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Navigating Your Child's Education: A Podcast for Parents

Navigating Your Child's Education: A Podcast for Parents

By Worthington Christian School

Welcome to the podcast for parents, grandparents, and others raising or influencing preschool and school-age children. Listen in on conversations about issues and trends facing students. Access resources and get tips and tools for navigating your child’s education.

A new episode is published on the first and third Wednesday from August to May. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

This podcast, along with a blog by the same name, is a service of Worthington Christian School, Columbus, Ohio’s leader in K-12 Christian education.
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The Power of Story

Navigating Your Child's Education: A Podcast for ParentsApr 06, 2022

00:00
22:49
Encouraging the Next Generation of Armed Forces

Encouraging the Next Generation of Armed Forces

By trade, Captain Ryan McNeilly is a private pilot. He also devotes much of his time to giving back to the community by serving as the Director of Cadet Programs for the Ohio Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). In this conversation, he draws on his personal experience with the armed forces and his current role with the CAP to share opportunities available to youth interested in joining the military or exploring careers in aviation, cybersecurity, and more.

RESOURCES

Worthington Christian School Viewbook

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Programs

U.S. Struggles to Recruit Gen Z

Mar 15, 202322:16
The Pursuit of Excellence   

The Pursuit of Excellence   

Excellence is woven into every successful individual, business, and team. Yet, the temptation is strong to settle for mediocrity or fall prey to perfectionism rather than pursue excellence. With eleven years of experience as an NFL center, Super Bowl champion, and Pro-Bowler, Jeff Hartings has experienced and observed the pursuit of excellence and its pitfalls. He draws on this experience to share with parents what he feels is the meaning of, the measure, and the motivation for pursuing excellence. He also encourages parents to maintain a healthy balance as they encourage their children to pursue excellence.

RESOURCES

Worthington Christian School Viewbook

The Pyramid of Excellence

Mar 01, 202325:25
It Takes a Village
Feb 15, 202324:35
Is faith-based education still relevant today?
Feb 01, 202323:52
Discipline in Schools
Jan 18, 202317:59
Raising Our Children to be Leaders
Jan 04, 202330:29
The Importance of Academic Rigor in the College Admissions Process
Dec 21, 202224:42
Educational Freedom and the Nation's Report Card
Dec 07, 202226:33
Raising Healthy 'Screen Kids'

Raising Healthy 'Screen Kids'

Much of our lives are filled with screens, and parents hear an increasing number of alarming statistics, cautionary tales, and warnings about screen time and children. As a mother of three, author Arlene Pellicane has navigated raising her children in a technology-centric world. In the book she co-authored with Gary Chapman, Screen Kids, she offers insight and encouragement for parents. In this episode, she shares glimpses of her parenting experience and highlights key elements of Screen Kids. 'Digital vegetables' versus 'digital candy,' the pathway to screen addiction, and jumpstarting a family reboot are among the topics of this conversation.

RESOURCES

Worthington Christian School

Worthington Christian School Viewbook

Nov 16, 202223:52
What Parents Need to Know about Standardized Testing
Oct 19, 202228:33
The Art of Neighboring for Families

The Art of Neighboring for Families

The familiar words of Jesus to "love your neighbor as yourself" seem so simple, but the pace of modern life—and parenting—makes it difficult for us to love our neighbors well and model this for our children. In this conversation, Dave Runyon speaks from the heart on the importance of being good neighbors and how this impacts our kids. What benefits (and challenges) arise when families endeavor to be good neighbors? Why would families choose to prioritize being present in their neighborhoods? What are practical ways that families can move together toward becoming better neighbors? With years of experience as a high school teacher, pastor, and father of four, Runyon provides insights from the book he co-authored The Art of Neighboring.

