Welcome to Stories
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As the landscape of education rapidly evolves, so do the challenges faced by educators, particularly those working with young children. In a recent conversation with consultant and speaker Elisabeth Jochum, we delved into the intricacies of early childhood education and the critical role faith plays in navigating its complexities.
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Imagine you’re a Christian teacher, eager, confident, and sensing a call of God. You’ve earned your degree and your teacher license, you have a couple of years in the classroom under your belt, and most recently, you landed that dream job of teaching abroad in an English-speaking, western-curriculum, international Christian school this fall.
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How should a school leader prepare for faculty members missing time? Filling personnel gaps is rarely easy, whether it’s a teacher missing one day or several staff members taking jobs elsewhere. And what if the staff member that will be missing time is yourself?
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In May 2024, Christian educators from Central Africa gathered in Kinshasa, DR Congo, for a roundtable discussion. Dr. Sosthene Maletoungou, Divisional Director for Africa at the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), led the event by highlighting the importance of recognizing God's calling for public action at various levels.
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More than 500 educators learned from respected speakers and discussed how to establish a biblical worldview in their Christian schools at the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit, held in Black Mountain, North Carolina, from June 24-27. The Summit, hosted by ACSI and The Colson Center, provided resources for facilitating spiritual formation in Christian schools and consistent application of a biblical worldview, especially on topics like sexuality, mental health, and personal identity.
Featured Event
Public Policy & Advocacy Summit
Washington, D.C. | September 16-18, 2024
Join us in Washington, D.C.! Our annual Public Policy and Advocacy Summit will be held in Washington, D.C., September 16-18. This year's special professional development summit will include panel discussions
on important legislative issues, special guest speakers, and so much more. Limited seats are available, so register now!
Blog
Succession Planning
Dr. Benjamin P. Thomas | July 22, 2024
June 7, 2024, served as my final day of service as the director of the Kigali International Community School (KICS). I am thrilled to share that Dr. Dean Verwey began his service as Head of School at KICS on June 8, 2024. This didn’t happen by accident or without a determined effort. Now, I would love to share what succession has looked like for us at KICS in this process.
Podcast
Grafted Together Ep 7: God's Calling and Your Work
Jerry Nelson | July 22, 2024
This episode features an interview with Jerry Nelson on the Rooted Rhythms Podcast, hosted by Josh Leonard, the Campus Life Director at North Raleigh Christian Academy. Josh and Jerry discuss incorporating God's calling into the classroom.
Stay Informed on ACSI's Events and Resources
President's Office
“I can think of no greater cause than to partner with you to advance Christ-centered education.” Dr. Larry Taylor, ACSI President & CEO
Dr. Taylor has been serving in education for over 30 years. He is passionate about training up this generation of disciples for Jesus Christ through Christian education.
Prior to accepting the President position at ACSI, Dr. Larry Taylor served twenty years as the Head of School at Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) in Plano, Texas. Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students enrolled at four campuses as part of its school system.
Click the link below to read more.
ACSI's Mission
ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
ACSI's Foundational 3 Pillars
Advancing
Leading Christ-centered education toward excellence and flourishing
We want all schools to aspire to, achieve, and remain committed to a biblically-based philosophy of education, standards that are measurable, and flourishing-related criteria. ACSI strives to lead, support, and serve Christian schools, and educators, by placing them on a path of growth and flourishing using the research-based Flourishing Schools Initiative. This model should link leadership and faculty professional development accreditation, and every culture-driving component of a school. A common philosophy, and a flourishing-based metric, would unify our efforts of advancing Christian schools and educators.
Access
Making Christ-centered education available and obtainable
ACSI is committed to making Kingdom education available to as many children and families as desire it, believing that such an education offers students an opportunity to grow in a loving relationship with their Creator, come to know His saving work through Jesus, and flourish in His Ephesians 2:10 calling for their lives. This commitment requires removing barriers to access for those who traditionally have not benefited from Christian school, as well as seeking out new ways to create access points to Kingdom education and the ability to thrive and be successful in that education—for all those who desire it.
