In the Middle With You

Happy November! We're kicking off the month with a little gratitude! Grab a warm cup of coffee or tea and join us for a conversation about the powerful ways gratitude can change our brains, shift our perspectives, and shape the way we experience the world around us. Plus, hear directly from our students as they share what they're grateful for!As the fall season settles in and the holiday season approaches, it's the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and remember the good things right in front of us. Tune in for a reminder that gratitude is more than just saying "thank you"—it's a practice that can make a meaningful difference in our everyday lives!

Note: We had a few issues with the recording, so there are a few spots where the audio skips. Please forgive these issues!

This Week on In the Middle With You, we're reflecting on all the fun, school spirt, and memories made during Spirit Week at Oaks Christian! Then, our Academic Dean, Tyler Erickson, joins us to share Oaks Christian's perspective on grades and how parents can thoughtfully navigate receiving Quarter One progress reports. What do grades really tell us, and how can we best support our middle schoolers as they grow academically? Tune in for practical insights and tangible guidance to help you respond to grades in a way that encourages growth, builds confidence, and supports your child's learning journey!

Hosted by:

Gaia Altshuler - Social Emotional Counselor

Tammy Kuku - Vice Principal

Editing and Engineering by:

Tyler Erickson - Academic Dean

Technology plays a significant role in the lives of our teens, and navigating its benefits and challenges is an important part of parenting in today’s world. Join Tammy Kuku and Gaia Altshuler on In the Middle With You as they welcome our Dean of Student Life for an important conversation about technology in the life of your teen. Together, we explore both the helpful and challenging sides of technology and share how we approach tech at Oaks Christian. Our hope is that this episode sparks meaningful conversations at home and encourages families to be intentional about how technology fits into their lives. Tune in and join the conversation!

Hosted by:

Gaia Altshuler - Social Emotional Counselor

Tammy Kuku - Vice Principal

Editing and Engineering by:

Tyler Erickson - Academic Dean

Homecoming week is here! Join Tammy Kuku and Gaia Altshuler on In the Middle With You as they share everything you need to know to make the most of Homecoming Week at Oaks Christian. From getting involved to showing your school spirit, we’re highlighting all the ways students and families can join in the fun and celebrate what makes our school community so special. Special guest Tara Morrow joins us to share her perspective on building a strong, connected school community. Tune in, get excited, and don’t miss a moment of the Homecoming fun at Oaks Christian!

Hosted by:

Gaia Altshuler - Social Emotional Counselor

Tammy Kuku - Vice Principal

Editing and Engineering by:

Tyler Erickson - Academic Dean

This week on In the Middle With You, Tammy Kuku and Gaia Altshuler continue our conversation on capability and dive deeper into what it looks like for middle school students to become increasingly capable and confident. We explore the value of taking healthy risks, doing hard and uncomfortable things, and learning through reflection. We also give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we’re intentionally building capability in our students at Oaks Christian and why giving students opportunities to struggle, try, reflect, and try again is such an important part of their growth. Join us for another week of insight, encouragement, and practical tools as we talk about what’s happening in the life of your middle school student.

Hosted by:

Gaia Altshuler - Social Emotional Counselor

Tammy Kuku - Vice Principal

Editing and Engineering by:

Tyler Erickson - Academic Dean

This week on In The Middle With You, Gaia Altshuler and Tammy Kuku invite you into a two-part series on capability. What does it really mean for our kids to be capable? Why is capability such an important part of raising healthy, confident middle schoolers? We’re unpacking the connection between capability and confidence, and exploring how giving our teens opportunities to try, struggle, problem-solve, and grow can shape the way they see themselves. With so many voices, opinions, and messages surrounding parenting today, our hope is that this conversation feels both tangible and encouraging as you navigate the middle school years. Join us as we talk about practical ways we can help our kids build confidence by discovering what they are truly capable of.

Hosted by:

Gaia Altshuler - Social Emotional Counselor

Tammy Kuku - Vice Principal

Editing and Engineering by:

Tyler Erickson - Academic Dean

This week on In the Middle With You, we’re excited to welcome Hayden Roush, our new Dean of Student Life, to the podcast! Hayden is here to share everything parents need to know about our upcoming student retreats.

Retreats are one of Oaks Christian’s most favorite events of the year, and we want you to feel informed, prepared, and excited so you can share that excitement with your student! Tune in for all the details, helpful information, and what to expect as we look ahead to these meaningful experiences. Plus, stay up to date with all the latest Student Life updates!

We can’t wait to share this special part of the Oaks Christian experience with you!

Hosted by:

Gaia Altshuler - Social Emotional Counselor

Tammy Kuku - Vice Principal

Editing and Engineering by:

Tyler Erickson - Academic Dean

If you’ve ever looked at your middle schooler and thought, “Wait… who is this kid?!” you are definitely not alone. Middle school comes with A LOT of change: big emotions, shifting friendships, growing independence, unexpected attitudes, and moments that can leave parents wondering where their sweet, familiar kid went.In this episode of In the Middle With You, we’re talking about the ups, downs, and everything in between that comes with the middle school years. We’ll unpack why your child might seem so different right now, what’s actually happening beneath the surface, and share practical ways to navigate these years without losing connection in the process.Join us for a real, encouraging conversation filled with practicals, perspective, and a few updates along the way. You’re not alone in the middle, we’re in it with you!

Hosted by:

Gaia Altshuler - Social Emotional Counselor

Tammy Kuku - Vice Principal

Editing and Engineering by:

Tyler Erickson - Academic Dean

Have you ever found yourself wondering, "Is this normal? Should I be concerned? Is this just part of middle school?" Join Tammy Kuku and Gaia Altshuler for week two of our three-part series created especially for middle school parents. In this episode, we dive into the social and emotional norms of adolescence, exploring the changes students commonly experience in their emotions, friendships, identity, and growing independence. Our hope is that this conversation will help you better understand what's happening beneath the surface, while encouraging, validating, and equipping you to confidently support your middle schooler through these formative years.

Hosted by:

Gaia Altshuler - Social Emotional Counselor

Tammy Kuku - Vice Principal

Editing and Engineering by:

Tyler Erickson - Academic Dean

Have you ever found yourself wondering, "Is this typical? Is this normal? Is this developmentally appropriate?" You're not alone! Join Tammy Kuku and Gaia Altshuler as they kick off a three-week series designed specifically with middle school parents in mind. In this first episode, we explore the behavioral norms that are common during the middle school years, helping you better understand what your child may be experiencing. Our hope is that this series will encourage you, validate what you're seeing at home, and equip you with practical insight as you navigate this unique and important season of parenting.

Hosted by:

Gaia Altshuler - Social Emotional Counselor

Tammy Kuku - Vice Principal

Editing and Engineering by:

Tyler Erickson - Academic Dean