RESOURCES

Worthington Christian School's Affordability Guide

Oct 05, 202221:57
The Latest in College Admissions
Sep 21, 202233:27
Demystifying Dyslexia
Sep 07, 202225:36
Journey of the Heart: A Discussion on Mental Health among Adolescents
May 18, 202223:48
Healthy Relationships in Adolescence

Healthy Relationships in Adolescence

"Healthy relationships" are probably not the first thing that comes to mind when we think about child sex trafficking, yet the two are powerfully connected. Serving in a ministry for child sex trafficking survivors over the last five years, Elisha McNeal has seen and heard countless stories of how young people end up in places of unimaginable pain--and very unhealthy relationships are so often the common denominator. Who is susceptible to trafficking? What do parents need to know about this topic? How can parents guide their children to develop and maintain healthy friendships and relationships with others? Elisha answers these questions and more in this insightful conversation.

Elisha is the Director of Community Engagement and Training at Gracehaven, a ministry of Central Ohio Youth for Christ that seeks to end child sex trafficking in Ohio.

RESOURCES

Healthy Relationships in Middle School


May 04, 202224:26
BONUS EPISODE: A Conversation with Dr. Mike and Angela Hayes

BONUS EPISODE: A Conversation with Dr. Mike and Angela Hayes

Famed college football coach Woody Hayes is known for saying, "You can never pay back. So you should always try to pay forward." And that is what Dr. Mike Hayes hopes to do at Worthington Christian School—not only pay forward but lead the school so that students live their lives paying forward the grace and truth of God.

As was announced in December of 2021, Dr. Hayes will join WC's rich history of leaders in July 2022 as the new Head of School. Coinciding with WC's upcoming 50th anniversary, this is an extraordinary time for the entire school community. As the person responsible for inspiring a shared vision and pathway for WC to move forward into the future, it's essential that we have an idea of who Dr. and Mrs. Hayes are and what story God is writing in their lives. The topics we'll cover in this episode include:

  • Why move from Tennessee to Ohio?
  • Why move from the university level to the K-12 level?
  • What drew you to Worthington Christian?
  • What elements of your previous work and education experience have prepared you for this new role?
  • What kind of leader will you be?
  • What plans and vision do you have for WC?

The length of this conversation (over 45 minutes) reflects the significance of this moment for WC and the Hayes family. We hope you can catch a glimpse of God's hand at work in and through them, both past and present. Join our excitement for what God has planned at WC in this next chapter.

Apr 27, 202246:33
Intentional Parenting
Apr 20, 202226:26
The Power of Story

The Power of Story

Margaret Peterson Haddix is a New York Times best-selling author. She has more than 40 published titles of children's literature and juvenile fiction, including The Shadow Children series and The Children of Exile series. In this episode, Haddix shares author insights on the power of story, changes she has seen in reading habits and books over the last 25 years, and offers wisdom to parents as they walk alongside young readers.

Apr 06, 202222:49
Weighing Educational Options: A Homeschool Mom's Perspective
Mar 16, 202227:26
Banned Books: Should My Child Read This?
Mar 02, 202234:05
Screen-based Reading vs. Paper-Based Reading: What Does the Research Say?

Screen-based Reading vs. Paper-Based Reading: What Does the Research Say?

Digital, screen-based reading and learning have risen sharply over the last few years. With that, parent concerns over student comprehension and academic growth are also on the rise. Dr. Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Associate Professor of Education at the University of North Dakota, has conducted extensive research on reading comprehension and language development. In this episode, she shares insights on how screen-based reading compares to paper-based reading and offers encouragement for parents who are navigating digital reading and learning with their students.

RESOURCES

The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: The Science of Paper versus Screens

Interactive features of E-texts’ effects on learning: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Open pedagogy systematic review

Reading differences between narrative and expository texts 

Feb 16, 202225:11
Moving Toward Greater Educational Freedom
Feb 02, 202224:29
Talking Sportsmanship with Jeff Hartings

Talking Sportsmanship with Jeff Hartings

Athletes, coaches, and sports fans alike frequent headlines because of displays of poor behavior. Are displays of unsportsmanlike conduct on the rise? What impact do these incidents have on young athletes? How can parents help their young athletes develop good sportsmanship? Former Penn State all-star and Super Bowl champion Jeff Hartings draws on his experience as a player and a coach to weigh in on these questions and more.

