TOY-2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Every school should start with a kindergarten teacher like Mari Koester. Here’s why

Straight from the experts, here are the first three steps to starting a successful Christian school:  Do a market assessment. Define your school identity. Get yourself a Mari Koester to… Read More

September 26, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Christian education may be ‘the last light left on’ for America, says Julie Pickard, while making sure it shines brightly

Julie Pickard is the middle school teacher every Christian parent dreams of: a loving mentor, eager to help budding youth embrace and take ownership of their faith. It helps that… Read More

September 23, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Big-picture thinking, prayerful meditation, help Staci Hadel forge snug bond with students, families

Imagine asking a 7-year-old to engage in prayerful meditation. A little dicey, right? Now try it with a couple dozen of them at once. Well, 2nd grade teacher Staci Hadel… Read More

September 19, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Rachel Burrow turns heads with ability to inspire students’ love of God, country

How many Americans today have even read the Federalist Papers, much less talked about them at dinner parties? How many on the street could even say what they are? As… Read More

September 17, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Dr. John McWilliams uses nature to reveal God’s invisible attributes

With creation as his science classroom, Dr. John McWilliams lets God do most of the talking, despite the teacher’s vast experience and soothing south Arkansas drawl. The briefly retired biology… Read More

September 10, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Like Jesus, Courtney Warren ‘washes the feet’ of her students so they will go out and do the same 

For Courtney Warren, Christian education is the best way to cultivate both the mind and the soul of children, in what she likens to Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. “I’m… Read More

September 5, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Jacob Baker deftly steers students through jagged straits of science, faith

That frightful day his public school was closing for COVID, teacher Jacob Baker organized an impromptu prayer session for any staff who wanted to stop by his classroom on the… Read More

August 27, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Lucas Vieira instills wisdom of past to shape minds, souls of students

Lucas Vieira hopes his students “fill their soul cupboards” with the wisdom of the past and Scripture that is “good and true and beautiful.” Indeed, Vieira’s passion to build up… Read More

August 26, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Gregg Preston’s dream of being a teacher, coach and evangelist finds its fulfillment in 35-year career

When Gregg Preston was growing up, he dreamed of doing everything from teaching school to playing basketball to traveling around the world telling people about Jesus.  As with many young… Read More

August 21, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Jayme Reese radiates empathy, love, inspiring it in students

Popular PBS painter Bob Ross had his “happy little accidents,” but for Jayme Reese, teaching includes intentional projects that sometimes pay off in a big way. Reese, who teaches middle… Read More

August 19, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Jennifer Tonkinson prepares junior high students to live biblically through Orwell-inspired teamwork

Jennifer Tonkinson knows firsthand the importance of avoiding “groupthink,” especially for middle-school classrooms at Valley Christian Schools (VCS) in Chandler, Arizona. Instead of allowing students to settle in cozy cliques,… Read More

August 16, 2024
Christian Schools
Christian Teacher of the Year: Erin Seitz uses art to ‘serve others and share the good news of Jesus’

Even though Erin Seitz had felt a calling to be a Christian art teacher since 5th grade, she didn’t think it was possible given the path she was on. “I… Read More

August 12, 2024