B.A. from North Central University in Pastoral Studies, an M.A from Duquesne University in Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Duquesne University.  

Embracing the Uncomfortable: Leading Change with Vision and Purpose

In times of rapid cultural shifts, Christian schools must remain rooted in biblical truth while courageously stepping into the unknown. This session equips leaders to navigate discomfort, resistance, and uncertainty with clarity of vision and unwavering purpose. Drawing on principles of servant leadership, communication strategy, and spiritual discernment, Dr. Jeff Bogaczyk unpacks a framework for leading transformative change in Christian education. Participants will leave with practical tools to cast compelling vision, adapt to change, and lead their schools forward with bold faith and organizational wisdom.

Zach Clinton, M.A. (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) currently serves as the VP of the American Association of Christian Counselors, host of the renowned Built Different podcast and is President & Host of Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend that gathers nearly 10,000 men each year. A Licensed Resident Counselor and former Division 1 college baseball player, Zach is a recognized growing authority and voice on performance, motivational psychology and mental health for today’s generations. His mission is to remind people that they are never out of the fight! Zach is the proud husband to his lovely wife, Evelyn, and they make their home in Lynchburg, VA.

Beyond Burnout: Strategies for Sustainable Teaching & Leadership

In an era where educators and leaders are stretched thin, burnout has become more than a buzzword—it’s a daily battle. In this interactive session, we’ll identify the core stressors uniquely impacting Christian teachers and leaders, and explore the powerful concept of oscillation—the intentional rhythm between stress and recovery. You’ll discover how rest isn’t a luxury, but a leadership strategy that, when personalized and prioritized, actually enhances clarity, resilience, and spiritual influence. Through practical tools, reflective activities, and biblical insight, this workshop will equip you to build sustainable rhythms that don’t slow down your calling—they strengthen it.

Dr. Kevin M. Jones joined the faculty at Cedarville University in 2020. He is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and has varied experience in public school systems, homeschooling, collegiate level teaching, and administration. He previously held posts at Boyce College and Kentucky State University. He has served as a lay pastor at Buck Run Baptist Church, Forest Baptist Church, and Watson Memorial Baptist Church. Jones’ longing is to see fathers build resilient sons and to see teachers and leaders influence the lives of students nationally and internationally, teaching and leading unto the glory of God.

Igniting Curiosity: Fostering Ownership & Joy in Learning

Joy is not the byproduct of education, it is foundational in Christian education. In addition, ownership is not optional, but necessary in education. Discover how to transform classrooms into spaces of wonder, inquiry, and instricis motivation. Dr. Kevin Jones will examine how joyful learning environments can spark deeper engagement and lifelong passion for learning. Leave with ideas and tools to cultivate curiosity as a catalyst for growth.

Chris Loncar is the VP of Human Resources at ACSI. 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.

The HR Playbook: Strategies for a Healthy Workplace Culture

A thriving workplace culture doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of intentional HR strategies that prioritize clarity, trust, and alignment. This session will explore key practices for shaping culture through transparent leadership, decision-making that shapes culture, and aligning people with mission. Participants will leave with practical tools to assess and influence culture at every level of the organization. Whether you're building from the ground up or refining what already exists, this session offers a fresh and actionable HR playbook.

Lainie Montgomery is the Director of Spiritual Formation and oversees ACSI's internal staff care through the elevation of God's Word, prayer, and community engagement. She works alongside school leaders, spiritual life directors, and teachers to develop comprehensive internal and external spiritual formation plans. As part of a wholistic Christ-centered education mindset, she is passionate about ACSI's Flourishing Families initiative which seeks to assist schools in making "family" a core value while promoting a school partnership elevating parents and guardians as the primary disciple-makers of their children.

Flourishing Families: Developing Your School's Parent Institute

Families today are seeking guidance as they raise children to love and follow Jesus—and your school can be a strong, trusted partner in that journey. In this breakout session, Flourishing Families: Developing Your School’s Family Institute, we’ll uncover the biblical foundation for family discipleship found in Psalm 78 and Deuteronomy 6, and explore how your school can powerfully partner with parents in their God-given role. We will walk you through the three phases of the Family Ministry Tool Kit, helping you make a strong foundation, weave family into the culture of your school, and equip parents to lead intentional discipleship at home. You’ll also discover how the Kingdom Family Playbook parenting course helps families develop practical rhythms of faith formation. Leave encouraged and prepared to cultivate a culture where families thrive, and faith takes root beyond the classroom.

Dr. Mulder currently serves as Professor of Education at Dordt University, where he teaches courses in educational foundations, STEM education, and educational technology, and chairs the Education department. He cohosts the Hallway Conversations podcast, and provides professional development experiences for educators in schools across North America. Dr. Mulder is a learner and a thinker, and has a wide range of interests both within and outside of education. He is a voracious reader, an avid cyclist, a mediocre guitarist, a scholar of Educational Technology, an amateur geographer, and a self-described sci-fi geek. 

