When student leadership becomes primarily about being seen, the heart behind it is corrupted. At the same time, it is good to recognize students when they serve others. Emily Pigott provides a helpful framework for developing students who lead beyond the spotlight.

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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 VP of Educational Resources & Student Programs.

Jerry Nelson talks with ACSI's Mike Epp and Dr. David Balik about the foundation of prayer in leadership roles.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

Mike Epp & David Balik bios:

Mike Epp has served for more than four decades in Christian education, including 19 years at Pan American Christian Academy in São Paulo, Brazil. Now in his 19th year with ACSI, he serves as the Vice President of Global Development. Mike holds a Master’s in Education and Guidance, a B.S. in Social Sciences, and a Specialist Certificate in Educational Leadership.  

Dr. David Balik currently serves as Vice President, North America for the ACSI. Prior to joining ACSI in 2015, he served as Dean of Faculty & Academic Affairs at Briarwood Christian Schools in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Balik holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English & Science from Cornerstone University (Michigan), a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Brock University (Ontario), and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University (North Carolina). He is a regularly featured guest speaker, consultant and trainer at various conferences and schools all over the world."

Jerry Nelson shares the second part of a two-part devotional-style teaching on Biblical study and how to allow God's Word and the Holy Spirit to transform you.

This podcast is also on YouTube with accompanying slides, watch here: https://youtu.be/tcLRWByny1w

Lainie Montgomery, ACSI Director of Spiritual Formation, talks with Jerry Nelson about the Flourishing Families initiative and how to get all constituents at your school to see family as a core value.

Flourishing Families website: https://flourishingfamiliesplan.org/

Lainie Montgomery serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation for ACSI, where she leads initiatives that help schools cultivate Christ-centered spiritual formation for staff, students, and families. With more than 30 years of experience in family ministry across church, parachurch, and Christian education settings, she is passionate about equipping schools to partner with families in lifelong discipleship. In 2025, she helped launch ACSI’s Flourishing Families, a three-phase process designed to help schools strengthen family discipleship and build meaningful partnerships with parents.

Jerry Nelson shares a brief devotional-style teaching on Biblical study. 

This episode is also on YouTube with powerpoint slides accompanying it. Watch here: https://youtu.be/FrC9c6Ud69o

When the assumptions we have held about scripture are challenged, it is the responsibility of every believer to return to the inerrant, infallible word of God to hear his voice afresh. Hear more insights in this episode of Grafted Together from ACSI.

Middle school is not something to get through. It's something to steward. Emily Pigott provides ways to reclaim the middle and capitalize on the special opportunities that middle school educators possess.

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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 VP of Educational Resources & Student Programs.

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.

Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss lessons he has learned as a leader and ways in which he has grown.

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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

Helen Schleper is the Head of School at Sekolah Pelita Harapan (Lippo Village campus) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Helen talks with ACSI Chief Ministry Officer Dr. Gavin Brettenny about her journey from San Jose, CA to Indonesia, the importance of teaching classes before—or during—her tenure as a head of school, and lessons from the International Christian Educator Conference.

Sekolah Pelita Harapan: https://sph.edu/

Previous episode with Mark Thiessen of Sekolah Pelita Harapan: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts/ACSI-podcasts/sharpening-kingdom-leaders-ep-15--mark-thiessen-and-a-calling-to-christian-school-leadership

Jerry Nelson talks with AJ Crocker and Caleb Williams about the importance of spiritual formation and discipleship, and the lessons they've learned in their journey in Christian education.

Caleb Williams is the Director of Student Development & Discipleship at Briercrest Christian Academy, College, and Seminary in Saskatchewan. 

Caleb resides in Caronport, Saskatchewan, with his wife, Jori, and their three daughters. With a decade of experience in Christian education, he served for nine years as the Director of Discipleship at Briercrest Christian Academy, where he developed a deep-seated passion for allowing spiritual formation to permeate the entire school experience. Currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Briercrest Seminary, Caleb also serves on the Board of Directors for ACSI Western Canada. 

Digital Resources:   https://www.briercrestchristianacademy.ca/  

https://www.briercrestchristianacademy.ca/bca-life/discipleship

AJ Crocker is the Executive Director of ACSI Western Canada, where he serves and resources Christian schools across the region. He brings 17 years of experience in Christian education, primarily at Briercrest Christian Academy, College and Seminary, where he spent nine years as a high school chaplain, investing deeply in student spiritual formation and discipleship, alongside leadership roles in communications and organizational leadership.

Guest host Josh Leonard shares insights from Jesus' teaching about a fruit-bearing tree to encourage Christian educators to abide in Christ. How can we recognize both the presence and the work of our creator the entire day?

This episode is part of a series of episodes hosted by core members of ACSI's Spiritual Formation Network. Learn more about the SFN at www.acsi.org/spiritual-formation

Josh Leonard is the Executive Director of Spiritual Formation at Foundation Academy (FL). Josh and his wife Abby live in Central Florida with their three children: Julia, Liam, and Jacob. After studying Psychology at the University of Florida, Josh earned his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.