In communities where classical Christian education is unknown and values are often shaped by the current cultural tides rather than Scripture, how do we prepare new teachers to step into this rich tradition? Drawing from our experience as school leaders in ten countries across Africa and in the US, we will share practical ways to help a faculty flourish as classical Christian teachers, especially in cross-cultural settings where there are no classical schools nearby to provide readily accessible models. This applies to schools among the urban or rural poor as well.

Karen has served with Rafiki since 1990, including 12 years on the mission field, primarily in Nigeria. Upon returning to the U.S., she became the Director of Africa Operations, responsible for managing the Orphan Care and Education Programs and curriculum development for all ten Rafiki Villages. In 2012 she was named Rafiki’s Executive Director.

Prior to joining Rafiki, she worked for ten years in the banking industry as a commercial lender, management trainer, and Vice President. She holds a BBA in finance/accounting and a music minor from Southern Methodist University, a Master’s degree in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of Texas (Arlington), and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at Faulkner University.

Karen is a member of St. Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Florida, and served many years as a teaching leader for Bible Study Fellowship while in Texas and Africa. Karen served as a founding board member for LifeHouse, a home for unwed mothers in Houston, Texas. She also serves as President of the Rafiki Education Foundation, the umbrella organization of the Rafiki Classical Academy in Eustis, Florida.

Her paper was published in The Consortium: A Journal of Classical Christian Education with an article entitled “What Does Athens have to do with Abuja?: Why a Christian Liberal Arts Education is Appropriate for and Essential to African Church Schools.