Flourishing Schools Institute

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

Overview
The Flourishing Schools Institute (FSi) brings ACSI school leaders and teachers together so they can collaborate and implement research-based principles. Learn from new Institute faculty speakers about wide-ranging topics related to the Flourishing Domains, including new constructs that have not been addressed before. Attending FSi will encourage you to continue your flourishing journey—or begin one!

Suggested Teacher Track

Teachers, welcome to FSi! At FSi, you will have the opportunity to learn from a panel of dynamic keynote speakers and attend a variety of breakout sessions that address the constructs of: Holistic Teaching, Stress, Mentoring Students, Engaged Learning, and Resources (Technology).

Gain Perspective

The Institute will give you rich perspective on what flourishing truly looks like and will equip you with the expertise and processes to bring your entire team on the journey to flourishing.

Cultivate Community

The Institute is a place to meet brothers and sisters in Christ who are dedicated to creating flourishing Christian schools.

Transform Lives

Through the Institute, you will discover how to apply research-based principles in your everyday leadership and school activities to radically transform your school culture.

Cultivating Leaders and Empowering Educators to Transform Culture
Your School Can Flourish

A flourishing Christian school is a community of students, educators, and families that glorifies Christ and excels in knowing Him and making Him known. Though such a community happens entirely by His grace, it does not happen at all by accident.

Click on the interactive model for more information.

Flourishing Schools Institute from ACSI
Research-based Learning

Dig deep into what flourishing in a Christian school means. Dynamic keynote speakers and breakout teachers will guide you through unpacking the ground-breaking, research-based Flourishing Christian School Model consisting of five domains: Purpose, Relationships, Learning Orientation, Expertise, and Resources along with Well-Being.

Interactive Experimentation & Application

Put your thinking into action with a collaborative time to process flourishing learnings with speakers and other educators. Together, we will brainstorm an action plan for your school culture. We hope you will enjoy the opportunity to network with other school leaders and teachers through the Institute.

Experiential, Exponential Growth

With in-person locations across the United States to consider, this unique, hands-on experience will be a rewarding investment professionally for you, your leadership team, and your teaching team, and for the long-term health of your school culture and community. These destinations also provide the opportunity to explore and enjoy a different perspective.

The Flourishing Christian School Model offers a wide range of ways to engage. While you may choose to just attend the Institute, we strongly recommend bundling the Instrument and Institute together, which will provide you with a fuller experience. If your survey data is completed before arriving at the Institute, it will help you to know what to focus on and thereby allow you to make the most of this collaborative time.

 

Hear From Past FSi Attendees

No matter how long you’ve been in Christian ed, there’s never a finish line. I think the professional development from a biblical worldview is extremely important.

Christy Monda, Loganville Christian Academy

I simply love FSi. I love the level of professionalism, the quality of speakers along with the research base. It’s really taking ACSI and Christian schools overall to a different level.

Denver Daniel, Open Door Christian Schools

The Flourishing Schools Institute was a powerful opportunity to learn about the research base behind what makes Christian schools flourish. The institute was well laid out and contained a good balance of solid keynote presentations coupled with roundtable discussions about the application. The content was spiritually rich, encouraging, and challenging. I left feeling affirmed, supported, and inspired to continue to lead my school toward flourishing from a Biblical perspective.

Randy Claes, Wooster Christian School

In over 20 years of attending ACSI events, this was the best training I've ever received. My team and I walked away challenged and equipped. The FSi event was the perfect blend of practical and theory, individual reflection, and group collaboration, and it even included practical "next steps" for our school that felt manageable. I look forward to attending again!

Mike Skaggs, Trinity Christian Academy

Seeing a research-backed roadmap to how a Christian school can flourish has been invaluable for us.

Dan Steinfeld, Delaware County Christian School
Registration
FSi-Houston-2023-Header_wo_dates

Houston, TX

October 29–31, 2024

Flourishing - Institute Attendance
Member Pricing
$799 $549
Non-Member Pricing
$999 $749
Promo Code: FSIHOU250

Register for the Pre-Event Data Workshops

Register for Pre-Event Learning Labs

* Title II funding could assist with this professional development cost. Call the ACSI Care Team at (800) 367-0798 for more information.

