We're back! This isn't a traditional podcast episode, but we wanted to share this conversation we had with Dr. Pam Wells because of the insights and ideas she shares regarding church school partnerships for the new school year in light of COVID-19. Don't have time for the full episode? Check out the "Table of Contents" below:

1:43 Pam's predictions for the new school year

9:51 Q: How can churches help?

10:09 A: Help with food insecurity

11:24 A: Help with the digital divide

12:55 A: Mentor

13:43 A: Pray

14:15 A: Support and appreciate teachers and staff

15:14 A: Help families apply for P-EBT (Deadline is 7/31!)

16:32 A: Provide mental health support

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

17:47 Q: What about extracurricular activities?

19:47 Q: Additional P-EBT questions

21:03 Q: Can students access schoolwork on church computers?

21:50 A: Additional P-EBT answers

22:08 Q: Could schools within a district have different schedules?

23:33 Q: Have you learned from other countries' school systems?

CLOSING

25:32 Pam's affirmations about church school partnerships!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

P-EBT Information: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-information-texans/pandemic-ebt-p-ebt-due-covid-19

Listen to our full conversation with Pam: https://youtu.be/T6DIhIX3lJs

(recorded 6/18/2020 during our Church School Partnership Leaders Gathering)

Find more ideas and examples at http://lovinghouston.net/covid19

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Pam Wells, Ed.D. proudly serves as the executive director for Region 4 Education Service Center, which is the largest of the twenty education service centers in Texas. Region 4 provides service to support more than 1.2 million students and approximately 99,000 professional educators in 48 school districts and 39 public charter schools in the seven-county greater Houston area.

We're back! This isn't a traditional podcast episode, but we wanted to share this conversation we had with Dr. Pam Wells because of the insights and ideas she shares regarding church school partnerships for the new school year in light of COVID-19. Don't have time for the full episode? Check out the "Table of Contents" below:

1:43 Pam's predictions for the new school year

9:51 Q: How can churches help?

10:09 A: Help with food insecurity

11:24 A: Help with the digital divide

12:55 A: Mentor

13:43 A: Pray

14:15 A: Support and appreciate teachers and staff

15:14 A: Help families apply for P-EBT (Deadline is 7/31!)

16:32 A: Provide mental health support

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

17:47 Q: What about extracurricular activities?

19:47 Q: Additional P-EBT questions

21:03 Q: Can students access schoolwork on church computers?

21:50 A: Additional P-EBT answers

22:08 Q: Could schools within a district have different schedules?

23:33 Q: Have you learned from other countries' school systems?

CLOSING

25:32 Pam's affirmations about church school partnerships!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

P-EBT Information: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-information-texans/pandemic-ebt-p-ebt-due-covid-19

Listen to our full conversation with Pam: https://youtu.be/T6DIhIX3lJs

(recorded 6/18/2020 during our Church School Partnership Leaders Gathering)

Find more ideas and examples at http://lovinghouston.net/covid19

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Pam Wells, Ed.D. proudly serves as the executive director for Region 4 Education Service Center, which is the largest of the twenty education service centers in Texas. Region 4 provides service to support more than 1.2 million students and approximately 99,000 professional educators in 48 school districts and 39 public charter schools in the seven-county greater Houston area.

In light of COVID-19, we thought this would be a good episode to replay because of this idea of "engaging our domains" - even if it's remotely for now! Maybe it's buying a gift card or a meal for a teacher at your local school, pitching in for a tablet for a student who can't afford one, or picking up groceries for a neighbor who's immunocompromised. Hear more about this awesome idea from Dr. Steve Bezner, Senior Pastor of Houston Northwest Church.

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Steve Bezner has been the Senior Pastor of Houston Northwest Church since January 2013. Steve is married to Joy, and they have two teenage sons—Ben and Andrew. Steve loves Jesus and the Bible. He desires for collaboration between area churches so that every person in the city has an opportunity to hear the good news about Jesus and to respond to him. He is also passionate about embodying and leading reconciliation efforts in Jesus’ name in our city, and about training and coaching other pastors.

