Gospel Centered Education

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom and Kelly are joined by CCS school board president Daniel Hautamaki to discuss the recent State of the School meeting and insights from the parent campus expansion survey. The conversation outlines the school's nuanced two-part expansion strategy, which balances immediate short-term facility investments on their current campu...

Join us for another special episode of the Gospel-Centered Education podcast, specifically designed for our stakeholders who participated in our school’s recent campus expansion survey. Hosts Tom and Kelly unpack the school’s "Kingdom mission” and address operational concerns.  Tom outlines a multi-layered security upgrade—including a new perimeter fence, additional cameras, and AI-powered we...

Join us for a special episode of the Gospel-Centered Education podcast, specifically designed for our stakeholders who participated in our recent campus expansion survey. We’re pulling back the curtain on how we align our strategic growth with our mission. We explore four critical questions: • The Covenantal Model: Why our identity drives our decisions. • Campus Security: Prioritizing safety throu...

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, we travel (virtually) to Montreal, Canada, to catch up with Erin Esguerra , a 2017 graduate of Community Christian School. Erin’s journey is a powerful testament to how a high school elective can spark a lifelong calling. Today, she is the co-owner of a language school where she equips professionals in French, English, and Spanish. But for...

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom and Kelly are joined by Dr. Angela Long, the Chief Engagement Officer at Tallahassee State College, for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Long, a nationally recognized researcher and speaker who recently represented U.S. education at the United Nations AI for Good Summit, explores the shif...

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom Argersinger and Kelly Allen sit down with Steven Passetti, a CCS alumnus and current faculty member, to explore his profound journey of faith and restoration. Steven candidly shares his experience navigating a "culture shock" after leaving CCS in the fifth grade, his subsequent time in the military, and a pivotal season...

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, guest host Kelly Allen sits down with Erin Collier, a 2021 graduate of Community Christian School (CCS) and a mechanical engineering alumna from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Erin shares how her seventh-grade teacher sparked her passion for engineering through a book recommendation and how the rigorous academic foundation at CCS,...

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, CCS alumna Erin Keezer (Class of 2011) reflects on how her 12-year journey at Community Christian School in Tallahassee shaped her faith, career path, and leadership development. Now serving as a worship leader and former educator, Erin shares insights on the school’s culture of joy and authenticity, as well as the rigorous academic foundat...

In this episode, Tom and Kelly explore the 12 common myths in modern parenting they covered in the previous two episodes, their takeaways from them, and the Christmas wishes they have for their children.  They emphasize the critical role of consistency, modeling, and authenticity in raising children. They challenge the "do as I say, not as I do" mentality, highlighting that children are...

Continuing on from our last episode, this episode examines six more modern parenting myths by contrasting them with Christian principles. Our hosts Tom and Kelly first debunk the "do as I say, not as I do" approach, emphasizing that consistency and modeling are crucial, as children watch their parents 24/7. They reject the myth that "dads are optional," citing research that lin...

In this candid and challenging episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Kelly Allen and Tom Argersinger dive deep into six common pitfalls and misconceptions that influence how modern Christian parents raise and educate their children. Tom, drawing on decades of experience, urges listeners to move beyond cultural narratives to embrace a more thoughtful, nuanced, and biblically groun...

This episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast explores the crucial idea of sourcing identity in the Bible. Tom and Kelly emphasize that the Bible is God's inspired and authoritative revelation, making it the essential foundation for life. The biblical narrative is summarized in four movements—Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration—with Redemption through Jesus Christ being the no...

Why don't we have the leaders we need today? This episode breaks down the essential traits emerging leaders must master, starting with the ability to set a clear vision and connect it to strategic thinking. Beyond hard skills, we emphasize the often-overlooked necessity of self-reflection and emotional intelligence to navigate today's complex world of volatility, uncertainty, complexity,...

This episode addresses the difficult reality of the teaching profession, noting declining well-being, widespread lack of respect, and high turnover. Educators are stressed in a "VUCA" (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world, grappling with everything from new technology like AI to debates over curriculum, while many teacher preparation programs are failing to teach practical skil...

