There is tremendous opportunity for culture makers given the transition occurring in society and the way the economy works.

This is the premise of a new journalistic investigation Axiom News is conducting in partnership with the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS), an association of about 70 independent, faith-based schools.

“We can create something new in response to today’s environment and according to our highest intentions,” says Axiom News CEO and executive editor Peter Pula.

Given the OACS audience, the series is focused on exploring the relationship between education and the understandings and abilities needed to shape the next era.

The OACS is particularly interested in the understanding that its members have of the crossroads facing culture today, and how they are responding or could respond.

It should be a stretching discussion, says Pula, adding he hopes to discover some “hidden treasures,” with this series.

“It’s amazing to be partnered with the OACS, an anchor of independent education in our province, in this exploration,” he notes.

It’s clear member schools are grappling with the effects of shifts in culture today, says OACS director of communications, school support and advancement Ray Hendriks.

The ramifications are being felt in the change in support that’s extended to schools, expectations for how education is delivered and reasons parents cite for choosing the learning places they do today.

“My hope is that as we speak with schools across Ontario and perhaps even further than that, we will get a better sense of the challenges presented by this (cultural) crossroads to our schools, and how our schools will respond to those challenges,” says Hendriks.

The intention is for this series to “convene a conversation,” and community members are invited to share their responses as new stories are posted. Invitations will also be extended for a periodic analysis of what seems to be emerging as the series rolls out.

To join this discussion, please contact the newsroom by e-mailing michelle(at)axiomnews.ca, or call 800-294-0051, ext. 27.

A version of this article was originally published to the OACS News site, and appears here with permission. To learn more about generative newsroom options for your organization, please contact peter(at)axiomnews.ca.