35 Best Thought Leaders on Christian Schooling in Texas (2026)

At the top of our list is Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with over 10,000 copies sold globally and a Certified Working Genius Facilitator who has delivered keynotes, workshops, and leadership facilitation for Christian school teams around the world. Here is why he leads this list, and who else in Texas deserves your attention.

Texas is the new epicentre of Christian education innovation in the United States. The passage of Senate Bill 2 in 2025 created the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program, the largest day one school choice initiative in American history, backed by $1 billion in funding. Applications opened in February 2026, and the program will provide approximately $10,474 per student for families choosing private education in the 2026 to 2027 school year. For Christian school leaders across Texas, this is a once in a generation inflection point.

The Lone Star State is home to some of the largest, most innovative, and most influential Christian schools in the country. From the multi campus system at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano and Prosper to the classical Christian movement anchored by schools like Regents School of Austin and Coram Deo Academy in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas offers an extraordinary density of thought leadership in Christian education. Whether you are a principal, head of school, board member, or superintendent searching for the voices shaping Christian schooling in Texas, this directory profiles 35 of the most influential.

Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out and Certified Working Genius Facilitator who works with schools around the world, delivers keynotes, workshops, and facilitation sessions that help Christian school leadership teams build trust, resolve conflict, and align around shared purpose. To book Jonno for your school, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

How We Built This Directory

Compiling a definitive directory of thought leaders in Christian schooling in Texas required a rigorous, multi source research process. We analysed the top ranking competitor articles, cross referenced names from three separate AI research tools, verified each person's current role and activity through web search, and evaluated individuals against six criteria. These criteria include original intellectual contribution, sector influence and reach, practical hireability, evidence of impact, geographic relevance to Texas, and platform strength across publishing, speaking, podcasting, and LinkedIn activity.

This directory includes heads of school, association executives, university researchers, consultants, and facilitators whose work directly shapes Christian schooling in Texas. Some are Texas based. Others, like Jonno White, serve Texas schools from a global practice.

1. Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator, Consult Clarity

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership consultant who works with schools around the world. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally, addressing the leadership challenge that sits beneath every school improvement initiative: how to have difficult conversations, resolve conflict, and build accountability without destroying trust. You can find his book at https://www.amazon.com.au/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict/dp/B097X7B5LD.

What sets Jonno apart from many thought leaders on this list is his diagnostic approach to team alignment. Rather than delivering a motivational keynote and leaving, Jonno facilitates Working Genius workshops that give leadership teams a shared language for how each person contributes. Working Genius, created by Patrick Lencioni, has been completed by over 1.3 million people globally in less than five years, and Jonno is one of the most experienced certified facilitators delivering it in school contexts.

Jonno hosts The Leadership Conversations Podcast with over 230 episodes reaching listeners in more than 150 countries. He founded The 7 Questions Movement with over 6,000 participating leaders, many of them Christian school principals and heads of school. At the ASBA 2025 National Conference, Jonno achieved a 93.75 percent satisfaction rating for his Working Genius masterclass. He delivers keynotes on conflict resolution, team alignment, communication across different personalities, and building high performing leadership teams.

Most thought leaders on this list specialise in Christian education philosophy, curriculum, or Texas based school administration. Jonno fills a different and equally critical gap: helping Christian school leadership teams actually function well together. The best curriculum framework in the world produces nothing if the leadership team implementing it is plagued by unresolved conflict, communication breakdowns, or misaligned roles.

Best For: Christian school leadership teams seeking practical team alignment, conflict resolution facilitation, keynotes, and Working Genius workshops delivered by an experienced facilitator with deep school sector experience. International travel is often far more affordable than clients expect, and many Texas schools find that flying Jonno in costs less than engaging high profile local providers.

