Radical Excellence for Christian Schools

By John Hitchcock

 

   Cultures Change, but Christian School Principles do not!

 

    When passion and practicality collide, the result is a book that grassroots educators can relate to, even as they may be experiencing unusual circumstances.

    Being an educator is not easy, nor is it predictable on a daily basis. In Radical Excellence for Christian Schools, the author shares a diversity of opportunities and difficulties that create a healthy harmony in a career that has been enjoyable and rewarding. Most importantly, the events and philosophies that are presented are not trivial regurgitation of expected educational buzz words, but addresses topics and concepts that are not covered in university education programs or mundane "professional development" meetings.

 

    You may not agree with everything in this book, but you will experience some unboxed ideas worthy of internal musing. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Hitchcock
• Release date: Jun 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201772109

John Hitchcock

Growing up in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State gave me the opportunity to develop and independent spirit, but also created an aloneness that eventually had to be dealt with.  Once I understood you don’t have to be perfect to be successful, life became enjoyable. My parents taught me that doing the right thing at the right time produced positive results. Mom and Dad both worked, but that did not prevent us from doing things as a family. We went camping, played neighborhood softball games, went to the drive-in theater for all the John Wayne movies, bowled together, and ate dinner (actually, we called it supper) together. My independent actions and ideas were allowed, even encouraged. Buying amateur radio equipment or a new BB-gun gave me the opportunity to find a job to pay for it. Thus, raising chickens and selling the eggs, even picking and canning tomatoes for the lady down the road became part of my middle school years. During the early years of college, my relationship with God gave me the courage to deal with some tough emotional challenges. Now, as an experienced classroom teacher, parent and grandparent, I am thankful for the parenting lessons my mother and father implanted in my heart. Those ideas are nothing new or radical, just logical and effective. One evidence of positive, not perfect, parenting that they imparted to me is quite simple – I continue to wake up every morning anxious and excited to get on with another good day!

Book preview

Living Free

Un-cen-sored  (un sen' sәrd), The God word is used frequently and appropriately without regard to political correctness or fear of offending a non-believer. Those who are uncomfortable with the uncensored nature of this book should replace the word God with Higher Order or the simple statement, doing what is right.

Un-fet-tor-ed (un fet'tәrd), v. Following the principles and practices presented herein will free teachers and administrators to become leaders and visionaries. Choosing proactively to follow the principles of this book will allow educational professionals to become unfettered and have the freedom to produce students who grow academically, socially and spiritually.

Note: Politically correct readers may replace the word spiritually in the sentence above with self-esteem or some other pc-acceptable term. No matter how you say it, there are internal attributes that make us all better people, whether or not we say it in a politically correct manner.

Challenge to the Public Sector

If you look too quickly it might seem as if this book is written exclusively to the Christian school arena. Such is not the case. School is still school. Rather, learning is still learning, and the principles discussed in this book are applicable to all students. Those who teach in the public sector of education cannot overtly use God-words, but the principles never change.

My challenge to you is simple. Lay aside whatever prejudices that you have and enthusiastically embrace the foundational principles on which good learning depends.

Foreword

Stephen Hoff (An ardent admirer of common sense!)

On what foundational principles does excellent learning depend? Do our students see the necessary relevance in what they’re learning? Are teachers generating the needed energy and enthusiasm for effective learning? Has the removal of God from the public sector of education rendered our schools little more than mechanical distributors of state education department-directed curriculum? Do our private Christian schools continue to offer the positive, God-centered professionalism necessary in education?  These and many more questions are addressed by John as he explores what truly works in educating our children.

This book, at times, is John’s very personal reflection on what does not work, and how these negatives have adversely affected both our students and our teachers. These reflections include frustration over a continuing lack of financial incentive for teachers in the Christian school arena, and that every excuse is used (from both school boards and administrators) to justify that sacrifice. As well, the inability of Christian schools to hang onto some of their best, most seasoned veterans. Economic hardship can cause many of our teachers to find their way into the public school arena, if for no other reason than to pay the bills.

Another area of concern revolves around the often adopted practice of school administrators who assume that leadership should be authoritarian, and that the faculty should simply line up and obey. To the contrary, Lateral Leadership is essential in a successful school, and for creating a sense of empowerment for both staff and faculty. Inclusion is a good thing, and trusting qualified subordinates is essential.

John has a three-pronged strategy for the attainment of the Christian mind, the most important part of Christian schooling in America today. First, there exists the need to redefine professionalism. The second strategy discussed involves our paying some attention to Tom’s of Maine, a health and body care company which exemplifies a commitment to remain faithful (in application) to their mission statement.

The third and final strategy is the absolute necessity for lateral leadership. Authoritarian leadership does little more than hurt the morale of the school, hurt the mission of the school, and empower only those at the top. The experienced teacher should be trusted to make the right decisions for their students’ well-being. Maintaining the status quo is often the least desirable way of teaching a lesson, and administrators and teachers alike can benefit from that perspective.

In summary, to genuinely follow scriptural directives means to become a school whose influence profoundly impacts the lives of students and the surrounding community. If we’re failing in this regard, then the advice given in this book can revolutionize and revitalize the Christian school movement in this country. John takes a careful look at the nuts and bolts of what’s wrong in Christian education, but more importantly, what can work.

To God be the glory.

Steve Hoff is an outstanding educator with experience in Christian schools in New York, Ohio, California, and North Carolina.

What Happened to Society?

Who would have ever thought we would be dealing with the following?

Cancel Culture

Systemic Racism

White Privilege

Gender Identity

Political Rancor – even hate

Rampant Crime – including school shootings

Being Woke

Critical Race Theory

The purpose of this book is not to address those specific issues. We do, however, strongly suggest you as a Christian School take each of those topics and make definite plan as to how you will address them.

Don’t delude yourselves and think they will never affect your school. There are forces at loose in our society with the goal of causing confusion, especially those that will cause conservative Christian groups to compromise their stated biblical views.

Do not yield! Build a plan designed to act aggressively in opposing these incorrect and biblically wrong views.

Do not delay. Then we suggest you strongly suggest you publicly publish your plans. This publicity will give your parent base the confidence you will support them in their desire for safe and effective Christian Schools.

Introduction

This whole God-thing has created an oxymoronic mess in education. We kicked God out of the public sector, yet we keep coming back to the attributes of His character that are written in His Book and make us successful people.

Jack O'Connell, the California state superintendent for Public Instruction, is quoted in the August 18, 2006, Long Beach Press Telegram. Our profession is more important today than any other time in the world. We need to challenge students to take more rigorous courses. We need to have high standards and high expectations for all our students.

The Press Telegram goes on to indicate O'Connell's ...own set of academic R's - Rigor, Relevance and Relationship...

The same article quotes an assistant principal at Duarte High School as saying, We play a big part in students' success. The relationship connection is the piece that can make a difference.

These two educators are precisely on target. Excellent