New WCS Headmaster Info Packet

The Mission of WCSWilmington Christian School provides a Christ-centered challenging academic program with instruction based on the Biblical view of God and the world. WCS teaches, influences, and encourages each student to effectively integrate Biblical truth into his/her daily life and to impact the culture for Christ.

Letter from the Board of TrusteesDear WCS Family,

What a joy to see God at work at Wilmington Christian School. Every day the faculty, staff, and parents invest in the next generation: young men and women who will follow the Lord and “impact the culture for Christ.”

That’s our mission, which has led us through the 2016-17 school year and has guided us to the present moment. It has been a light for the Board as we’ve served the school this year. It has been a guidepost as we conducted a nationwide search for a new headmaster.

Throughout this past year, we’ve realized more than ever the need, as expressed in our mission statement, to provide and reinforce an educational program that’s both academically challenging and Christ-centered. The leadership skills required to integrate these elements are essential, and that’s why we’re thrilled to unanimously present a man with the character, competence, and experience to do just that: our new headmaster, Dr. Roger Erdvig.

Through much prayer and a 7-month search process involving around 35 candidates (see the sidebar for more details), the Lord narrowed the field, leading us to Roger. We are confident in his qualifications (his bio, CV, and philosophy of education are available below), and we look forward to your getting to know him as well.

We encourage you to be invested and involved in his transition over the next few months. We hope you will . . .

• PRAY for God’s continued work at WCS and for a good transition.

• READ this informational packet. We have included a brief bio of Roger, a letter from him, and his CV.

• ATTEND future informational and “meet-and-greet” functions at WCS to get to know Roger and his family better.

It is an honor to serve the WCS family. In addition to our usual responsibilities as a Board, it is also one of our highest privileges to seek and hire our new headmaster. We hope that this information packet will introduce Roger well and answer many questions you may have. If we can serve you or answer additional questions, please let us know.

For the next generation,

The Wilmington Christian School Board of Trustees:

Robbie DeikeMichael McCuddenLynn SimpsonLinda SchwindRene Solis

Champ ThorntonDavid TidemanMark WagnerKevin WargoPete Zuber

Search Process• Spring 2016—Began Headmaster

succession planning for the 2017-2018 school year

• Summer 2016—Contracted with nationwide search consultant from Christian Schools International (CSI)

• September 2016—Board met with search consultant

• October 2016—Candidate position posted

• November 2016-January 2017—Around 35 initial candidates screened

• December 2016-February 2017—Board conducts initial phone interviews with seven candidates

• February-March 2017—Board conducts multiple video interviews with each of the final three candidates

• February 27-28, 2017—Board personally meets with Roger Erdvig

• March 17, 2017—Dr. Erdvig meets with Directors, and representatives from the faculty and WCS parents

• April 1, 2017—The WCS Board of Trustees votes unanimously to extend an offer to Dr. Roger Erdvig

• April 5, 2017—Dr. Erdvig accepts the offer to serve as the next Headmaster of Wilmington Christian School

• July 1, 2017—Dr. Erdvig begins as new Headmaster

Letter from Dr. Roger ErdvigDear Wilmington Christian School Families,

It is my honor to be joining you this summer in the important work at Wilmington Christian School. I firmly believe that Christian schooling is one of the critical facets of God’s strategy to impact the culture for Christ, and it’s never been more important to have strong, thriving schools for students from Christian families.

For the last eight years, I have served in Long Island, New York, at Smithtown Christian School, a sister school with 550 students from PreK to 12th grade. We’ve had the joy of leading a stable Christian school while helping to make it stronger and more prepared for future growth and development. I have also been active in consulting with other Christian schools, working with Summit Ministries (the premiere worldview equipping ministry in the US), and working on various writing projects.

