7 Questions with Christian school leaders
Read insights and thoughts on leadership from Christian school leaders around the world.
Thank you to the amazing leaders of Christian schools who have answered our 7 questions so far, we hope you find their answers helpful for you in your leadership journey!
7 Questions with Em Cassin
Name: Em Cassin
Current title: Business Manager
Current organisation: Georges River Grammar
I have been working in schools for over 20 years after starting work in a wonderful small Christian School When my youngest was 4 years old. This school ignited a desire in me to purposefully dedicate my working life to the education of young people, including my own children. I greatly believe in affordable choices of education and have felt honoured to be part of independent schooling for these years.
7 Questions with Dr. Timothy Brackman
Name: Dr. Timothy Brackman
Current title: Principal
Current organisation: Lutheran North Middle and High School, St. Louis, MO, USA
I have been in education my whole life. First as a student and, for the last 32 years as a teacher, coach and Principal.
Personally, I have a wife, Jana, and two adult sons. I enjoy playing and watching sports, woodworking and home improvement.
Favorites of mine include: Ford Mustangs, BBQ, and visiting microbreweries.
7 Questions with Kelvin Griffin
Name: Kelvin Griffin
Current title: Principal/Interim Head of School
Current organisation: Arlington Christian School
Dr. Griffin is an educator with over 22 years of professional experience. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics Education from Clark Atlanta University, a Master's and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Mercer University, and holds a certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia.
He is an expert and lecturer in the emerging science of soft skills and their importance in shaping the educational environment for students in all levels of K-12.
Dr. Griffin has a reputation for developing thriving learning atmospheres through implementing best practices in teacher advocacy, proactive parental communication, leadership development, and the incorporation of wrap-around services that meet student needs outside the classroom to ensure student success within the classroom.
7 Questions with Steven Doepker
Name: Steven Doepker
Current title: Director of College and Career Readiness
Current organisation: Region 8 ESC Fort Wayne Indiana
I was a teacher at St Vincent Grade School in 1968 In 1972 I became Principal. I was principal until 1983. I became Assistant Principal Academic at Bishop Dwenger High School. I left Catholic Education to become a principal in the public system for the next 18 years. In 2008 I started a consulting firm that worked with both Catholic and Public Schools. Presently, I work as a College and Career Specialist with the Olin and Desta Schwab Foundation of Fort Wayne Indiana.
7 Questions with Craig Smith
Name: Craig Smith
Current title: Associate Head of School
Current organisation: Southwest Christian School
Craig Smith, Associate Head of School, oversees Advancement--enrollment management, fund raising, communication and alumni, along with financial and other administrative duties--at Southwest Christian School in Fort Worth. He is a growth and turnaround leader for schools and ministries. With more than 30 years of leadership experience, he has served as president of three organizations, including helping establish a Christian university in Africa. He has volunteered for years in coaching, teaching, mentoring, and in community roles. He has traveled extensively for ministry and education including the former Soviet Union, China, and Africa.
7 Questions with Gregory Whitby
Name: Gregory Whitby
Current title: Executive Director
Current organisation: Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta
Greg Whitby is a teacher, advocate, administrator and leader. His mission to transform schooling for every child and young person is driven by a strong commitment to justice and equity.
As a Catholic Education leader in the Parramatta and Wollongong Dioceses in NSW, Greg has led significant cultural change with a focus on innovation, collaboration and investment in teachers’ learning. Prior to this, he was a teacher and school leader in government and Catholic schools. He has also lectured in the faculty of business at Western Sydney University.
Greg’s service to education has been recognised through the 2018 Australia Day Honours list with the award of the Australian Medal (AM) and the award of a Papal Knighthood in the Order of St Gregory the Great in 2013. He has received a presidential citation from the Australian Council of Educational Leaders and in 2017, he was awarded the Sir Harold Wyndham Medal for his contribution to the education of young people in NSW.
Greg has written extensively about education including as the author of Educating Gen Wi-Fi. His weekly column on education “Top of the Class” is syndicated across 22 NewsLocal papers in NSW. His contribution to the public debate has led to many media appearances including on Sunrise, The Project, The Drum, The Conversation Hour, Mornings with Wendy Harmer and Richard Glover’s Drive. Greg’s advocacy for change and innovation has also led to many international conference addresses, including the invitation to present to the Congregation for Catholic Education’s first World Congress in Vatican City in 2015.
Greg will continue to challenge accepted thinking about learning and teaching for the change education can bring for all of us.
7 Questions with Seth Parrish
Name: Seth Parrish
Current title: Upper School Principal
Current organisation: Christian Heritage School
11 years as a secondary school teacher, 13 as a school principal, in Tennessee, New England and Asia. Recently hired as the next Head of School at Presbyterian Christian School in Mississippi (Fall 2021).
7 Questions with Jenni Richards
Name: Jenni Richards
Current title: Primary Education Director
Current organisation: Aquinas C of E Multi Academy Trust
I have been teaching since 1996 and have experience in a wide variety of school contexts and holding different levels of leadership.
As Primary Education Director, I have been given lead responsibility across the Trust for Education Policies, Well being, Equality, Inclusion and Diversity. In addition, for our primary academies, I hold the responsibility for Curriculum, Quality Assurance/Standards and Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP). Through each of these, I support and advise leaders in order to make a positive difference and impact to fulfil our Trust vision and values underpinned by Life –Transforming - Learning.
I strongly believe in teaching and learning which values the whole child, whilst providing effective learning and giving the best possible life chances for all learners. I advocate building faith, character and resilience and the well being of the whole trust community. I value and believe in equality, diversity and inclusion and the positive impact that this has on staff and pupils and I feel honoured to lead this across the trust.
Through my role as Primary Education Director I focus on developing the skills, knowledge and ability of all leaders and staff to support their own development and improving school outcomes, whilst taking into account each individual school's vision and values alongside those of the Trust. Support is given through leading, coaching, mentoring, advising and role modelling to enable the leaders to develop their own skill set
7 Questions with Lizzane Pando
Name: Lizanne Pando
Current title: President
Current organisation: St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls
U of Del Graduate with a Chemistry and Business and working on my Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Cabrini U. I moved onto working with McNeil Pharmaceutical, then Family Marketing business, moved to the Miraculous Medal Shrine, and the World Meeting of Families, and finally now the 5 year President of St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls.