This post originally appeared on my blog Lessons Learned in the Little Red Schoolhouse.
It has always given me a great sense of joy and accomplishment to reflect on the fact that I have served over 40 years in education, naively believing that my total must be one of the very highest in the country.
This past week I learned I am mistaken. While visiting Western Oklahoma Christian School and Corn Bible Academy as part of my School Whisperer duties, I discovered a music teacher who has been working at CBA for 46 years. That’s six years more than me – all in one school! I was truly impressed!
Oh, and did I mention that Corn Bible was founded in 1902 and is now 109 years old!? That is the fifth oldest Christian school in the United States and the oldest west of the Mississippi River!
Well, let me tell you, there is a reason this school has kept its doors open through two world wars, the Great Depression, presidential assassinations, the Civil Rights Movement, major advancements in technology, the emergence of more private and charter schools, and the constant economic highs and lows that most institutions are unable to withstand.
Beyond all the praises I could give them regarding their curriculum choices and policies, one element stood out to me at both schools: the people involved. In my two days with them, I saw an amazing group of educators and board members that truly “gets it.” These wonderful people are completely sold out and committed to Christian education. It is evident that they love the Lord, serve each other, and put the school’s best interest above their own. Both are institutions where people honor the heritage of the school as well as those who have sacrificed to make it possible.
There are dozens of stories I could share with you to illustrate this point. But one telling example will suffice.
The chairman of the board is not the first from his family to serve the school. His father also served on the board. As did his father’s father. That’s three generations of service from one family. Currently, this board member’s son – the fourth generation – attends WOCS and will go to CBA next year.
But it gets better. Each of these men met their wife at CBA. Can you believe it? This means Corn Bible has produced four generations of godly families who serve the school out of a deep, personal commitment to family, the Lord, and school. What a remarkable testimony to the school’s lasting legacy: its people.
Examples such as this one that were so evident everywhere at both schools crystallized for me something I learned long ago about education: a philosophy can only be brought to life by the people who embody and serve it. This is precisely the case at CBA and WOCS, where multi-generational testimonies weave together to form a beautiful tapestry for each school. Both institutions powerfully demonstrate that God works His plan through people.
Their example reminded me of a friend and colleague of mine, Dr. Rodney Haire, who is the founder and still Headmaster at Liberty Christian School in Argyle (formerly Denton, TX). He recently self-published a book entitled Called to the Principal’s Office in which he candidly and openly shares many of his successes as well as failures during his 28 years at Liberty.
His message boils down to this: find the right people for the job. That goes for principals, teachers, and board members.
Corn Bible Academy and Western Oklahoma Christian School have all the right people serving in the right places utilizing their gifts. That is how the body of Christ should operate.
I started Lessons Learned in the Little Red Schoolhouse to share my insights from my own years in education. This week, I learned from them. What a beautiful, bright, committed, and united group of people. I could not have been more impressed and was honored to be a small part of their amazing journey.
All school administrators – from private to public school – want to know the secret: how do we build, grow, and sustain a school that lasts? I have my answers, just as Dr. Haire has his. But we can all learn from schools like Corn Bible Academy and Western Oklahoma Christian School. I know I did.