At Fort Worth Christian, learning doesn't stop when summer begins. Throughout the summer months, our faculty and staff intentionally pursued professional development opportunities designed to sharpen their expertise, expand their knowledge, and ultimately better serve our students. From Advanced Placement training and graduate coursework to nationally recognized certifications, specialized conferences, and industry-leading workshops, our team has been committed to growing professionally so they can provide the very best Christ-centered education possible. We are grateful for educators who model lifelong learning and continually invest in their calling.

Nic Anderson – History
Mr. Anderson completed specialized training through the Case Method Institute for Education and Democracy, where educators learn to teach history and civics through evidence-based case studies. This instructional approach helps students strengthen critical thinking, engage in meaningful discussion, and develop the skills needed for informed citizenship. Mr. Anderson looks forward to incorporating these strategies into his classroom this year.

Stephen Grant – Fine Arts
Mr. Grant attended the AP Music Theory Summer Institute at Texas Christian University (TCU) in preparation for Fort Worth Christian's first-ever AP Music Theory course. The institute provided curriculum resources, instructional strategies, assessment tools, and best practices for teaching the rigorous AP curriculum. As FWC launches this exciting new course, Stephen is eager to equip students for success in both the classroom and on the AP exam.

Brian Borg – World Languages
Mr. Borg dedicated his summer to expanding both his academic credentials and instructional expertise. He attended the AP Spanish Language and Culture Summer Institute, completed 12 hours of postgraduate Spanish coursework toward a second master's degree, and participated in professional training through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). He also traveled to Mexico and Honduras to strengthen his language fluency and gain authentic cultural experiences that will enrich classroom instruction. This fall, Mr. Borg will also become qualified to teach Dual Credit Spanish courses.

Corry Karlen & Savanna Zuniga – Sports Medicine
Coach Karlen and Coach Z attended the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association Sports Medicine Symposium in Waco, earning continuing education credits toward their state and national athletic training licenses. The symposium featured expert presentations on concussion care, manual therapy, emergency preparedness, mental health, and the latest evidence-based practices, ensuring our student-athletes continue to receive exceptional care.

Kristin Nelson – Student Support Services
Mrs. Nelson devoted her summer to an extensive series of professional development opportunities focused on supporting the whole child - academically, behaviorally, emotionally, and socially. Her training included current research on fentanyl awareness, hemp and THC education, the impact of stress and trauma on learning, behavior assessment and intervention, school avoidance, and strategies for fostering positive student behaviors. She also attended a multi-day Teaching and Learning Conference featuring nationally recognized educator Marcia Tate, where she explored effective MTSS practices and student support systems. In addition, Mrs. Nelson is completing specialized training through the State of Texas to become an MTSS Trainer of Trainers, equipping her to lead and support the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. Her commitment to continuous learning will strengthen the resources and care available to students, teachers, and families across the FWC community.

Melanie Birmingham – Mathematics
Mrs. Birmingham participated in professional development focused on strengthening AP Statistics instruction and expanding project-based learning opportunities. She also completed training on incorporating artificial intelligence into authentic classroom learning experiences, exploring ways to use emerging technology to enhance—not replace—student learning. These opportunities will help create engaging, rigorous lessons that prepare students for success both in AP coursework and beyond.

Brooke Miller – Fine Arts
Ms. Miller completed the Basic and Beginner Levels of the internationally recognized Giordano Dance Chicago Teacher Certification, an elite professional program known throughout the performing arts industry. She also served as an adjudicator and workshop instructor at Magic Fest, collaborating with Broadway professionals while providing feedback and instruction to student performers. These experiences will bring industry-leading techniques, artistry, and professional standards to Fort Worth Christian's performing arts program.

Cade Garcia – Director of Sports Performance
Coach Garcia spent part of his summer working alongside the Texas A&M Football Strength & Conditioning Staff, learning under legendary strength coach Tommy Moffitt. Having previously served on the Texas A&M strength staff before joining Fort Worth Christian, Coach Garcia was invited back to continue developing alongside some of the nation's top performance professionals. He gained fresh insights into elite athlete development and performance programming that he looks forward to bringing back to FWC as he continues to strengthen the Cardinals' sports performance program.

Debi Moore – History
Mrs. Moore completed both the Level 1 and Level 2 Brisk Teaching Professional Development Programs, earning certifications in the innovative AI-powered instructional platform. The training focused on practical strategies for enhancing lesson planning, providing meaningful student feedback, differentiating instruction, and increasing classroom efficiency while maintaining high-quality teaching. Mrs. Moore looks forward to integrating these tools to enrich student learning and engagement throughout the coming school year.

Dr. Terry Rodgers – President & Head of School
Dr. Terry Rodgers attended the Van Lunen Center Leadership Conference, a nationally recognized professional development program for Christian school leaders. The conference brought together heads of school from across the country to explore strategic leadership, organizational health, governance, culture, and mission-driven excellence. Through collaboration with fellow Christian school leaders and nationally respected presenters, Dr. Rodgers gained practical insights into strengthening school leadership, investing in faculty and staff, and advancing Kingdom Education. He looks forward to applying these ideas as Fort Worth Christian continues pursuing its mission of developing students for lives of faith, service, and leadership.

We are proud of our faculty and staff for their commitment to continuous growth. Their investment in professional learning reflects our commitment to providing every Fort Worth Christian student with an exceptional, Christ-centered education rooted in excellence.