To book Jonno White for your school's next leadership day, offsite, or conference, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

2. Dr Jay Ferguson, Head of School, Grace Community School, Tyler

Dr Jay Ferguson is arguably the most prominent Christian school thought leader based in Texas. He has led Grace Community School in Tyler since 2003, building it into the largest private school in East Texas with nearly 1,000 students. Under his leadership, Grace became one of only two private schools in Texas to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education at both the high school and elementary levels.

Jay's influence extends well beyond his own campus. He is the current Chair of the Association of Christian Schools International, the past President of the Texas Private School Association, and the past Chair of the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability. He is a co author of The Nexus, a twelve week Christian leadership development course, contributed a chapter to Building a Better School, and writes a widely read weekly blog called The Head and the Heart, available in audio form on Spotify. He holds a PhD in Leadership Studies from Dallas Baptist University and teaches as an adjunct professor at Covenant College and Gordon College.

Best For: School boards and heads of school seeking thought leadership on Christian school governance, culture building, spiritual formation, and Blue Ribbon level academic excellence.

3. Dr Jon Eckert, Copple Chair in Christian School Leadership, Baylor University, Waco

Dr Jon Eckert is the most prominent higher education researcher focused specifically on Christian school leadership in Texas. He holds the Lynda and Robert Copple Endowed Chair for Christians in School Leadership at Baylor University and serves as Co Executive Director of the Baylor Center for School Leadership. Since arriving at Baylor in 2019 from Wheaton College, he has built the Centre into a nationally significant platform for equipping Christian school leaders.

Eckert is the author of Just Teaching: Feedback, Engagement, and Well Being for Each Student and Leading Together: Teachers and Principals Improving Student Outcomes. He hosts the Just Schools podcast and has presented at conferences across the United States, Australia, Canada, and at Windsor Castle. His research on collective leadership directly influences how Christian schools in Texas and beyond think about teacher effectiveness and school improvement.

Best For: Christian school leaders seeking research backed approaches to leadership development, teacher well being, and school improvement grounded in faith.

4. Dr Larry Taylor, President and CEO, ACSI

Dr Larry Taylor leads the Association of Christian Schools International, the largest global association serving Christian schools in over 100 countries. While ACSI is headquartered in Colorado, Taylor's Texas roots run deep. He served for twenty years as Head of School at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, making him one of the most connected leaders in Texas Christian education. He hosts the Sharpening Kingdom Leaders podcast and his influence on Texas Christian schools remains substantial through ACSI's Central Division, conferences, and professional development programming.

Best For: Christian schools seeking accreditation, professional development, and connection to the largest global network in Christian education.

5. Dr Michael Goddard, Superintendent, Prestonwood Christian Academy School System, Plano

Dr Michael Goddard leads one of the most prominent Christian school systems in Texas. Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students across its Plano campus, PCA North in Prosper, and its online programme. Since his appointment as Superintendent in 2021, Goddard has been pioneering system wide scaling for Christian academies. He is a Maxwell certified coach and hosts The MakeReady Podcast. His leadership represents the vanguard of multi campus Christian school systems in Texas.

PCA's graduates have been offered more than $222 million in scholarships since the first graduating class in 2002. Goddard previously served as Superintendent for Lovejoy ISD and Red Oak ISD, bringing both public and private school leadership experience to the role.

Best For: School leaders and boards exploring multi campus expansion, system level governance, and scaling Christian education operations.

6. Julie H. Ambler, Head of School, The Woodlands Christian Academy

Julie Ambler has led The Woodlands Christian Academy since 2006, making her one of the longest serving heads of school in Texas Christian education. Her statewide influence is substantial. She serves as Chair of the Board for the Council of Educational Standards and Accountability and sits on the Texas Private School Association board. TWCA serves over 800 students from pre kindergarten through twelfth grade as an independent, Christ centred college preparatory school.

Best For: Leaders seeking models for sustained institutional growth, board governance, and statewide advocacy for Christian schools.