Opening Session
Time
Activity
2:00-5:00pm
Institute Registration
2:30-3:30pm
Pre-Institute Data Workshops (Free/Optional)
4:00pm-5:00pm
Learning Labs (Free/Optional)
4:00-6:00pm
Hotel Check-In
5:00-5:45pm
Appetizer Fellowship & Exhibitors
5:45-6:00pm
Worship & Welcome
6:15-7:45pm
Foundations for Flourishing
Day 2
7:15am
Breakfast/Exhibitors
7:50am
Worship & Welcome
8:05am
Flourishing Foundations
8:35am
Keynote: Purpose Domain
9:30am
Engagement Session: Purpose
10:40am
Break/Exhibitors
11:00am
Keynote: Teaching & Learning Domain
11:50am
Engagement Session: Teaching & Learning
1:00pm
Networking Lunch
2:00pm
Keynote: Relationships Domain
2:45pm
Break/Exhibitors
3:10pm
Engagement Session: Relationships
4:20pm
End of Day
Evening
Create a team building event or planning session w/ your school team (Optional)
Day 3
7:15am
Breakfast/Exhibitors
7:50am
Worship & Welcome
8:05am
Keynote: Well-Being Domain
9:05am
Engagement Session: Well-Being
10:15am
Break/Exhibitors
10:45am
Keynote: Expertise & Resources Domain
11:50am
Engagement Session: Expertise & Resources
1:00pm
Lunch & Closing Remarks with Dr. Larry Taylor
2:20pm
End of Day

*Please note this is a sample schedule and the final schedule can change per specific location.

Faculty
Dr. Larry Taylor
Dr. Larry Taylor
President and CEO, ACSI

Dr. Larry Taylor is the president of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Prior to assuming leadership at ACSI, Dr. Taylor served for 20 years as the Head of School at Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) in Plano, Texas. Dr. Taylor previously served as President of the Texas Private Schools Association (TPSA) Board of Directors. Dr. Taylor also was a high school principal and assistant headmaster for 12 years at The First Academy in Orlando, Florida and has held teaching positions within the public school system. Taylor co-launched a national training institute for schools, “Becoming a Kingdom School Institute” and founded the Student Leadership Institute (SLI) program. He developed a training program for parents called “Becoming a Kingdom Family.” Dr. Taylor published the book titled Running with The Horses, which helps parents raise children to be servant-leaders for Christ and helps to build a family plan.

Architect, ACSI Flourishing Schools Research

Lynn Swaner
Dr. Lynn Swaner
President, US for Cardus

Lynn’s professional experience spans several sectors and encompasses roles in academia, sponsored research, associations, and independent schools. As a result, she is passionate about building bridges within and across fields. Lynn’s work brings thinkers, researchers, funders, and doers together to shape paradigms and practices for greater flourishing. Lynn is the editor or lead author of several books including Future Ready: Innovative Missions and Models in Christian Education (ACSI & Cardus, 2022) and Flourishing Together: A Christian Vision for Students, Educators, and Schools (Eerdmans, 2021).

Institute Faculty 2023-2024

Domain: Purpose
purpose
Natasha Crain
Keynote
Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture
Natasha Crain
Speaker, Blogger, Podcaster, Author

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Natasha Crain
Speaker, Blogger, Podcaster, Author

Natasha Crain is a speaker, blogger, podcaster, and author of four books who equips Christians to think more clearly about holding to a biblical worldview in an increasingly challenging secular world. Her latest book is Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture. Natasha is also the author of three apologetics books for parents: Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side, Talking with Your Kids about God, and Talking with Your Kids about Jesus. She hosts The Natasha Crain Podcast and co-hosts the Unshaken Faith Podcast with Alisa Childers. She is a frequent guest on radio and TV shows across the US and Canada. Natasha has an MBA from UCLA and a certificate in Christian apologetics from Biola University and is a former marketing executive and adjunct professor.

Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture

If you have a biblical worldview, you’re now in a shrinking worldview minority. And the dominant worldview of the culture around us—a strident secularism—is fundamentally at odds with the biblical worldview. This opposing and often hostile secularism is putting extensive pressure on 1) what Christians believe, 2) the ways our beliefs inform how we think, and 3) how we live out our faith. In this keynote, Natasha Crane shares how we can each regain clarity on what it means to be faithfully different from today’s culture for 1) the health of our own relationship with the Lord and 2) our ability to effectively be salt and light to others.

Natasha Crain
Breakout Session
Integrated Worldview: Guiding Students to Develop a Confident Faith in a Secular Culture
Natasha Crain
Speaker, Blogger, Podcaster, Author

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Integrated Worldview: Guiding Students to Develop a Confident Faith in a Secular Culture

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.

Dr. Shawnteria Mack
Breakout Session
Holistic Teaching: Creating Spaces to Work Through Good Tensions
Dr. Shawnteria Mack
High School Assistant Administrator at Calvary Christian Academy

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Dr. Shawnteria Mack
High School Assistant Administrator at Calvary Christian Academy

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.

