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.

Kelly is the Head of School at Rafiki Classical Academy. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and earned two master’s degrees—one in Educational Leadership from Covenant College and another in Christian and Classical Studies from Knox Theological Seminary.

After teaching in both a public school and a private classical Christian school in Tampa, Florida, Kelly moved to Africa to serve as a missionary with the Rafiki Foundation. She spent 11 years teaching and leading Rafiki Schools in Rwanda and Uganda. Kelly returned to Florida in 2022 to help launch Rafiki Classical Academy with the Rafiki Foundation and has served as Head of School since the Academy’s opening in 2023.

Kelly is a member of Saint Andrew’s Chapel and enjoys serving in the children’s department at church. In her spare time, she can be found playing with her nephews, enjoying time in creation, and working her way through a classic—Moby Dick and The Odyssey are currently on her nightstand.