More Than a Model: A Mission That Calls Teachers to Lead

I care deeply about leadership and education. I earned a master’s degree in Transformational Leadership because I believe leaders shape the future. When a leader lives with purpose, humility, and honesty, they produce lasting positive results. My passion for building leaders inspired me to write "Millennials Matter: Proven Strategies for Building Your Next-Gen Leader." I wanted to help others see how investing in young people makes a difference for families, businesses, and communities.

When I watched the video series The Miseducation of America by Pete Hegseth, I felt something awaken in me. The series did not merely highlight problems in education. It reminded me how important it is to raise wise, strong, godly leaders. I thought about the people who make that possible. Teachers do.

I wrote this article for teachers. I wrote it for those who feel a deeper calling to shape young minds with truth, wisdom, and love. You may be teaching now, or you may have taught before. Maybe you homeschool, lead Sunday school, or mentor children in your church. I want you to know you are needed. I invite you to consider this work not as a job change, but as a mission.

Teachers and the Mission to Shape the Future

In the first episode, Pete says, “Each year, the average American student spends 180 days in school for seven hours a day.” That adds up to more than 1,200 hours each year. These hours are shaping our children, our families, and our country. Every lesson and every interaction matters. This is not just about math facts or spelling words. This is about shaping hearts and habits for life.

I see a deep need for teachers who care about this kind of formation. Students today face challenges I never imagined when I was young. They live in a digital world full of distractions and confusion. They are surrounded by mixed messages about truth, identity, and purpose. Many schools avoid these topics. I believe teachers must meet them head-on with clarity and care.

Teachers Must Lead with Wisdom and Courage

The series reminded me that education is never neutral. One expert in the video says, “We have traded in education for indoctrination.” Children may learn how to pass tests, but they often do not know how to think for themselves. They may get grades, but not wisdom.

Another guest adds, “If you educate a bunch of little children, but you don’t educate them in morals, all you’re doing is educating a menace to society.” That sounds harsh, but I believe it speaks truth. Education is always shaping something. The only question is what it shapes and why.

Rediscovering Paideia: The Heart of Leadership Formation

A Greek word came up in the series that caught my attention: paideia. At first, I felt confused. I had never heard it before. But as the video explained it, I realized how important this word is. Paideia means full formation. It is not just giving children facts. It is about forming who they are and helping them grow in character and wisdom.

One voice in the series says, “If you take a young person and give them grammar, literature, history, philosophy, science, and math… they are going to emerge as a valuable member of society.” That image stayed with me. I want that for every student.

I believe this is how leaders are formed — not through clever slogans or advanced tech skills, but through deep thinking, solid character, and a love for truth. These are the leaders who will be ready for the challenges of the future, including those brought on by artificial intelligence and cultural shifts.

A Mission that Still Works in a Modern World

Some people wonder if Classical Christian Education is outdated. I understand the question. One expert in the series explained it this way: “They were still studying in the liberal arts tradition up until the turn of the 20th century.” That surprised me. I realized this was not just an ancient method. It shaped our country’s founders and gave them tools to think, speak, and lead.

This kind of education is not a step backward. It is a path forward. It builds strong foundations that help children flourish in any century, in any challenge.

A Leadership Calling for Teachers Today

If you are a teacher who feels called to something deeper, I invite you to consider this mission. You do not need to be perfect. You do not need to have all the answers. If you love children and care about what shapes their minds and hearts, you already have what matters most.

Our children need more than content. They need courage. They need teachers who help them love what is true, good, and beautiful. They need models of leadership and kindness. They need people who see teaching not as a job, but as a calling.

I believe you can be one of those people. I hope you will pray and ask God what your next step might be. This mission is big. The harvest is ready. And teachers like you are the ones who will lead the way.

Let’s shape the future together. Check out Christian Crossroads Academy. 

Danita Bye

Danita Bye is a Leadership Futurist, Author, and Founding Board Member of Christian Crossroads Academy. She’s committed to restoring virtue-centered formation in education. Her work focuses on empowering leaders in an age of rapid technological change, where wisdom and discernment matter more than ever.

She partners with Christian leaders across education, business, and civic life who believe character ultimately determines impact. Danita serves on many boards in North Dakota and nationally that are focused on leadership and ethics. She is the author of Millennials Matter and the forthcoming Character Mandate, and a TEDx speaker passionate about forming leaders rooted in truth, courage, and faith.

Danita has a master’s in transformational leadership from Bethel University, MN. She currently lives near the TTT Ranch, in Stanley, North Dakota, where she grew up. She’s been married for 42 years and has six grandchildren.