Christian Teaching Institute (CTI) is a private educational organization that was founded by Mr Emile Moacdieh in 1960. Mr Moacdieh had a vision of a school that offers a solid education in mathematics, the sciences, the languages, and the humanities, but that is also strongly grounded in Christian faith. His vision was to provide students excellence in moral upbringing, culture and the liberal arts.
The original CTI building was in Ashrafieh, (pictured below) and the school quickly developed a remarkable reputation.
By the 1970’s the school had outgrown its premises. In 1970 a new school was built in Horsh Tabet, Sin el Fil, in what was then a completely woodland area. The picture below shows the building in construction (in 1970s mod colors!). At that time, the school consisted of two inter-connecting blocks. The third block was built in the 1980’s. The second half of the 1970’s decade witnessed the beginning of a difficult time for the Lebanese, due to a painful civil war. By God’s grace, the school went on with its mission. (Click here for the cover of a publicity brochure from 1973-1974! Excuse the quality of pictures!)
In 1981, our current principal Dr Chris Moacdieh, assumed leadership of the school. He introduced new programs and tried to keep abreast of the latest technological innovations, whilst not losing track of tradition. In the 1990’s, CTI witnessed more change. With the advent of the new millennium, CTI had to face the challenges of educating for a future that was developing quickly.
In the second decade of the twenty first century, we are happy that our students practically all pass the official exams, they get excellent grades in SATs and the DELF, and they are accepted to their universities of choice. The school is “a busy school”, as one visiting professor commented, and there are always educational activities, events and projects accompanying learning. In spring 2022 CTI got authorization for the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program, and consequently became and IB world school.
Excerpts from Emile Moacdieh’s Commencement Address to the class of 1965
At this time of year, students complain that the official exams are irrelevant; and the teachers complain that the students are not studying as they should. It could be that students should learn to set priorities, and that our curricula need reassessing. Dear students, I thank God because, despite complaints, you still pass with flying colors. My congratulations to each one of you, and to your teachers who have toiled in order to make you succeed.
Two pieces of advice as a farewell from me to you: First, abide in the faith. Montesquieu said, ‘What a wondrous faith this is: it seems that its purpose is to make us happy in the afterlife, but it also grants us happiness on earth, as well.” Second, never give up. Do not let disappointment lead to failure. Our great Gibran Khalil Gibran once prepared for four years for a major painting exhibition. He rented a special gallery for that purpose, and displayed his four-year’s work there. Before the opening, there was a fire in the gallery. It burned down and Gibran’s paintings were all gone. Instead of dejection and loss of hope, Gibran declared that he would paint other paintings that were even better. A few years later his exhibition was held.
Faith. Patience. Persistence. Keep these in mind and victory will be yours. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen . . . practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.”
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