GACS - Senior High Spiritual Retreat 2013

CBL - Challenge Based Learning

So what are you doing right now that could become something great? What Big Idea are you tackling? We're starting CBL in the JH and this video is just a reminder of what can happen when folks get involved in a simple idea. Caine has a vision and imagination and creativity and initiative. What do you have? What's your passion?
Want to read more about Caine? Check out his web site.

Flipped Classroom Pioneer

Aaron Sams and Jonathan Bergman are pioneers when it comes to using the flipped classroom. Check out this video about how Aaron Sams uses this change from the traditional classroom to help his students "become learners who can learn for themselves and by themselves." He says he has become "a tutor, a guide, a putter-outer of fires."

The Flipped Classroom?

I've been researching using the flipped classroom for my students this coming school year and have read a ton of good things about the idea. Pretty sure I will transition into this format after a few weeks with my honors kids. If it's a success there I might think about using it for all of my classes. See for yourself what the flipped classroom is all about.


Created by Knewton and Column Five Media

Team Guate 2012

What an amazing experience. I just got back from a mission trip to Guatemala where we were able to team with Casas pro Cristo and build a family of 6 a home. I'll write more later when I have a chance to digest it all but it was the best trip I've ever been on. I felt like I was able to connect with this family, even through the language barrier, more than any other family I've been able to build for in my other trips that were similar to this one. Thanks to Pete Dockery, Derek Wilson, Shelley Woodward and her dad. Thanks also to Ann, Rachel, Jenny, Davis, Celine, Dylan, Parker, Megan, Jordan and Price. You guys are awesome young men and women. I pray this experience changes the trajectory of your life.

Team Derek & Jeff (and Pete) with Caesar, his family and their Pastor

GAC Wrestlers Place 3rd at State Duals 2012

After drawing Jefferson (state champs) once again this year in Macon the Spartans battled back winning 5 in a row to place 3rd. We rolled over Monticello (49-16), Spencer (48-21), Toombs County (59-15), Calhoun (46-36) and Elbert County (34-25).

Guatemala

So excited to share that I have signed up to be a chaperone on the 2012 Guatemala Trip with 22 of our high school students as well as 3 other teachers including the one and only Scott Harsh (my brother and current Senior High Principal). Very pumped to be able to be on another Casas por Cristo adventure. Hoping I get to work with Pete again. My wife and I served on the 2004-2006 teams to Juarez, MX with Matt and Sara Sills and many high school students. Ready to get back into being a part of our GACS mission trips.

Here's a little video showing what the trip might be like for our team. Please begin to pray for our team as we have just selected the 22 students yesterday. Pray that we come together and not only serve a couple families in Guatemala but that we can be forever changed by what God is going to teach us through the entire process.

LEAD ME

Each school year we have a theme which ties in with a scripture here at GACS. Past themes have been 'God at Work', 'Serve', and things like that. To be honest, I sometimes have a hard time connecting the theme with my classroom. I predict that this year will be no problem for me. It's, in my opinion, one of the best theme's since I started teaching back in 1999.

Our theme comes from Psalm 139:23-24,

"Search me, God, and know my heart; 
test me and know my anxious thoughts. 
See if there is any offensive way in me, 
and LEAD ME in the way everlasting." 


Immediately, this song from Sanctus Real comes to mind. I don't know whether this song had any influence on those that chose our theme for the year but it's been pretty popular on Christian Radio for the last year or so. I absolutely love this song and video and I hope you do as well. 


Being a father of three beautiful children and husband to one fantastic wife I get it. I get the meaning of this song maybe more than anyone that I share this video with in class. To be a father who is there for his children and a husband who is strong for his wife. That's what I'm called to be. I know I can't do it on my own so I have to lean on the perfect Father. He knows how to treat every situation and how to always love. I hope you enjoy these two videos. 


Make sure you watch the story behind the song before the music video. It will mean so much more to you.