Dive into a crucial discussion on what's driving the decline in modern education! This episode explores why  math and reading scores are at their lowest levels in over two decades, attributing the crisis to complex, multi-factor issues. We analyze how the  COVID-19 pandemic exposed structural weaknesses, especially due to a lack of student self-initiation and parental support during remote le...

This season on Gospel Centered Education our goal is to bring thoughtful, practical insight to the larger conversation about forming young lives, so you can be more effective, more intentional, and more hopeful in the work you do with children and teens. We’ve also faced our own challenges in figuring out how to do this well! In this episode, we’ll ask big questions: Who is shaping the next genera...

Gospel Centered Education Podcast - Season 3 is Here! We’re more motivated than ever to keep the conversation going. The statistics are clear: we’re losing the battle for the hearts, minds, and spirits of our children and youth. This season, we’re diving into how parents, kids, and schools can truly flourish by aligning with God’s master plan for the world: His Kingdom. We’re calling on all faith-...

In this Season 2 wrap-up, Tom and Kelly reflect on an incredible journey marked by thoughtful conversations and meaningful moments. From honest discussions about parenting in today’s digital age to unpacking insights from The Anxious Generation , this season has explored key themes around emotional health, spiritual formation, and the challenges of modern life. We also celebrated the power of gosp...

In this episode, Tom, Kelly, and special guest Mrs. Anna Nelson, CCS’s School Nurse, engage in an honest and thoughtful conversation about emotional health at CCS. Anna shares the vision behind the school’s new emotional health statement, a carefully developed resource designed to support students’ well-being. Together, they explore how CCS addresses topics like anxiety and depression, the role of...

In this episode, things get interesting as the team introduces Virtual Vance —a quirky AI persona that quickly spirals out of control. Thankfully, the real Mr. Vance Rutherford, Technology Director at CCS, joins the conversation to provide valuable insight into the world of generative AI. ⏱️ Timestamps: • 00: 51– Introducing Virtual Vance • 04:56 - Virtual Vance gets out of hand • 05: 58– Introduc...

Welcome! In this episode, we delve into the Athletics program at CCS. Whether you or your child are involved with CCS athletics or you’re interested in discovering what a gospel-centered athletics program looks like, this video offers insights into how Community Christian School approaches the subject. ⏱️ Timestamps: • 00:35 – Introducing CCS Athletics Director Mr. Scott Lemay • 03:28 – Being new...

In this episode, Tom and Kelly sit down with Mr. Charles Adcock, President of the CCS School Board, for an insightful discussion about the present and future of CCS. As a parent of CCS graduates and a dedicated leader, Mr. Adcock shares his perspective on the school’s mission, its strengths, and the challenges ahead. Listen to hear an engaging conversation about the heart of CCS and its vision for...

In this episode, Tom and Kelly sit down with Mrs. Tabatha Slemp, CCS’s 7th-9th grade English teacher, and Jake Veleber, a senior high student at CCS. Together, they explore how the Humanities department integrates Gospel-centered education into real-world discussions. How do you bring God’s truth into conversations about literature, history, and culture? Tune in to discover how this department cul...

In this episode, Tom and Kelly sit down with Dr. Joshua Eller, Secondary Principal at CCS, and Mrs. Sabrina Grubbs, Elementary Principal at CCS, to explore the evolving landscape of education in the 21st century. What does a Community Christian School graduate look like, and what does it take to prepare students for success? Join us for an insightful conversation about academic excellence, charact...

Today, Tom and Kelly welcome Dr. Lori Bouck, STEM Lead at CCS, and Miss Catie Munson, a senior student at CCS. Together, they discuss the STEM program at CCS and how science, when done well, cultivates humility. Creation reflects God’s nature and character, and scientific advancements that benefit humanity fulfill His command to love our neighbor. Questions or Comments? Produced by Vance Rutherfor...