“Welcome to Stay the Course, a podcast by and for Christians and conservatives in the K-12 to college environment. THE PODCAST IS hosted by veteran middle school teacher Tom and tenured college professor Tim. We want to give a platform to seasoned educators from all levels—parents, students, and those involved in the world of academia that believe the Christian voice is needed now, more than ever. As the hosts, we are ‘wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove’—but we won’t say who’s who. Listen up, the next episode of Stay the Course is now in session.....” *316Music-"Pomp and Circumstance"
It is an assumption that if you go to school or college you will be educated, and if educated you will know things. The same is true of the Christian. In this episode we discuss what knowledge really means and what—and who—you know if you proclaim a faith in Jesus Christ. After this episode, we’ll be taking a summer break. But let us know what topics you would like us to discuss by emailing us at staythecourse2023@gmail.com
Tim Penning, PhD, APR, Fellow PRSA
PenningInk@mac.com
https://penning.ink
It’s graduation season for high school and college students. Naturally, students are thinking about what’s next—going into a career or the next level of education. Either way, a young person’s Christian faith should be seen as central to school and career. In this episode, we talk about career as an extension of faith and a Christian perspective on work. If you have suggestions for future episodes, email staythecourse@gmail.com
Music "Pomp & Circumstance" courtesy 3_16Music
School choice is a hot topic around the country, as more parents want to get their children away from the influences of public schools that contradict their Christian values. Some states have passed legislation that allows parents to use their tax money for a school of their choosing. In this episode we discuss this trend, the reasons for it, and the proactive steps parents can take toward achieving the best educational experience for their child, no matter their choices.
Links and Resources
Teachers Unions Are Why More Parents Want School Choice-
Https://www.thedailybeast.com/teachers-unions-are-why-more-parents-want-school-choice
Parents Favor School Choice:
https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2024/02/08/the_results_are_in_parents_favor_school_choice_1010534.html
Droves of Americans Ditching Public Schools:
https://www.dailysignal.com/2022/08/08/back-to-school-blues-droves-of-americans-ditching-public-school/
Secular Humanism in Our Schools:
https://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/secular-humanism.htm
Covid-19 and Achievement Scores:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zX9ba4mXmWPCS0TU4tRpW-MEcXunGYpOXHH_WqyUnHk/edit?usp=sharing
Support for School Choice Has Soared:
https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/support-for-school-choice-has-soared-crossed-demographics-since-pandemic-poll-shows-real-clear-politics-opinion-research-angela-morabito-randi-weingarten-american-federation-of-teachers-aft#
How Socialists Used the Unions to Destroy Public Education:
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/how-socialists-used-teachers-unions-such-as-the-nea-to-destroy-education/
Homeschooling Numbers Explode:
https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/us-homeschooling-rates-explode-since-2017-outpace-public-and-private-schools-school-choice-funding-curriculum-voucher-program-new-york-south-dakota-rhode-island-washington-dc-crisis-in-the-classroom
Courts Find Secular Humanism a Religion:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m9flvMHudaKM8kbhHQlsEwaEFoYMS97J/view?usp=sharing
Droves of Americans Ditching Public Schools:
https://washingtonstand.com/news/back-to-school-blues-droves-of-americans-ditching-public-school
Discipline Problems Threatening Student Achievement: Tuesday, May 11, 2004
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12iyqfWhbk3iHpaxKTr7-m70sRTKsbsXE/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111294340318610931978&rtpof=true&sd=true
Abandonment of Judeo-Christian values is destroying US culture: school choice is the answer:
https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2021/08/27/pandelidis-secular-public-schools-destroying-america-choice/5617109001/
The U.S. Department of Education, teachers’ unions, and local school administrators seem to share a singular theory that systemic racism is the reason that many students struggle in school. In this episode, Tom and Tim discuss (from a Christian perspective) that national research indicates that faith, fathers, and family are keys to educational success and contentment in life. Sadly, organizations that drive the policies in the public schools have attempted to diminish all three.
Let us know what you think of this episode and please offer suggestions for additional episode topics. If you are interested in being interviewed, please reach out, as well. Our Email: StaytheCourse2023@gmail.com
Helpful Links and Resources—
Obama's Father's Day Speech 2008
The Immigration Paradox
Immigrant Families More Stable
Korean Family Structure Study
MTSS Equitable Outcomes
Religious Service Attendance, Marriage, and Health
Religious Americans Less Likely to Divorce
The Consequences of Fatherlessness
The Founders on the Family
Why Nigerian Immigrants are Among the Most Successful
In this episode, the final episode in our three-part series on DEI, we discuss how to respond to the false ideology of DEI with Christian principle. We share a document from Harvard’s DEI department about how officials ask questions of people who exercise their free speech that is not consistent with DEI orthodoxy. We show how Christianity exemplifies true diversity but does so in a spirit of unity vs the division that DEI foments.