Jan 19, 202229:04
Tackling Mid-Terms and Final Exams
Jan 05, 202215:31
Reaching for the Stars

Reaching for the Stars

As an 11-year-old girl, Laura Lopez's passion for astronomy was sparked. The daughter of a piano teacher and a gas station owner, this was a completely new area of interest for her family. Yet, with the support of her mother and some encouraging voices along the way, Lopez now holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics and is an associate professor of astronomy at the Ohio State University. Drawing on her own experience, Dr. Lopez shares insights into ways that parents and educators can encourage girls--and all students--to pursue their dreams.

RESOURCES

Department of Astronomy at The Ohio State University

Worthington Christian School

Dec 15, 202117:01
A Close Look at Plagiarism
Dec 01, 202133:25
The Great Homework Debate

The Great Homework Debate

Homework is not as easy as 1-2-3. It is a long-debated issue with passionate proponents and opponents. Should elementary students have homework? How much homework is appropriate for middle schoolers? How much time is the average U.S. high schooler spending on homework each night? What's the difference between busy work and homework that is meaningful? Few people in the United States know homework like Dr. Janine Bempechat of Boston University's Wheelock College of Education. She has spent her long and successful career researching homework and its impact on teachers, parents and students, schools and school systems, and educational policies. In this episode, Dr. Bempechat answers some of the most pressing questions about homework in today's world and offers parents practical wisdom on navigating the school years.


RESOURCES

The Case for (Quality) Homework

Challenge Success

Worthington Christian School Viewbook


Nov 17, 202129:31
Fostering a Heart for Inclusion in Every Home
Nov 03, 202121:43
Helping Our Kids Navigate Doubt

Helping Our Kids Navigate Doubt

How should we as parents respond when our kids express questions about their faith? How do we parent our kids well in the midst of our own questions about faith? Author, professor, and pastor Dr. A.J. Swoboda speaks words of hope and encouragement for all of us from his latest book "After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith Without Losing It." His words are both challenging and comforting as he discusses the process of an individual's faith becoming their own, what it means for a child to differentiate from their parents, and the truth that God is with us in our doubt. In an era when words like doubt and deconstruction are commonplace, this is a critical topic in parenting the next generation.

RESOURCES

In Faith & Doubt on Apple Podcasts

Worthington Christian School Affordability Guide

Oct 20, 202134:02
Raising a Strong-Willed Child

Raising a Strong-Willed Child

A strong-willed temperament is a God-given strength. This temperament often presents itself in one's earliest years of development and can feel challenging to parents in such a way that it is a strength, not a hindrance. Renowned educator and author Cynthia Tobias offers deep insight and practical wisdom for parents raising strong-willed children. Drawing from her expertise presented in books like her best-selling "You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded)," Tobias explains the characteristics of a strong-willed child, the difference between defiance and strong will, and speaks hope for parents based on God's truths.

RESOURCES

Worthington Christian School Viewbook

Oct 06, 202131:60
The Cyberworld, Cybersecurity, and Parenting
Sep 15, 202128:20
A Modern Education for the Modern Learner

A Modern Education for the Modern Learner

Traditional education has largely relied on teachers relaying facts and information to students who passively receive the information, memorize it, then prove that they memorized it on a test. World-renowned author and educator Dr. Jay McTighe suggest that this way of education no longer meets the needs of the modern learner or modern workforce. Rather than rote learning, our modern world requires skills like effective communication, creative problem-solving, and self-directed learning. A modern education ought to reflect these needs. McTighe and his colleague Dr. Grant Wiggins developed a framework for learning that they believe equips the modern learner for the modern world.


