educational Leadership & Teacher development
Cohort Schedule Best Practices for the Christian School ™
Elevate your teachers
In this two-day intensive, you will learn to assess and shape your school’s learning philosophy and culture. With teachers as your most valuable resource, this cohort focuses on fostering a collaborative environment where administrators and teachers work together in a cycle of feedback and coaching. You’ll gain tools to invest in teacher growth, build trust, and create a culture of teamwork that enhances both teaching quality and student transformation. Register today to lead with purpose and create lasting change!
Please Note: Sessions for BPI 2025 are still being finalized. The sessions listed below are examples from 2024 and may be subject to change, but they provide a preview of the types of learning experiences you can expect.
2025 sessions
Session #1:
Creating a Culture of Trust of growth for your Most Valuable asset
In this session we will talk about the importance of teacher coaching as a driver for student learning. Cohort members will assess and reflect on the current practices of their school. We will discuss how to build a culture of trust and ways to think about giving and receiving feedback.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett & Brad Thornton
Session #2 :
Know and Name Your Why?
In this session, we will work to articulate the educational philosophy for our schools. We will also discuss how to create a culture of trust between teachers and leaders to work together to create high level learning experiences for students.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett & Brad Thornton
Session #3:
Building a Framework for Growth
In this session, participants will begin to develop criteria for observation, coaching and evaluating teachers that stems from their mission, vision, values and educational philosophy.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett & Brad Thornton
Session #4:
Coaching: Moving Toward Development and Away from Evaluation
In this session, we will reframe the work educational leaders do with teachers to embody a coaching mindset. To apply this learning, we will walk through case studies of how to coach and develop teachers with different strengths, weaknesses, personalities, and potential.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett & Brad Thornton
Session #5:
Living Curriculum Teacher Development Model and What is Next for you
In this session, we will share the Wheaton Academy process for goal setting, observation, teacher portfolios, student feedback, and evaluation. Additionally, participants will create a plan for taking what they have learned back to their schools and present this to their colleagues.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett & Brad Thornton
Faculty
Kori Hockett
Principal | Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL
🎓 Educational Background
Wheaton College — Political Science
Aurora University — M.A. in Teaching, Principal’s Certificate
💼 Professional Experience
With 24 years at Wheaton Academy, Kori began as a social studies teacher, served as Assistant Principal for ten years, and now leads as Principal. Her focus includes overseeing daily operations, developing academic policies and curriculum, and supporting students, families, and faculty. A key aspect of her role is fostering faculty development through observations, evaluations, and meetings. Kori has also shared her expertise in the Living Curriculum Development Model nationwide, equipping other school leaders to invest in their teaching staff.
💬 Personal Message
Kori values learning from and connecting with fellow Christian education leaders, regularly engaging with CESA, the Herzgog Foundation and the Converge Conference. She is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and spiritual growth within the Wheaton Academy community.
Brad Thornton
Vice Principal | Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL
🎓 Educational Background
Wheaton College — B.A. in English
University of Memphis — M.A. in Teaching (MAT)
Baylor University — M.A. in School Leadership
💼 Professional Experience
With 17 years in Christian education, Brad has been at Wheaton Academy for 11 years, beginning as an AP English teacher and head football coach. Now serving as Vice Principal, Brad supports classroom instruction through teacher observation and coaching. His responsibilities include overseeing curriculum review, supervising the Student Services department, and collaborating closely with the English, Bible, and Fine Arts departments.
💬 Personal Message
Brad is passionate about enhancing student learning by investing in teachers and is excited to connect with other Christian school leaders at the Best Practices Conference this year.
Luke Regan
STEM Program Director | Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL
Luke Regan has been teaching for 11 years and currently serves as the STEM program director at Wheaton Academy. In addition to teaching in the Science and Bible Departments, Luke helps coordinate improvement teams across the school. Through facilitating strategic planning, program development, and data analysis, his primary goals are to help educators see the system they are working in, develop their ideas for improvement, and communicate those ideas effectively. Luke majored in biology and received his MAT from Wheaton College and is currently pursuing an Ed.D at Vanderbilt University.