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How Can Veteran Teachers Avoid the Trap of Stagnation?

In the world of education, experience is often celebrated as the gold standard. Teachers who have dedicated 20 to 30 years to their craft are revered for their knowledge, classroom management skills, and deep understanding of pedagogy. However, as with any long-term commitment, the extensive experience that once served as a powerful asset can, in some cases, become a double-edged sword. Scholarly research and anecdotal evidence reveal that while veteran teachers bring a wealth of advantages to the classroom, there are also potential drawbacks that can hinder both their personal growth and the overall effectiveness of the educational institution. The […]

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What If Our Students Were Designing the Future?

Have you heard about what Chick-fil-A is doing to innovate now? The company is reimagining the drive-thru experience with an elevated design that addresses customer demand in a whole new way. This speculative design approach allows them to think beyond current limitations and create solutions for tomorrow. It’s more than just efficiency—it’s about envisioning a future that isn’t here yet and bringing it to life. Now imagine if our students were the ones leading this kind of future-focused innovation. What if they were designing solutions that could reshape industries, solve global problems, and impact lives for Christ? That’s where speculative […]

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Snorkel or Scuba Dive? Balancing Breadth and Depth in Learning


In the vast ocean of education, teachers and administrators are constantly navigating the challenging decision of whether to “snorkel” or “scuba dive” in their approach to teaching. Should we prioritize covering as much content as possible, skimming across the surface to expose students to a wide range of topics? Or should we dive deep into specific areas, allowing students to explore and understand key concepts thoroughly?
The Snorkeling Approach: Broad ExposureSnorkeling in education refers to a breadth-first approach, where educators aim to cover a wide range of topics, offering students a broad understanding of many subjects. This method can be particularly […]

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AMAZING WORK AT KIJABE HOSPITAL!

I am thrilled to share the incredible work my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Arianna Shirk, are doing at Kijabe Hospital in Kenya, where they have lived and served for the last 10 years. They recently unveiled a new strategic plan focused on training more Kenyan doctors and nurses using a curriculum that emphasizes a Christian approach and shares the Gospel. Their mission isn’t just about providing healthcare and saving lives, which is impressive on its own, but also about tending to the human spiritual condition and pointing to the hope and light of the world – Jesus Christ. It […]

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Multiplying Our Talents: A Charge for Our NEW Faculty and Staff

This morning, I had the distinct honor of leading our new faculty and staff in a session. I gave them the “Being New Charge.” Reflecting on the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30, we explored how Jesus’ teaching can inspire our approach to education. In this parable, Jesus emphasizes the importance of using our God-given talents to their fullest potential, rather than hiding them away out of fear. To bring this message to life, I asked everyone to turn to a partner and share a personal talent. The room was soon filled with stories of various gifts and abilities. […]

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A Presidential Encounter at the 1996 Olympics

A Presidential Encounter at the 1996 Olympics In the summer of 1996, the Olympic Games brought much excitement to Atlanta. Thanks to Coach Clark, my swim coach at Marymount, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at the swimming, diving, and water polo events at the Georgia Tech pool. My all-access pass granted me unique experiences, but one particular evening stands out. As I walked through the locker room hallway, I suddenly found myself face-to-face with former President Jimmy Carter and his security team. It was a surreal moment; there I was, only a few feet away from a former […]

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“Wait Until 8th” Cell Phone/Social Media Pledge

Why I Recommend All Parents Carefully Consider Taking the “Wait Until 8th” Pledge The “Wait Until 8th” pledge is a collective agreement among parents to delay giving their children a smartphone until at least the 8th grade. This initiative is designed to give children more time to develop crucial social, emotional, and cognitive skills without the distractions and pressures that come with smartphone use. Here are a few key reasons why this pledge is worth considering: Preserving Childhood: Childhood is a precious time for imaginative play, face-to-face interaction, and exploration of the physical world. Delaying smartphone use helps protect these […]

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Beyond Politics: Recognizing Evil

In the wake of the attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump, something remarkable happened: politicians from both sides of the aisle and media outlets across the spectrum unanimously condemned the act as evil. This rare moment of agreement begs the question: does this widespread denunciation hint at a universal moral standard that goes beyond subjective opinions and political leanings? Romans 2:15 (ESV) says, “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.” This verse suggests that our ability to tell […]

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The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism

I’ve been rereading The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism and a quote that stands out to me is from Reagan’s 1982 speech, delivered a year after surviving an assassination attempt. He boldly denounced both fascism and communism, stating they “deny the existence of God and those God-given liberties that are the inalienable right of each person on this planet.” Reagan emphasized that the Soviet actions in Poland were acts of brutality, not policy aberrations. His unwavering belief that the USSR was weak, propped up by police terror and nuclear threats, fueled his conviction that its unnatural regime […]

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Design Thinking / Innovation / Innovation / Inspiration / Leadership / Learning / Project Management / Space Configurations / Strategic Planning / Teamwork / The K12 School Experience in America Posted on:

Designing A Better World

In August 2019, over 2,200 schools will open doors to students in the state of Georgia. A small number of those schools will be brand new. None like this. Mount Vernon Presbyterian School opens the doors to a brand new Upper School (Grades 9-12) building after a year of construction and years of planning, dreaming, and designing. The building is the physical expression of the School’s mission and vision; innovative, flexible, and relational. Everything is on castors. All desks are stackable and nest-able. Writable walls move up and down allowing disciplinary classes to combine and become interdisciplinary or trans-disciplinary. Smart […]

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