Are middle and high school students being prepared to engage an increasingly diverse population and culture in the U.S.? Given a few of the recent national headlines, it does not appear so. USA Today’s front-page article giving U.S. schools an “F” for teaching slavery: “Schools sanitize it or shy away from it.” A 2019 Pew … Continue reading A Clarion Call for Christian Schools

This past summer, our Leadership Forum students had the opportunity to tour the newly opened Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.  One of the exhibits in “The Impact of the Bible in America” gallery included a book known as “The Slave Bible.” I had learned from a friend several years ago that many slaveowners … Continue reading Black History Month and God’s Word

When I was recently asked by The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Engagement (CSEE) Executive Director Bob Mattingly to share the ways independent schools (religious and secular) can grow in their understanding and acceptance of conservative Christian parents present in their communities, I was both excited and nervous. Excited to share my experiences both as … Continue reading Treating Others as Image-Bearers

This summer, I had the opportunity to lead my fourth class of rising ninth graders—the Class of 2018—on an eight-day leadership trip to Gettysburg and Washington, D.C.  This racially diverse group of 24 students represented 7 different schools and 14 different churches here in St. Louis. The amazing journey for our students was a culmination … Continue reading A Life-Changing Journey

This Advent season, I have greatly enjoyed reading Pastor Timothy Keller's book Hidden Christmas, which is based upon his Christmas sermons at the various churches he has led during his ministry. While I have taught on the subject of how fantasy stories and heroes/heroines point to the one true Savior over the years in Sunday … Continue reading Longing for a Savior

How do you define peace? That was the question I asked our 3K -6th grade students in our Veterans Day Chapel this Friday. Calm...Patience...Loving...Kindness...were just some of the many answers I received. While these words may not accurately define peace, I noted how treating others calmly, patiently, lovingly, and kindly as God’s image-bearers would definitely … Continue reading Veterans Day

While our country continues to pray and mourn for the grieving families and their unspeakable loss in the Las Vegas shooting, I encourage you to consider how best to share this tragedy with your children (if age appropriate). Numerous resources are available online that discuss ways to help your child cope with tragedy—from the National Association of School Psychologists to the American Psychological Association: … Continue reading Tips for Talking to Students About Tragedy and Loss