7. Leanne Messer, Head of School, Houston Christian High School

Leanne Messer has served as Head of School at Houston Christian High School since 2023. A native Texan with a background spanning education, law, and school leadership, she previously led Landmark Christian School in Georgia and Hyde Park Schools in Austin. She is the former President of the Texas Private Schools Association. Under her leadership, HCHS hosts the Engaging Christian Leadership Conference through the George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders, one of the most important Christian education leadership events in Texas.

Best For: Emerging and established Christian school leaders seeking conference based learning, and schools exploring leadership transitions.

8. Dr Jay Ferguson's Inner Circle: The ECLC Conference Faculty

Houston Christian High School's Engaging Christian Leadership Conference has become a significant gathering point for Texas Christian school leaders. The ECLC faculty includes Leanne Messer, Dr Darren Price (HCHS Principal), Mindy Dickerson (Executive Director of The Bush Center at HCHS), and visiting speakers from across the national Christian education landscape. The January 2026 conference was specifically designed for emerging and seasoned leaders. For more on thought leaders shaping Christian schooling globally, check out my blog post '35 Best Thought Leaders in Christian Schooling (2026)' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/thought-leaders-christian-schooling.

Best For: Christian school leaders in the Houston region and beyond seeking practical leadership development and networking.

9. Dr Dan Peterson, Head of School, Regents School of Austin

Dr Dan Peterson leads one of the most respected classical Christian schools in Texas. Regents School of Austin explicitly positions itself as a leader in the classical Christian school movement and publishes thought leadership from that platform. Peterson serves on the boards of the Association of Classical Christian Schools and the Classic Learning Test, giving him both local and national influence in the classical Christian education space.

Best For: Schools exploring or deepening their commitment to classical Christian education in the Austin and Central Texas region.

10. Eric Cook, President, Society for Classical Learning (formerly Head of School, Covenant Classical School, Fort Worth)

Eric Cook served as Head of School at Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth from 2009 to 2022, growing the school from 180 students to over 400. He now serves as President of the Society for Classical Learning, one of the most important organisations in the classical Christian movement. He speaks and writes on governance, philosophy, and pedagogy, and has developed a head of school coaching programme specifically designed for classical Christian school leaders.

Best For: Classical Christian school leaders seeking governance consulting, strategic planning facilitation, accreditation guidance, and leadership coaching.

11. Jeffrey Johnson, President and CEO, Coram Deo Academy, DFW

Jeffrey Johnson leads Coram Deo Academy, one of the best known multi campus classical Christian collaborative school models in Texas. CDA operates across Lewisville, Flower Mound, Plano, and Richardson, offering a university model schedule where students attend campus two to three days per week and study at home under parental guidance on remaining days. This model has proven highly scalable and represents a significant innovation in Christian school delivery.

Best For: School founders and boards exploring hybrid, collaborative, or university model approaches to classical Christian education.

12. Leslie Moeller, Head of School, Geneva School of Boerne

Leslie Moeller is both a practising head of school and a nationally recognised classical Christian educator and consultant. She serves as Chairman of the Board of the Society for Classical Learning and has consulting ties that extend well beyond her own campus. Geneva School of Boerne is a prominent classical Christian school in the Texas Hill Country.

Best For: Classical Christian schools seeking accreditation support, governance consulting, and leadership development from a practitioner consultant.

13. Kevin Mosley, Head of School, Legacy Christian Academy, Frisco

Kevin Mosley leads Legacy Christian Academy, a prominent North Texas Christian school in one of the fastest growing communities in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. Since assuming the role in 2022, he has been known for strong operational leadership, enrolment management, and cultivating deep, Christ centred faculty cultures. His public writing as Head of School gives him visible thought leadership in the region.

Best For: Growing Christian schools in suburban markets seeking models for enrolment growth and faculty culture development.

Jonno White, experienced keynote speaker and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, delivers workshops that help Christian school leadership teams in Texas and beyond understand how each person contributes to the team's mission. Whether virtual or face to face, reach out to jonno@consultclarity.org.

