The federal scholarship tax credit could reshape Christian education, and this episode explains why the biggest shift may happen faster than most people expect. If you care about tuition relief, school funding, or what’s coming next for Christian schools, this conversation gives you the clearest read yet.Fresh off the Maryland Association of Christian Schools meeting, the hosts unpack what they learned from the AACS National Legislative Conference and from Randy Melchert, who leads the Accord Kids Scholarship Granting Organization. The big headline: a new federal tax credit scholarship offering up to $1,700 per taxpayer could turn tax dollars into direct support for Christian education, with real momentum building behind it.You’ll discover:

• How the federal tax credit scholarship works on a dollar-for-dollar basis
• Why the ability to direct money to a specific Christian school changes everything for families and donors
• What happens when states opt in, and why even blue states may feel pressure to join
• Why the hosts believe public schools may also push to participate once the money is on the table
• How this could benefit Christian schools without forcing them to compromise their mission

Matt George and his co-host Mark Zockoll break down the practical impact, the political implications, and the reason this update left them more encouraged than they expected. They also reflect on what this could mean for Maryland in particular, including the hope that Governor Moore opts in sooner rather than later.This is essential listening for Christian school leaders, parents, grandparents, donors, and anyone trying to understand how the new scholarship landscape could change the future of faith-based education. If you want to know where this is headed and why the next tax season matters, don’t miss this update.

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Explore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com.

Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community!

And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at cpp.gradelink.com today!

Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!

Summary:

This episode looks at why teachers often struggle to engage with research and what school leaders can do to make that interaction more practical. Mark Zockoll shares findings from his article on Christian educators and research, while Matt George responds from an administrator’s perspective with examples from faculty support and professional development.

We discuss the biggest barriers teachers name most often, including time, lack of administrative support, and resistance to change. We also cover how administrators can build margin, offer training, and model a culture of lifelong learning.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Opening confusion and setting up the topic
• 00:44 - Welcome to the Christian Principals Podcast
• 00:58 - Why this article on teachers and research matters
• 02:23 - Mark explains the publication and article background
• 03:52 - Introducing the article topic and main question
• 04:21 - How teachers usually respond to research and best practices
• 06:14 - Lifelong learning as a core expectation for educators
• 07:20 - Proverbs and the call to seek understanding
• 08:46 - Research as more than just journals and academic articles
• 10:12 - Podcasts and other media as ways to interact with research
• 11:08 - The study basis: 28 master’s students and 92 forum posts
• 12:31 - The first major theme: time constraints
• 14:27 - Why time is the most common barrier for teachers
• 15:14 - How administrators can realistically make time for research
• 16:48 - The second theme: lack of administrative support
• 17:31 - Policies and school structures that can hinder research
• 18:27 - Why some Christian schools resist new ideas
• 20:42 - The next theme: skepticism and resistance to change
• 21:35 - DNP student examples and how professionals resist new practices
• 24:10 - Lack of training and confidence in doing research
• 25:37 - A simple example of a teacher using a podcast to stay informed
• 27:16 - What teachers should do to engage with research
• 28:14 - How administrators can protect time for research
• 29:39 - Training teachers to understand and use research
• 30:08 - A call for administrators and teachers to pursue excellence together
• 31:07 - Prayer for Principal Brian Rinehart of Fairhaven Christian Academy

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Explore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com. Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community! And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at ⁠⁠cpp.gradelink.com ⁠⁠today!

Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!

Football becomes a blueprint for Christian education in this episode, and the lessons are sharper than you expect. Mark Zockoll and Matt George unpack six defensive line principles that school leaders, teachers, and administrators can put to work immediately—from holding the line and doing what is not pretty, to filling gaps, collaborating under pressure, and staying agile when everything changes.What starts as a football analogy turns into a practical framework for leading a school mission with clarity. You will hear how the defensive front mirrors the realities of Christian education: the people who absorb pressure, the roles that go unseen, the staff members who make everyone else stronger, and the need for teams to move in sync instead of working in silos.You'll discover:

• Why “hold the line” is more than a sports phrase and how it applies to classrooms, policies, and culture
• How “nothing pretty” reminds leaders that mission-aligned people may not fit a traditional mold, but still get the job done
• Why “the unders” matters for teachers and staff who do the heavy lifting without getting the credit
• How “choreography” exposes the power of true collaboration across grade levels and departments
• Why “filling a gap” is essential when one person has to absorb more than their fair share
• How “agility” helps schools respond when staffing, budgets, facilities, or responsibilities suddenly shift

