Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with author Curtis Chang. Presbyterian School was honored to host Curtis earlier this month for a parent ed event focused on his book, The Anxiety Opportunity.  If you missed this parent ed event, tune in to our podcast to hear some of his thoughts. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. 

A graduate of Harvard University and former Rockefeller Fellow, Curtis Chang bridges the worlds of secular institutions and theology. He is the founder and CEO of Consulting Within Reach (CWR), a firm serving nonprofits and government agencies. His consulting work has won an award in social innovation from the Obama White House, and he teaches strategic planning as a faculty member of American University’s School of International Service. Curtis is also a consulting professor at Duke Divinity School and a Senior Fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. Prior to his career in consulting, Curtis served as the senior pastor of an Evangelical Covenant Church in San Jose, California. He is the author of The After Party: Towards Better Christian Politics (with Nancy French), The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry Is the Doorway to Your Best Self, and Engaging Unbelief: A Captivating Strategy from Augustine and Aquinas. Learn more from Curtis on his Good Faith podcast where he discusses how Christian faith intersects with culture, law and politics.

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with author Felicia Song. Presbyterian School was honored to have Felicia on campus earlier this month for a parent ed event focused on her book, Restless Devices and the tyranny of the digital age and the meaningful pathways of resistance that can be found in Christian tradition. If you missed this parent ed event, tune in to our podcast to hear some of her thoughts. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. 

Felicia Song is a sociologist, writer, speaker and former professor. She received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Yale University, an MA in Communication Studies from Northwestern University and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Virginia. She taught journalism, mass communication, and an array of sociology classes for over two decades at higher institutions of learning including Louisiana State University and Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Her research and wrtiing revolves around the place of media and technology in our contemporary lives and how it shapes the most fundamental ways in which we interact, think, and even perceive reality. The publication of her book, Restless Devices, has opened many opportunities for Felicia to speak, teach, and consult with Christian faith communities and leaders around the world on how we can work collectively towards living more humane lives in an otherwise digitally-saturated and consumer-oriented society. For more information on Felicia Song, visit https://feliciawusong.com/

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with First Presbyterian Church Pastor of Outreach, Emmanuel Paulpeter. Get to know Emmanuel as he and Dr. Carleton talk about a wide range of topics including how individuals can navigate through questions of faith and doubt together to how technology forms us spiritually. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. 

Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Paulpeter is the Pastor of Outreach at First Presbyterian Church (FPC). Emmanuel grew up in India, got his bachelors in Engineering and worked in the software industry for 10 years before he got God's call to ministry. Emmanuel went to seminary at the Houston Graduate School of Theology and has been working at FPC since 2017.

Emmanuel loves to read on a range of topics from psychology to literature to philosophy to theology. He especially enjoys engaging with people about current movies and stories while connecting them with the Gospel. He is passionate about creating communities where people can explore their questions and doubts about faith and helped to bring Alpha to FPC. Alpha is a a listening community designed to help participants explore questions about spirituality and faith in a non-judging space. Individuals, whether Christian or non-Christian, skeptic or seeker, are invited to process their questions about faith and spirituality together in honest reflections. Click here for more information on Alpha and/or to join the community. 

Emmanuel  and his lovely wife Rachael have been married for almost three years. They enjoy hikes, and going on long roadtrips to the southwest.

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with PS Innovation and Technology Strategist, Dani Filas. Get to know Dani Filas as she and Dr. Carleton talk about the exciting opportunities technology brings to the horizon of teaching and learning. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. 

Dani Filas currently serves as Presbyterian School’s Innovation and Technology Strategist after two years teaching 6th grade Habits of Learning, four years teaching 8th Grade English, and two years serving as 8th Grade Dean. She holds a Master’s Degree from Northwestern University in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Playwrighting and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and English (Writing) from Knox College. Prior to her work at Presbyterian School, Danielle worked at the Village Academy in Powell, OH, where she taught courses in English and Theatre, also serving as the school’s Technology Integration Specialist and Thespian Director. Her teaching career began in 2001 when she was hired as an English and Theatre teacher at the Chicago Academy for the Arts in Chicago, IL. Before answering her calling in education, she worked as a theatre artist nationally; highlights included work with the Columbus Opera Project, St. Louis Fringe Festival, and the Second City National Touring Company. Dani is a published poet, a certified yoga instructor, a volunteer onstage and off with community theater companies, and serves on the board of the St. Louis Fringe Festival.

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with psychologist Stewart Pisecco. Presbyterian School was honored to have Steward on campus earlier this month for two parent ed events focused on bringing out a child's best behavior. If you missed these events, tune in to our podcast to hear some of his thoughts on child behavior. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. 

 Dr. Stewart Pisecco is a licensed psychologist who specializes in child and adolescent psychology. For the past 20 years, he has done extensive research on the assessment and treatment of ADHD, behavioral problems, and reading difficulties. Dr. Pisecco's work has focused on the development of evidence-based digital interventions for disruptive child behavior. He is also a former Fulbright Research Scholar and the past recipient of several research and teaching awards while at the University of Houston. Additionally, his 2011 TEDx Talk titled Behavior Matters has been named to the top 100 ranked psychology talks.

