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A podcast for parents in the PCA system of schools, including PCA Plano, PCA North, and St. Timothy’s Christian Academy.
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 10, 2022
Wednesday Aug 10, 2022
Guest: Dan Panetti, PCA Worldview Director
New Staff Presentation 2022
First, we need to address what the goal of education really is:
A liberal-arts education is supposed to provide you with a value system, a standard, a set of ideas, not a job. Caroline Bird
The great end of education is to discipline rather than to furnish the mind; to train it to the use of its own powers, rather than fill it with the accumulation of others. Tyron Edwards
Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel. Socrates
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
''Call me Ishmael,'' Herman Melville, Moby-Dick
“The wounds received in battle bestow honor, they do not take it away.” Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Gospel of John, Chapter 1:1-5
Therefore, the Christian student has the ability to ask and answer important questions of life…
If you see a problem, what can I do to make it better?
If you see a void, what can I do to fill it?
If you see beauty, how can I best appreciate it?
If you see wonder, how can I best understand it?
MOVIE - Top Gun Maverick
Enemy-occupied territory – that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed. You might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. When you go to church you are really listening in to the secret wireless from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious to prevent us from going. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Thanks to Jared Wood for the use of his music.
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Guest: Dr. Mike Goddard, Superintendent, Prestonwood Christian Academy School System
“ALL IN” School-wide Theme for 2022-23
Jesus answered, “The most important is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:29-30
Dr. Goddard decided to look at his life and every aspect of what he’s putting into his mind and body - and he’s down 35 pounds in weight! The goal for our Christian teachers and leaders is to MODEL the way for our students!
Objective for every classroom - love Jesus and love others enough to share Him!
When we feed the flesh, the flesh grows. When we feed the spirit, the spirit grows. What are you feeding in your life? Choose what is right, good, and true and feed those thoughts and ideas.
PCA adding about 500 students across the PCA System - incredible opportunities for those students and families for a Biblically-solid Christian education to train them to make a difference in the world for Christ!
A “strand of three cords” - the church, school, and home - together we are stronger as we train our students to be strong lights in a dark world!
Wednesday Jul 27, 2022
Wednesday Jul 27, 2022
Special thanks to Toby Graham and Kelly Walsh - our directors for Levi’s Locker, the PCA Spirit Store! And a huge shout out to Katie McDonald PCA’s Director of Communications and Web - who is the biggest fan of all the incredible work that Toby and Kelly are doing!
To learn more about Levi’s Locker and check out all the incredible things they offer, visit their website and social media offerings:
Levi’s Locker online: https://the-hub-prestonwood-christian-academy.square.site/
To volunteer and find out the hours of operation: prestonwoodchristian.org/spiritstore
Facebook: @LevisLockerPCA
Instagram: @LevisLockerPCA
Twitter: @LevisLockerPCA
Levi’s Locker will be announcing their MOBILE opportunities soon - to “take spirit to the people.” So be on the lookout for Levi’s Locker coming to a variety of PCA events near you! There is an online store where you can order your materials and get them even before the long lines form at Back to School Day!
Levi’s Locker equips us to present to the watching world a message of love and truth by presenting the hope that is in us as children of the light. Just as the word should be written on our hearts so that we might not sin against God, we can also write His word on our lives so that the world can see the difference that Christ has made in our lives - when we promote PCA, we promote Christ who is at the center of all that PCA is and does.
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
Guest: Dr. Karla Hale Gerdes
972-248-4673
Office location: 5168 Village Creek Dr., Suite 200, Plano, TX 75093
Karla Hale Gerdes, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, specializing in psychotherapy for individuals and couples. She is dual licensed as a marriage/family therapist and has been in private practice for almost 30 years, with extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Gerdes is qualified to deal with a wide range of psychological, behavioral, relational, and spiritual issues with warmth, wisdom, competency, and compassion.
Dr. Gerdes’ specialty interests include marriage and family relationships, depression and anxiety, women's issues, life transitions, grief and loss, divorce recovery, blended families, and faith/spirituality issues.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Texas Tech University; emphasis in marriage/family therapy
- Internship in Clinical Psychology, UT Health Sciences Center, Houston
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Harding University, summa cum laude
Dr. Gerdes is trained in a variety of evidence-based approaches to therapy, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Family Systems and Family of Origin
- Imago and Gottman Marital Therapies
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Solution-Focused, short-term therapy
- Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness techniques
Wednesday Jul 13, 2022
Wednesday Jul 13, 2022
Guest: Dr. Karla Hale Gerdes
972-248-4673
Office location: 5168 Village Creek Dr., Suite 200, Plano, TX 75093
Karla Hale Gerdes, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, specializing in psychotherapy for individuals and couples. She is dual licensed as a marriage/family therapist and has been in private practice for almost 30 years, with extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Gerdes is qualified to deal with a wide range of psychological, behavioral, relational, and spiritual issues with warmth, wisdom, competency, and compassion.