Advocacy
Promoting and protecting Christ-centered education for today and tomorrow
As the largest evangelical Christian school association in the world, ACSI is by default viewed as the spokesperson for Christian schooling in the public square. In order to discharge this responsibility with excellence and seasoned speech (Colossians 4:6), and to equip our member schools to do the same, ACSI must invest in developing public-facing resources and forming strategic relationships with those working in the area of advocacy for Christian Education and for religious liberty.
Stay Connected to ACSI
The ACSI Community online forum exists to provide connection, collaboration, and networking with Christ-centered education advocates, educators, and influencers in a protected online environment.
ACSI Community offers Christian educators opportunities to Connect, Collaborate, Compel, Captivate, and Comprehend. Join thousands of like-minded education professionals around to globe to grow in knowledge, sharpen skills, and deepen your faith, in a safe, authentic virtual environment.
ACSI provide helpful tools for you to find the next position God has for you through a resume review search and career planning portal. You can also discover ACSI positions.
Thinking about serving internationally? PFO2Go will provide the confidence to enter a new culture in which to both work and live outside the United States. Also, don’t miss the International Schools Job Fair.
ACSI Welcomes New Director for Biblical Unity, Diversity & Social Engagement
Colorado Springs, CO– The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to welcome Dr. Justina Jenkins as its new Director for Biblical Unity, Diversity & Social Engagement. In her new role, Jenkins, alongside the ACSI Ministry Team, will create Christ-centered educational resources to meet the unique needs of students, educators, and parents of high-poverty communities.
Jenkins and the Ministry Team will build upon ACSI’s 25-year foundation of equipping under-resourced schools, communities, and families. This foundation, comprised of a network of urban schools, was established by longtime ACSI leaders Dr. Vernard Gant and Mrs. Yvonne Jones.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor is passionate about cultivating learning environments that train students to have a biblical worldview for every objective of the curriculum and co-curriculum.
“We have an opportunity and responsibility to increase access to Christ-centered education for students who typically do not have this option,” he said. “Dr. Jenkins will spearhead ACSI’s efforts to serve our existing network of under-resourced schools. She will also work closely with ACSI’s executive team to plant new Christian schools in high-poverty communities throughout our nation.”
Jenkins joins ACSI with more than 16 years serving in education, most of those in Christian schools. She currently serves as Head of School at Rivertree Academy in Fort Worth, Texas, where she has led since 2019. She earned her Doctorate from Mercer University in Curriculum & Instruction and her Master’s of Education from Mercer University.
“I am honored and enthusiastic to embrace the role of Director for Biblical Unity, Diversity & Social Engagement,” Jenkins shared. “I am deeply committed to upholding the five foundational biblical principles that guide this position. I pray this will be a transformative journey that not only reflects these principles but actively contributes to the flourishing of schools deeply rooted in faith, understanding, and shared purpose.”
Jenkins will continue to serve as Head of School at Rivertree Academy.
ACSI Chief Ministry Officer Jerry Nelson looks forward to serving alongside Jenkins.
“ACSI is committed to building upon the foundation laid by Dr. Vernard Gant over twenty years ago,” Nelson said. “He was a champion for ‘the least of these.’ The newly formed Biblical Unity Department, under the leadership of Dr. Justina Jenkins (Director of GRAACE Initiatives), will continue to communicate the heart of Jesus to remove any and all unnecessary barriers to the most transformative education on the planet—Christian education. Dr. Jenkins brings a wealth of experience and expertise to ACSI to help us continue to provide access to Christian education for all those who desire it.”
About ACSI:
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI advances excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing vital support functions for Christian schools through multiple services including teacher and administrator certification, school accreditation, legal/legislative assistance, and curriculum publishing. Serving more than 25,000 schools in 108 countries, ACSI helps more than 5.5 million students worldwide connect to Christian education.
Strategic Partners
ACSI proudly presents the Strategic Partnership Program, which includes companies, organizations, and ministries who have been carefully chosen to benefit you—our member schools—and to assist you in accomplishing your life-changing mission.