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with acclaimed children and adult author, Candace Fleming. This episode which takes a peek behind the scenes at Candace's writing is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. 

Candace Fleming is the author of more than forty books. Among her nonfiction titles are Giant Squid, Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart, and The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion and the Fall of Imperial Russia.  Her award-winning titles include The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh which won the 2021 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction, and Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera, winner of the 2021 Sibert Medal.  She is also the recipient of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the Orbis Pictus Award, as well as a two-time recipient of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Nonfiction, the ALA Sibert Honor, and SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award.

Presbyterian School was honored to host Candace Fleming on campus last month. She visited with all PK3-8th grade students and tailored her presentations to the different age students: for Early Childhood, the focus was on discovering and sharing stories; for Lower School, Fleming delved deeper into the writing process, discussing topics like structure and revision; and for Middle School, she focused on her writing research methods, the use of primary documents, and editorial choices. Fleming's interactive presentations, accompanied by visually stimulating slides, incorporated elements of storytelling and humor to ignite students' enthusiasm for the wonderful world of writing and reading.

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with Director of PE and Wellness, Ann Horne, Middle School Counselor, Cortney Kindall-Ritchey, and Chaplain, Brenton Smith. This episode introduces you to some of the individuals behind our school's first annual Wellness Week and shares how we define wellness and what we hope students and parents will take away. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. 

Ann Horne is in her 24th year at Presbyterian School. She serves as the Director of PE and Wellness. Ann received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in Biology from Grand Valley State University and her Master of Education, Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston. Prior to coming to Presbyterian School, Ann taught and coached at Richmond Grade School in Illinois and Ridgecrest Elementary in Houston. She has coached basketball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, and track. Ann is passionate about teaching students how to be healthy, productive members of society. In her time off, she enjoys stitching, crafts, reading, puzzling, and baking. Ann is married to Mike and has two step-children and six grandchildren. 

Cortney Kindall-Ritchey has served as the Middle School Counselor at Presbyterian School for 5 years. A graduate of the University of Houston, Cortney holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology through the Honors College and a Master of Education in Counseling. Before her time at PS, she served as one of the counselors at Duchesne Academy for 8 years, where she had attended as a K-12 student. In addition to daily support of our students in their wellness development, Cortney actively engages in various programs, coordinating cross-divisional activities, facilitating Puberty and Sex Ed discussions, and promoting healthy relationship boundaries. She spearheads the middle school advisory programming, manages middle school clubs, and teaches a 6th grade fine arts class. Cortney is married to Nick, and they have a son in second grade at Presbyterian School, and a daughter joining PK4 next year.

Brenton Smith's involvement in Presbyterian School has run deep and wide spanning over 14 years since she began as a second grade student in Lower School. Brenton graduated PS with the Class of 2011 and attended St. Agnes Academy, followed by Westbury Christian. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas A& M University and her Masters of Theology from Fuller Seminary. In 2019, Brenton began as a Chaplain Intern and now works full time as one of the School Chaplains. Brenton leads Early Childhood and Lower School Chapels, teaches bible classes and coordinates service learning projects for each grade level. Brenton comes from a rich heritage and family of faith, and follows in her mother, Amy Smith's footsteps who served as Presbyterian School's Chaplain from 2007- 2015.  Brenton is also actively involved with the PS Alumni Association. 

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with Reverand Nathan Tenney, School Chaplain. This episode which highlights a  is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. 

Rev. Nathan Tenney is in his second year at Presbyterian School. He serves as one of the School Chaplains alongside Brenton Smith. Nathan received his Bachelor of Arts in Race and Ethnic Studies from the University of Redlands and his Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology. Prior to coming to Presbyterian School, Rev. Tenney worked for over 16 years in children’s ministry most recently from First Christian Church and School as the School Chaplain. He has also developed, written and edited children's curriculum for Cokesbury, a United Methodist Publishing House. Rev. Tenney is passionate about walking alongside students in their faith formation and helping them develop strong roots in Christ. In his time off, he enjoys reading, jogging, and watching professional rugby. Nathan is married to Eliza and has a 14 month old son, Samuel.

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with Lois Geiger, Head of Early Childhood. This episode is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. 

Lois Geiger is in her nineteenth year at Presbyterian School. She has served as a classroom teacher, the Assistant Head of Early Childhood and is currently the Head of Early Childhood. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BA in Advertising. After several years in the corporate world, Lois made a career change into education where she found her passion and has never looked back. She holds a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Reading and Literacy. Lois is a true believer in play-based learning for young children and enjoys partnering with parents during this pivotal time of development in a child’s life. When not at school Lois and her husband, Doug, can often be found at the beach with their two yellow labs. Lois is a mother to two adult children. She enjoys travel, reading, hiking, yoga, and cooking.

Parents have 936 weeks between a child's birth and graduation to clue into and participate in what's happening during the critical spiritual and developmental phases of a child's life. Join Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton in a two part series as he discusses how to be more present and show up for our children. The session on children in Middle School.