This week we talk to Karen Merritt about supporting students emotionally. Karen serves as the school counselor at St. Paul's in Fort Worth, TX

Serving in ministry is tough, and serving in ministry with your spouse is still tough. This week we speak with Ben and Meghan Vogel about how they support each other as they serve. You can reach Ben at [email protected] and Meghan at [email protected]

This week we talk with Dr. Julian Petzold about school safety. Dr. Julian Petzold earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and conducted research on best practices in school safety.  Through his extensive research, he learned that there is a lack of school safety plans that are practical, and therefore useful.  His desire is to bring the practical side of safety to schools, early childhood centers, and churches in order to empower them to be confident when a crisis occurs.  You can...

This week we speak with Dave Black from Lutheran High School in Parker, CO about the use of AI in his classroom. Dave is the director of Lights Academy and a classroom teacher. Dave has some great insights in this episode! You can contact Dave with all your AI questions at: [email protected]

This week we speak with Jesus Peña, 8th grade teacher, math guru, and founder of RGVDADS, a nonprofit focused on equipping fathers. RGVDADS creates opportunities for fathers in the Rio Grande Valley to network through meetups, blogs, and sharing information about fatherhood. The work Jesse is doing at St. Pauls, and his larger work in the community through RGVDADS, is such a wonderful example of sharing God's love with others. Listen to learn about how Jesse started a nonprofit, what...

Mark Dressler is the Principal Pastor at St. Matthew in Stony Plain, Alberta. He joins the podcast to share his experience as a pastor who is now a principal. You can contact Mark at [email protected] with any questions you have about his unique role, and the great work he is doing in Stony Plain.

This week we speak with Daniel Weber, the athletic director at Central Lutheran School in New Haven, Indiana about the John Weber Memorial Basketball Tournament. This tournament is such a great witness to the power and impact God has in our lives through Lutheran education. You can reach Daniel at [email protected] He would love to answer any questions you have about starting a tournament! He had this piece of advice to add: "Don't be afraid to ask for help from others; you cannot put...

This week we speak with Chris Hathaway about teaching science in a Lutheran school and his book: No God? No Way!: A Science Teacher's Perspective on Naturalism and the Bible You can reach out to Chris at [email protected] and you can find his book for preorder here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR5Q3Q1R?nodl=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_YHMNT84Y4DGDH796DZKD&language=en-US&dplnkId=e8526f6b-b6bd-4225-a0a2-a3bf62dc2db2 It was great speaking with Chris, and he has so much to...

This week Rob speaks with Dr. Matthew Baxter, the director of Anchor Lutheran School in Anchorage, Alaska. They talk about the role of artificial intelligence in school, and how it can be used to make a teacher's job easier and lower the risks of burnout. If you have questions about AI in schools, you can reach Dr. Baxter at: [email protected]

This week we speak with Ben Bauer, 6th grade teacher at Forest Hills Lutheran Christian School in Cornelius, OR about a student worship team. What a blessing! You can reach Ben at [email protected] It's a fun one!

This week we talk with Dan Felten, 6th grade teacher at St. Lorenz in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Dan puts together a weekly school newscast called Spartan Social with the 8th grade students. Dan would love to answer your questions and help you do something similar at your school. You can contact Dan at [email protected], and you can view episodes of Spartan Social at https://boxcast.tv/channel/tmpqeielxcj6zzhiaxtp or by going to portal.stlorenz.org then clicking on "School Video...

This week a student reads the Christmas story from Luke 2. What a blessing! Merry Christmas!

How many animals are in your classroom? If you are Mandy Liddle, the answer is a bunch! Salmon, sturgeon, and snakes! Oh my! Mandy Liddle is the Environmental Education Director at St. Lorenz in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Mandy has such a heart for her work, and is doing great things sharing the wonders of creation with her students. You can reach Mandy at [email protected]. She is a wealth of information, and she would love to speak with you!

This week we speak with Trevor Timm, principal at Our Redeemer in Wauwatosa, WI about the ways he builds relationships and supports a wonderful school culture. What does a big Bluetooth speaker have to do with school culture? Listen to find out! You can contact Trevor at [email protected] to learn more about the great work he is doing. He may even share a playlist with you!

This week we speak with Ann Henny about her role in preparing music for worship, specifically around the season of Advent. Ann is the director of worship arts at Christ Church in Norfolk, Nebraska. You can contact Ann at [email protected] to ask her about anything worship arts related. It was great to have Ann on this week! You can hear the music of Christ Church at this link: https://church.clnorfolk.org/watch-services

This week we speak with Stacy Montagu about her role as the administrative assistant at Bethany Lutheran School in Parma, Ohio. Stacey has much to share about her role, and how she equips herself to better serve others. You can reach her at [email protected] She would be happy to speak with you about what she does!

This week we speak with Sheri Juszczak from Peace Lutheran School in Bremerton, WA about the awesome work her school is doing with STEM! Sheri is the 8th grade teacher and STEM extraordinaire. You can contact Sheri at [email protected] She would love to hear from you, and share what she knows (which is a whole lot!)

This week we talk with Michael Zeddies about how he writes devotions, and how he has turned those devotions into a book titled: Devotions from the Roads of Michigan: Meditations for Christian Classroom Teachers and Others Who Wander Michael teaches 6th grade at St. Lorenz in Frankenmuth, MI. You can reach Michael at [email protected] You can find his book on Amazon:...

This week we talk to Rachel Gonzales at Bethany Lutheran School about preschool playdates and preschool family fellowship nights. You don't want to miss this one! You can contact Rachel at [email protected] She would love to share ideas with you! You can see pictures from previous fellowship nights on the Bethany Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/BethanyLutheranChurchandSchoolParma/

This week we speak with Kirsten Nichol about a great art event called the Masterpiece Gallery. She has some great insights to share, and she even reveals the theme for this year's event. You heard it here first! Kirsten is the art teacher at St. Paul's in West Allis, WI. You can contact her at: [email protected] To see some photos of a previous Masterpiece Gallery

This week we interview Bob Casterline, assistant principal at Risen Christ Christian Academy, about the baseball academy at his school. It is unlike anything else and is definitely worth a listen! You can reach Bob at [email protected]

This week we talk with Kara Kaufman, principal in Beaverton, OR about the Veteran's day activities at Pilgrim Lutheran School. It was great to talk to Kara about the awesome work they are doing! You can reach Kara at [email protected].

On this episode, Mark Fenrick from St. Paul's in Janesville, WI talks about the annual Veteran's Appreciation Meal his class hosts. He also discusses his work with Vets Roll, and what moved him to start this event. It's pretty neat! To learn more about Vets Roll, please visit: https://www.vetsroll.org/ To contact Mark: [email protected] To see photos from the meal: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XZJG1yvihTSD46dLZbrWi2aHKdHITIgT?usp=sharing

Welcome to What Works for Me. A podcast highlighting the work that is being done in Lutheran education. Each episode we talk with a new guest about what works for them. Join us as we learn about the great things happening all across our system! https://www.lea.org/ https://leaconnects.lea.org/