Holistic Teaching: Creating Spaces to Work Through Good Tensions

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
Breakout Session
Spiritual Formation: Checking the Fertile Soil
Dr. Dean Ridder
Head of School of Isaac Newton Christian Academy

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Dr. Dean Ridder
Head of School of Isaac Newton Christian Academy

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.

Spiritual Formation: Checking the Fertile Soil

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.

Domain: Well-Being
well-being
Mia Mbroh
Keynote
And the Soul Felt It’s Worth: Attending to All Aspects of Well-Being
Mia Mbroh
Licensed Counselor and Author

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Mia Mbroh
Licensed Counselor and Author

A licensed profession counselor for over 25 years, Mia is a certified parent educator and a trained facilitator. Mia facilitates healthy conversations in regard to the topics of relational health, mental and emotional wellness, diversity, faith, awareness, and self-improvement. Mia holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Family Psychology with a minor in Education and Communication. She is also a published author and has recently written "A Sticky Story" - a children's book about navigating emotions and feelings when hard things happen. In response to a world that has brought anxiety and grief to the forefront, this book was created as a tool to evoke life-giving conversations with a young audience.

And the Soul Felt It’s Worth: Attending to All Aspects of Well-Being

Attending with intention to our mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness allows the learning environments we inhabit to thrive and flourish. In our attempt to create systems and processes that promote biblical wellness and reduce stress, we strive for our faculty and staff members to be well in body, mind, and spirit. Mia Mbroh guides leaders to consider all aspects of well-being.

Mia Mbroh
Breakout Session
Stress (Leader): Navigating Stress in the Pursuit of Leadership Well-Being
Mia Mbroh
Licensed Counselor and Author

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Stress (Leader): Navigating Stress in the Pursuit of Leadership Well-Being

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.

Wendy Mattner
Breakout Session
Resilience: Struck Down But Not Destroyed
Wendy Mattner
Counselor

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Wendy Mattner
Counselor

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.

Resilience: Struck Down But Not Destroyed

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
Breakout Session
Stress (Teachers): Personal Well-being Strategies to Foster A Culture of Peace
Nancy Gillespie
School Counselor

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Nancy Gillespie
School Counselor

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.

Stress (Teachers): Personal Well-being Strategies to Foster A Culture of Peace

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

Domain: Relationships
relationships
Dave Hill
Keynote
Too Much Selfie Isn’t Healthy!
Dave Hill
Founder of HeartSmart & Children's Ministry Director at Bethel Church

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Dave Hill
Founder of HeartSmart & Children's Ministry Director at Bethel Church

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.

Too Much Selfie Isn’t Healthy!

Authentic relationships require trust and trust is the exchanging of truth. In a world of relative truth, cancel culture, and diminishing face-to-face time, how can we shape communities that remain connected despite disagreement? Is it possible that under the self-automated newsfeed and polarizing beliefs we might gather around the person of Truth and Love and in so doing find our common unity? Dave Hill explores these questions as we seek to develop authentic relationships in our Christian schools.

Dave Hill
Breakout Session
Prosocial Orientation: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Dave Hill
Founder of HeartSmart & Children's Ministry Director at Bethel Church

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Dave Hill
Founder of HeartSmart & Children's Ministry Director at Bethel Church

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.

Prosocial Orientation: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

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
Breakout Session
Supportive Leadership: Six Leadership Behaviors That Increase Teacher Commitment to School Improvement
Dr. Gavin Brettenny
ACSI Global Vice President

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Dr. Gavin Brettenny
ACSI Global Vice President

Dr. Gavin Brettenny lived most of his life in South Africa. As ACSI Global Vice President, 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.

Supportive Leadership: Six Leadership Behaviors That Increase Teacher Commitment to School Improvement

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.

Collette House
Breakout Session
Mentoring Students: Authentic, Effective Engagement
Dr. Collette House
Superintendent at Aurora Christian Schools

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Dr. Collette House
Superintendent at Aurora Christian Schools

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.

Mentoring Students: Authentic, Effective Engagement

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.

Domain: Teaching and Learning
teaching and learning
Dr. Dave Mulder
Keynote
Joy on the Journey: Learning to Teach Christianly
Dr. Dave Mulder
Professor of Education at Dordt University

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Dr. Dave Mulder
Professor of Education at Dordt University

Dr. Dave 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. Dave 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.

