EVENTS
CESA Schools are doing fantastic work to pour into the professional learning of the Christian schooling movement. Take a look at some of the events happening on CESA School campuses across the country!
Teacher Leader Masterclass
@ Des Moines Christian
Every Christian school has those impact players—the teachers who mentor peers, shape culture, and go the extra mile for students and families. They’re the heartbeat, the secret sauce, the leaders of our schools. But here’s the problematic question: why do we keep asking teachers to lead without equipping them with leadership development? The Teacher Leader Masterclass is designed to engage these leaders over a 12-month leadership journey.
Harkness Training @ Little Rock Christian Academy
When fused, a Biblical Worldview and the Harkness method create a powerful environment for both intellectual and spiritual formation. The biblical worldview provides the foundation—shaping how students see reality, interpret truth, and discern right from wrong through the lens of Scripture. The Harkness method complements this approach by fostering dialogue, critical thinking, and collaboration around a shared table, where students must not only express their ideas but also listen with humility. In this fusion, students learn to “think rightly” because their reasoning is anchored in biblical truth and sharpened through rigorous discussion. They learn to “act justly” as they practice applying wisdom to real-life questions in community, respecting others while discerning what is good and true. Ultimately, this approach forms students who are not just academically capable but who are deeply devoted to the life of Christ—disciples who love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and who live out their faith with courage and compassion.
StoriED @ Little Rock Christian Academy
How do we call students into something greater?
When students pass through a classroom door, they should be transported into a setting that invites and inspires. Each little world should have clear rules, an epic journey, and beauty all around. Teachers, who serve as stewards and storytellers, should craft lessons that unfold like a storyline. These lessons should seek to engage and equip students through collective struggle. Students who serve as growing leaders should own their role and value others above themselves. Finally, classes should reunite and reflect on their growth for the day. Through these moments of resolution, they should aim to connect their learning to a higher purpose and God’s bigger story.
Welcome to StoriED!
Just like the age-old tales of adventure, our classes unfold each day like a story. A storied classroom has a beautiful setting, a challenging storyline, and a meaningful resolution. Rather than elevating the loudest in the room, we seek to equip the servant-hearted. We call our students to SPEAK, EXCEL, RESTORE, VALUE, and ENCOURAGE as servant leaders within this tale. Let the story begin!
Together, let’s cultivate student leaders, one story at a time. Join the StoriED movement today.
The Wheaton Academy Best Practices Conference
After 172 years, Wheaton Academy is living out a promise made by our Board of Directors in the late 1980s—when we were a struggling school with an uncertain future. The Board pledged that if our school endured and thrived, we would pursue excellence and share what we learned with others.
Fast forward three decades, and Dr. Gene Frost cast a vision for a conference where Christian schools could gather to explore best practices in education. His goal was to create a space for collaboration—where school leaders could learn from one another and strengthen their ministries through shared wisdom.
Today, that vision continues. For the past 16 years, each June, school leaders from across the country have come to Wheaton Academy and other partner schools to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and grow together. Every school brings unique strengths and opportunities for growth, and together, we are advancing the mission of Christian education. The conference equips Christian school leaders in a variety of areas—including academics, operations, leadership, athletics, co-curriculars, marketing, and enrollment. Each participant joins a specialized cohort focused on the how—providing practical strategies and actionable insights tailored to their specific role and school context.