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What does Transformational Education look like, across the country? 

Last newsletter, I spoke about 'Transformational Education', otherwise known across Christian schools as the 'MECS book' or 'The Green Book'. In my previous role, this book would turn up in all sorts of contexts and is used in many parts of the world. The title of the book is actually an acronym (TRANSFORMATIONAL) to the following values that MECS and other schools try to uphold:

T – Transformative Christian education

R – Rich Learning

A – Adventurous Methodologies

N – Nurturing Diversity

S – Scripturally Infused

F – Formation (Head, Heart, Hand)

O – Overarching Story

R – Relational Community

M – Meaningful Structures

A – Active Learning

T – Teachers in Teams

I – Integral Approach

O – Oriented for Students

N – New Horizons

A – Academic Faithfulness

L – Learning for Understanding, Appreciation and Responsible Action

Christian schools are, mostly growing. It seems that the challenges of our current day are causing more parents to seek Christian values for their kids. Perhaps that is your motivation to send your kids to MECS? In the mess of confusion out there, Christian values bring a stability and a hope for our future. They also point us to the ultimate in transformation, change and renewal through Christ. 

At the recent ITEC conference (you can read more about it in Dempsey’s Digest) the speakers all spoke on the theme of A New Day. Through their sessions, the messages were more about hope, faith, love relationship, opportunity, new beginnings, and good endings, rather than despair, confusion and frustration. I have no doubt, that Christian education is having a distinct impact on our society and offering a pathway to transformation that has perhaps been lost in translation, for a while. 

In a book that was released at the conference, authors Fiona Partridge and Chris Prior noted “Christian schooling allows the Christian community to foster an education consistent with their Christian beliefs. While Christian schools vary, they typically promise an education where the Scriptures of the Bible shape practice. In Christian schools, it is often suggested that teachers teach from a Christian worldview or perspective. Additionally, a Christian education assists students in living as Christ’s followers in this world.” (Reflections; Conversations on Worldview and Christian Schooling, 2024)

I don’t know about you, but I want this education to shine, for all of our students. 

Michelle Dempsey

MECS Principal