The NorthStar Narrative

The college admission season in a student's life can be full of anxiety. Join us today as  Kristi Steele talks through what the process looks like and how to ease the confusion and tension surrounding the best next step. Kristi provides excellent practical advice with great questions to ask yourself, whether you're a student or parent. If you have a high schooler, you won't want to miss this episode!

 You can find more resources from Kristi at www.kc360.co!  

We are excited to have Jennifer Thompson on the show today. From basketball coach to teacher to head of school, Jennifer has almost 25 years of experience in education. Listen as Jennifer shares advice for teachers and leaders, and hear the work that she is doing as the current Chief Executive Officer of Christian Schools International. You won't want to miss the practical advice she has for both educators and school leadership!

“The estimates are that about 32 million American children lack access to books.”

Join us today for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Molly Ness. Molly is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. Listen as Molly discusses the importance of reading and practical ways we can ensure that books are in the hands of every child possible. 

We are so excited to have the King Family on this week's episode! Breanne King and her son Shouta join us today to talk through life, ministry, and the years they've been a part of the NorthStar community. Having four students who have either graduated or are still taking classes at NSA, Breanne shares how even though they had different motivations and ways of learning, NSA met the needs for each of them.  Hear about the exciting ministry opportunities they have for those looking to serve in the Philippines and the incredible story that has led them there. You won't want to miss this inspiring story from the King family!

Sammy Margo, renowned physiotherapist and sleep expert, shares crucial insights for achieving quality sleep in this episode of The NorthStar Narrative. She begins by highlighting the impact of technology on sleep, advocating for a technology cutoff time and promoting a calming bedtime routine. 

The discussion extends to bedding preferences, emphasizing the significance of investing in a suitable mattress and pillow based on individual needs. Exercise is encouraged, with a focus on calming practices like deep breathing and gentle yoga.

Sammy shares a success story involving a child with anxiety, demonstrating the positive outcomes of changes in technology use and bedtime routines. Regarding sleep aids, she suggests exploring natural remedies before considering over-the-counter options. The podcast concludes with a challenge for parents to set positive examples by practicing healthy sleep habits and encouraging children to adopt similar routines.

Don't miss this informative episode!

We are so excited to have one of our NorthStar families on today's episode! Anna, who is a Senior and graduates in just a few short months, joins her mom Christine to recount their incredible RV experience and how they were able to blend adventure with education. Listen as Anna and Christine take us through their travels across the U.S., where they explored colleges while navigating the intricacies of homeschooling not only Anna, but also brother Zach!

Why do we educate, and are we sure we're doing it right?

Deani Van Pelt is many things, but first, she is a mother. When her own daughter was very young, she realized quickly that many questions needed to be answered surrounding education. Enter Charlotte Mason education. Charlotte Mason was a pioneer in shifting the way students were viewed and therefore taught. Deani has devoted her life to taking that foundation and making education better for children all over the world. Listen as Deani shares her passion for ensuring excellent education for the next generation of learners. 

NorthStar recently hosted a mission trip to the country of Panama! Listen as Mr. Hester along with students Rachel, Melissa, and Emma recap the trip and the life changing impact it had on them and the community they served. Hear the fears and challenges they faced head on as they met in person for the first time, bonded as a team, and learned how to trust God in a new way. Growth is definitely the theme in this story and we couldn't be prouder of "The NorthStar Nine."

We have one of our very own on the show today! Diana Clay teaches elementary through high school Spanish here at NorthStar and joins us to share her inspiring story. Diana and her husband are the founders of COAH Missions, which focuses on equipping and providing opportunities for followers of Jesus to be on mission together in their local context and internationally.  Currently, Diana lives in the Dominican Republic where her family is able to minister to Haitian refugees. Listen as she shares how God has prepared her for every season of life before she ever knew she needed it. 

We are thrilled to have Lynn Swaner on the show today! Lynn is a Senior Fellow with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) as well as the newly appointed President of Cardus U.S., where she will work to grow their education portfolio and provide strategic support for Comment, the  organization's flagship journal. Lynn is passionate about education and connecting research with practice to create a real world impact. Listen as Lynn explains the importance of relationships in our efforts to make school environments flourish.