Learning By Doing
Several important things changed for my son during the summer between his 8th and 9th grade year of school. Not only was that the summer we moved from Iowa back to Missouri, but as Tucker was headed into high school, he grew several inches, got his braces taken off,...
Soul Health
Our students are bombarded with an unprecedented amount of “mental health” jargon and many students are adopting pathologized identities (e.g., “I am a cutter,” “I am a bullied person,” “I am gender dysphoric”). In this cultural milieu, it is imperative that we guide...
Coins in the Cookie Jar
Blog, Biblical Integration, Character Development, Faith Learning, Spiritual Formation | March 17, 2023
My family and I used to live in a rural town in Indiana. Our home was in a small subdivision that was surrounded by corn fields. Often times, the roads in rural areas aren’t very well marked. Because of this, our friends and family seemed to have a difficult...
Promoting Good Classroom Citizenship
Blog, Character Development, Classroom Culture, Educator Insights, Spiritual Formation, Teaching Strategies | March 15, 2023
“Make the right choice” is a phrase that you would hear often if you walk by my classroom and listen in. I have always felt a responsibility to encourage students to be the best version of themselves in the 180 days that they are with me. Like most teachers, I do not...
Simple Words for Significant Change
Blog, Character Development, Classroom Culture, Discipleship, Educator Insights, School Culture | February 28, 2023
“I was wrong.” Hearing these words brings a sense of empathy as the soul is laid bare. These three simple words change the direction of a student’s social interactions in a powerful way. I’m not ready to admit I am old, but after 28 years in the classroom and 5...