Dr. Gerdes’ specialty interests include marriage and family relationships, depression and anxiety, women's issues, life transitions, grief and loss, divorce recovery, blended families, and faith/spirituality issues.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Texas Tech University; emphasis in marriage/family therapy
- Internship in Clinical Psychology, UT Health Sciences Center, Houston
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Harding University, summa cum laude
Dr. Gerdes is trained in a variety of evidence-based approaches to therapy, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Family Systems and Family of Origin
- Imago and Gottman Marital Therapies
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Solution-Focused, short-term therapy
- Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness techniques
Wednesday Jul 06, 2022
Wednesday Jul 06, 2022
Guest: Ryan Bangert, Alliance Defending Freedom
Hope y’all have a wonderful 4th of July! On July 4th, Americans celebrate the passage of the Declaration of Independence, which reads in part:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Recently, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) handed down a monumental decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (Dobbs) case that effectively overturned the infamous 1973 Roe v. Wade decision where the Court had found a woman’s right to an abortion was a Constitutionally protected right. Overturning Roe means that the “right to an abortion” is now no longer secured by the federal courts and is subject to the determination of the governed - just as the Framers had intended our governmental process to work. So whether you’re “pro-abortion” or “pro-life,” Dobbs returns the power to influence the legislative process back to the citizens of each state to decide through their elected representatives, a right which the Court had usurped from citizens in the Roe decision.
As Christians, what does the Dobbs decision mean?
- A large percentage of women seeking abortions are single women who already have other children, but because of financial or other considerations, feel that they are unable to support another child. Men should be part of this consideration and equation and not leave the burden and responsibility to raise children entirely on the shoulders of the mothers of their children. Before abortion becomes a legislative or legal issue, it is a personal responsibility issue and men need to be personally responsible for their children.
- Women facing the decision over abortion or birth are looking for wisdom and guidance and men have an opportunity to support pregnancy centers in their community to give women the needed support to choose life. If you’re in the DFW area, look to support the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center. If you live in other areas of the country, visit the resource list made available from The Heidi Group. The Human Coalition is also a great organization to know about and support.
- As more women look to give birth to their children, there may be an increased opportunity for men to step up in terms of adoption and foster care. Even if you’re not looking to bring a child into your family, you can support others who are willing. Learn more from CHOSEN: Christ’s Hope for Orphans: Supporting, Embracing, Nurturing.
- Don’t forget about post-abortive resources for women struggling with the trauma and anxiety that often comes from having an abortion. Check out the resources available from Focus on the Family for post-abortive care.
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
Continuing with our summer theme for the past few weeks, we spend some time getting to know the new head football coach for PCA Donnie Yantis.
Wednesday Jun 22, 2022
Wednesday Jun 22, 2022
Great opportunity to meet our new PCA Athletic Director Brian Brazil and his wife Birdie, who will be serving our PCA community as an assistant in the athletic office!
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Guest: Chae and Judy No
Chae and Judy No have four children (and a foreign exchange student living with them)
Children:
Josiah - named after a king of Israel (entering Middle School next year, 5th grade)
Jeremiah - every king needs a prophet! (will be in 4th grade)
Charissa - means charisma (going into 1st grade in the fall)
Christelle - means a follower of Christ (coming into Pre-K 3 in the fall)
Both Chae and Judy are on staff with a church - Judy working with students as the Nextgen Kids Director and Chae serving as a lead pastor at Regeneration Community Church.
Judy is “1.5 generation” from Korea. Her family was Buddhist, but God visited her mother in a dream and her entire family was converted to Christianity and moved to the United States. They are both formerly from the West Coast and had a friend ask them to move to Texas to help start a church!
What brought the No family to PCA?
They heard great things about “Prestonworld” and found out how Biblically-centered the teaching and curriculum is - that’s what they wanted for their family!
What have your children learned from PCA?
The goal is to have PCA partner with Chae and Judy as they raise their children - like a “cord of three strands” which is stronger and not easily broken, is the partnership of the school, the church, and the home! At PCA we call this “Kingdom Education” and this is a very critical understanding of the vital importance of each sphere doing its job and working together.
What is the No family doing to keep spiritual development going over the summer?
Church isn’t just for Sunday, Christianity isn’t just during certain times - summer isn’t a “time off.” They have already purchased a variety of books for them to read over the summer and have planned family devotional time each morning. Chae has started a discipleship program with his boys and Judy will do that with their girls when they get a little older.
The No family looks to connect with people, have them in their home, so they can share the good news of Jesus Christ with them…especially over dinner!
Book recommendation: The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into Christian Faith by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield
Chae’s “request” - let’s come together as the family of God and the PCA community as we walk together and do life together! Judy - PCA is a place where their identity is in Christ!
Wednesday Jun 08, 2022
Wednesday Jun 08, 2022
Guest: Chef Shaun Vaughn, SAGE Dining
To learn more about SAGE Dining, visit their website or download their Touch of SAGE app.
Parents - encourage your students to TRY the incredible variety offered by SAGE Dining at PCA
SAGE prepares food for 1700 people every day at PCA - and they take into account the varieties of allergies or food sensitivities.
SAGE sources from four different vendors including Hardies, Crystal Creek, Labatt, and Ben E. Keith.
SAGE goes through about 200-300 pounds of protein every day!
About 80% of all the food is made from scratch - prepared fresh here in the kitchen!
Everyday there is a salad and deli bar for students to make their own salad or sandwiches!
Everyday there is fresh cut fruit offered!
What do you do with the leftovers? SAGE uses “batch” cooking so that the meals are being prepared as fresh as possible and it cuts down on leftovers!
SAGE employs nutritionists and dietitians who prepare the recipes and Chef Vaughn and his team follow - they can take an item out of the recipe, but they can’t add to it!