From: Mr. Bryant's Desk
September 8, 2010
Welcome back to school! This year is going to be unparalleled in the opportunities and experiences your students will have to develop their love for Christ while learning and exploring the wonders of God’s creation. Our school’s theme is “Reflecting Our Faith.” This theme is shared throughout Grand Rapids Christian Schools this year and will provide a platform and foundation for us to highlight and deepen our understandings about how we find our place and purpose in God’s plan and then reflect our faith in Him in every aspect of our lives.
The vision I believe God has given me and our team for your children is bigger than what we can do alone. We will fully rely on the grace of God, the gifts and knowledge he has allowed us to acquire, and your partnership to help raise and educate this next generation of leaders and “effective servants of Christ in contemporary society.” We will provide intervention and support for students who have learning challenges, extensions for those who are more accelerated in their learning, and enrichment for all. In our worship, I am envisioning praise & worship teams, liturgical dance, student led devotions, and meaningful use of technology/media to engage our children in thinking critically about the issues of our times.
Please join us in bathing Grand Rapids Christian Middle School in prayer as we embark on a new beginning and a new school year sure to be marked by the Holy Spirit’s influence and imprint.
In His grip,
Ashanti Bryant
Spotlight On….Mr. Ashanti Bryant, Principal GRCMS
Having once served as the Principal of Oakdale Elementary School, Ashanti Bryant returns this year to serve the Grand Rapids Christian Schools community as Principal of Grand Rapids Christian Middle School. Mr. Bryant is an energetic leader with impressive experience and a passion for working with adolescents. “During this time, students are asserting their independence, looking for acceptance and exploring social issues,” says Mr. Bryant, who understands the importance of the middle school years as a formative period of learning and exploring a personal role in God’s world.
As principal, Mr. Bryant intends to make the most of every interaction with students and will encourage the same in return. Having lost his younger brother and mother, Mr. Bryant understands the value of relationships and making the most of every moment. “We have the opportunity and the gift to teach these children and each moment has to be significant.” Ideally, Mr. Bryant would like the middle school to be filled with “poppin’” classrooms, where the energy is flowing, students are engaged and the Lord’s presence is evident.
Outside of school, Mr. Bryant is a devoted church member and family man. He spends most of his free time with his wife of eight years, Rahni, and their two daughters, Mackenzie (5) and Bailey (10 mo.). They attend church at Christian Life Center, where he sings in the choir (although he admits his wife has a better voice) and often leads worship. He plans to share his musical talent to glorify God during middle school chapel times. In the future, the Bryants plan to adopt at least one boy. After all, he says, “each of us has been adopted into a relationship with God.”
Mr. Bryant enjoys watching television shows that portray a positive family image, like Everybody Loves Raymond, or people doing good works, like Extreme Home Makeover. The development and functioning of the human brain are a source of constant fascination, and he keeps up on the latest research on the topic. God has blessed Mr. Bryant with boundless energy and enthusiasm for building interpersonal relationships as well as an uncanny ability to remember the names of everyone he’s ever met. His personal dreams are to become a published writer and to, some day, host his own children’s television show.