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Middle School as the Bridge: Faith, Formation & Growth with Lois Blatchley
In this episode host Mike sits down with Lois Blatchley, PCA's middle school principal, to explore the school’s educational vision for grades 6–8 and how whole-child formation shows up in daily life. Lois — who has served as dean of women in the upper school, a board chair, and a long-time leader in Christian education — brings a wide perspective on guiding students through the pivotal middle school years.
Mike and Lois discuss why middle school matters: it’s not merely a phase to get through but a bridge where students develop emotionally, socially, academically, and spiritually. They talk about leadership emerging in unexpected ways, the testing of influence and boundaries, and how teachers and staff help students find voice and accountability during adolescence.
The conversation dives into faith formation at this age. Lois explains that middle schoolers begin to make faith their own — asking deeper questions and learning to internalize beliefs rather than perform them. Practical practices that support this growth include Bible homerooms, weekly chapel, prayer and reflection times, and faith modeled authentically by teachers and staff. The episode also highlights the role of school chaplain David Moore, who works closely with teachers and students to answer questions and support formation.
Class communities and cohorts are another central theme. Lois and Mike describe how consistent routines, shared expectations, and strong adult mentorship help sixth- through eighth-graders grow together, learn conflict resolution, develop empathy, and practice responsibility. They note the balance PCA strikes between being large enough for individuality and small enough that students are truly known.
Looking ahead, Lois describes how intentional middle-school formation prepares students for upper school freedom and responsibility: strong academic habits, spiritual awareness, time-management skills, and confidence. Using the metaphor of a bridge under construction, she emphasizes that patient, daily formation equips students not just for the next grade but for faithful, purposeful adult lives.
The episode closes with gratitude for the middle-school team and a pointer to the school’s educational vision in the show notes. Mike also previews next week’s episode with Dr. Carrie Abood on using data wisely to inform growth without letting it define students.
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By Mike RuneyIn this episode host Mike sits down with Lois Blatchley, PCA's middle school principal, to explore the school’s educational vision for grades 6–8 and how whole-child formation shows up in daily life. Lois — who has served as dean of women in the upper school, a board chair, and a long-time leader in Christian education — brings a wide perspective on guiding students through the pivotal middle school years.
Mike and Lois discuss why middle school matters: it’s not merely a phase to get through but a bridge where students develop emotionally, socially, academically, and spiritually. They talk about leadership emerging in unexpected ways, the testing of influence and boundaries, and how teachers and staff help students find voice and accountability during adolescence.
The conversation dives into faith formation at this age. Lois explains that middle schoolers begin to make faith their own — asking deeper questions and learning to internalize beliefs rather than perform them. Practical practices that support this growth include Bible homerooms, weekly chapel, prayer and reflection times, and faith modeled authentically by teachers and staff. The episode also highlights the role of school chaplain David Moore, who works closely with teachers and students to answer questions and support formation.
Class communities and cohorts are another central theme. Lois and Mike describe how consistent routines, shared expectations, and strong adult mentorship help sixth- through eighth-graders grow together, learn conflict resolution, develop empathy, and practice responsibility. They note the balance PCA strikes between being large enough for individuality and small enough that students are truly known.
Looking ahead, Lois describes how intentional middle-school formation prepares students for upper school freedom and responsibility: strong academic habits, spiritual awareness, time-management skills, and confidence. Using the metaphor of a bridge under construction, she emphasizes that patient, daily formation equips students not just for the next grade but for faithful, purposeful adult lives.
The episode closes with gratitude for the middle-school team and a pointer to the school’s educational vision in the show notes. Mike also previews next week’s episode with Dr. Carrie Abood on using data wisely to inform growth without letting it define students.