Swipe, Click, Learn: How Digital Tools Can Elevate Teaching & Learning

We are wired to wonder—it’s how God created human beings to be! But school doesn’t always feel like a “wonder” oriented space…for students, and even for teachers. With so many standards to teach and overstuffed curriculum guides, how can we make space for students to play around with ideas, to create, to wonder? As Dr. Dave Mulder emphasizes, fostering classrooms full of wonder, curiosity, and engagement is joyful work we get to do!

Jerry Nelson is the Chief Ministry Officer at ACSI. He oversees all Spiritual Formation-related initiatives focused on the elevation of God’s Word, prayer, biblical worldview development, initiatives related to biblical unity, diversity, and social engagement, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission for all of ACSI’s stakeholders. Jerry served a brief stint on the ACSI Board before joining ACSI. And prior to that he served as Head of School at Northwest Christian Academy in Miami, FL, for 11 years. He holds a B.A. in History and M.A. in Educational Leadership from St. Thomas University in Miami.

In the Image of Christ: Authentic Integration that Leads to Spiritual Formation

In this session, Jerry Nelson will highlight the role of the Christian Educator in the Spiritual Formation of a child by unpacking the core principles and practices necessary to lead students to a deeper relationship with Christ and prepare them to be ambassadors for His kingdom.

Emily Pigott serves as VP of Educational Resources & Student Programs at ACSI and is dedicated to equipping educators and students to utilize culturally relevant and impactful experiences to enable them to think critically, vision-cast, solve problems, serve others, and lead with intentionality and influence. She has traveled the globe training student leaders and educators and is committed to ensuring that as many as possible can understand their value, worth, and capacity to accomplish their dreams. Emily believes that today’s students are full of potential, and she holds the firm belief that they are more than capable of greatly impacting our culture for Jesus. Before her time at ACSI, Emily served as a high school principal, the Executive Director of Student Leadership University, and the co-author of The School of Leadership curriculum.

Kingdom Classrooms: Where Discipleship, Leadership, and Learning Align

Jesus didn’t just teach—He transformed. This session, designed for educators across every subject area, explores what it means to intentionally integrate a biblical worldview in ways that shape students' hearts and minds. Together, we’ll reimagine the classroom as a dynamic space for discipleship, where servant leadership and spiritual formation come to life. You’ll discover how Jesus discipled through authentic relationships, truth, and service—and how His model can guide your own approach to teaching. Through practical strategies and real-life examples, you’ll be equipped to cultivate learning environments where students grow in character, leadership, and faith.

In this session, Emily Pigott will detail tools to:
- Disciple students through relationship and biblical engagement
- Model and nurture servant leadership in daily classroom life
- Design learning experiences that move content from the head to the heart
- Foster a culture where leadership development strengthens learning, character, and work ethic
This session is for educators who long to cultivate kingdom-minded students—young leaders who think critically, live purposefully, and influence culture for Christ. When we prioritize student leadership development, everything else begins to fall into place: students become better learners, more thoughtful friends, purposeful workers, and—most importantly—more like Christ.

As the All Belong Director of School Services, Becky Tubergen enjoys walking alongside Christ-centered schools to help students of all abilities belong within community. She is passionate about helping students better understand themselves as children of God and equipping teachers with the tools to include each student. Becky works with schools to create a space where individuals are celebrated for their ability to contribute to the educational community. She served over 20 years as a K-8 inclusion specialist and teacher consultant to a diverse group of schools. Becky received her teaching certificate from Calvin College and her Master of Arts degree in Emotional Impairment from Grand Valley State University.  

One Size Doesn't Fit All: Strategies for Personalizing Student Growth

Every student deserves the opportunity to learn and develop their God-given gifts at school. How can teachers celebrate the unique contributions each student has to offer the school community and provide appropriate challenges for all students? In this workshop, leaders from All Belong Center for Inclusive Education, will explore how to build a positive classroom culture in which all students have access to learning and individualized success. Come ready to learn practical ideas to cultivate student engagement in your classroom. Leave with strategies to increase student learning and belonging through differentiated instruction, balanced assessment approaches, and more.  

Kurt is a startup guy–ever since he was a child. Even in his early years, Kurt envisioned what was missing from the present and worked to bring it about. These qualities grew a creative developer and entrepreneur who was on a mission to see Christ’s Kingdom play out in the here and now. Kurt’s venture into Christian schooling began with supporting his wife (Jade) in the homeschooling of their five children. Trained as an attorney and while practicing law, Kurt became the founding Head of School of Valor Christian High School, serving 1200 students in grades 9-12. Sensing a growing responsibility and passion for advancing Jesus-centered education, Kurt continues to stretch for the provision, excellence, and access on a global level.

The Business of Ministry: Balancing Faith, Finances, and Forward Thinking