My wife Lori (also an educator) and I have five children, ranging in age from 13 to 24, and we’ll be moving to the area with just two of them still in school. Andrew will start 9th grade in the fall, and Hannah will enter 11th. Kevin is 19 and a junior at the University of Valley Forge studying digital media. Our oldest son, Roger, is a video director in North Carolina, and will be married this fall to Stacie, a Spring 2017 graduate of Capital Graduate School and Seminary in Lancaster, PA. Heidi, our oldest, directs the school at the North Carolina Boys Academy, a ministry of Teen Challenge.

As a family, we enjoy the outdoors and love to go camping, hiking, biking, and hammocking. We also love reading great books, watching great movies, and discussing big ideas. Over the years, we’ve had several young adults live with us, as we love to exercise the gift of hospitality, using our home to bless others.

Professionally, I have worked as a master carpenter in my family’s home improvement business and have also served in pastoral ministry. Before coming to Smithtown Christian, I was a leadership coach/consultant working with leaders of Christian schools, ministries, and Christian-owned businesses in every region of the U.S. I

also taught leadership at the University of Valley Forge, having earned my master’s degree at Regent University and my doctorate at Liberty University.

My heart for Christian schooling revolves around core commitments to continuous improvement, high-quality teaching and learning, and a Biblical worldview purposefully integrated in all facets of the educational experience. I am eager to come alongside the great team at WCS to pursue its bright and hopeful future. We have much to do together, and I look forward to meeting each of you and joining you in continuing WCS’s 70-year legacy of providing distinctively Christian education to the church in the northern Delaware area.

In Christ,

Dr. Roger Erdvig

Bio of Dr. Roger ErdvigWith a leadership career spanning 27 years, Dr. Roger Erdvig has served as a business, church, and educational leader, and most recently as Superintendent of Smithtown Christian School, a PreK-12 school of 550 students in Long Island, New York.

Prior to his eight years at Smithtown, Dr. Erdvig traveled nationwide training Christian business and educational leaders in leadership development, and was co-founder of the Center for Coaching Excellence in St. Paul, Minnesota. A teacher at heart, Dr. Erdvig has also taught leadership at the University of Valley Forge and has extensive experience in public speaking and teaching in the areas of parenting, Biblical worldview, and leadership coaching. Dr. Erdvig has also authored or co-authored multiple training curricula, a journal article (in Christian School Education), and a forthcoming book: Serving Learning for Christian Schools: A Practioner’s Guidebook. He

holds a BS in Bible from the University of Valley Forge, a Master of Education from Regent University, and a Doctor of Education from Liberty University.

Roger and his wife Lori have five children (Heidi, Roger, Kevin, Hannah, and Andrew), two of whom are college graduates, one who is a junior in college, and two who are still at home and in grades 10 and 8. The Erdvig family loves all things outdoors, including camping, hiking, and biking, and can often be found in the woods in hammocks reading great books.

CV for Dr. Roger ErdvigDr. Roger C. S. ErdvigCurriculum Vitae – January 2017

EducationEd.D. in Curriculum and Instruction 2016

Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA• Dissertation: A Model for Biblical Worldview Development in Evangelical Christian

Emerging Adults

M.Ed., with concentration in Leadership Development 2006Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA

B.S. in Bible 1990University of Valley Forge, Phoenixville, PA

Educational Leadership ExperienceSuperintendent 2009 – Present

Smithtown Christian School, Smithtown, NY• Serve as head of school for PreK-12 school of 550 students, including managing $4.75

million budget and 100+ employees• Initiated and successfully implemented first strategic plan in school’s 35+ year history,

with a 91% completion rate• Created special education department, pioneered comprehensive curriculum review

process, created Academic Dean position, created full-time Development Office, and planned and oversaw $350,000 building renovation

• Experienced over 170% increase in diversity in student body (from 28% minorities in 2009-10 to 48% in 2016-17)

President/Co-Founder 2006 – 2009Center for Coaching Excellence, St. Paul, MN(Formerly Center for the Advancement of Christian Coaching)

