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. This cohort offers an optional advanced track for returning attendees who want to dive deeper into specific leadership strategies. 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.
example sessions
Session #1:
Teachers: Your most Valuable Asset
In this session we will talk about the importance of teacher observation and coaching as a driver for student learning. Cohort members will do some reflection on the current practices of their school.
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:
Observation
The Building Block for Feedback
In this session, participations will discuss how to conduct effective observations. We will do hands on practical work observing teachers and students and think about how to apply those practices at our schools.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett & Brad Thornton
Session #4:
Coaching
Moving Toward Development and Away from Evaluation
In this session, we will discuss how to take feedback from an observation and translate it into an effective coaching session. We will do mock meetings and simulations to gain practice in the art of giving feedback and coaching.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett & Brad Thornton
Session #5:
Living Curriculum Teacher Development Model
In this session, we will share the Wheaton Academy process for goal setting, observation, teacher portfolios, student feedback, and evaluation.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett & Brad Thornton
Session #6:
Case Studies
Four Teacher Journeys toward Professional Growth
In this session, we will walk through four case studies of how to coach and develop teachers with different strengths, weaknesses, personalities, and potential.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett & Brad Thornton
Session #7:
Now What?
In this session, we will help leaders plan for implementation of their learning as they go back to their schools. We will walk them through a time of planning and consultation utilizing the Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle for change implementation.
PRESENTERS
Kori Hockett, Brad Thornton & Luke Regan
Faculty
Kori Hockett
Principal | Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL
Kori Hockett has been at Wheaton Academy for 24 years and began her career teaching social studies. She majored in political science at Wheaton College and went on to earn her master’s degree in teaching and her principal’s certificate from Aurora University. For ten years, Kori served as the Assistant Principal at Wheaton Academy and currently serves as the Principal. Her roles primarily focus on overseeing the day-to-day operations within the school, developing academic policies and curriculum, encouraging and guiding students and families, and encouraging faculty in professional development through observations, evaluations, and meetings. She has enjoyed the opportunity to lead and present on the Living Curriculum Development Model around the country to help leaders invest in teachers. Kori also enjoys learning from other leaders in Christian Education through her involvement with CESA and the Converge Conference.
Brad Thornton
Vice Principal | Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL
This year marks Brad’s 11th year at Wheaton Academy and 17th year in Christian education. Brad started at Wheaton Academy as an AP English teacher and head football coach and currently serves as a Vice Principal, supporting classroom instruction and learning through teacher observation and coaching. Brad helps oversee the curriculum review process, supervises Wheaton Academy’s student services department, and works closely with the English, Bible, and Fine Arts departments. Brad graduated from Wheaton College in 2007 with a BA in English and furthered his graduate work in 2012 with an MAT from the University of Memphis and a Masters in School Leadership from Baylor University in 2022. Brad cares deeply about improving student learning through investing in teachers and is excited to work alongside 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.