Teachers Enjoy ACSI Nexus

Thursday and Friday, October 17 and 18, DPCA students enjoyed a couple of days out of school - while DPCA teachers and staff went back to school!  On those two days, over 14,000 Christian school educators, including most of the DPCA staff, gathered in centers around the United States for professional development and inspirational reminders of the importance and value of Christian schooling.  The Association of Christian Schools International - of which DPCA is a member - put together the live, simultaneously broadcast conference called ACSI Nexus 2013.  DPCA staff attended the conference at ACSI Headquarters in Colorado Springs.

The conference opened with a keynote address by ACSI president Dr. Dan Egeler encouraging us to Carpe Aeternitatum - to Seize Eternity - "why settle for just one day?"  Dr. Egeler reminded delegates that we have this tremendous privilege as Christian school educators - to teach and serve with eternity in mind.  That theme persisted throughout the conference, with content ranging from practical tips for improving classroom instruction, to suggestions for connecting with our increasingly "digital" students. Teachers and staff came away encouraged:  Mrs. Akers noted, "I was just amazed that the speakers and their thoughts not only connected with each other, but also addressed exactly what those of us in Amy’s car were talking about on the way over.  It seemed that every speaker addressed something of value for me, even though I am not in a classroom."

The benefits for DPCA teachers continue through the school year: ACSI maintains an online professional development and networking community called ACSI ConNexus that provides for teachers to have contact with Christian school peers around the world, and features hundreds of hours of professional development courses on a wide variety of topics.  

Last week, DPCA students received a double blessing: an extra couple of days off from school, and then teachers and staff newly challenged and equipped to make each day at DPCA count for Christ and eternity.