14. Jeff D. Williams, Head of School, Trinity Christian Academy, Addison

Jeff Williams leads one of the most recognised Christian college preparatory schools in North Texas. He is a notable advocate for innovation and student entrepreneurship within Christian education, recently partnering with organisations to host statewide entrepreneurship symposiums for Christian schools. He hosts the Let's Talk TCA podcast, adding a regular content platform to his thought leadership.

Best For: Christian schools seeking to integrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and real world application into their programming.

15. Dr Brian Guenther, President, San Marcos Academy

Dr Brian Guenther leads one of Texas's historic Christian boarding and day schools. He serves as President of the Accreditation Commission of the Texas Association of Baptist Schools, giving him statewide influence on quality standards and governance. His experience spans elementary through graduate school, day and boarding, on ground and online education, and he holds an EdD from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.

Best For: Christian schools exploring boarding models, international student integration, and Baptist school accreditation.

16. John Card, Head of School, Second Baptist School, Houston

John Card leads one of Houston's most prominent Christian schools. Second Baptist School has been a pioneer in hybrid and university model expansion, using flexible scheduling to expand to multiple campuses across the Houston area while keeping tuition accessible. This model represents a significant trend in Texas Christian education.

Best For: Large church connected schools exploring multi campus scaling and hybrid delivery models.

17. Terry Rodgers, President and Head of School, Fort Worth Christian School

Terry Rodgers was appointed to lead Fort Worth Christian School in 2024 after more than 20 years at Prestonwood Christian Academy. This crossover gives him deep credibility in two major Texas Christian school networks. His leadership bridges the DFW metroplex's northern and western Christian school communities.

Best For: Schools navigating leadership transitions and those connected to the broader PCA network.

18. Dr Lynn Swaner, Scholar and Author, Baylor Center for School Leadership

Dr Lynn Swaner is a major national voice in Christian education research and a scholar affiliated with the Baylor Center for School Leadership. She is the co author and editor of books including Future Ready, Flourishing Together, and MindShift, all highly relevant to Christian school leadership. Her work on flourishing school culture directly influences how ACSI member schools and independent Christian schools approach school improvement.

Best For: Schools seeking research grounded frameworks for flourishing, innovation, and future readiness in Christian education.

19. Christopher Coy, Head of School, Hyde Park Schools, Austin

Christopher Coy leads Hyde Park Schools, a well known Austin Christian school with a strong public leadership profile. Hyde Park serves families across Central Texas and represents the non classical evangelical school tradition in the Austin market.

Best For: Christian school leaders in Central Texas seeking peer leadership and community connection.

20. Braxton Brady, Head of School, The Brook Hill School, Bullard

Braxton Brady leads a major East Texas Christian school with boarding visibility and a broad regional footprint. The Brook Hill School offers both day and boarding programmes, providing a model relatively rare in Texas Christian education.

Best For: Schools exploring boarding programmes, international enrolment, and residential Christian education.

21. Heath Nivens, Head of School, McKinney Christian Academy

Heath Nivens leads a significant growth market Christian school in Collin County, one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. McKinney Christian Academy represents the rising generation of Christian schools in DFW's northern suburban corridor. Nivens was featured hosting Dr Ben Carson for a campus visit focused on building the next generation of Christian leaders.

Best For: Schools in high growth suburban markets navigating community engagement and rapid expansion.

22. Chris King, Head of School, Dallas Christian School, Mesquite

Chris King leads a long established Dallas area Christian school with clear public facing academic and mission leadership. Dallas Christian School represents the heritage strand of Texas Christian education, with decades of service to the eastern Dallas metroplex.

Best For: Established Christian schools seeking to balance heritage and tradition with contemporary relevance.

For more on how Christian schools are building the leadership cultures that make improvement stick, check out my blog post '25 Best Christian Leadership Training Resources (2026)' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/christian-leadership-training.

