<p>Without a superintendent for two years, Greenwood Christian Academy’s future has been in limbo.</p><p>The non-denominational private school hired a consulting group to lead the academy in 2017, which serves children in pre-K through 12th grade. In June, the school board appointed Mike Chitty as the school’s new superintendent. He has 27 years of experience in Christian education.</p><p>In addition to not having a permanent leader, the Indiana High School Athletic Association put the boys basketball team on probation in December after it ruled the school gave an improper benefit to a prospective student-athlete.</p><p>Having a faith-based approach has helped the school navigate its recent challenges, said Casey Kresge, the academy’s spokesperson and admissions director.</p><p>"I think whenever we navigate challenges, we band together and look to the Lord," Kresge said. "We handle challenges in an appropriate Christ-like way with kindness and wisdom. The goal is to help people in our building and our community."</p><p>As superintendent, Chitty plans to work with other school administrators on a strategic plan for the next several years.</p><p>“There’s not been a lot of stability at GCA during the last couple of years in terms of vision, there was no permanent full-time superintendent,” Chitty said.</p><p>“We’re working on a strategic plan for the next several years, looking to grow the school not just in numbers but in sphere of influence. We want to grow opportunities.”</p><p>Although Chitty has now spent more than 25 years in Christian education, he originally planned to go into criminal justice. He got into coaching and teaching part-time while working on his master’s degree in criminal justice at Illinois State University, he said.</p><p>“I felt God had called me to serve in Christian schools,” Chitty said. “I had such positive experiences as a part-time teacher and coach. Twenty-six years later, here I am embarking on my 27th year (in education). I went back to school and got another master’s in education. I’m excited to be a part of GCA.”</p><p>Chitty spent the last 12 years in administration, the most recent eight as a superintendent at Judah Christian School in Champaign, Ill. This is his first time working in Indiana education, after splitting his career between Illinois and Ohio. After making the switch to administration from teaching, Chitty always had a mind for being connected with students, he said.</p><p>“My passion for education is really the students. I’ve always been a very in-the-trenches kind of guy, even in my years as superintendent,” Chitty said. “I’m a hands-on, in-the-hallway type of leader. I love being on campus, meeting with principals, parents and teachers. I’m also excited to get to know more people in the Greenwood community. I never lose heart for the kids; that still motivates me to come each day and that’s what we’re here for.”</p><p>Although the academy will not develop a new strategic plan until fall, Chitty’s first order of business is getting the school accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International, he said.</p><p>Being accredited means a school meets professional and biblical requirements, according to the association.</p><p>Chitty is a good fit for Greenwood Christian Academy because of his ability to see the school’s potential from an outside perspective, Kresge said.</p><p>“When he walks around the school, he sees what it could be immediately, and sometimes you need that fresh set of eyes,” Kresge said.</p><p>“I see excitement because he has come in and innovatively said, ‘this is what we’re doing,’ and change has happened already. I have no doubt this coming year will be the best in GCA history."</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="The Chitty file" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Name;Michael Chitty</p><p>Title;Superintendent of Greenwood Christian Academy</p><p>Start of position;June 1</p><p>Replaces;Consulting firm which led the school for two years.</p><p>Previous experience;27 years in Christian Education. 12 years in administration. Eight years as superintendent of Judah Christian School in Champaign, Ill.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