Steve is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University (B.A., Bible; M.A., Religion) and Baylor University (Ph.D., Religion) where he wrote his doctoral dissertation on the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

It seemed fitting to re-share this podcast since Long Point Baptist Church started their partnership with Landrum Middle School right after Hurricane Harvey, which feels similar to what we're going through right now. Even though there were only 20 people in the congregation at the time, they began a partnership that is still going strong!

Things look pretty different with our schools given COVID-19, but how can we love our schools right now? Churches may need extra support right now as well. Can we bring the two-way partnership aspect into play? Email us your ideas at [email protected].

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Kevin is the Senior Pastor at Long Point Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, where he has served faithfully since 2011, as Youth Pastor and as of 2017, Senior Pastor. Kevin’s main goal in life is to point people to the truth of Jesus Christ through his teaching, shepherding, and personal lifestyle. In addition to pastoring at LPBC, Kevin is also an adjunct professor at The Bible Seminary in Katy, Texas. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Leadership from the College of Biblical Studies and a Master of Divinity degree from The Bible Seminary. Kevin has been married to his high school sweetheart Yvette for 17 years, and they reside in Katy, Texas, with their 3 teenage daughters.

For the past 10 years, much of Brittani's life has been characterized by taking steps of faith in the Humble area. Throughout this conversation, you'll hear great ideas for your church school partnership wherever you are, as well as specific opportunities to serve in Humble ISD. Join us as we talk with Brittani about her God-led journey! (If you listen all the way to the end, you'll get a fun glimpse of what it was like growing up with Brittani!)

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Brittani graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a Masters of Education Administration from Lamar University. With more than 10 years of education experience and church ministry, Brittani was the perfect person to bring on as our Humble ISD District Coordinator in August 2019. She is also the founder of a vegan chocolate chip cookie company, The Good Cookie, LLC.

Jennifer's dream is for EVERY one of her schools in Lamar CISD to have a church partner! ❤️ It was a leap of faith for her to partner with us several years ago, but she believes it's a risk that's paid off. In fact, she's now encouraging every church in the area to step up and serve! Whether you're a big church or a small church, every church can do something to help. Listen in to be encouraged and inspired by this amazing school district leader!

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Dr. Jennifer Roberts is the Director of Student Support Services in Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. After spending a few years in corporate America, she realized that education was her true passion. She started off as a teacher before becoming a counselor and finally ending up in her current role. She has truly been a blessing to partner with!

You don't want to miss this episode! It's PACKED with tips, ideas, and inspiration that will be helpful whether you're already in a church-school partnership or thinking about starting one. We love WordServe's foundational philosophy as a church and how they tangibly live out their faith day in and day out. They started their partnership with Huggins Elementary before Loving Houston began, and we have really enjoyed learning from them over the years. Enjoy!!

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Bill Hogan, Senior Pastor

Bill and Rona believe that home is where the heart is, and are excited to be a part of the WordServe family. They’ve been married for 35 years and have 3 grown daughters, two sons in law, and two grandsons who all live in Texas. Bill was an Air Force officer and pilot from 1985 to 2006. In 2006, the Hogan family settled in Kentucky while Bill attended Asbury Theological Seminary, graduating in 2011. Bill served on staff 4 years and later as associate pastor of Nicholasville United Methodist Church in Nicholasville KY for one year.

Erika Yelverton, Director of Compassion

Erika was born in Hobbs, New Mexico, but she spent most of her childhood in South Texas. A graduate of Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!), Erika met her husband, Chad, and received a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Erika and Chad have lived in Fulshear with their two boys, Luke and Samuel, since 2009. After becoming a mom, Erika chose to take a break from the corporate world and discovered a new passion for serving. Erika and Chad actively serve in multiple areas of WordServe including compassion, WordServe Kids, and as Community Group leaders.

