Two decades ago, Steve Bult stepped into leadership at Wheaton Academy to faithfully steward a mission already in motion. What followed has been twenty years of humble, Christ-centered leadership that has strengthened the school’s foundation and expanded its influence for generations to come.
“If I could speak to myself on my first day at Wheaton Academy,” Steve reflects, “I would say, ‘It’s not about the work you will do at Wheaton Academy; it’s about accepting God’s invitation to join Him in the work He is doing.’” That posture of joining God in His work has defined his leadership. Through seasons of growth and innovation, through challenge and celebration, Steve led the Wheaton Academy community with clarity and conviction, guided by one steady commitment: protecting the soul of the school.
For Steve, protecting the soul was about stewarding something sacred. It shaped how he hired, led, and made decisions in moments both ordinary and extraordinary. “It’s the essence of Wheaton Academy,” Steve says. “Christ is at the center of everything we do. Our goal is to glorify Him and to send students into the world, prepared to serve Him wholeheartedly in whatever calling they pursue.”
Early in his tenure as principal, that vision began to take meaningful shape through the Living Curriculum Teacher Development Model, a framework designed to help Wheaton Academy attract, develop, and retain exceptional faculty and staff. “The most important way to protect that ‘soul’ is to ensure that we select ‘Living Curriculum Teachers and Staff,’” Steve explains, referencing Luke 6:40 and the Biblical principle that students become like their teachers. The impact of this commitment extends beyond the classroom. In national employee engagement surveys, Wheaton Academy has consistently ranked in the “Healthy” or “Flourishing” categories for overall employee satisfaction every year since 2018, placing the school among the strongest cultures in the nation. The result is a faculty and staff community that feels supported, called to their work, and deeply invested in the lives of students.
Principal Brad Thornton, who has served alongside Steve for thirteen years, reflects, “Steve understands that the health of the school and the fulfillment of its mission are directly connected to the health of its people. In the way he listens, speaks, and makes decisions, Steve consistently prioritizes people and models the way of Jesus, investing in the flourishing of students, teachers, employees, and families.”
Steve also championed shared ownership among faculty and staff. “We embedded a Professional Learning Community philosophy into the culture of Wheaton Academy, fostering learning, collaboration, and results,” he said, because he believed excellence in Christian education requires both spiritual depth and academic rigor. He added, “The more people who share ownership for results and important outcomes, the better. My mentor once told me, ‘The more people rowing the boat, the fewer there are to rock it.’” That culture of partnership and excellence contributed to Wheaton Academy’s local, state, and national recognition, including Blue Ribbon awards.
Those who have served alongside Steve have experienced this leadership firsthand. Chief Academic Officer Kori Hockett reflects, “Steve Bult embodies a leadership style that is both winsome and principled. He has a natural ability to draw people toward him, and as a result, he has been a master at building strong leadership teams. Steve leads from deep convictions about what it means to honor God and follow Jesus. He consistently models integrity—he is the same person no matter who is watching.”
Over the years, Steve’s gratitude for Wheaton Academy’s mission only deepened. Nurturing student growth through relationships, excellence, and service to the glory of God became a true compass for his leadership. One distinctive became Wheaton Academy’s Kingdom Community, a Biblical vision for life together under the Lordship of Christ. It affirms that students are not only learners but image bearers, and that a Christ-centered school should reflect the unity and diversity of God’s Kingdom. Steve created a culture in which people from various backgrounds and experiences could come together with humility, dignity, and mutual respect, united in their calling to glorify Christ.
Leading Wheaton Academy has profoundly shaped Steve himself. “Just like the boy who had only two fish and five loaves, I realize that God has taken my meager offering and multiplied it far beyond what I could do alone.” Through uncertain seasons, including the challenges of 2020, he showed steady faith and trust, consistently returning to the same calling: protect what matters most and trust God with the rest.
That faith compelled him to invite the community to pursue what he often called “God-sized goals.” The For Generations to Come campaign became a tangible expression of that vision. What began as a bold step of trust resulted in a transformed campus, including a new front entry, a Business and Innovation Center, a Video Production Studio, a Student Union, an Idea Lab, and fourteen flexible learning spaces designed to expand opportunity and deepen learning. These additions have marked a significant chapter in the Academy’s 170-year legacy of Christ-centered education. As Steve shared, “These updates demonstrate our commitment to providing a transformative education rooted in Biblical truth, while preparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Reflecting on their years of partnership, Kori Hockett says, “Over the years, I have deeply appreciated Steve’s positive and hope-filled outlook on leadership. He has set an example of pursuing excellence, building meaningful connections, and prioritizing people. During the twenty years I have had the privilege of serving alongside him, we have experienced many remarkable moments together—celebrating two Blue Ribbon Awards, state championships, and most importantly, seeing countless students come to know Christ.”
As he prepares to pass the baton, Steve is quick to acknowledge the support that sustained him. Trusted mentors, fellow Christian school leaders, executive coaches, and a deeply committed Board of Trustees stood alongside him in both strong and challenging seasons. Their partnership reflects the collaborative spirit he championed throughout his tenure. For twenty years, Steve has said yes to God’s invitation at Wheaton Academy. Because of his faithful leadership, the mission is strong, the community is united, and the soul of the school endures.
Honoring Steve Bult
Join us as we celebrate Steve Bult’s faithful service to Wheaton Academy and the legacy he has built over two decades of leadership, share a memory, or submit a photo.