23. Dr Perry Glanzer, Professor of Educational Foundations, Baylor University, Waco

Dr Perry Glanzer's work at Baylor University on Christian education, moral formation, and institutional identity strongly influences the broader conversation about what Christian schooling should accomplish. While his focus is often on higher education, his frameworks on identity and moral formation have direct application to K through 12 Christian schools seeking to articulate their distinctive value proposition.

Best For: School boards and heads of school grappling with institutional identity, moral formation frameworks, and the philosophical foundations of Christian education.

24. Charles T. Evans, Founder, BetterSchools LLC, Austin

Charles T. Evans is a private school management consultant, former executive director of the Texas Private School Association, and an author connected to the Van Lunen Fellowship for Christian School Management. His consultancy, BetterSchools, is one of the most established Christian school advisory practices in Texas.

Best For: Christian school boards seeking management consulting, strategic planning, and operational improvement from someone with deep Texas roots.

25. Laura Colangelo, Executive Director, Texas Private School Association, Austin

Laura Colangelo is the primary legislative advocate for private and Christian schools in Texas. Her work on school choice legislation, particularly the Texas Education Freedom Accounts programme, makes her one of the most consequential figures in the state for anyone operating or considering a Christian school. TPSA's advocacy directly shaped SB 2 and continues to influence how the TEFA programme is implemented.

Best For: School leaders seeking statewide advocacy, policy updates, and legislative intelligence on Texas school choice.

26. Terry Caywood, Director of Accreditation, ACSI Central Division, Plano

Terry Caywood oversees accreditation for Christian schools in the ACSI Central Division, which includes Texas. Accreditation leaders often have outsized influence on how Christian schools define quality, governance, and improvement. His Plano based role means his influence is felt directly across the Texas Christian school landscape.

Best For: Schools pursuing or maintaining ACSI accreditation and seeking guidance on quality standards.

Jonno White, host of The Leadership Conversations Podcast with over 230 episodes reaching listeners in more than 150 countries, works with Christian school leadership teams to build cultures where trust, communication, and accountability flourish. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss a keynote or workshop for your school.

27. Rob Brown, San Antonio Christian School and TPSA Bexar District Director

Rob Brown represents a major Christian school in one of Texas's largest cities and holds statewide association leadership with TPSA. His inclusion ensures San Antonio's voice in the statewide conversation about Christian schooling.

Best For: Christian schools in the San Antonio market seeking peer connection and regional advocacy.

28. Jay Burcham, Brentwood Christian School, Austin and TPSA Travis District Director

Jay Burcham leads Brentwood Christian School, a recognisable Austin institution, and serves as TPSA's Travis District Director. His dual role gives him both local and statewide visibility in the Christian school ecosystem.

Best For: Austin area Christian schools seeking regional networking and TPSA engagement.

29. Richard Halloran, Providence Classical School, Spring and TPSA Southeast District Director

Richard Halloran leads Providence Classical School, an influential classical Christian school in the Houston area. Providence is fully accredited by the Association of Classical Christian Schools and competes in TAPPS. Halloran's statewide association role adds another dimension to his influence.

Best For: Houston area classical Christian schools seeking accreditation guidance and state association engagement.

30. Dr Deborah J. Miller, Consultant, Christian School Management

Dr Deborah J. Miller brings more than four decades of service in Christian education as a consultant, author, and international speaker. Her work with Christian School Management includes advising boards, coaching school leadership teams, developing strategic plans, training teachers in Christian education philosophy, and designing programmes that advance the mission of Christian schools. CSM is heavily utilised by Texas schools.

Best For: Schools seeking board governance consulting, strategic planning, teacher training, and mission alignment work.

31. Bill Simmer, Consultant, Christian School Management

Bill Simmer has been consulting with Christian schools for over 22 years, covering admissions, enrolment, faculty culture, performance evaluation, board governance, and head coaching and support. He has delivered over 180 workshops nationwide through relationships with multiple educational associations.