• Co-founded one of the first Christian professional coach training organizations• Co-authored Conversational Leadership, a training program for organizational leaders• Co-authored Essential Coach Training and Professional Coach Training I & II• Published Journal of Christian Coaching, the first print and online periodical for Christian

coaches• Traveled extensively providing training, consulting, and speaking for businesses and

non-profit organizations

Teaching ExperienceAdjunct Professor 2007 – 2009

University of Valley Forge, Phoenixville, PA• Taught undergraduate and graduate leadership coaching courses• Designed and delivered hybrid courses involving synchronous, asynchronous, and in-

person learning experiences

Coach Trainer 2006 – 2009Center for Coaching Excellence, St. Paul, MN

• Trained professional life and leadership coaches nationwideConnecting Businessmen to Christ (CBMC), Chattanooga, TN

• Video-based and live trainer for CBMC Coach Training Initiative, which is still used extensively with Christian businessmen in the USA and internationally

Passing the Baton International, Manitou Springs, CO• Senior Coach Trainer for Passing the Baton, primarily among Christian school teachers

and administrators

Certifications/LicensesSuperintendent (Lifetime) 2012

Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), Colorado Springs, CO

Certified Professional Coach 2006LifeForming Leadership Coaching, Virginia Beach, VA

Certified Coach Trainer 2006LifeForming Leadership Coaching, Virginia Beach, VA

Memberships/AwardsSociety for the Study of Emerging Adulthood

2015 Distinguished Alumni Award – University of Valley Forge

Research Interests• Worldview development across the lifespan• Service-learning & engaged pedagogies• Coaching as an educational/leadership development intervention• Writings of Dallas Willard/spiritual formation

Other Relevant ExperienceCorporate Board Member 2016 – Present

Demme Learning, Lancaster, PA• Charter board member of Demme Learning (Formerly Math-U-See), a thriving educational

products/service company ($8 million + budget)• First non-family member on corporate board

Non-Profit Board Member 2007 – PresentCatalyst Christian Camp and Retreat Ministries

• Board member for developing Christian camp in greater New York Metro Area

Homeschool Convention/Event Speaker 2005 – 2011• Spoke frequently on topics such as parenting, worldview development, leadership, and

nurturing critical thinking

Co-Host, Video Training 2010The Cultivate Project

• Served with Dr. Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries as co-host for The Cultivate Project, a video-based program to train adults (educators, ministers, parents) to mentor youth and young adults

President/Founder 2005 – 2010Leading View Coaching

• Professional coach with 750+ hours of experience coaching primarily pastors, educators, and business leaders

• Piloted coaching church planters with the Penn-Del Ministry Network under Rev. Tom Rees

Philosophy of Christian EducationBy Dr. Roger C. S. Erdvig

Christian education is the life-long process of shaping the hearts and minds of disciples of Jesus to both look like Christ and to see like Christ. Looking like Christ means having a heart that is formed to be like His heart, resulting in habits and behaviors that reflect His ways. Seeing like Christ means possessing a mind that views all of reality through the lens of Christ’s eyes, or through a Biblical worldview. Whether in the classroom or the athletic field, the hallway or the Dean’s office, students should experience a consistent and cohesive influence towards these ends.

From this foundational statement, a Christian school will need to think through many different arenas for how this should be practically applied in the day-to-day facets of the educational endeavor. Following is a brief and partial description of several of these arenas, and how they should be viewed given the statement above.

The Nature of the Learner: Students are made in the image of God and yet possess a fallen nature. As such, teachers must work within this dual reality. On the one hand, the image of God makes teaching a joy, as teachers cooperate with the in-born tendencies all students possess, to love life and learning and to grow in their giftings and abilities. However, the fallen nature makes teaching a challenge as students are always in the process of learning to identify patterns and habits of thought and behavior which are of the flesh, and which stymie the expression of the image of God in their lives. Ultimately, students cannot be “good” on their own and require an initial experience of redemption by Christ and then an ongoing work of sanctification as they learn to rely on His empowerment to put off the old man and its evil desires.

