The Rev’d John Heaton is New Covenant’s second headmaster, following the founder of the school, Dr. Robert Littlejohn. He has served since 1998 and is in his twenty sixth year of service. He established the school on its permanent campus at Fleetwood Drive in Lynchburg, VA, and led the development of the school through five successful capital campaigns, providing the facilities which now serve more than 450 students through grade 12. Fr. John is an ordained minister in the Reformed Episcopal Church and has served a parish in his home state of Florida. He currently serves as the Associate Priest at All Saints Church which meets in the Marie Macdonald Chapel on the campus of New Covenant. Fr. John holds the BA and MA in theology, and the MA in liberal studies. He teaches intermediate Greek in the School of Rhetoric, and he writes routinely for this blog below.
Predictability and Support: Two Keys to Community Success
Research from Independent School Management (ISM) shows that the two factors that correlate most closely to long-term academic success for students are a predictable environment coupled with support. Predictability means
November is for Readers
There’s been a quiet little revolution going on over in first grade. Students there are learning to read! That’s right. November is the month that written language comes together for
The History Timeline
It’s endearing and amazing to see five-year olds reciting the Timeline, but the magic of this learning tool doesn’t fully reveal itself until our students become our graduates. If you’re
Turning 30: Four Keys to a Superior Education
Exactly 30 years ago this month, 16 students had enrolled in the newest school in Central Virginia. It was called New Covenant, and for that first month the children were
Why We Like Gardens
It is very good to be back together in school. As students returned I was excited that Jessica Simpkins and other volunteers were able to tend the Gryphon Garden over
Fear is Not the Companion of Caution
The military flyover at a football game makes us stand tall, and leaves us awestruck as kickoff approaches. Not so when I was a kid. Growing up in the early
A Guide for Devotion in Lent and Holy Week
For those of you who want direction for your private devotion, reflection, quiet time, or whatever you may call it, here is a guide for each of the weeks in
Poetry, The Arts and The Imagination
Our imaginations should be nourished as an instrument by which we know reality. While C.S. Lewis espoused many thought-provoking ideas, this lesson is a difficult, perhaps impossible one for us
STEM, STEAM, and STREAM? You Don’t Have to Choose
Let me just say it and get it out of the way: there’s nothing wrong with STEM. Science, technology, engineering and math are all good pursuits. President Obama put out