AACS staff members are available to provide on-site services designed to enhance the ministries of the state associations and the member schools. The following services are available:

• Teachers' Convention Workshops
• Pastors' & Administrators' Conference Workshops
• Applied Civics Training Seminar
• Student Leadership Conferences
• Professional Development Training

A number of the training sessions qualify for CEU credit.  The financial arrangements for these services vary; however, the cost for these services, where applicable, is kept to a minimum.

Teachers' Convention Workshops

Every attempt is made to have an AACS staff member at each state or regional teachers' convention to represent the national organization. The staff members are rotated among the conventions from year-to-year to allow the AACS staff to become better acquainted with the personnel serving in the state offices and member schools across the country and to give those ministering in the various states an opportunity to meet the AACS staff.

In addition to representing the AACS, several staff members are prepared to present workshops at the conventions.  Contact Joey Harmon at 423-629-4280 or jharmon@aacs.org for further information or scheduling. 

Applied Civics Training Seminar

The Applied Civics Training Seminar (ACTS) is a one-day program that introduces students to their responsibilities as Christian citizens and presents the basics of involvement in the political process. Presentations actively involve the participants and focus on topics such as:

• "The Biblical Basis for Involvement"
• "The Real Nature of Politics"
• "Can You Hear Me Now?"
• "Communication Strategies"
• "Get Out the Vote"

The day starts with a focus on philosophy and a Biblical worldview, answering the question, "Why get involved?" The presentations then build throughout the day on that worldview - offering practical advice on involvement.

The staff members who conduct these seminars are all actively involved in the legislative process, and most are actually former high school teachers who now work in the Washington, DC, area. This seminar has proven to motivate students by helping them understand their responsibilites as Christian citizens and by introducing them to many avenues of citizen participation in political and legislative activities. For more information on the Applied Civics Training Seminar or on the financial arrangements associated with hosting a seminar, please call the AACS National office: (423) 629-4280.

Professional Development Training

        AACS offers professional develop opportunities for school leaders and key teachers each summer. AACS affiliated state associations generally host these 10-hour training sessions in centralized locations within their states to maximize participation. AACS Executive Director Charles Walker and his staff lead the professional development activities which include comprehensive training manuals for each participant. These seminars offer a wealth of information related to facets of school improvement, as well as practical resources that educational leaders may edit to meet the needs of their particular schools. Christian school administrators seeking to develop their instructional leadership skills should seriously consider attending or hosting one of these summer sessions. 

        Summer Professional Development Topics

                Staff Development: Strategies that Work

                School Improvement

                Developing a Teacher Evaluation Program for Professional Growth

For more information or to inquire about scheduling a summer training session in your state, contact the AACS Education Office at 423-629-4280.