The Christian Education Café

Episode 18 The Vision of Christian Kingdom Education with LA Bonds

The Christian Education Cafe' podcast equips and empowers Christian educators, school leaders, and parents with the inspiration, information, and tools needed to foster developmental competence in their students, colleagues, families and themselves...  
Listen as Dr. Penn interviews LaChrisa Bonds of Bonds Estate and Garden as they discuss the Vision for Kingdom education. They cover many insights regarding God's plan for the Joshua generation to thrive. Kingdom education recognizes God's design for every child to excel. Mrs. Bonds shares her journey from charter school board member to homeschooling mom. She shares about the importance of guiding students to discover their God-given gifts, talents, and vocation through Bible integrated educational endeavors. She also shared how holistic development can be enhanced by adhering to biblical nutrition principles.  Mrs. Bonds, a former playwright and producer, hosts the Cultivated Conversations podcast and offers a farm share, with her husband, Robert. They are the parents of 5 boys. You can find out more about Bonds Estate and Gardens and their marriage and Biblical Wellness ministries at:
@Likewise Living
@iamlabonds 
Facebook.com/likewiseliving
The Cultivating Conversations podcast is now available on the major podcast streams!
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Episode 17 Burnout Prevention and Resilience with Alynthia Penn

Join Dr. Penn as she discusses issues of burnout and how to prevent it with Alynthia Penn. Christian teachers, whether in public or private schools, are not immune to burnout. Over 40% of early educators and K-12 teachers in the United States report often or always feeling burned out. 90% of teachers consider burnout a serious problem. Almost half of early childhood educators are experiencing high levels of burnout and stress, according to a nationwide survey of 2,300 educators. The survey, published by early childhood education resource provider Teaching Strategies, shows 45% of early child educators are battling mental health challenges and burnout. Twenty percent of early childhood educators said they are considering leaving the profession. Of that group, 40% cited mental health as their reason, and 43% said compensation is driving their decision — though only 8% of early childhood educators say they’re planning to leave in the next year.
Alynthia served during 3 major hurricanes in the Eastern Caribbean with Peace Corps Response as a Literacy Support Specialist, Indonesia as a K-12 technology instructor during a Tsunami, and as an instructor in Memphis during Hurricane Katrina. She served in Alaska during the pandemic and lost everything in the Maui wildfires. She is a certified instructor with a masters in therapy and shared biblical burnout prevention strategies that promote resilience. She shared examples from the life of David and strategies such as music and dance theraphy, journaling, prayer and worship, and so much more. You can follow her or donate to the Live.Move.Be. teacher burnout prevention therapy program at https://archive.storycorps.org/user/alynthia-montrelle/

Episode 16 Nature Based Learning with Arbendette Van

Dr. Althea Penn discusses Nature Based Learning with Arbendette Van, owner of the Pre-K Preparatory Learning Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. She has over 20 years of experience in helping students unlock their full potential and shares her story in early childhood education.

Episode 15 Leading With Agility with Dr Penn

Join Dr. Penn and glean Biblical leadership principles from the life of Nehemiah and Esther that will help you to pivot and remain focused during VUCA times.
How have you managed to maintain staff and retain students?
How have students and family dynamics changed?
Are you seeing more students with disabilities and how has that changed your training, hiring, instructional practices, etc.?
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Episode 14 Importance of Financial Literacy with Erica Knowles

Join Dr. Penn as she interviews Erica Knowles of Civitas Strategies and DECAL's Thriving Childcare Business Academy. They discuss the importance of financial literacy in enabling students to reach their full potential and programs to attain the highest quality. Financial literacy helps administrators create and stick to budgets, allocate resources appropriately, and plan for both day-to-day expenses and long-term sustainability. Managing staff salaries, benefits, and other financial aspects is essential. Financial literacy enables administrators to make informed decisions about staffing levels and compensation. Civitas offers tax coaching and training in the following topics: Financial Foundations,  Recruitment & Staff Retention, Mitigating Risk, Sales & Marketing, and Tapping into Revenue & Growth. 
Visit to learn more at: https://www.decal.ga.gov/Thriving.

Episode 13 Frank Toral and the Business of Christian Early Education

The U.S. child care market has been experiencing significant growth. As of 2022, its value stands at USD 60.4 billion, and it is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.18% from 2023 to 2030. As more parents return to working in offices, there is a rising need for reliable childcare options. Barna Group research indicated a person’s moral foundations are generally in place by the time they reach age nine. So faith based education during this critical stage of development is important. Dr. Penn and Frank Toral of Neighborhood Kids discuss opportunities for church leaders to establish Christ-centered universal preschools.  Learn more about Neighborhood Kids opportunities at: https://www.neighborhoodkids.com/opportunities-for-churches