What if every member of your congregation was equipped and empowered to be a light in their respective "domains"? Hear more about this awesome idea from Dr. Steve Bezner, Senior Pastor of Houston Northwest Church.

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Steve Bezner has been the Senior Pastor of Houston Northwest Church since January 2013. Steve is married to Joy, and they have two teenage sons—Ben and Andrew. Steve loves Jesus and the Bible. He desires for collaboration between area churches so that every person in the city has an opportunity to hear the good news about Jesus and to respond to him. He is also passionate about embodying and leading reconciliation efforts in Jesus’ name in our city, and about training and coaching other pastors.

Steve is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University (B.A., Bible; M.A., Religion) and Baylor University (Ph.D., Religion) where he wrote his doctoral dissertation on the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Last week, Roxanna Barnes of Alief Independent School District shared about the basic principles of Restorative Discipline and creating safe spaces for our children. This week, she talks about how church volunteers can use these concepts in their church-school partnerships. Listen in for some great ideas!

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Roxanna Barnes is a Prevention and Safe Schools Specialist and a Certified Restorative Discipline Coordinator. Roxanna has spent 20 years in education all in Alief ISD. Roxanna began her teaching career as a middle school Theatre and Speech teacher for 8 years and 10 years as a 6A high school Theatre Director. Roxanna spent the last 4 years of her teaching career not only working with students, but also coaching new teachers within Alief ISD in classroom management and meaningful relationships.

Roxanna has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Sul Ross State University and has had many accomplishments during her educational career. She was named the 2014 Secondary Teacher of the Year, 2014 Region 4 Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2015 West Houston Chamber of Commerce TOY Finalist, and the recipient of the 2015 Alma Slawinski Texas Theatre Educator of the Year Leadership Award. Roxanna is Stephen Covey trained and provides Professional Development in the following areas: Restorative Discipline, Safe and Civil Schools, PBIS, Love and Logic, Cultural Responsiveness, Empathy, Emotional Poverty, and Meaningful Relationships. Roxanna has spent 18 years of her educational career molding and mentoring students from K-12 grade. She spends her time now mentoring teachers and supporting administrators on their campuses with restorative practices, structure, behavior strategies, meaningful relationships, and campus climate. Her passion and purpose is helping students and teachers learn how to build those meaningful relationships that are necessary for student success.

In this podcast, you'll learn the core principles and components of Restorative Discipline and how to create a safe environment where every child feels heard. These principles have been used in schools of all levels to address bullying and to prevent suicides. Every church and school leader needs to hear these tips! (Next week, we'll continue our conversation with Roxanna about what this can look like in our church-school partnerships.)

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Roxanna Barnes is a Prevention and Safe Schools Specialist and a Certified Restorative Discipline Coordinator. Roxanna has spent 20 years in education all in Alief ISD. Roxanna began her teaching career as a middle school Theatre and Speech teacher for 8 years and 10 years as a 6A high school Theatre Director. Roxanna spent the last 4 years of her teaching career not only working with students, but also coaching new teachers within Alief ISD in classroom management and meaningful relationships.

Roxanna has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Sul Ross State University and has had many accomplishments during her educational career. She was named the 2014 Secondary Teacher of the Year, 2014 Region 4 Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2015 West Houston Chamber of Commerce TOY Finalist, and the recipient of the 2015 Alma Slawinski Texas Theatre Educator of the Year Leadership Award. Roxanna is Stephen Covey trained and provides Professional Development in the following areas: Restorative Discipline, Safe and Civil Schools, PBIS, Love and Logic, Cultural Responsiveness, Empathy, Emotional Poverty, and Meaningful Relationships. Roxanna has spent 18 years of her educational career molding and mentoring students from K-12 grade. She spends her time now mentoring teachers and supporting administrators on their campuses with restorative practices, structure, behavior strategies, meaningful relationships, and campus climate. Her passion and purpose is helping students and teachers learn how to build those meaningful relationships that are necessary for student success.