SANCTUS REAL: LEAD ME - THE STORY

SANCTUS REAL: LEAD ME - MUSIC VIDEO

Spartans Wrestling - 3rd at State Duals

From The New Southern Grappler:

Class AA – Banks and GAC Upset Favorites to Battle in Conso Finals

LYONS, Georgia – The Jefferson/Sonoraville issue had been settled a week ago, and the result was a forgone conclusion, with the Dragons winning again 37-18. The real entertainment in 2A, however, was watching Banks County and Greater Atlanta Christian. Both were dark horse teams who had spent the season on the fringes of the rankings. Both were teams trying to earn the respect of their peers and the notice of the media. And both knew that to win that respect, you’ve got to beat good teams in big matches. While the Leopards dropped their opening match to Dublin, they refused to pack it in and go home. They battled back to upset #3 Toombs in the 2nd round consos, then they knocked off Spencer in the conso semis. GAC followed a similar track, upsetting favored Morgan County in the 2nd round consos and Lovett in the conso semis. In the final match, GAC prevailed 34-19, but each had made their mark and earned their measure of respect.

From myself to our wrestling parents, school community + administration:

Congratulations to the 2010-2011 Varsity Wrestling Team as they finished in 3rd Place at the 2011 State Duals Championships this past weekend in Toombs County, GA. The Spartans started the tournament on Friday night matched up with powerhouse and 2011 Traditional State Champs Jefferson.
After losing 55-9 the Spartans had a long day ahead of them on Saturday. The Spartans won 5 dual meets in a row on Saturday to bring home the 3rd place trophy. Up first was East Laurens. The Spartans defeated them 64-8.
Up next was Morgan County which came down to the final match with Zach Feuerbach (160) and Morgan’s Rector. They had just met in the semi-finals of the State Tournament last week and beating a talented opponent two times in a row is pretty tough. Feuerbach came home with a pin though and put the Spartans on top 38-33.
Our third dual of the day came from Cook County. The Spartans wrestled well and won 41-26.
In the Consolation Semi-finals, the Spartans were matched up with Area rival Lovett. The Spartans had never, in their 17 year history, beaten Lovett. This time the Spartans came home with a big win 40-24. One of the surprises came from Parker Fair (215) who scored an escape in the final overtime to beat the 189 State Champ from Lovett who had bumped up to wrestle Fair.
In the Consolation Finals to determine 3rd/4th place the Spartans had to wrestle a solid team in Banks County. Once again, your Spartans, after trailing early and winning several close matches brought home the 3rd place trophy by winning 40-19.
The Spartans ended their season 21-8, with a 10th Place finish at the Traditional State Tournament and 3rd Place finish at State Duals Tournament. By far, the best season in Spartan Wrestling history.
Having stand-out performances were Will Hemby (140), Caleb Bumpers (119), Parker Fair (215) and Jared Hemmings (171) who were all 5-1 for the weekend while Zach Feuerbach (160) went 6-0.

From the Gwinnett Daily Post:

GAC places third at state duals
Feb. 27 Gwinnett Daily Post
LYONS — After losing in the first round of the Class AA state duals, Greater Atlanta Christian battled back to finish third. The Spartans defeated Banks County 40-19 in the consolation finals at Toombs County on Saturday.

“We were one match away from losing to Morgan County and would have been top 12,” GAC coach Jeff Harsh said. “After we beat them, we thought we had a good shot.”

It was the first time GAC has qualified for the state duals in the 10-year history of the tournament. The Spartans made it a memorable tourney with a third-place trophy. After losing to state power Jefferson 55-9, who won the title for the 10th time, GAC reeled off five straight wins.

The Spartans defeated East Laurens 64-8, Morgan County 38-33, Cook County 41-26 and Lovett 40-24 to reach the consolation finals.

State runner-up Zach Feuerbach’s win at 160 pounds in the final match against Morgan County secured the win. The victory over Lovett was the first in school history over the Lions.

Feuerbach was undefeated at 6-0. Jared Hemmings, a state runner-up last week, was 5-1 along with Will Hemby and Caleb Bumpers.

“I’m really proud of the team,” Harsh said. “It wasn’t just one or two kids that did it for us. We are a much better dual team than traditional. It was a whole team effort.”

The third-place trophy caps an impressive year for the Spartans, who finished with a 21-8 record. GAC placed eighth at the Gwinnett County tournament, its highest finish ever. It also placed 10th at last week’s traditional state tournament after finishing 25th a year ago.

With all the success, GAC could be better next season. It only graduates one senior in Hemmings.

“We really exceeded our expectations this year,” Harsh said.

Spartans Rule the Day

DULUTH DUALS TOURNAMENT 2010

Not in Our House

GACS defeats 5A Centennial

Welcome Back Tim Baker

Welcome back, Mr Baker! from GACS SpartanSpear-it on Vimeo.