*Introduction "Pomp & Circumstance" by 316Music.
In this episode, Part 2 of our three part series on DEI, Tom interviews Tim about DEI in the college environment. We go further into the specific origins of DEI, what “diversity, equity and inclusion” really means in how it manifests itself on college campuses, and how the DEI ideology has spread significantly in recent years.
Here are links to some Black authors we mention in this episode who have argued against the singular perspective of the DEI bureaucracy:
***Pomp & Circumstance, Courtesy 316_Music
Episode #3---DEI in K-12 EducationIn this episode Tim interviews Tom on the origins and impact of DEI in the K-12 setting. Although Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has a virtuous exterior, the ideologies it promotes are oppressive and divisive. Tom will provide an overview and will call parents to action to educate themselves and push back.We encourage diversity and believe all students should have equal opportunity. In addition, we believe in an educational environment that is inclusive of a multitude of viewpoints. However, DEI promotes a singular ideology based on ideas such as white supremacy culture, implicit bias, systemic racism, and other related concepts that place all challenges in academia on the premise that schools are racist and oppressive. According to DEI followers, transformative change can only come about by compelling conformity to its tenets---a clear violation to individual autonomy and our First Amendment Freedoms.Helpful Links:NEA Social Justice on the WebNEA-Racial Justice Key TermsClaudine Gay’s DEI EmpireAASA-Racial Equity“DEI Is Everywhere in our Schools and it is Hurting Kids”, Newsweek, May 3, 2023Ibram X. Kendi and the problem with public intellectuals today | Glenn Loury & John McWhorterWithdraw the Obama Administration's Dear Colleague Letter on School DisciplinePBIS---A Commitment to equity https://www.pbis.org/announcements/resources-for-using-pbis-to-increase-racial-equity SEL Promoting Equity
Getting through college can be a challenge. It is even more so for a Christian.
Students, parents of students, faculty and staff who are Christian know that their faith can be challenged in many ways in the modern college or university. In this episode Tom interviews Tim about a blog post he wrote called Navigating College as a Christian. Analogous to the cardinal directions on a compass, learn the 4 Ws of navigating college.
You can also read the original blog post here:
Navigating College as a Christian: Advice for Students and Parents
Pomp & Circumstance Intro. by 316Music.
Stay the Course is a podcast created to support Christians and those with traditional values as they chart their course through the world of academia. Tim is a 20 year tenured professor, and Tom is a 31 year middle school teacher. Offering insights and wisdom from a Biblical perspective to K-12 & university faculty, students, parents, and community members is our goal. Those with traditional values should have a voice in the world of education.
Introduction Music: "Pomp & Circumstance" by 316Music.
The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as protected by the First Amendment of the United State Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
All opinions are my own & do not reflect any school district or others affiliated with the public schools.
"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended
to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school
district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom
of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States
Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ,
I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will
share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended
to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school
district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom
of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States
Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ,
I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will
share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
My dad was a teacher, teacher's union president, administrator, and school principal. The last few years of his life, he expressed that he was heartbroken that partisanship, corruption, and political gamesmanship destroyed the credibility of the union he once respected. Disclaimer "The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
Disclaimer
"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended
to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school
district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom
of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States
Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ,
I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will
share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
Disclaimer"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
Disclaimer"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
BF Skinner believed that behaviors are managed through external stimuli. Having consequences for bad choices and poor behaviors in schools is wrong...staff is to blame because they are not providing the proper stimuli! WELCOME TO BEHAVIORISM IN SCHOOLS. "The views in this program are not those of any public school and reflect the author's personal convictions expressed through his First Amendment rights."
Mao's Communists would be do proud of today's Democratic party...especially Old Joe!!! "The views in this podcast are not representative of any school district, but instead reflects the author's belief in First Amendment Rights and Judeo-Christian values."
Lisa and Gwen are intelligent, diligent, and have made it a point to become incredibly informed on the current topics in public education. They recognize that we are in a struggle to preserve the values that made our country, and communities like Hudsonville great places to live and learn. Also, may I say that they have both spoken passionately and eloquently at several board meetings…always with respect, and with the concern that comes from having upstanding values and common sense. This is a discussion among concerned citizens.Parents---Here is a great resource to look up the content of books: booklooks.orgFrom the Ruler-SEL Website: “We are committed to creating equitable school communities with RULER. Individuals experience emotions uniquely based on their identities and backgrounds. RULER is an onramp to work in diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and antiracism.”Disclaimer"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United State Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
Retired public school teacher, Biblical scholar, amateur archaeologist, and learning enthusiast, Denny Thompson, explains the amazing discoveries and Biblical truths that he discovered on a two week dig at the city of Sodom (located in the country of Jordan).Join us as he explains in detail some amazing discoveries. Most importantly, he relates the relevance of Sodom and its parallel with the path the United States has taken over the past several years. A sobering but exhilarating interview! Enjoy."The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
Are teachers' unions advocates for children, or politcal activism organizations designed to push a far leftist agenda? Please listen and I'll let you be the judge.
