Creating a Christ-centered Climate for Educational Excellence: Philosophical, Instructional, Relational, Assessment and Counseling Dimensions

Interest is peaking among educators in North America, and around the world, on issues relating to school climate. A primary reason for this strong interest is research confirmation that school climate may have a positive or negative effect on educational processes. A Christ-Centered school climate provides the best opportunities for stakeholders to work collaboratively to achieve four primary educational outcomes. These are: (1) creating and sustaining bias free learning environments where relationships are nurtured by love, respect, tolerance, and kindness; (2) establishing faith-based instructional and service learning programs which cater to the needs of students; and (3) utilizing quality assessment tools to measure school climate, and instructional goals/objectives. This is a monumental task, but it can be accomplished if stakeholders are deeply and passionately committed to the foundational tenets of Christian education.