Dr. Jackie Minor

Testing season has a way of bringing a unique kind of pressure. Even when we remind ourselves, “It’s just a test,” the weight of expectations still lingers. We know there is so much more to our students than a score and so much more to teaching than a data point. Yet the pressure to meet certain benchmarks remains very real. Deep down we know testing itself is not the problem. Standards matter as do high expectations. We all understand and accept this. We also know giving our best matters...

Do you ever get tired of all the negativity surrounding education? I know I do. It can be exhausting trying to block out the noise. Even those with good intentions often default to what’s wrong—discipline issues, poor leadership, overemphasis on testing, lack of motivation, uninvolved parents. The list goes on and on. As Christians serving in education, how do we navigate all of this without letting it control our thoughts and shape our perspectives? The challenges are real. Ignoring them...

Have you ever felt unloved? As educators, we frequently witness the impact of not being loved. On an almost daily basis children walk into our schools feeling unloved. These students often struggle to trust, hope, and belong. Feeling unloved shapes how they see the world, how they view others, and even how they understand their own identity and worth. Feeling unloved is devastating, especially for children who are still discovering who they are. We know this is true because we are created in...