Mark and Matt also connect these lessons to real school-life challenges like staffing gaps, changing schedules, and supporting the people who quietly anchor the work. The result is a conversation that is equal parts practical, encouraging, and surprisingly useful for anyone leading in Christian education.Perfect for principals, teachers, pastors, and school leaders who need fresh language for teamwork, resilience, and mission-first leadership. If you are trying to build a stronger school culture without losing sight of the mission, this episode gives you a playbook worth borrowing.Follow UsYouTube: Christian Principals Podcast
Instagram: @cprincipalspod
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.christianprincipalspodcast.com
X: @CPrincipalsPod
LinkedIn: Christian Principals Podcast

Explore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com.

Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community!

And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at cpp.gradelink.com today!

Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!

Summary:

Micah joins Matt and Mark to explain how the Herzog Foundation Ambassador Program works, what she has learned in her first month, and why Christian school leaders should pay attention. We discuss how the program builds early-career connections, exposes ambassadors to Christian conservative organizations across the country, and gives them a front-row seat to the needs of Christian educators.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introducing Micah and the Herzog Foundation Ambassador Program

• 00:57 - College of the Ozarks, public relations, and campus work

• 01:31 - Why the community at College of the Ozarks stands out

• 02:57 - How Micah heard about the ambassador program through Esther Ray

• 04:29 - The 10-person cohort and shared H Plex housing

• 07:04 - Early benefits: travel, networking, and national connections

• 09:02 - What past ambassadors have done after the program

• 09:34 - Majors represented in the cohort, including film and computer science

• 11:36 - September travel plans and first-time visits to major cities

• 14:30 - Helping with Herzog Foundation Institute trainings while learning

• 15:58 - Ambassadors as greeters, helpers, and active participants

• 17:11 - The capstone project and the big question facing Christian education

• 18:11 - Why Micah says the Herzog Foundation is an untapped resource

• 20:19 - Advice for a high school sophomore who wants to prepare for the program

• 22:10 - Possible next steps: communications, ministry, or classical Christian education

• 23:37 - Homeschooling, Classical Conversations, and STOA speech and debate

• 24:22 - Christian administrator spotlight and prayer for Mark Bollinger

• 25:22 - Closing prayer and final thoughts

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Explore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com. Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community! And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at ⁠⁠cpp.gradelink.com ⁠⁠today!

Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!

Should teachers grade homework - or stop grading it entirely? Matt George and Mark Zockoll take on one of the most practical, debated questions in Christian education and land on a surprisingly nuanced answer: homework matters, but not always in the grade book. Recording this one on a walk, the hosts unpack what homework is actually for, when it becomes little more than a point-chasing exercise, and why "graded" does not always mean "better." They push through the tension between accountability and learning, asking whether homework should measure performance, build habits, surface confusion, or simply help students practice without fear of a bad score.

You'll hear them break down:
Why homework as "rote practice" can help some students and fail others
The difference between grading for completion, effort, and real understanding
When pass-fail homework makes sense and when it creates new problems
Why certain subjects, like math, call for a different approach than section reviews in history
How teachers can use homework to identify weaknesses before the test, not just fill the grade book
The conversation gets especially interesting when they compare lower grades and upper grades, arguing that the kind of homework younger students do should be treated differently from the more critical-thinking work expected later on. Along the way, they land on a memorable principle: homework doesn't always have to be graded, but it does always need to be assessed.
If you're a teacher, school leader, or parent trying to figure out what homework should actually accomplish, this episode gives you a thoughtful framework instead of a one-size-fits-all rule. It's a strong listen for anyone who cares about academic rigor, student growth, and building a grade book that reflects more than just compliance.
Follow UsYouTube: Christian Principals Podcast Instagram: @cprincipalspod Email: [email protected] Website: www.christianprincipalspodcast.com X: @CPrincipalsPod LinkedIn: Christian Principals PodcastExplore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com. Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community! And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at ⁠⁠cpp.gradelink.com ⁠⁠today!
Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!

