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Houston Training for Building Flourishing School Communities 

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The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) will host its popular Flourishing Schools Institute (FSi), drawing Christian school leaders from across the globe to The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria October 29-31, 2024. This institute will feature a new lineup of expert speakers including Mia Mbroh, author, professional counselor and consultant, Dr. Dave Mulder, Professor of Education at Dordt University, and more. The institute will also host a special panel on artificial intelligence for Christian schools.

A part of ACSI’s Flourishing Initiative—a multifaceted approach to assessing and improving school culture so that all members can collectively thrive— the FSi correlates with the research-validated Flourishing School Culture Instrument (FSCI) and the resulting Flourishing School Culture Model (FSCM). 

The FSCI provides a comprehensive analysis of a school’s strengths and areas for growth, while the FSCM serves as a model comprised of five domains—Purpose, Relationships, Teaching & Learning, Expertise & Resources, and Well-Being, as stated on the ACSI website. The institute is organized around these five research-based domains that contribute to the development of a Christ-centered flourishing school.

ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor believes equipping leaders with a biblically based philosophy of education is essential to the health and success of the entire school community.

“The Flourishing Schools Institute provides an opportunity for Christian school leaders to deepen their understanding of how to build and sustain a Christ-centered flourishing school culture,” he said. “We’re excited to offer this transformative experience with an outstanding lineup of speakers at our upcoming event in Houston.”

The institute in Houston will feature sessions focused on the constructs of spiritual formation, holistic teaching, leadership well-being, community engagement, and leveraging technology within a Christian framework. 

Speakers including Dr. Rian Djita, ACSI Director of Research, Natasha Crain, speaker, blogger, podcaster, and author, Dr. Derek Schuurman, Professor of Computer Science at Calvin University, and Dr. Larry Taylor, ACSI President, will provide best practice content in their respective domain to assist participants in framing their action plans and initiatives.

According to Cindy Dodds, ACSI Chief of Flourishing Initiatives, FSi sessions will be largely interactive, allowing leaders to collaborate in the development of an action plan that meets the unique, research-informed needs of their school.

“The FSi helps schools move from research to practice,” Dodds said. “Our vision is to see Christian school leadership teams engage in an enduring, transformative school growth process in tandem with other Christian school leaders, together pursuing flourishing school communities. We are beginning to see this vision realized, as school leadership teams return to the institute year over year to engage more deeply in their flourishing journey.”

Renee McLamb, Head of School at Northwood Temple Academy in North Carolina, has attended two of the ACSI Flourishing Schools Institutes.

“The Flourishing Schools Institute fans the passion for Christian education in not only my life, but in the lives of my admin team,” McLamb shared. “`Getting better at getting better’ has been our admin motto for the past few years, and the FSi has helped us do just that…get better at getting better! We came back from the institute and immediately started evaluating practices in all areas of the school.”

Taylor believes the institute will launch educators on the journey toward Christ-centered flourishing school cultures.

“I know first-hand the importance of collaboration and shared wisdom,” he said. “This gathering offers each participant a tailored path toward creating a thriving, Christ-honoring school.”To learn more about FSi, visit the website or connect with the ACSI Care Team by calling (800) 367-0798 or by emailing careteam@acsi.org.

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