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The State of the Teaching Profession

September 09, 2024

The teaching profession appears headed for a crisis. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the number of bachelor’s of education degrees awarded fell from 176,000 in 1971 to only 90,000 in 2021, a 49 percent decrease in 50 years. Of the approximately four million K-12 teachers in the US, about 8 percent (320,000) leave the profession annually. A quick subtraction equation yields a stark reality: each year far more teachers leave the profession than enter it. 

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From the Teacher’s Desk: What Makes Learning Diverse?

May 06, 2024

Education is a life-long journey. Trends in education come and go, but the goal remains the same: students must learn the skills they need to live a successful life. During the last several decades, we have realized that the learning process looks different for different people. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning, and human development is not linear, as skills can develop and be mastered at various times for different people. Research also suggests that a key to success in education is knowing students deeply and understanding their uniquenesses. 

 
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ParentEd.: The 3-D’s of Learning Differences

April 15, 2024

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

–Psalm 139: 13-14

 
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From the Principal's Desk: Desirable Difficulty

April 11, 2024

We live in a world full of material ease and instant gratification. Need a new butter dish? Amazon. Forgot to make dinner? DoorDash. Want an answer without having to actually talk to someone? Text. This present age can satisfy most of our day-to-day needs, wants, and desires on the spot.  

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ParentEd.: Hopes and Fears of Parenting

March 13, 2024

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

–Isaiah 41:10

 
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From the Coach’s Desk: How to be a Coachable Athlete

February 23, 2024

Erma Bombeck once said, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left but could say I've used everything you gave me.”

 
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From the Bible Teacher’s Desk: 3 Tiers for Teaching Unshakeable Faith

February 05, 2024

One of the most important, but most difficult things that Christians are tasked with biblically is to give living witness to the love of Christ. And in turn with that same display of the love of Christ, to defend the faith that is held so precious. 

 
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ParentEd.: 4 Tips to Identify Troubles in Teen Mental Health

January 12, 2024

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.” 
— 2 Timothy 1:7 

Even with faith, the topic of mental health is an issue of concern in the hearts and minds of parents everywhere, especially for those of middle and high school students. Biblically, Christians are instructed not to fear for the future, but that can prove difficult when parents see their children struggling. Here, the middle and high school counselors at Mount Paran Christian School share their expertise and offer four tips to help recognize some of the emotional roadblocks adolescents are facing. 

 
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Faith and Science Are Not at Odds

December 11, 2023

Science classrooms can often be intimidating places full of beakers, test tubes, numbers, graphs, data tables, and the like. One can easily be overwhelmed by such seemingly daunting instruments and figures. However, when examining the evidence closely, there’s unexpected Truth to be found lying just beneath the surface, if one knows how to look for it. 

 
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Move Mountains

November 28, 2023

An alumnus asked me at our recent Homecoming Alumni Dinner if I ever imagined in 1976 the amazing campus Mount Paran Christian School has become almost 50 years after the school’s inception. The 1988 alumnus, representing our first graduating class, commented on the vast programs, the beautiful campus and buildings, and the record enrollment after briefly reflecting on our humble beginnings. “Did you ever see all of this in our future?” he asked me. Clearly, the answer was "no." 

 
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Motivated by School Mission

October 10, 2023

It is logical for confusion to exist when those of us in K-12 Christian education begin to define ourselves. It should be simple and straightforward, right? Well, not exactly. The many Christian schools that exist across the American landscape do share a common goal: we are colleagues who have embraced a calling to academic excellence in an environment that honors Christ preeminently. I have discovered none who refutes this. These two aspirational goals stand as the cornerstones and foundations on which Christian education has been built. 

 
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From the Teacher's Desk: Let's Talk Testing

March 09, 2023

Many educators could say of assessments, “can’t live with them, can’t live without them,” but good assessment is incredibly valuable. Good assessment practices can accurately measure a student’s performance and give us an indicator of what a student knows at any given point in time. Teachers should rely on these good assessment practices to monitor and evaluate student performance in their classrooms at all levels.