The Role of the Teacher: The Christian school teacher is first and foremost an example to his or her students: as a life-long learner, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and as an adult living joyfully in the community of the school. As an example or

role model, the Christian school teacher should focus significant attention on developing quality relationships with students, as a base from which to have effective life-on-life influence. Regarding the teacher’s role in the classroom, he or she functions as an instructor, a guide, and a facilitator of student learning. Ultimately, the teacher ought to model his or her teaching after Christ Himself, who combined instruction in new knowledge with mentorship and multiple experiencing in applying what the disciples were learning—in real-world situations.

The Nature of Distinctively Christian Teaching and Learning:As hinted at in the sections above, Christian teaching is a distinctive kind of teaching. Because the Christian school has as its aim developing young people who look and see like Christ, the craft of Christian teaching is set apart as different from other teaching that has lesser aims. So, an appropriate question to ask might be, “given that we are working to develop students who are distinctively different from the culture around us, how then should we teach?”

Christian teaching is not about layering spiritual content onto secular subjects. Instead, all content areas should be approached with the understanding that God has something to say about every subject area, and every subject area has something to say about God. Thus, the Christian school teacher will work to help students see all the facets and glory of God as revealed in creation and in His word.

But beyond this foundational approach to content, the Christian teacher must also approach the actual teaching of each subject area in a uniquely Christian manner. A Christian teacher will therefore focus not only on the transfer on information, but also on providing consistent opportunities for students to be deeply connected to learning through: engaged pedagogies such as service- and project-based learning; through higher-level questions; authentic assessment; and classroom and field experiences that stir the heart and capture the

imagination. Christian school teaching and learning should be the most excellent, most engaging, and most transformational teaching and learning available.

The Purpose of Curriculum:Ideally, a Christian school should provide its teachers a clear set of learning standards and a broad instructional plan for each course, including a description of the resources and assessments that a teacher should use to achieve and measure those learning standards. After that, a master teacher would plan each day’s lesson and provide effective, Biblically integrated classroom instruction. However, many teachers do not have the experience or mastery of teaching to be able to do so without significant support. Therefore, curriculum resources are extremely important for the Christian school. Specifically, teachers should be provided with resources that enable them to teach every subject area from a Biblical perspective. While non-Christian textbooks will likely be used in the Christian school to some degree, the teachers who use them will need extra training, support, and resources to be able to seamlessly use them in a way that is consistent with the school’s distinctively Christian mission and commitment to Biblical worldview integration.

Special Education and Differentiated Instruction in the Christian School:God has created each student with different gifts and abilities, and Adam’s fall has caused each student to inherit various weaknesses and even disease and disability. The Christian school, among all schools, ought to be the best at meeting the unique needs of students,

given that the school is built on a Biblical foundation. For students with disabilities, the Christian school should maximize the services that can be provided by their own personnel, given the budget constraints that always exist. When outside service-providers are utilized, the school must have a strong hand in coordinating those services and must establish and maintain a stellar relationship with the local school district providing those services. In the admissions process the school must be very clear with parents about what the school can and cannot offer, and be willing to deny admission to students for whom they know they cannot adequately provide services.

In the classroom, it is best practice to differentiate teaching and learning, even with students who do not have special education needs. Therefore, the school must cast a strong vision for meeting individual needs, and administration must work with teachers to free them to modify assignments and expectations for both needy and advanced students.

A Word About Excellence: Excellence, and particularly academic excellence, have become common catch-phrases in the educational world. However, it is not clear what excellence is, and how to know if a school is achieving it. A good definition of excellence in relationship to the Christian school could be: a commitment to continuous improvement in all facets of a school’s work. This would involve regular and rigorous evaluation of everything that a school does, both in the classroom and in the administration of the school, and an expectation that all personnel who serve at the school are always improving and growing.