Information for this podcast was taken from an incredibly informative book:
https://archive.org/details/NEA--TrojanHorseInAmericanEducationSamuelL.Blumenfeld1984
"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
This was an informational slide show created to spur discussion on a topic that receives very little pushback in the public schools. The video is ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE SPOTIFY PLATFORM. All other platforms are audio only.
"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as the Holy Spirit leads."
What are the origins of today's Woke Revolution? By the end of today's show...you should know the truth!
"The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as Holy Spirit leads."
In this interview, Pastor Phillip Smith shares his passion for his faith, family, and country. His Biblical wisdom is evident as he provides sound scriptural advice to families and citizens navigating the complexities of modern society. A Christ centered existence is Phillip's answer to living a life of contentment. Enjoy his knowledge of scripture as we share a rich discussion on many of the most relevant issues of life in today's America."The information or opinions expressed in this podcast are not intended to render any legal advice or reflect the position of any public school district, but are my personal opinions as an expression of the freedom of speech as bestowed on us by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As a public school educator and follower of Jesus Christ,I am called to share what I have come to believe is The Truth and will share such as Holy Spirit leads."
The Rantings of a Christian Educator in a Secular School System.
Note: My opinions are my own and are not reflective of any school district that I am affiliated with or any individual that works for the public schools. My thoughts and convictions are fueled by my faith in Jesus Christ, my love of country, and my desire to create the best environment for students.
Gwen Snoeyink is a longtime resident of Hudsonville, Michigan. At school board meetings, she has been a vocal advocate for common sense and traditional values. During her interview she shares the wisdom she has gleaned from being a mom, teacher, grandma, and avid researcher. She has so many great points to make about how and why we should be vocal advocates to protect the hearts and minds of our children. She stays informed and engaged in our schools because she loves the students!
COMING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS...In this series, we will interview parents, grandparents, community members, and people that care deeply for our children and see the destructive nature of WOKENESS! Join us as we learn from the wisdom and insight of amazing individuals.
Bill Maher is seeing the light...and maybe Bernie is too???? Naahhhh...Bernie is just confused. Take a minute and listen to this interesting clip!!!!!
Equity...NOPE...it's not EQUALITY! Equality is equal opportunity for all ...Equity is EQUAL outcomes for ALL.
One is healthy...one is poisonous to our culture.
Retired Teaching Legend Denny Thompson offers wisdom on a variety of issues: from learning key lessons from his father, losing an eye as an eight year old, setting records as a high school and college golfer...(but then losing his edge after falling in LOVE) pouring his heart and soul into teaching for 30 years, to many of the things he learned from studying the Bible and traveling the world---you will learn a great deal from this academic powerhouse. Denny is truly a contemplative and reflective man that shares many of the concerns he has for modern education, but simultaneously offers a message of hope and resolve. Enjoy!
It is time to stand against the woke indoctrination. Inform yourselves, stayed engaged with your local public schools, and speak truth when/where you have the opportunity.
As Christians, we need to be the the voice for the unborn. Please, stand alongside pregnant mothers and mothers that have chosen abortions. These mothers need help, no matter the choice they make...and showing God's love is vital.If you feel led, Positive Options (Lake Shore Pregnancy Centers) is a great organization thatloves helping women experiencing crisis pregnancies. They are great.Positive Options4623 Lake Michigan Dr.Allendale, MI 49401616-895-1893
What a great way to kick off the Chalkboard Interview Series! Michael Lapciuk is a legendary coach, teacher, and mentor that has devoted his life to guiding children on the path to success. Having grown up in a single parent household in subsidized housing, Coach L. learned early on what it meant to have grit and determination. As his mom devoted her life to being the best mom (and dad) that she could be, she implemented tough love when it was needed most. Coach L. will share his story... from his early years in downtown Grand Rapids, to a middle school turning point, and eventually finding success as a student, athlete, and artist. Hear about the integral adults that invested in him, and discover the key people and events that led him into the profession of teaching. There are many life
lessons to be learned from this interview. Please enjoy, and come back for more
great interviews of amazing teachers!
PBIS's foundation is built on Skinner's behaviorism. BF Skinner was an atheist, communist psychologist that equated human behavior with that of dogs and pigeons. He reduced humans to simplistic beings that don't have conscience & free will...but instead need 'experts' to infuse external stimuli to command and control. Thus, personal responsibility doesn't exist---it is the charge of the puppet masters to control their puppets.
