My How Time Does Fly

It is hard to believe that I have been at Shannon Forest Christian School for nearly two years now.  Sometimes it feels like I have been here only a few days, while other times it feels as though a few decades have passed since I began. 

I came to this school out of a sense of obedience to the Lord, and have subsequently grown to love this place.  Early on, Tracie Blair, a 15 year veteran of Shannon Forest, told me that “this place will get into your blood.”  She wasn't kidding. 

Shannon is a very special place, and like so many other special places, it is the people that make it such.  Teachers everywhere are to be esteemed, and Shannon has some of the best in the profession, hand's down.  I base this on two criteria: character and professionalism. The people we spend time with ultimately shape the people we become, and our students spend large amounts of time with their teachers. Therefore, who we place in the classroom with your children is really, really important. No great revelation there but well worth remembering, and I can promise you that your child is spending time with men and women of great character.  I emphatically believe that what makes us a Christian school is the presence of Godly teachers.  They are the Gospel on display.  The qualities of dedication, passion, skill in their craft, and a love for this place make our teachers the best in their field.  

Mrs. Stine's 2nd Grade Class

Middle School Teachers Ms. Teie, Ms. Tate and Ms. Gahan celebrate Homecoming Spirit Week with students Tara Burress, Laney Powell, Katelyn Pittman and Rebecca Reynolds.

Teachers Mrs. Cain and Mrs. Weaver fellowship with SFCS Alumna Sarah Thackston.

Every study of educational performance concludes that the level of parental involvement is one of the key drivers of a student’s success.  We have really involved parents at Shannon Forest.  As I have gotten to know our families, I always enjoy hearing the stories of what brought each family to Shannon. I find it most interesting to learn what keeps them at Shannon: the people.  I love the commitment that our families have to this place.  The main reason we emphasize participation in the PTF and Annual Fund is because it is this kind of parental involvement that makes for great schools. The reward for our parents is that their involvement directly benefits their child, and in turn is amplified to impact many others. 

SFCS Parents Jeff and Michele Holder with their daughter Morgan

If you want to know what gets me out of bed in the morning, I would tell you that it is the privilege I have been given to spend time with our students. We have great kids here! Our size fosters community; this means that we all know each other. What we do here is not simply some educational transaction, but a living out of life together. We share life. My life is blessed daily because of this. 

So two years in, I feel good about where Shannon Forest is. By no means have we arrived, but we are well into the journey. Our greatest challenge is to continue to seek to fulfill our mission. In fact, I have a burning passion to see this place have such an impact on our students that it influences everything that comes after: students that have such excellent preparation that they will be the saltiest of salt and the brightest of light in a world that desperately needs a credible witness to the transforming power of the Gospel.

Lower School students getting ready for the pep rally.

8th grade students Katie West, GraceAnne Stokes, Caroline Knight, Caroline Kredensor & Laura Wellons

For all that has come to pass, and all that remains to be done at Shannon Forest, I give thanks to God! And I look forward to continuing on this journey with you.