Best For: Schools focused on admissions growth, enrolment strategy, faculty culture, and board development.

32. Alison Moffatt, Live Oak Classical School, Waco and TPSA Brazos District Director

Alison Moffatt leads Live Oak Classical School in Waco and serves as TPSA's Brazos District Director. Live Oak represents the classical Christian school movement in Central Texas and benefits from proximity to Baylor University's Christian education resources.

Best For: Waco and Central Texas classical Christian schools seeking regional connection and state association involvement.

33. Gregory Anderson, Midland Christian School, Midland and TPSA West District Director

Gregory Anderson leads Midland Christian School, one of the most prominent Christian schools in West Texas. His statewide association leadership through TPSA ensures that regional perspectives beyond the DFW, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio corridors are represented.

Best For: West Texas Christian schools seeking peer connection and statewide advocacy.

34. Dr Bill Sterrett, Department Chair of Educational Leadership, Baylor University

Dr Bill Sterrett serves as Department Chair of Educational Leadership and Co Executive Director of the Center for School Leadership at Baylor University. He brings Milken National Educator Award credentials and extensive experience preparing school leaders. His partnership with Jon Eckert strengthens Baylor's position as the preeminent university for Christian school leadership development in Texas.

Best For: Aspiring and current school leaders seeking graduate education and professional development grounded in Christian values and educational research.

35. Matt Thomas, Executive Director, Center for Christian Education, Baylor University

Matt Thomas leads the Center for Christian Education at Baylor University, dedicated to advancing evidence based approaches to educational improvement and values driven leadership. The Centre hosts the annual Academy for Transformational Leadership and creates professional development resources for Christian educators. His partnership with Dr Eckert and the broader Baylor education faculty makes this Centre a critical institution for Texas Christian school leaders.

Best For: Christian school leaders seeking university connected professional development, research partnerships, and transformational leadership training.

The Texas Education Freedom Accounts: What Every Christian School Leader Needs to Know

The passage of Senate Bill 2 by the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025 created the Texas Education Freedom Accounts programme, providing approximately $10,474 per student for families choosing private education. Students with disabilities may receive up to $30,000 annually. The programme is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts with Odyssey as the certified educational assistance organisation.

Applications opened on 4 February 2026, with a deadline of 31 March 2026. More than 2,000 accredited private schools and pre K providers have registered to accept TEFA funds. For Christian schools in Texas, this programme represents an unprecedented opportunity to serve families for whom Christian education was previously financially inaccessible. However, some schools have adopted a wait and see approach due to concerns about autonomy, testing requirements, and fit with existing financial aid models.

School leaders would benefit from connecting with TPSA, ACSI, and consultants like Charles T. Evans for strategic guidance on TEFA participation decisions.

Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with over 10,000 copies sold globally, facilitates leadership sessions that help Christian school teams navigate change, align on strategy, and make decisions with clarity and confidence. To discuss how Jonno might support your school's leadership team, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Comparison Table

Jonno White | Leadership Facilitator, Speaker, Author | Brisbane (works globally) | Team alignment, Working Genius, conflict resolution

Dr Jay Ferguson | Head of School, ACSI Chair | Tyler, TX | School governance, culture building, spiritual formation

Dr Jon Eckert | Baylor Copple Chair, Researcher | Waco, TX | Research backed leadership development

Dr Larry Taylor | ACSI President and CEO | Colorado (Texas roots) | Global Christian school network and accreditation

Dr Michael Goddard | Superintendent, PCA | Plano, TX | Multi campus systems, scaling Christian schools

Julie H. Ambler | Head of School, TWCA | The Woodlands, TX | Board governance, statewide advocacy

Leanne Messer | Head of School, HCHS | Houston, TX | Conference leadership, school transitions

Dr Dan Peterson | Head of School, Regents | Austin, TX | Classical Christian education

Eric Cook | President, SCL | National (Fort Worth roots) | Classical school governance and coaching

