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 Sheree Du Preez
Name: Sheree Du Preez
Current title: Head of Lower School
Current organisation: Mount Pisgah Christian School in Georgia, United States
Sheree Du Preez has been in Christian education for thirty-three years. During these years she has been a classroom teacher, a librarian, a gifted education teacher, a consultant, an Elementary School Principal, an Assistant Head of School, the Director of Teaching and Learning, and Head of School at five different schools in three countries.
While leading a Christian lower school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Sheree worked with a missionary for eight years developing village schools and training teachers in Togo, West Africa. She worked with a team of teachers from her school developing 15 Christian, village schools, and a teacher training school.
After leading schools in the United States, Sheree moved to Accra, Ghana to help lead an international Christian school. After her first year as Principal, Sheree was asked to step into the Head of School position. As a result of her leadership, the school achieved accreditation and came through a contentious court battle.
After living in Ghana for five years, Sheree was offered a Director of Teaching and Learning position at an American school in Dubai, UAE. Sheree successfully helped the school achieve accreditation and worked with her team to move the school from an acceptable to good ranking.
After two years in Dubai, Sheree was asked to move back to her hometown, Atlanta, Georgia to lead a Christian lower school.
Sheree is passionate about education and enjoys working with her faculty to impact student learning. She is currently working on her Ed.S degree in Christian School Leadership from Gordon College in Boston.
Sheree is married to Jan Du Preez, a South African, whom she met in Ghana. Sheree and Jan have four children ranging in ages from 26 to 13.
7 Questions with Don Davis
Name: Dr. Don Davis
Current title: Head of School
Current organisation: Second Baptist School in Houston, Texas
Dr. Don Davis has devoted the past 19 years to educational leadership as an administrator in the private school sector. He served as an athletic director, assistant head of school and now head of school at Second Baptist School in Houston TX!
Dr. Davis is passionate about raising up the next generation of students to think critically, live biblically and lead courageously. His doctoral research was focused on the relationship between school culture and student retention in private schools. He applied this research at Second Baptist School and the school has since reversed a four year decline in enrollment.
Off campus, you'll find Mr. Davis enjoying time with his family. He and his wife, Jessica, have been married for 17 years, and together they have three children: Trey (‘29), Jacob (‘32) and Natalie (‘34).
7 Questions with Charlie Mooney
Name: Charlie Mooney
Current title: Director (Head of School)
Current organisation: International Christian School-Pyeongtaek in Korea
I've been at ICSP for 8 years and have been the head of school for the last 3 years. I'm a native of Arkansas (USA) and came to Korea with my family to serve at ICSP as the high school Bible teacher. I have four children under 12 years of age, and I've been married for 20 years. At present, I'm pursing a masters degree in educational leadership.
7 Questions with Andrew Broere
Name: Andrew Broere
Current title: Assistant School Administrator
Current organisation: Fourth Baptist Christian School in Minnesota
Andrew has been a teacher for 16 years and has now spent the last four years in administration, from Dean of Students to Elementary Principal to Assistant School Administrator. His passion is to live a life that matters, to make a lasting difference!
7 Questions with Jerry Eshleman
Name: Dr. Jerry Eshleman
Current title: Superintendent
Current organisation: Resurrection Christian School
Dr. Jerry Eshleman has served in Christian education for nearly 27 years. He is currently the Superintendent of Resurrection Christian Schools, in Loveland, Colorado. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian School Administration and Teaching from Evangel University, and a Master of Arts in Education Administration from Oral Roberts University. Dr. Eshleman earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience from Oklahoma State University.
He has worked and taught in K-12 schools and universities both nationally and internationally.
His areas of expertise and research include leadership studies, school law, organization and administration of schools, brain-based learning, emotion and cognition, and the neuropsych mechanisms involved in learning and decision-making.