Joy on the Journey: Learning to Teach Christianly

Does Jesus care how you arrange the desks in your classroom? How you assign homework? How you lead a professional learning community? How you communicate with parents? Taking our faith seriously will have real impacts on not just what we think, but also what we do as educators. In this session, Dr. Dave Mulder considers teaching Christianly as both demanding work and also a joyful journey of discipleship that we get to pursue!

Dr. Dave Mulder
Breakout Session
Engaged Learning: Growing as a Whimsical Teacher/Leader
Dr. Dave Mulder
Professor of Education at Dordt University

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Engaged Learning: Growing as a Whimsical Teacher/Leader

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
Breakout Session
Professional Development: Stewarding a Culture of Growth
Elisa Carlson
Head of School of Central Christian School

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Elisa Carlson
Head of School of Central Christian School

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.

Professional Development: Stewarding a Culture of Growth

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.

Milton Gonzalez
Breakout Session
Culture of Improvement: Cultivating God's Vision for Thriving Growth
Milton Gonzalez
CEO at Covenant Christian Academy

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Milton Gonzalez
CEO at Covenant Christian Academy

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.

Culture of Improvement: Cultivating God's Vision for Thriving 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.

Domain: Expertise and Resources
expertise and resources
Dr. Derek Schuurman
Keynote
AI and the Biblical Story: Thoughts from a Christian Computer Scientist
Dr. Derek Schuurman
Professor of Computer Science at Calvin College

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Dr. Derek Schuurman
Professor of Computer Science at Calvin College

Derek C. Schuurman worked as an electrical engineer for several years and later completed a Ph.D. at McMaster University in the area of robotics and computer vision using machine learning. He is currently professor of computer science at Calvin University, a fellow of the American Scientific Affiliation, and an advisor for AI&Faith. He has written about faith and technology issues in a variety of publications including monthly columns in Christian Courier and contributions to the Christian Scholars Review blog. He is the author of the book Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology and co-author of A Christian Field Guide to Technology for Engineers and Designers, both published by InterVarsity Academic Press.

AI and the Biblical Story: Thoughts from a Christian Computer Scientist

Many believe that AI could lead us toward some sort of paradise. A rival story suggests that the future doesn’t need us and that AI will ultimately threaten humanity. Dr. Derek Schuurman explores a vision for AI informed by the Biblical story and some recommendations for how it might guide us toward more responsible AI. A biblical worldview remains relevant with implications for AI in today's digital age.

Dr. Derek Schuurman
Breakout Session
Resources (Technology): AI and the Biblical Story
Dr. Derek Schuurman
Professor of Computer Science at Calvin College

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Resources (Technology): AI and the Biblical Story

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
Breakout Session
Resource Constraints: Raising Necessary Capital without Losing Necessary Annual Giving
Schuyler Lehman
Founder & Chairman of Mission Advancement

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Schuyler Lehman
Founder & Chairman of Mission Advancement

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.

Resource Constraints: Raising Necessary Capital without Losing Necessary Annual Giving

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
Breakout Session
Qualified Staff: Finding and Retaining the Right People
Chris Loncar
ACSI Vice President of Human Resources

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Chris Loncar
ACSI Vice President of Human Resources

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.

Qualified Staff: Finding and Retaining the Right People

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.

Hotel Information

Houston, TX

October 29–31, 2024

Houston Skyline

The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria
2222 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027, US

Room rate: $189 per night

Reserve Hotel Rooms

Contact
Yes, I want to learn more about the ACSI Flourishing Schools Institute!
Opening Session
Time
Activity
2:00-5:00pm
Institute Registration
2:30-3:30pm
Pre-Institute Data Workshops (Free/Optional)
4:00pm-5:00pm
Post-Event Learning Labs (Free/Optional)
4:00-6:00pm
Hotel Check-In
5:00-5:45pm
Appetizer Fellowship & Exhibitors
5:45-6:00pm
Worship and Welcome
6:15-8:00pm
Foundations in Flourishing
Day 2
7:30am
Continental Breakfast & Exhibitors
7:55am
Worship & Welcome
8:10am
Keynote: Purpose Domain
8:50am
Break
9:10am
Engagement Session: Purpose
10:25am
Break/Exhibitors
10:45am
Keynote: Teaching & Learning Domain
11:30am
Break
11:45am
Engagement Session: Teaching & Learning
1:00pm
Networking Lunch
2:00pm
Keynote: Relationships Domain
2:45pm
Break
3:00pm
Engagement Session: Relationships
4:15pm
End of Day
Evening
Create a team building event or planning session w/ your school team (Optional)
Day 3
7:30am
Continental Breakfast & Exhibitors
7:55am
Worship & Welcome
8:10am
Keynote: Well-Being Domain
8:50am
Break
9:10am
Engagement Session: Well-Being
10:25am
Break/Exhibitors
10:45am
Keynote: Expertise & Resources Domain
11:30am
Break
11:45am
Engagement Session: Expertise & Resources
1:00pm
Lunch & Closing Remarks with Dr. Larry Taylor
2:20pm
End of Day

*Please note this is a sample schedule and the final schedule can change per specific location.

