Teaching can often feel like an isolating career, especially for Christian educators navigating today’s classroom environment. The Encouraged and Equipped Teachers Conference–hosted by the Boyce College Teacher Education Program–provides a rare opportunity for teachers and administrators to step away from work pressures and immerse themselves into a community of like-minded educators.
Teachers will learn how to:
- Honor God in their classrooms while remaining professional and effective in their roles.
- Create a Christ-honoring environment, whether in a public or private school setting.
- Stay spiritually strong in the face of exhaustion, cultural pressures, and increasing demands.
- Engage students with grace and truth, regardless of school policies or restrictions.
This conference–welcoming public, private, and homeschool educators– isn’t about offering vague inspiration—it’s about equipping teachers with tangible solutions that can be applied immediately.
What Educators Say
About the Encouraged and Equipped Teachers Conference
In their own words
“Thank you for this conference. It was a PD for the soul and much needed. Refreshing speakers reminded me “why we teach.”
In their own words
“Lunch, atmosphere, and materials were excellent! Plenary speakers inspired us and equipped us. So grateful for you all!”
In their own words
“Each speaker had good points that were applicable. I took away something useful from each session.”
In their own words
“I am a college professor. I knew the conference would be oriented to primary/secondary school teachers, yet I enjoyed being there.”
Speakers
R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College
Plenary Session 2: The Weight and Wonder of the Teacher’s Calling.
This closing session will speak directly to teachers about the sacred trust they carry each day and the eternal significance of their work in the classroom. Participants can expect personal encouragement and biblical clarity that affirm their calling, renew their joy, and strengthen them to teach with faithfulness and hope.
Clint Elliot
Executive Director of the Justice Defense Foundation of Kentucky
Plenary Session 1: Confidence in Christ & Clarity in the Classroom.
Teachers will gain an encouraging, up-to-date understanding of what they affirm about Christian expression in schools. You will gain knowledge of up-to-date laws and regulations affecting education. Participants will leave with practical examples, clear guidance, and renewed confidence to teach faithfully and wisely in their classrooms.
Ben Pinnick
Elementary Principal, JCPS
Breakout: BEI>DEI: Belonging, Engagement, Instruction–What Actually Improves Outcomes and Culture.
Educators are constantly in the crosshairs of policy changes affecting their schools and classrooms. While some initiatives create more confusion than cohesion, Christian educators must think deeply and always be prepared for the pendulum of cultural change. This session will explore the deeply Christian concepts of dignity, justice, and community, and how we can teach boldly and confidently in a culture that always needs the gospel.
Leslie Betts
Teacher, Southern Elementary in Pulaski County
Breakout: From Data to Next Steps.
This session explores practical ways to gather and use meaningful data from the start of the school year to drive instruction without adding to teachers’ workload. Participants will learn simple, adaptable cooperative learning structures and routines that make data collection and instructional decision-making seamless, manageable, and impactful across grade levels and content areas.
Bryce Hibbard
Head of Schools, Christian Academy Schools
Breakout: Ownership Over Compliance: Rethinking Student Engagement.
This session challenges traditional models of engagement and offers actionable ways to shift responsibility onto students. Learn how to help students see learning as something they do, not something done to them. You’ll walk away with clear, ready-to-use strategies you can implement immediately to increase ownership, participation, and accountability in your classroom.
Valerie Keaton
Secondary English Educator
Breakout: Guiding Students in an AI World: What Teachers Need to Know and Do.
This breakout session equips teachers with a clear, practical framework for using AI responsibly in the classroom, including appropriate instructional uses, guardrails for student use, and common pitfalls to avoid. Participants will leave with concrete strategies, sample guidelines, and classroom-ready ideas to help students use AI as a tool for learning rather than a shortcut that undermines thinking and integrity.
Conference Registration
On Campus Lodging is Available
The Legacy Center, located on the campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is offering special conference rate pricing.
For more information, contact (502) 736-0600 or email legacyhotel@sbts.edu.