The NorthStar Narrative

The college admission season in a student's life can be full of anxiety. Join us today as  Kristi Steele talks through what the process looks like and how to ease the confusion and tension surrounding the best next step. Kristi provides excellent practical advice with great questions to ask yourself, whether you're a student or parent. If you have a high schooler, you won't want to...

We are excited to have Jennifer Thompson on the show today. From basketball coach to teacher to head of school, Jennifer has almost 25 years of experience in education. Listen as Jennifer shares advice for teachers and leaders, and hear the work that she is doing as the current Chief Executive Officer of Christian Schools International. You won't want to miss the practical advice she has for...

“The estimates are that about 32 million American children lack access to books.” Join us today for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Molly Ness. Molly is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. Listen as Molly discusses the importance of reading and practical ways we can ensure that books are in the hands of every child possible. 

We are so excited to have the King Family on this week's episode! Breanne King and her son Shouta join us today to talk through life, ministry, and the years they've been a part of the NorthStar community. Having four students who have either graduated or are still taking classes at NSA, Breanne shares how even though they had different motivations and ways of learning, NSA met the needs...

Sammy Margo, renowned physiotherapist and sleep expert, shares crucial insights for achieving quality sleep in this episode of The NorthStar Narrative. She begins by highlighting the impact of technology on sleep, advocating for a technology cutoff time and promoting a calming bedtime routine.  The discussion extends to bedding preferences, emphasizing the significance of investing in a suitable m...

We are so excited to have one of our NorthStar families on today's episode! Anna, who is a Senior and graduates in just a few short months, joins her mom Christine to recount their incredible RV experience and how they were able to blend adventure with education. Listen as Anna and Christine take us through their travels across the U.S., where they explored colleges while navigating the intri...

Why do we educate, and are we sure we're doing it right? Deani Van Pelt is many things, but first, she is a mother. When her own daughter was very young, she realized quickly that many questions needed to be answered surrounding education. Enter Charlotte Mason education. Charlotte Mason was a pioneer in shifting the way students were viewed and therefore taught. Deani has devoted her life to...

NorthStar recently hosted a mission trip to the country of Panama! Listen as Mr. Hester along with students Rachel, Melissa, and Emma recap the trip and the life changing impact it had on them and the community they served. Hear the fears and challenges they faced head on as they met in person for the first time, bonded as a team, and learned how to trust God in a new way. Growth is definitely the...

We have one of our very own on the show today! Diana Clay teaches elementary through high school Spanish here at NorthStar and joins us to share her inspiring story. Diana and her husband are the founders of COAH Missions , which focuses on equipping and providing opportunities for followers of Jesus to be on mission together in their local context and internationally.  Currently, Diana lives in t...

We are thrilled to have Lynn Swaner on the show today! Lynn is a Senior Fellow with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) as well as the newly appointed President of Cardus U.S., where she will work to grow their education portfolio and provide strategic support for Comment , the  organization's flagship journal. Lynn is passionate about education and connecting research w...

We are so excited to have course author and teacher Larry Jones on today's episode! Larry joins us to discuss NorthStar's new Astronomy course! Hear what went into creating the course and the new technology that was incorporated. Interested in taking Astronomy at NorthStar? Enroll now to begin as soon as January 2nd! 

We are excited to have NorthStar Principal, Katie Ahmadzai on the show today! Listen as Katie discusses NorthStar's professional development plan for our teachers, specifically surrounding a PLC, or professional learning community. Lifelong learning is not only a desire we have for our students, but also the faculty and staff at NorthStar. Be encouraged as you hear the ways we intentionally g...

We are so excited to have David Joannes on the show today! David is the founder and CEO of Within Reach Global! Within Reach Global exists to reach unreached people groups in the 10/40 Window with the gospel of Christ. Their four central focuses are compassion ministries, evangelism, discipleship, and church planting, with the goal of raising indigenous leaders to reach their own people. Each year...

What is a testimony? How do you share it? Are you ready to? Listen as Stephanie answers these questions and shares her story with you today! Don't forget to comment, leave reviews, and spread this podcast with your friends!

Stephanie is back this week to share even more of what God is revealing in this season. Last week, we introduced the thought of being present, being curious, and listening well, but what does that look like practically? Listen as Stephanie breaks down ways you can accomplish each of those goals. This episode is full of great wisdom and things you can do today to be closer to God.

Join us today as we hear from podcast host and NSA Director, Stephanie Shafer. Listen as she shares what God has revealed to her recently. Whether you are struggling right now or in a great place, this episode is packed full of encouragement in how to take the right next step! 

After 200 episodes of The NorthStar Narrative, we want to hear from you! Has this podcast impacted you? Have you learned something, or taken practical steps to better you your own life? Have you experienced God's grace and truth? If so, we want to know! Do you know someone who has a story to share? We would LOVE to have them on to share their story! Email us at podcast@nsa.school to share you...

We are so grateful to have Michelle Wigginton on today's episode! Michelle is the Business Administrator here at NorthStar! Like many people, Michelle is an introvert. Listen as she shares how God has used her throughout her life to make meaningful connections with those around her, even if it sometimes means she has to step outside of her comfort zone!

"The commitment to care and to presence and to listening no matter what is often what speaks the most ministry to people." Join us today as we talk with Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. Lewis. His role as a chaplain has given him a lot of experience being present with people and listening well. Be inspired as Jonathan shares the wisdom he's gained in his position!

We are so excited to have our student council leadership team on the podcast this week! Listen as Cora, Lydia, and Maia share their journeys in leadership and hear what they have planned for the student body this year! 

We are thankful to have Dr. Bryan McGraw on the show today. Bryan is Dean of Social Sciences and Education and Director of the Aequitas Fellows Program, as well as an Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at Wheaton College. Bryan is passionate about helping students become more thoughtful and serious about how they relate their Christian faith to the world of politics. Liste...

We are so excited to have NSA Alumni Marie Suazo on today's episode! Marie graduated from NorthStar in 2010! Listen as she reminisces on her memories of NSA and why online school worked for her as a diplomat's daughter. As a third culture kid, Marie found that she couldn't quite describe what it was like to grow up in her shoes, but since high school, Marie has found the outlets to...

We are thrilled to have Courtney Janney on today's episode! Courtney is the Chief Zoological Officer at Memphis Zoo in Memphis, TN. She recently had the privilege of flying to China with YaYa, the giant panda that lived at the Memphis Zoo for over 20 years.  Courtney is passionate about the role zoos play in connecting people with wildlife and raising awareness in conservation. Memphis Zoo is...

These are questions we've asked many times before:  What is rest, and what does it look like to rest in God? Join us for this second episode with Danny Coyle as we dive even deeper into the topic of rest! Hear what Danny's journey looked like as he navigated what rest was going to look like for his family in the midst of all the things they have going on in life. Gain invaluable wisdom a...

We sat down with one of our very own NSA supervisors during graduation weekend and we are so excited to share this first episode of two with you today! Danny Coyle is the dad of two NSA students, one being a graduate we were able to celebrate over the summer! He has a background in leadership and brings lots of wisdom around living overseas, international business and ministry, and rest. Listen as...