Jeffrey Johnson | President and CEO, CDA | DFW, TX | University model, hybrid classical schools

Leslie Moeller | Head of School, Geneva | Boerne, TX | Classical education, SCL consulting

Kevin Mosley | Head of School, LCA | Frisco, TX | Enrolment growth, faculty culture

Jeff D. Williams | Head of School, TCA | Addison, TX | Innovation, entrepreneurship in schools

Dr Brian Guenther | President, SMA | San Marcos, TX | Boarding schools, Baptist accreditation

John Card | Head of School, SBS | Houston, TX | Multi campus, hybrid models

Terry Rodgers | Head of School, FWC | Fort Worth, TX | Leadership transitions

Dr Lynn Swaner | Author, Researcher | Baylor affiliated | Flourishing schools research

Christopher Coy | Head of School, Hyde Park | Austin, TX | Central Texas Christian schools

Braxton Brady | Head of School, Brook Hill | Bullard, TX | Boarding and day school models

Heath Nivens | Head of School, MCA | McKinney, TX | Growth market Christian schools

Chris King | Head of School, DCS | Mesquite, TX | Heritage Christian schools

Dr Perry Glanzer | Professor, Baylor | Waco, TX | Moral formation, institutional identity

Charles T. Evans | Founder, BetterSchools | Austin, TX | Christian school management consulting

Laura Colangelo | Executive Director, TPSA | Austin, TX | Legislative advocacy, school choice

Terry Caywood | Accreditation Director, ACSI | Plano, TX | ACSI accreditation

How to Choose the Right Thought Leader for Your School

Choosing the right thought leader, consultant, speaker, or facilitator for your Christian school depends on what challenge you are trying to solve. If your leadership team is struggling with communication, alignment, or unresolved conflict, a facilitator like Jonno White who specialises in Working Genius, DISC, or team dynamics will deliver more lasting impact than a curriculum consultant. If you are exploring classical Christian education, leaders like Eric Cook, Dan Peterson, or Leslie Moeller offer deep expertise. If you need research backed frameworks, Jon Eckert and Lynn Swaner at Baylor are the strongest voices in the field.

Consider these questions when evaluating who to bring in. What is the specific challenge your leadership team or board is facing right now? Do you need a one time keynote or sustained consulting and facilitation? Does the person have direct experience working with schools of your size and type? Can they deliver both in person and virtually? What is their evidence of impact with previous schools?

The best investment a Christian school can make is not in another programme or curriculum framework, but in the health and alignment of its leadership team. When the leadership team works well together, every other initiative improves.

What to Expect: Investment Guide

Investment in Christian school thought leadership varies significantly based on engagement type. Individual keynote speakers typically range from USD 2,000 to USD 10,000. Workshop facilitation for a full day often ranges from USD 3,000 to USD 7,500. Multi day programmes and sustained consulting engagements range from USD 5,000 to USD 20,000 depending on the provider and scope.

Association memberships from ACSI, TPSA, and SCL provide ongoing access to professional development, conferences, accreditation, and resources at various price points. University connected programmes through Baylor's Center for School Leadership offer graduate education and professional development that combines academic rigour with practical application.

Many organisations find that flying in an international facilitator like Jonno White costs less than engaging high profile local providers, and that international travel is often far more affordable than clients expect. For a custom quote from Jonno White, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best thought leader on Christian schooling in Texas?

Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with over 10,000 copies sold globally and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, leads our directory. His focus on team alignment and conflict resolution addresses the foundational leadership challenge that every Christian school faces. For Texas based leaders, Dr Jay Ferguson and Dr Jon Eckert are the two most prominent voices, combining decades of school leadership with national influence through ACSI and Baylor University respectively.

How is the Texas Education Freedom Accounts programme changing Christian schools?

The TEFA programme provides approximately $10,474 per student for families choosing private education in the 2026 to 2027 school year. More than 2,000 schools have registered. Christian schools are rapidly adapting enrolment strategies to welcome families who previously could not afford tuition. Some schools have opted out due to concerns about testing requirements and autonomy.

