Enhance student engagement by shifting from a consumer-based approach to a connection-oriented approach. Student Leadership & Learning Director Emily Pigott emphasizes reflecting on past achievements and potential changes for 2025, advocating for educators to connect with students beyond just imparting knowledge. She outlines practical steps for educators to become connectors, such as engaging in check-ins, being fully present, and personalizing education. The episode concludes with a reminder of the dual role of educators as builders and protectors, stressing the importance of relational teaching inspired by Jesus' example.

The Student Leadership & Learning Podcast aims to help create enriching experiences beyond the classroom, explore ways to maximize educators' impact, and develop student leaders. Your host is Emily Pigott, ACSI's Student Leadership & Learning Director.

The ACSI Podcasts help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info on all four shows here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts.

Dr. Edward Bunn and Lainie Montgomery, ACSI Director of Spiritual Formation, highlight the need for schools to include families in their mission to disciple students. They explore biblical mandates for family involvement, the challenges posed by modern culture, and practical steps for schools to integrate family partnerships into their culture. This involves prioritizing family as a core value, identifying champions within the school community, and providing resources for parents.

The Flourishing Journey podcast explores strategies for building a thriving school culture through research and practical application. The show is hosted by Dr. Edward Bunn, ACSI's Director of Professional Development.

The ACSI podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

Dr. Larry Taylor and Dr. Lynn Swaner discuss the integration of AI in Christian schools and its impact on school policies and educator perceptions. Using research from ACSI and Cardus, Dr. Swaner underscores the importance of research in understanding God's creation and aligning educational practices with theological principles.

For more on the Navigating AI in Christian Schools report: https://www.acsi.org/detail/news/2024/05/06/new_ai_report

A recent edition of Leading Insights, co-authored by Dr. Lynn Swaner, focuses on Artificial Intelligence: https://your.acsi.org/leadinginsights

Converge, a Christian education conference in Orlando, FL in February 2025, includes a pre-conference event "AI Culture: Navigating the Complexities & Opportunities" on Feb 24: https://converge.education/pre-conference-events/

Watch this episode on YouTube!

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In the Sharpening Kingdom Leaders Podcast, Dr. Larry Taylor highlights school leaders as they share their calling, best practices, models, and qualities to create a dynamic school culture.

There are three more ACSI podcasts on this channel. Each will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

Jerry Nelson and Mia Lazaga, Chief Evangelist with Archangel, discuss the partnership between ACSI and Archangel, emphasizing community development through technology training programs. Jerry and Mia highlight Archangel's evolution from a tablet delivery company to a community-focused organization. They discuss initiatives in Miami, Baltimore, and Hawaii, aiming to provide students with IT skills and professional opportunities. Archangel's comprehensive support for schools includes device preparation, cybersecurity, financial aid, and professional development for educators. The conversation also touches on the practical use of AI in education to aid teachers and Archangel's commitment to being a local resource and pillar in underserved communities.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

This is the last ACSI Podcast episode of 2024. Thank you for following along! Stay tuned for more episodes in 2025.

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All four shows of the ACSI Podcasts have a new episode each month, available here on YouTube and in audio-only form on most major podcast platforms. These podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

Thank you for joining us for one year of ACSI Podcasts!

Jerry Nelson will have one more episode in 2024, coming out December 30, featuring Mia Lazaga, Chief Evangelist from Archangel.

We must be aware of the factors affecting our students today and common values in this generation in order to most effectively engage them and make an enduring impact. For example, how should educators approach mental health education, considering the state of mental health in schools today? How about advice on financial wisdom, based on how students today value money? Tune in for Emily Pigott's encouragement and reflections.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

The Student Leadership & Learning Podcast aims to help create enriching experiences beyond the classroom, explore ways to maximize educators' impact and develop student leaders. Your host is Emily Pigott, ACSI's Student Leadership & Learning Director.

The ACSI Podcasts help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info on all four shows here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts.

Vanderbloemen Search Group helps churches and ministries build great teams. The Founder & CEO, William Vanderbloemen, joins the podcast to discuss strategies for a healthy workplace culture, lessons from hiring too quickly, and understanding leaders' strengths. "You hire hard so you can manage soft," as Dr. Bunn shares.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

The Flourishing Journey podcast explores strategies for building a thriving school culture through research and practical application. The show is hosted by Dr. Edward Bunn, ACSI's Director of Professional Development.

The ACSI podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

Grace Turyakira, Executive Director of ACSI Uganda, shares her advice for following Christ fruitfully and wholeheartedly in Christian education. She and ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor sat down during an ACSI conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

This is the final episode of 2024 for Sharpening Kingdom Leaders. Thank you for following along, and catch the final 2024 episodes of ACSI's other three shows!

Josh Leonard is the Dean of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at North Raleigh Christian Academy. He and Jerry Nelson dialogue about training students, having spiritual conversations, and modeling faith to students while maintaining authenticity.

After studying Psychology at the University of Florida, Josh earned his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. As part of his role at NRCA, Josh hosts the Rooted Rhythms Podcast, which seeks to engage in conversations surrounding the intentional pursuit of Jesus through the rhythms of our lives. Listen here: https://www.nrcaknights.com/podcast

Watch this episode here!

The Grafted Together Podcast examines how biblical worldview and spiritual formation should integrate into everyday Christian education.

All four shows of the ACSI Podcasts have a new episode each month, available here on YouTube and in audio-only form on most major podcast platforms. These podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

If we teach our students not what to think but how to think, we equip them with the skill to discern with wisdom. Emily Pigott provides more encouragement and advice on how to intentionally converse with students. Christian education provides the opportunities to have conversations daily with students, but making the most of these chances is key to helping students utilize a biblical worldview when navigating difficult topics.

The book by Sean McDowell that Emily mentions: https://www.christianbook.com/stalemate-past-cancel-culture-meaningful-conversations/9781496481153/pd/481157?srsltid=AfmBOorEVtEvCJy1xVU_Lr1csdG63mfHSsSWB5d0cfyPK2LiqIEN5i0p

The Student Leadership & Learning Podcast aims to help create enriching experiences beyond the classroom, explore ways to maximize educators' impact, and develop student leaders. Your host is Emily Pigott, ACSI's Student Leadership & Learning Director.

The ACSI Podcasts help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info on all four shows here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts.