Education Nation: Recent Episodes
Education Nation
Liberty Classical Academy’s very own Headmaster Rebekah Hagstrom and co-host, Marc Durkin, are excited to present a new radio show called Education Nation on AM 1220 KLBB, located in Stillwater, MN. We are starting a conversation about the biggest issues in American education.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Mark kick off a two-part discussion of federal law protections for religious liberty.
The hosts discuss some federal cases where the courts upheld the religious rights of citizens as well as businesses.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Mark discuss the issue of Class Protections. They will talk about how the protection has gone from protection based on how you were created vs protections based on how an individual chooses to act.
Hosts Rebekah and Mark sit down with Sharalee Marsh and discuss the benefits the fading art of cursive writing.
Sharalee discusses how writing long hand increases brain function and has greater benefits for learning over typing. The shows dives into how writing in cursive can combat dyslexia and how it will keep your brain sharp into the later stages of adulthood.
Hosts Rebekah and Mark sit down with Dena Hinkle and discuss the different roles College and Career Counselors play in students lives.
The talk about when to connect with their counselors and how those counselors cultivate relationships to help guide students.
Rebekah and Mark continue the controversial discussion on transgender students in school. The hosts and their guests talk about the MN Tool Kit and some possible ramifications that may result.
Rebekah and Mark tackle the controversial topic of transgender students in school. They highlight the fallout from NOVA Classical Academy after they instituted a policy to accommodate the needs of a transgender student enrolled in their school.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark discuss a controversial topic of freedom of religion. The hosts talk about how they feel the freedom is being attacked and offer some impacts it will cause on our nation as a whole.
Mark and his guest talk about the lack of reading proficiency in Minnesota and how Liberty Classical Academy takes a different approach to address that statewide problem.
They discuss the value of a tougher education and the lasting impact it has on the student long term.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark discuss the importance of self government. They discuss how at Liberty Classical Academy how they strive to raise a generation of children that will combat historical ignorance.
They want to teach their students to engage the culture and understand their duties as American citizens.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark discuss the decline of civic education in school. The hosts, along with their guest, discuss how students and the society as a whole has lost their knowledge of basic civic information.
They discuss how Liberty Classical Academy goes against today's norms and actually teaches their students to become productive members of society through civic engagement.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark sit down with Howard Root, author of the book Cardiac Arrest. They talk about the heart-wrenching five years Howard endured during a Federal investigation into his company.
They talk about how the investigation became a hunt for a CEO, rather than a quest for the truth.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark are joined once again by Howard Root. This discussion is on the necessity of a college education.
Howard reflects on his process of hiring a mixture of college educated and technically gifted employees.
They also discussed how colleges and universities have to offer alternative courses and majors to accommodate a vast variety of student needs.
In the episode Rebekah and Mark discussed how the era of progressiveness has ushered in a wave of negative effects to this country.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark are joined once again by former MN Senator David Hann. They talk about the origins of the American Progressive Movement and what caused the shift in this country.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark are joined by former MN Senator David Hann to discuss the rejection of the MN Opportunity Scholarships.
They talk about how the positive impacts the scholarship would have created for students as well as possible reasons for the rejection of the scholarship.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark are joined via phone by attorney Erica Smith from the Institute for Justice.
They talk about the unconstitutionality of the Blaine Amendments when it comes to the exclusion of religious options for school choice.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark continue their discussion on the Blaine Amendment and School Choice.
They also talk about how the huge benefits the passing of School Choice will have for students and their families.
In this episode Rebekah ans Mark sit down to discuss the Blaine Amendment. They talk about the origin of the amendment and what was going on in our country during its inception.
They also talk about the growing opposition to the Blaine Amendment and how there was a big push for school choice.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark sit down with Sharalee Marsh to conclude a month long discussion on learning disabilities.
In this episode they discuss APD or auditory processing disorder.
Week 3 of a month long discussion on learning disorders has our hosts Rebekah and Mark, along with Sharalee Marsh discussing ADHD ( attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ).
Even though ADHD isn't a learning disorder. Many children with ADHD also have a learning disorder of some type.
The groups discusses the difference between ADHA and ADD which are often confused as one another.
Week three of the month long discussion on learning disabilities finds our hosts Rebekah and Mark joined by Sharalee Marsh continuing the discussion on dyslexia.
This episode focuses on what parents can do for their child succeed with dyslexia.
In week 2 in a month long discussion on learning disabilities, Rebekah and Mark dive into unwrapping the disorder called dyslexia.