What conferences exist for Christian school leaders in Texas?

The Engaging Christian Leadership Conference at Houston Christian High School, Baylor Center for School Leadership events including the annual Catalyze conference, ACSI regional events, and the Kingdom Education Summit in the Dallas Fort Worth area are the most significant.

Which Texas universities focus on Christian school leadership?

Baylor University is the clear leader, with Dr Jon Eckert's Copple Chair, the Center for School Leadership, and the Center for Christian Education. Dallas Baptist University also produces Christian education leaders, as does Houston Christian University.

Can I hire someone to facilitate leadership development for my Christian school team?

Absolutely. Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator and bestselling author, delivers keynotes and workshops designed specifically for school leadership teams. His sessions help teams build trust, understand each person's contribution through Working Genius, resolve conflict, and align on strategy. He works with schools around the world and travels regularly for engagements in the United States. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your school's needs.

What is the best classical Christian school in Texas?

Texas has an extraordinary concentration of classical Christian schools. Regents School of Austin, Coram Deo Academy in DFW, Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth, Geneva School of Boerne, and Providence Classical School in Spring are among the most respected. The Society for Classical Learning and the Association of Classical Christian Schools both have strong Texas representation.

How do Texas Christian school leaders connect with each other?

The Texas Private School Association is the primary statewide platform for cross sector connection. ACSI provides Christian specific networking through its Central Division. The Society for Classical Learning connects classical Christian school leaders. Baylor's Center for School Leadership hosts gatherings and academies. The ECLC conference at Houston Christian High School provides annual face to face connection.

Final Thoughts

Texas Christian schooling is experiencing a once in a generation transformation. The convergence of the TEFA school choice programme, the continued growth of classical Christian education, the expansion of hybrid and university model schools, and the depth of leadership talent across the state means that the next five years will reshape the sector in ways that will influence Christian education nationally and globally.

The thought leaders profiled in this directory are the people shaping that future. Some do it through daily school leadership. Others through research, consulting, writing, or advocacy. All of them share a commitment to building Christian schools where students are known, loved, and challenged to influence the world for Christ.

If your Christian school leadership team is ready to invest in its own health and alignment, Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, delivers keynotes and workshops that give teams the language, frameworks, and practical tools to work better together. Whether you are in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, or anywhere in Texas, Jonno works with schools around the world and regularly travels for engagements across the United States. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to start the conversation.

About the Author

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership consultant who has worked with schools, corporates, and nonprofits across the UK, India, Australia, Canada, Mongolia, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, USA, Finland, Namibia, and more. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally, and his podcast The Leadership Conversations has featured 230+ episodes reaching listeners in 150+ countries. Jonno founded The 7 Questions Movement with 6,000+ participating leaders and achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating for his Working Genius masterclass at the ASBA 2025 National Conference. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Jonno works globally and regularly travels for speaking and facilitation engagements. Organisations consistently find that international travel is far more affordable than expected.

While Jonno is included in these rankings based on objective criteria, readers should note his authorship in the interest of full transparency.

To book Jonno for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Next Read: 35 Best Thought Leaders in Christian Schooling (2026)

Christian schooling is experiencing a global renaissance. From Brisbane to Boston, London to Lagos, and Singapore to Sioux Center, Christian schools are moving beyond survival mode into a research driven, formational, flourishing centred movement that is reshaping how millions of students experience education. If you are a principal, head of school, board member, or superintendent searching for the thought leaders who are genuinely shaping the future of Christian education, the challenge is knowing where to start.

This guide profiles 35 of the most influential thought leaders in Christian schooling globally in 2026. It covers association executives, researchers, authors, consultants, facilitators, and innovative heads of school from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa, Singapore, and beyond.

Keep reading: https://www.consultclarity.org/post/thought-leaders-christian-schooling