A Conversation with Dr. Merle Skinner

Welcome to this episode of the 'Christian Education Podcast' hosted by Dr. Althea Penn. Today's enlightening conversation features guest-speaker Dr. Merle Skinner, who discusses the founding of Champion School in 1981 and his work in mental health and Christian education. The dialogue proves insightful for any education professional, emphasizing child development, family roles, and cultural values in today's Christian educational landscape.
During the discussion, Dr. Skinner and Dr. Penn highlight mental health concerns concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. They stress the importance of social-emotional learning and trauma-informed practice in Christian schools, tackling mental health challenges head-on. Within the conversation, professionals will discover practical solutions for anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among students and educators.
Addressing some of the significant challenges in Christian education today, they touch upon the 'great resignation,' teacher shortages, burnout, and liability in child handling. The duo explores how Christian educators can better advocate for funds and programs that benefit their school communities, encouraging Christian educators, parents, and stakeholders to stay resilient and actively shape the future direction of Christian education.
The episode concludes with a call to action. Despite the contemporary challenges, Christian educators are encouraged to stay strong, supportive, and continue their excellent work. With the transformative power of Christian education, future generations can significantly benefit. Tune in to this invaluable episode for anyone involved in or interested in Christian education.

Episode 11b Coach Kadie and Brain Based Teaching Christian Early Education

🌟🎙️ Tune in to the latest episode of the Christian Education Cafe podcast hosted by Dr. Althea Penn, featuring Coach Kadie Seweryn, as our special guest! 🎙️🌟 Join us as we explore the fascinating world of brain-based learning and its integration into faith-based classrooms. Kadie Seweryn, a devoted wife, mother, and an expert in early education, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table. Coach Kadie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. With a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences, a Master’s degree in Child Development, and a passion to help children build social-emotional skills through brain-based learning, In this enlightening episode, Kadie unveils the secrets of brain-based learning, sharing the "Big 5" practical strategies to seamlessly incorporate it into your teaching toolbox. Discover the transformative power of anchoring educational practices in the timeless wisdom of God's word, and learn how to foster holistic growth and faith development in your students. Don't miss out on Kadie's invaluable insights and actionable tips that are sure to revolutionize your classroom dynamics. Plus, she recommends the must-read book "Brain-Based Learning: Teaching the Way Students Really Learn" by Eric Jensen and Liesl McConchie as an indispensable resource for further exploration. Grab your favorite hot beverage and tune into this episode of the Christian Education Cafe podcast. We are equipping and empowering Christian educators to embark on a journey towards creating impactful, faith-infused learning environments that empower young minds to thrive! 🌱📚 The Christian Education Mandate Althea Penn #christianeducation #BrainBasedLearning #FaithDevelopment #podcastlisteners

Episode 11 Drawing Strength from God's Love-St. Valentine's Day/Black History Month

Welcome to a special edition of our podcast for February, Black History Month, and the month of love. In this episode, we delve into an exploration of love, taking inspiration from the scriptures in Ephesians 3:17-19. We hear the call to be 'rooted and grounded in love', a profound prayer from Paul to the struggling church of Ephesus.Inspired by this, we challenge ourselves and our listeners to comprehend and reflect the boundless love of God. This is a love that transcends human knowledge, a love that we are encouraged to pour out indiscriminately to our neighbors, mirroring the love we give to God with all our hearts, minds, and souls.We emphasize the importance of loving actions—forgiving, blessing, praying, giving, fasting, and spending devoted time with our God. We also highlight the call to love our neighbours, to selflessly serve others, especially those who find it difficult to love us back. And importantly, we shed light on the need for self-care, an essential part of love.Lastly, we discuss the importance of teaching children to express unconditional 'agape' love, reflecting it in our celebration of God's diverse creation. We hope to inspire educators to incorporate multicultural materials in their classrooms. Children should learn to appreciate different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds, truly reflecting the essence of God’s love for all.Celebrating love interwoven with our diversity, after all, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Blessings await as we embrace the ethos of love in our lives. Join us on this journey within the Christian Education Cafe podcast.

Episode 10: The Impact of Language Development on Faith Development

In this illuminating episode of Christian Education Cafe, Dr. Althea Penn opens a thoughtful dialogue about language, an essential tool for communication. We delve deep into the crucial subject of children's language development, reflecting on the pandemic's effects and how language carries the gospel's power. We are joined by Lillian and Michael from Time to Sign, recounting their personal and shared journeys on implementing American Sign Language (ASL) in early childhood education. The duo’s accomplishments in ASL curriculums are celebrated across state schools for the deaf, reinforcing the impact of their enduring dedication to improving child communication. The conversation reveals the immense benefits of introducing sign language to children in their early years. It is proven to enhance cognitive development, IQ levels, and memory retention. We explore how signing aids in classroom management, builds robust teacher-student relationships, and can support spiritual formation. The episode provides an array of resources for educators keen to integrate sign language into their curriculum, across various areas of study. It also introduces Time to Sign’s extensive portfolio of sign language resources and how they cater to all students, fostering a more inclusive learning environment. Finally, we end with a prayer for the Lord's blessing on sign language as a critical educational tool. This episode acts as a comprehensive exploration of sign language's transformative role in early education, highlighting its fundamental importance for successful learning.