Defining Well-Being

Well-being is an important domain for both student and educator flourishing. The FSCI identified three constructs related to well-being—one for teachers and leaders (Stress), and two for students (Healthy Living and Resilience). This domain and related constructs demonstrate that the well-being of educators and students is not a secondary concern—but an essential contributor to flourishing outcomes.

Well-Being FSCM Constructs

Stress – Constant feelings of stress and being overwhelmed accompany a lack of time to prepare for instruction (Teachers) or to focus on physical health (Leaders).

Healthy Living – Students are happy with their physical health, including sufficient exercise and a healthy diet.

Resilience – Students handle stress effectively and respond well to/bounce back from difficult situations.

Defining Purpose

A Christian perspective on education provides the telos, or purposeful aim, of Christian schooling. The FSCI identified a commitment on the part of all school constituencies to the central purposes of education as strongly connected with flourishing outcomes.

Purpose FSCM Constructs

Responsibility – Leaders, teachers, and support staff feel a sense of shared ownership for school mission, success, and improvement.

Holistic Teaching – Teaching involves helping students develop spiritually and emotionally (teaching the heart and soul, as well as the mind).

Integrated Worldview – Christian worldview changes how we educate; there is no such thing as a secular sphere.

God’s Story – Students believe they are a part of God’s bigger plan and can be used by him to “make a difference.”

Questioning – Students have doubts about their faith, lack time to pray or study the Bible, and feel that most Christians are too judgmental.

Partnership – Families feel they are a part of the school’s mission, and that their child’s spiritual development requires their partnering with and being involved at the school.

Spiritual Formation – Alumni report that their Christian faith is stronger thanks to attending a Christian school, and they believe people can change with God’s help.

Defining Expertise & Resources

While a sense of purpose is essential for Christian school leaders and teachers, their ability to fulfill that purpose is necessarily dependent upon their expertise as educators. FCSI research shows that flourishing is connected to excellence in educational and school management practices.

Expertise & Resources FSCM Constructs

Qualified Staff – New teacher hires are credentialed (licensed/certified) and have classroom experience.

Responsiveness to Special Needs – Teaching staff works together to serve students with special needs, aided by processes and resources for identifying and responding to those needs.

Resources – Materials and resources for teaching, including technology, are sufficient, and the school building is in good physical condition.

Resource Planning – A strategic financial plan and master facilities plan is in place, and financial planning is a strength of the board.

Resource Constraints – The school has financial resources to operate effectively; or, we could be more effective as a school if not for fiscal constraints, and we lack the resources we need to make changes in our school.

Opening Session
Time
Activity
2:00-5:00pm
Institute Registration
2:30-3:30pm
Pre-Institute Data Workshops (Free/Optional)
4:00pm-5:00pm
Post-Event Learning Labs (Free/Optional)
4:00-6:00pm
Hotel Check-In
5:00-6:00pm
Appetizer Fellowship & Exhibitors
6:00-6:15pm
Worship and Welcome
6:15-8:00pm
Foundations in Flourishing
Day 2
7:30am
Continental Breakfast & Exhibitors
7:55am
Worship & Welcome
8:20am
Keynote: Purpose Domain
9:00am
Break
9:15am
Engagement Session: Purpose
10:30am
Break/Exhibitors
10:55am
Keynote: Teaching & Learning Domain
11:35am
Break
11:45am
Engagement Session: Teaching & Learning
1:00pm
Networking Lunch
2:10pm
Keynote: Relationships Domain
2:50pm
Break
3:05pm
Engagement Session: Relationships
4:20pm
End of Day
Evening
Create a team building event or planning session w/ your school team (Optional)
Day 3
7:30am
Continental Breakfast & Exhibitors
7:55am
Worship & Welcome
8:20am
Keynote: Well-Being Domain
9:00am
Break
9:15am
Engagement Session: Well-Being
10:30am
Break/Exhibitors
10:55am
Keynote: Expertise & Resources Domain
11:35am
Break
11:45am
Engagement Session: Expertise & Resources
1:00pm
Lunch & Closing Remarks with Dr. Larry Taylor
2:15pm
End of Day

*Please note this is a sample schedule and the final schedule can change per specific location.