7 Questions with Avril Howard
Name: Avril Howard
Current title: Executive Principal
Current organisation: Lighthouse Christian College (Keysborough) in Australia
Happily married with three beautiful children. Vocational call is to education and seeing young people equipped to flourish and in turn contribute towards flourishing communities. Educational experience spans international and national levels and includes pioneering Christian pre- schools in Fiji. Privileged to be Executive Principal of Lighthouse Christian College and campus Australis Christian College. I am also the Board Chair for Kluthuthu Christian College and serve on State Council for Christian Schools Australia. I am completing my PHD on spiritual well-being through Deakin university. I have had three of my books on the historical development of Christian schools and churches published and contributed a chapter to the book Re-Enchanting Education and Spiritual Wellbeing published by Routledge. Love travelling and have been blessed to visit 5 of the 7 major continents.
7 Questions with Daniel Pampuch
Name: Dr Daniel Pampuch
Current title: CEO
Current organisation: Christian Schools Australia
Dr Daniel Pampuch was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Christian Schools Australia in January 2017. As CEO, he oversees 160 Christian schools and provides advocacy for an additional 40 schools across Australia - representing some 65,000 students. He was previously the Executive Officer of the Uniting Church Schools Commission, overseeing 18 institutions in Queensland. Daniel has 25 years of experience in Christian Education and most recently served as the Executive Principal of the Crest group of Christian schools and Early Learning Centres in Melbourne, Victoria.
Daniel has a PhD in Next Generation Leadership as well as Masters in Business Administration and a Masters of Educational Leadership. Daniel most recently completed a Masters in Theological Studies in support of his work in the Christian Education sector. Daniel has fellowships with the Governance Institute of Australia, the Institute of Managers and Leaders and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. He is a member of the Australian College of Education Leaders and Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Daniel serves on a range of national and international boards and committees. Daniel also serves as an elder in his local church as well as Chairs Newlife College which prepares and equips people for service, ministry and leadership within the broader church. In 2014, Daniel was awarded the Mayoral Certificate for Contribution to Education in the City of Casey; the Federal Government Award for Outstanding Service in Education, as well the CSA award for Outstanding Service to Christian Education in Australia.
Daniel is married and his two sons attend a Christian school on the Gold Coast.
7 Questions with Rhonda Davis
Name: Rhonda Davis
Current title: Principal
Current organisation: Good Shepherd Christian School
I am a Christian educator and have worked across a wide range of fields in education, leadership, management and business. I have a strong commitment to Christian education and seek to serve schools and families as they disciple and nurture their children in the Lord.
I have been involved in Christian education for over 35 years in a variety of roles; Principal, teacher, Head of Department, curriculum writer, Academic Adviser, teacher coach and professional development trainer.
I am passionate about developing and growing teams who work together to achieve shared goals and visions Some of these goals have included: directing a newly established Early Childhood Centre, establishing two new schools, establishing and leading a learning support unit in schools, and initiating and managing several church based ministries.
7 Questions with Paul Thompson
Name: Paul Thompson
Current title: Principal
Current organisation: Bundaberg Christian College in Australia
I am a passionate educational leader who creates opportunities for students to thrive, learn and grow. My teaching areas were HPE, Maths and Christian Living, with leadership opportunities focused in both curriculum and student wellbeing. I love seeing students' ‘ah ha’ moments, their realisation of their God-given gifts and then how they spread their wings from there.
7 Questions with Pete Slaney
Name: Pete Slaney
Current title: Principal
Current organisation: Manukau Christian School
I have been involved in Christian education for almost 20 years, following 7 years teaching physics and science at two large state high schools. Prior to this I worked as a landscaper for three years. I also took a year out of education to work as a ministry intern at a church and to study at bible college. I have one wife and two adult sons, all of whom are a delight to me. A month ago I gained a lovely daughter in law! I enjoy occasional preaching, leading a young adults homegroup, doing DIY projects, playing sax and guitar, reading and attempting to catch smallish waves on my stand up paddle board.