Summary:

Matt George and Mark Zockoll recap a gathering of state Christian school association leaders held at the Herzog Foundation in August. They discuss the size of the room, the range of states represented, and the practical conversations that took place around school choice, funding, leadership, and starting new Christian schools.The episode is also a window into how different state associations are navigating very different realities. From tax credit provisions to Title funding and school-launch initiatives, the conversation centers on what Christian schools can do now and how leaders can learn from one another without pretending every state situation is the same.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Christian school leaders gather at the Herzog Foundation
• 01:14 - How Lydia Quick brought state associations together
• 02:11 - More than 2,600 schools and 590,000 students represented
• 03:06 - Connections with Iowa, Heartland, and Jeff Walton
• 06:23 - First impressions of the Herzog Foundation campus
• 07:50 - Dr. Daryl Jones on prayer and the foundation’s origins
• 09:03 - Faith in Nations and student leadership opportunities
• 10:28 - Lydia Quick’s quiet leadership and Iowa’s momentum
• 11:39 - Why the room felt like a safe space for honest dialogue
• 13:58 - Disagreement without division in a room of Christian leaders
• 16:24 - Eleven states represented and wildly 

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Explore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com. Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community! And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at ⁠⁠cpp.gradelink.com ⁠⁠today!

Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!

Psalm 51 hits differently when you realize how much more access to temptation today’s students have than David ever did. Mark Zockoll and Matt George unpack that sobering reality, drawing a straight line from David’s repentance after Bathsheba to the hidden battles young people face now.Mark shares the teaching moment that sparked the conversation, including how he framed Psalm 51 for a room full of students, parents, and church members. What started as a message on repentance quickly became a bigger warning about innocence lost, the early exposure kids now face, and why purity of heart is harder to protect than ever before.You'll discover:

• Why Psalm 51 still feels so personal and urgent in the age of phones, streaming, and instant access
• How Mark used real-life illustrations to help students think honestly about sin without shaming them
• Why the old world of magazines, cable TV, dial-up internet, and smartphones changed the fight for purity at every step
• What Matt and Mark think churches, parents, and Christian schools must do to guard students well

This episode doesn’t stop at diagnosis. It challenges listeners to think carefully about what children and teens are seeing, how early they’re seeing it, and what faithful protection looks like in a world that normalizes exposure too soon.If you care about student ministry, Christian education, parenting, or simply want a clearer, more honest way to think about Psalm 51, this conversation is essential listening. It’s a reminder that repentance is still possible, grace is still real, and vigilance matters more than ever.Matt George is a host of the Christian Principals Podcast, bringing pastoral perspective and practical concern for schools, families, and students.Mark Zockoll is a host of the Christian Principals Podcast, known here for turning Scripture, teaching, and cultural awareness into a candid warning about the challenges facing the next generation.

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Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.christianprincipalspodcast.com 

X: @CPrincipalsPod 

LinkedIn: Christian Principals Podcast

Explore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com. Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community! And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at ⁠⁠cpp.gradelink.com ⁠⁠today!

Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!

Summary:

This episode explores how Christian schools, associations, and advocacy groups can work together without losing their theological convictions. Matt George and Mark Zockoll discuss the history of Christian education, the growth of school associations, and why political cooperation matters more than tribal separation when the goal is protecting schools and students.

They also unpack a strong statement heard at a state association summit: tribalism in Christian education needs to end. The conversation broadens into practical examples from state lobbying, local school relationships, and coalition work across denominational lines.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Opening on desiloing Christian education and getting along better

• 00:38 - Early-morning banter and the unusually odd recording time

• 01:55 - Sponsors and transition into the day’s main topic

• 02:28 - Why the Christian School State Association Summit mattered

• 03:21 - A short history of Christian education and the rise of Christian schools

• 05:04 - Prayer in schools, Christian school beginnings, and the movement’s roots

• 06:55 - Growth in the 1980s and the modern era of school choice

• 08:16 - Accreditation, funding, and why associations still matter

• 09:14 - The broader association landscape across states and denominations

• 10:47 - AACS, ACSI, CSI, and other association alignments

• 12:06 - Why joining state and national associations can be valuable

• 13:40 - Who made the tribalism comment at the summit

• 14:55 - The claim that tribalism in Christian education needs to stop

• 16:22 - Shared goals and the case for cooperation across lines

• 18:30 - Separatism versus political cooperation

• 20:16 - Personal examples of political alignment and religious division

• 23:03 - Why “be not unequally yoked” is often stretched too far

• 24:27 - Jesus, Pharisees, and the limits of isolationism

• 25:47 - Working with Catholics, Muslims, and other allies on school issues

• 27:07 - Should Christian school students be encouraged to enter politics?

