Jeff Keaton and his wife, Michele are faithful servants with 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. He has been a pastor, a church and school planter, and a ministry entrepreneur.  He is the founder and CEO of RenewaNation and iLumenEd Academy (that’s RenewaNation’s virtual school). He is also the founder of RenewaNation magazine. Jeff is also the author of The Life of Radical Faith.  He has dedicated his life to awakening the church – and the Christian school – to the great need of giving every child a biblical worldview.

Bryan Smith has a PhD  in Old Testament Interpretation and has worked in Christian education for 30 years, serving as a classroom teacher as well as a textbook author. He is currently serving as the director of Biblical Worldview Formation at BJU Press. Bryan and his team work on a daily basis to come alongside authors and teachers to assist them in the work of shaping a biblical worldview in the classroom.

Rachel Santopietro is passionate about helping students experience the joy of learning. She has a degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in education. She has been a teacher as well as a writer, and she draws from both of those experiences in her current position overseeing instructional design for writing teams at BJU Press.  Her husband Mike also works at BJU Press, and they have three fantastic kids. Did you know that she’s a rock climbing enthusiast who loves to explore God’s creation? If you meet her, be sure to ask about her rock climbing adventures.

Katie Klipp holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education, and she has been a first grade teacher for 18 years. She has also assisted at BJU Press in writing, revising, and consulting for various projects. While Katie loves the classroom, she also really enjoys hosting workshops for educators and assisting them in areas of classroom management, technology, and creative instruction.

Kevin Cyprian began at Newport Christian in 1995. He spent 12 years teaching fifth grade. Afterward, he served as the supervisor of the learning center at Newport Christian. After those two years, he left the classroom and oversaw the finances for the church and the school. In 2013, he took on the dual role of teacher and principal, and most recently he’s been teaching algebra and Bible along with being principal. He has a bachelor’s degree from Colorado Technical Institute and a master’s degree in education from the American College of Education, both online. And currently, on top of everything else he’s overseeing, he is working on his doctorate in education from Liberty University.

Renton Rathbun is a knowledgeable and authentic teacher with a background in both secular and Christian education. He has been a classroom teacher for over two decades, but he isn’t just a teacher. He’s a learner! He holds a degree in English education and master’s degrees in speech, writing, philosophy, and theology. Plus, he has a PhD in apologetics! Currently, Renton serves as a Biblical Worldview national consultant for BJU Press and is the director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at Bob Jones University.

Shane Blanton is the esteemed executive director of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools, overseeing 130 schools across three states and catering to over 50,000 students. Prior to this role, Shane held leadership positions as the head of both boarding and day schools. In a unique blend of experience, he also served his country as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army, bringing a distinctive perspective to his educational leadership.

Academically, Shane boasts a robust educational background, with degrees in political science, public policy and administration, and educational leadership, culminating with a doctorate in educational leadership and research. Beyond his primary roles, he actively contributes to the broader educational community, serving on various boards and as an adjunct professor. Shane is an author as well, and his multifaceted contributions to education are vast and impactful.

Residing in Mississippi with his wife, Dawn, and their four sons, Shane Blanton’s dedication to education and leadership is both profound and inspiring.