The two talk about misconceptions of students with dyslexia and what parents can do to help their student thrive in the classroom.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark sit down with MN Senator Roger Chamberlain. They discuss the passing of the Education Finance Bill through the Senate. They also talk about what the next steps will be going forward.
They talk about opposition to the bill and what may happen and discuss what this means for students and their families.
In this episode hosts Rebekah and Mark are joined in studio by Sharalee Marsh and Susanne Horn. The topic of the episode in on learning disabilities and dyslexia.
They talk about stereotypes, false labels, and classifications associated with have a learning disability.
In this episode Rebekah and Mark discuss the topic of school uniforms. What are the pros vs cons? What is the history of school uniforms? What effect did the government have on uniform policy?
In this episode Rebekah and Mark are joined in studio by some special guests. They all discuss how to get your child equipped for preschool and kindergarten.
They inform parents on what they can do to help get their students ready for school. They also talk about what to look for in a potential schools.
In part 1 of a 2 part series on "Hot Topics", Rebekah and Mark are joined via phone by Joy Pullmann to talk about Common Core.
They discuss the history of Common Core and the backlash Betsy Devos is receiving for promoting school choice initiatives.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Mark highlight the newly elected Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos.
The two talk about Betsy's involvement and accomplishments of helping low income families secure the education of their choice.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Mark are joined in studio by Houston White. They talk about the Harvest Initiative going on in North Minneapolis.
Houston also reflects on his early years and his own struggles with the public school system.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Mark are joined via phone by Benito Matias. Benito is the Principal of Ascension Catholic School and testified at the state capital before the committee on school choice.
They discuss the possible effects that the proposed school choice bill could have on schools and families.
They also unpack the real costs for families of children attending private schools.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Mark are joined in studio by Dr. Naomi Dillner of Liberty Classical Academy.
They discuss the history of faith being a part of vital component of science.
Is Latin really a dead language? Hosts Rebekah and Mark, along with a special guest, dive into answering this question.
They talk about the history of the Latin language and how it is still being used today.
In this episode hosts Rebekah and Mark discuss the misconceptions surrounding collegiate athletic scholarships.
They break down the real numbers behind those scholarships and show how academic scholarships are much more robust in regards to reducing the financial burden on the student and their families.
The hosts also interview two former Liberty Classical Academy students and have them reflect on both their athletic and academic experiences at Liberty.
In this episode, our host Rebekah is joined in studio by several students from Liberty Classical Academy.
Students from all three schools join Rebekah to talk about how they are getting a classical education.
All of the students in studio give us a window into what and how they are learning through the classical education.
In this episode, host Rebekah is joined by Lisa Zufall to discuss school surveys. The topic of school surveys sounds innocent enough, but when you dive into the actual questions being asked, you might have a different opinion.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Lisa are joined in studio by Bill Walsh. Bill is the Director of Public Affairs for the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus.
The hosts, along with Mr. Walsh talk about how President-elect Trump is planning to overhaul the education system and how that will impact students, family, and educators will benefit from the proposed changes.
In this episode Rebekah and Pete unpack the federalization of education. They talk about the history behind it as well as what has resulted since the federal government expanded its reach in education.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Pete are joined via phone by Farmington School Board candidate Steve Wilson.
This episode's discussion centers around the growing control over school boards by the state and federal governments. Steve gives his personal experiences and why he is running for a seat on the school board.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Pete answer YOUR questions. Concerned listeners have sent several questions to Education Nation for Rebekah and Pete to answer. They have selected several that stuck out to them and answered the questions as only they can.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Pete discuss how conservatives (especially Trump supporters) are treated on college campuses.
They are joined via phone by Amanda Peterson, Chairman of the Minnesota College Republicans to discuss her response to the on campus incident involving a female Trump supporter who was verbally assaulted and physically threatened, all because she was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat.
In this episode, hosts Rebekah and Pete tackle Common Core. You might be surprised that Common Core is being adopted in both public and private schools alike.
The hosts talk about the problems with Common Core and its real purpose behind the education given by the CCSS.
01-30-2016: As the main founder of Liberty Classical Academy, Rebekah Hagstrom serves as headmaster of the school. Rebekah received a Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders (summa cum laude) and a Master of Arts degree in speech pathology from the University of Minnesota. Rebekah began her career as a speech pathologist with Regions Hospital (St. Paul, MN) and also served in several leadership roles with her home church. While raising their four children, Rebekah and her husband, Peter, experienced public education, private college prep schools, and private faith-based schools. With these school options falling short of their educational expectations, Rebekah and her husband, Peter, along with several other parents, founded Liberty Classical Academy in 2003.