 

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From the Teacher's Desk: The Importance of Play

February 09, 2023

On March 7, 2012, the face of technology was forever changed with the introduction of the Apple iPad. It’s hard to believe that more than a decade has passed since the invention of the now ubiquitous tablet. While pioneering developments such as the telephone and television were revolutionary, the current pace of technological advances is astounding. Our society is constantly attempting to keep pace and re-establish norms.

 

The influence of technology has affected all of us, but perhaps none more so than today’s students. Researchers are continuously working to understand the impact of these advances, especially on young children. As tablets and screens continue to grow in popularity, one classic childhood pastime is taking a back seat to technology – play.

 
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Living Biblically: What's Your Word of the Year?

January 26, 2023

Each January, as we turn the page on the calendar to a new year, along comes New Year's resolutions - a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year. Of course, a new year's resolution can be great! But, all too often, what starts off as a great idea can end up feeling rigid and restrictive and is ultimately ditched after a few months. Instead, consider a different tactic to help you focus with intentionality this year: choose a word of the year.

 
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What is a Covenant School?

January 12, 2023

If you know a little about Christian education with experience as a parent, teacher, or administrator you might be aware that there are pretty significant differences among religious schools. You may have had the privilege of being a part of several different christian school communities — large and small, up north or down south, preschool or just high school. A big difference among these independent Christian schools that they may or may not share is whether they are covenantal or not. This begs the question: what does being a covenant school actually mean?

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Seeing Through a New Lens: A Biblical Worldview

December 14, 2022

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God,
and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

—2 Corinthians 10:4-5

 

No matter one’s age, there comes a time that prescription glasses become a necessary fact of life. Even if you have long had perfect 20/20 vision, eye strength weakens as we get older. We find it more and more difficult to see the small things. And, though we may fight it, wearing glasses can be a help – our view becomes once again crystal clear, sharp and in focus. What a perfect metaphor for the life of a Christian!

 
LS kids praying at veterans chapel 

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Welcome to WingTips, a Mount Paran Christian School Blog. The MPCS Blog features many independent school contributors and thought-leaders.

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CHRISTIAN LIFE:

Providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment, Mount Paran Christian School unites with home and church to prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth.

The teaching profession appears headed for a crisis. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the number of bachelor’s of education degrees awarded fell from...

Education is a life-long journey. Trends in education come and go, but the goal remains the same: students must learn the skills they need to live a successful life. During the...

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full...

We live in a world full of material ease and instant gratification. Need a new butter dish? Amazon. Forgot to make dinner? DoorDash. Want an answer without having to actually talk...

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

–Isaiah 41:10

Erma Bombeck once said, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left but could say I've used everything you gave...

One of the most important, but most difficult things that Christians are tasked with biblically is to give living witness to the love of Christ. And in turn with that same display...

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 

Even with faith, the topic of mental health is an issue of concern in the...

Science classrooms can often be intimidating places full of beakers, test tubes, numbers, graphs, data tables, and the like. One can easily be overwhelmed by such seemingly...

Move Mountains - 11/28/2023

An alumnus asked me at our recent Homecoming Alumni Dinner if I ever imagined in 1976 the amazing campus Mount Paran Christian School has become almost 50 years after the school’s...

It is logical for confusion to exist when those of us in K-12 Christian education begin to define ourselves. It should be simple and straightforward, right? Well, not exactly. The...

Many educators could say of assessments, “can’t live with them, can’t live without them,” but good assessment is incredibly valuable. Good assessment practices can accurately...

On March 7, 2012, the face of technology was forever changed with the introduction of the Apple iPad. It’s hard to believe that more than a decade has passed since the invention...

Each January, as we turn the page on the calendar to a new year, along comes New Year's resolutions - a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop...

If you know a little about Christian education with experience as a parent, teacher, or administrator you might be aware that there are pretty significant differences among...

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of...

WINGTIPS

Welcome to WingTips, a Mount Paran Christian School Blog. The MPCS Blog features many independent school contributors and thought-leaders.

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Recommended Series

PRIVATE SCHOOL PRIMER:
 
PARENTEd. TALKS:
 
COLLEGE SERIES:
 
FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK:
 
CHRISTIAN LIFE:

Providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment, Mount Paran Christian School unites with home and church to prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth.

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