Through slight of hand and modern technology, we were able to interview Thomas Jefferson and get his input on some of the troubles facing public education and our country. Sadly, our technology glitched and we lost Thomas 2/3 of the way through the interview; but, we still were able to glean some amazing wisdom while he was with us.
Because he is family, I allowed my leftist cousin, Darby, to host the program. . . although I disagree with 100% of everything he said, he deserves the right to speak his mind. In this segment he praises Obama's "Dear Colleague Letter", says that systemic racism in our schools must be fixed, and promotes PBIS as a discipline program that promotes true "equity".
When my cousin, Reginald, asked if he could guest host the Edubabble Emporium, I was hesitant. I knew that his views were diametrically opposed to mine,
but because he is family, I said ok. In this episode, for the first time in my lifetime, he talks about his hero, Barack Obama, in a critical way.
As Christians, we believe we were made in the image of God. We are endowed by our creator with inalienable rights, and free will is a one of them. In schools, students are not always held accountable for their actions. Concepts like behaviorism, which are based on ideas formulated by people like Dr. BF Skinner, assume that humans are nothing more than simplistic creatures in which free will and conscience don't exist. Thus, it is the charge of the teachers to teach, model, influence, and affirm the students continually so they don't misbehave. If they do misbehave, it must mean the teachers didn't do their job!!!! No more personal responsibility.Let's bring back simple and effective discipline techniques...where students are expectedto behave well, where misbehavior results in a consequence,and where equal treatment is paramount. Bring back common sense!
Through slight of hand and modern technology, we interview Hugo Chavez to get his thought on Marxism and equity programs in United States Schools. He has some interesting thoughts, and his ideas seem to run parallel with many in the Democratic party.
An updated letter to our school leaders---How can we bring schools back to common sense values in 2023?
In this episode, we discussed how giving the Federal government control over our schools has led to the politicization of our system, while simultaneously disenfranchising parental input. Finally, we discuss how Secular Humanism replaced Christian ideals, and how removing Godly principles from our schools has been devastating.
We will discuss how school leaders abandoned Jefferson's plan of local control over our schools. We will also consider the negative consequences of misinterpreting Jefferson's "Separation of Church and State" statement, and how that led to the removal of Judeo-Christian values from our schools. This has been devastating! Come back for part 2 where we will talk about how giving the Feds control of our schools has been horrendous, and adopting 'secular humanism' instead of Constitutional values has created a 'Godless' school environment.
After analyzing the data...what do you think...is America Racist????????I am curious to hear what you think!
In this episode, we will read a story about African elephants, and will see how God uses lessons in the natural world to help us in our struggle to be better humans, and ultimately better Christians. In this Season of Reflecting on the Gift of Jesus Christ, let us pursue relationships and build stronger families.
Merry Christmas.
In this episode, objective data and anecdotal evidence is used to show how the immense amount of time, energy, and money being poured into equity based programming is having a negative impact on our students, schools, and culture! We need to get back to the basics and remove the divisive policies being pushed by our unions, universities, and leftist politicians! We can do it together!
Hear from experts in the field what they think about Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports. I can tell you this...it ain't good!
By blaming implicitly biased teachers and systemically racist schools for the poor behaviors of certain students---personal responsibility, respect for authority, and the desire for excellence is tossed by the wayside...WELCOME TO THE BLAME GAME!
Knowing the origins of the DEI movement and its impact on public education is important. Although this lesson was accompanied with a slide show, the audio will still offer a comprehensive look into the organizations and voices that have given weight to this powerful movement.
In this letter written by a teacher to school leaders, the case is made against the tsunami of "woke culture" madness being foisted on the students in our schools. It is time to put divisive ideologies such as DEI, CRT, and a host of other representative acronyms into the dustbin of worthlessness!!! We need to focus on issues that can bring us together, not those that divide us. We need to promote academic and behavioral excellence.
Now is the time for parents to get involved. Knowledge is power, and by becoming more informed of what is going on in our schools, parents and teachers can take a more active role in bringing back common sense, and high academic and behavioral standards...while ridding our schools of destructive and divisive ideologies.
In this episode, we will give a Cliff Notes version of history of Margaret Sanger, Planned Parenthood, and abortion. Then I read an expose' that shines a spotlight on the deadly, destructive, and evil Michigan Proposal 3 that MUST BE DEFEATED ON NOVEMBER 8. VOTE NO!
In this episode I will reveal the socialist history of the NEA, expose the sinister roots of its founders, and hopefully convince more public school employees that remaining in the NEA conflicts with Christian values.
From a common sense 2008 speech, to a disastrous
2014 letter…how Obama’s progression into Cultural Marxism led our schools astray.