• 28:41 - Practical advocacy and why legislators should visit schools

• 30:39 - Local community partnerships and public awareness

• 33:14 - Coalitions are stronger than fragmented associations

• 34:23 - March for Life as an example of broad coalition action

• 36:00 - Local government and community reputation matter too

• 38:25 - More people in the room and the reality of state advocacy

• 41:15 - Why anti-message organizations eventually collapse

• 44:22 - Christian administrator spotlight: Heather Daniel of Emmanuel Christian School

• 45:48 - Closing prayer and outro

Notable Quotes:

• “Tribalism is over. It needs to be over.”

• “When a coalition is able to go before the state and say, we are a million strong and we hold in this way the same value.”

• “There has to be more people in the room.”

Christian Administrator Spotlight:

• Heather Daniel, assistant principal at Emmanuel Christian School in Wabash, Indiana

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Instagram: @cprincipalspod 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.christianprincipalspodcast.com 

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Explore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com. Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community! And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at ⁠⁠cpp.gradelink.com ⁠⁠today!

Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!

The State of the Pod is in, and the numbers tell a bigger story than downloads. Two hosts, one studio, three upcoming conference appearances, and a growing mission to get the Christian Principles Podcast into the ears of every Christian school leader in America.Matt George and Mark Zonko celebrate what God has done through the Herzog Foundation and GradeLink Student Information Systems, then pull back the curtain on where the show is headed next - from Myrtle Beach to Old Dominion to Fort Lauderdale. Along the way, they share why this project has become more than a podcast, how listener feedback has shaped episodes, and why a single viral clip, a first-time in-person listener encounter, and a growing network of principals keep reminding them this work matters.You'll hear:

• How the Herzog Foundation has become a major partner and why this episode was recorded on-site at their studio
• How GradeLink featured the podcast in a school flyer and what that says about the show’s reach
• The upcoming conference lineup, including the Southeast Christian School Convention, ODACS, and Schools United
• The latest audience growth, including Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and total plays
• Why the hosts are still committed to practical, fast-moving, Monday-and-Thursday episodes for Christian school administrators

Matt and Mark also revisit the value of feedback, the importance of sharing episodes with other leaders, and the encouragement that comes from hearing that the podcast is actually helping real schools solve real problems. If you’re a Christian school administrator, educator, or leader looking for practical support, honest reflection, and a little behind-the-scenes joy, this one is for you.

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Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.christianprincipalspodcast.com 

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LinkedIn: Christian Principals Podcast

Explore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com. Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community! And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at ⁠⁠cpp.gradelink.com ⁠⁠today!

Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!

Summary:

In this episode, Mark Zockoll and Matt George discuss corporal punishment in schools, using an NPR article about the states that still allow it as a springboard for a broader Christian-school conversation. They look at where the law stands, how public and private schools differ, and why this issue sits at the intersection of parenting, discipline, and institutional authority.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Opening the conversation on spanking students

• 00:56 - Which states still allow corporal punishment in public schools

• 02:18 - No federal law, only state-level rules

• 04:12 - How private Christian schools may differ from public schools

• 05:03 - Why the remaining states still allow it

• 06:55 - Biblical framing: the rod, discipline, and abuse

• 08:36 - Where Christian families and schools fall on the spectrum

• 09:36 - Mark’s own experience with corporal punishment in Maryland

• 11:29 - The article’s anecdotal structure and claims about data

• 12:57 - The Oklahoma psychologist who supports paddling as a last resort

• 14:24 - Parent requests, school practice, and the article’s final examples

• 16:02 - Matt’s concern about public-sector norms and consequences

• 17:40 - Parenting, institutional standards, and the heart of the issue

• 18:55 - Why Mark supports school autonomy if parents knowingly opt in

• 21:42 - The need for legal review, procedures, and clear safeguards

• 22:42 - Maryland’s fight over a state handbook on corporal punishment

• 25:05 - Why corporal punishment cannot be treated as one-size-fits-all

• 26:55 - Communication and documentation when parents and schools agree

• 28:19 - How changing parenting norms affect school policy

• 31:07 - Questions for schools still using paddling

• 32:01 - Shout-out to Stephen Carlson of Crosspointe Christian Academy

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Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.christianprincipalspodcast.com 

X: @CPrincipalsPod 

LinkedIn: Christian Principals Podcast

Explore the Herzog Foundation's offerings for Christian schools at www.herzogfoundation.com. Book us for your next event to bring engaging and practical conversations to your community! And be sure to level up your school experience with our partner, Gradelink Student Information Systems, at ⁠⁠cpp.gradelink.com ⁠⁠today!

Thank you for listening and for leading with integrity in your school!