RESOURCES

The World Economic Forum

Parents' Powerful Impact on Young Children’s Brains | Psychology Today

Worthington Christian School Affordability Guide


Sep 01, 202137:43
Building Teacher-Parent Rapport
Aug 18, 202121:34
Thriving in Middle and High School
Aug 04, 202119:09
Is a Gap Year right for your student?
May 19, 202139:57
Brain Development in the Tween Years

Brain Development in the Tween Years

Neuropsychologist Dr. Andrew Colvin illuminates brain development in middle schoolers and what parents of young adolescents need to know as their tweens grow and mature. Dr. Andrew Colvin and his wife Dr. Cheryl Colvin lead their own private practice, Colvin Psychological Services, offering evaluations and therapy to children and adults in Columbus, Ohio. In this podcast episode, Dr. Colvin discusses the prevalence of drama in middle school, moving from concrete to abstract thinking, and why teen peer groups are critically important.

RESOURCES

The work and writings of Dr. Laurence Steinberg

The Teenage Brain by Dr. Frances Jensen

Worthington Christian School Viewbook

May 05, 202126:17
The Equality Act
Apr 21, 202127:50
What makes a good coach?

What makes a good coach?

We had the privilege of sitting down with Coach Jeff Hartings to discuss the characteristics of an effective coach. Coach Hartings was an All-American at Penn State and a Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout his career, Coach Hartings played for many coaches with varying styles and now coaches a high school football team. Coach Hartings is a student of the coaching profession and is intentional about adjusting his methods to better reach and connect with this generation of players. 

RESOURCES

Thoughts on Coaching—a blog post by Coach Jeff Hartings

Worthington Christian School Viewbook

Apr 07, 202137:47
Building Resiliency in Our Kids

Building Resiliency in Our Kids

In this episode, Dr. Parker Huston, clinical director of On Our Sleeves at Nationwide Children's Hospital, joins us to discuss building resiliency in our children. With practical suggestions, parents with children of all ages will be empowered to nurture their child's mental well-being in the same way they do their physical and spiritual health.

RESOURCES

First Book Marketplace

Behavioral Health Resources for Coronavirus

Conversation Starters

Parenting in the Pandemic

Worthington Christian School Affordability Guide

Mar 17, 202140:42
Kindergarten Readiness
Mar 03, 202133:36
The Growing Demand for Trade Workers
Feb 17, 202145:38
Does my child have ADHD?
Feb 03, 202133:07
Parenting Generation Z

Parenting Generation Z

A must-listen for dads and moms raising Generation Z—children born between 1997 and 2012. Pastor, author, and speaker Rich Nathan joins us for an in-depth look at generational differences and why it matters. Together we'll explore the impact of fear in our approach to parenting Gen Z. We, too, will discuss Gen Z's outlook on matters of faith. Filled with hope and practical take-aways, make sure to share this conversation.

RESOURCES

Worthington Christian School Affordability Guide

Jan 20, 202137:09
Technology in Education
Jan 06, 202145:34
Is Your Child A Multipotentialite?
Dec 16, 202027:01
The State of School Sports
Dec 02, 202044:12
The Social Dilemma: Reactions to the Netflix Documentary

The Social Dilemma: Reactions to the Netflix Documentary

We sat down with a small group of high school students to watch and get their reaction to the Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. The 1.5-hour presentation takes a deep dive into the unintended consequences of social media including mental health, democracy, justice, and more. The Social Dilemma features the voices of technologists and researchers who were instrumental in developing Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other popular platforms. 

RESOURCES

The Social Dilemma Trailer

Setting Up Screen Time Limits on Apple Devices

Setting Up Screen Time Limits on Android Devices


Nov 18, 202035:40
The Changing Landscape of College Admissions
Nov 04, 202038:14
Navigating Your Child's Education Trailer
Oct 07, 202001:53