Jody Needs Your Help!

Hello again! This is Jody’s son, Chris, writing to let you know that we need your help!

By “you” I mean anyone. Whether you are a blog reader of Jody’s, a parent/teacher/student at her school, a former parent/teacher/student, a close friend, a colleague, or family member, we need your input and opinions to help Jody write her newest book.

Better said, to help us write her newest book.

As you may or may not know, Jody recently underwent surgery on her right eye to repair a detached retina. Jody’s left eye is her bad eye. Technically speaking, she’s legally blind in that eye, leaving her with a blind eye…and a basically blind eye. Does that stop her from writing, responding to emails, and working at the school? Of course not!

Not even super glue in her eye can stop this lady!

However, for this next project I (and her family, I might add) don’t want her straining her eyes to write. Jody will require a second eye surgery sometime in the near future, making it even more imperative that she try and slow down where she can. Not an easy task for her, as many of you know!

Now, this next book is one that we really want to be special and unique. As most of you probably know already, Jody is a unique educator and has accomplished more than most educators could in five lifetimes.

However, Jody has yet to write her definitive book on education. She has books on learning styles, parenting styles, becoming a treasured teacher, A.D.D., children’s ministry, discipline, and on and on. There’s even an autobiography that’s quite funny! Yet there is no book that really puts all these pieces together the way she does so seamlessly in the schools she starts.

I started brainstorming this project recently, and when mom’s eye problems suddenly emerged, I realized that I wanted to be involved in the writing process and that I would like to interview mom and use her responses for most of the content.

Yet I still felt something was missing. And that’s where you come in. I want voices of those she has touched over the years to be involved, too. Not that this is a tribute book to mom (though she deserves it!). Instead, I feel that mom is so multi-faceted that one person’s perspective of her, even if that perspective is her own or someone close to her, is insufficient at capturing all she does in schools and churches.

At this point in the project, I am open to any and all opinions. What I want to know from you is your answers questions such as these:

  • How has Jody’s approach to education affected you or your family?
  • What attracted you to Jody’s school? What made you stay?
  • What do you see Jody do that other educators don’t?
  • If you had to boil Jody down to her essence, what would that be?
  • What questions would you like to ask Jody? Maybe you’ve always wondered why she emphasizes learning styles or blends different educational approaches? This is your chance to ask!

You don’t necessarily have to answer these exact questions. Just something like these. Add any insight you can, make your answers as short or as long as you want, and don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or anything like that. You can ramble and gush as much as you want!

We will use these early responses to start putting together the content and structure of the book. Later on, as we begin to see more clearly what we want to create here, we might ask to interview you, too — if you’re up for it.

Thanks for all your help! I’m sure Jody has touched each one of you in some way, and nothing would make her family happier than to see her wisdom and experience captured in writing so that she has a written legacy of all the incredible things she has accomplished in her 40 years in education.

So please help us. Send in your responses to jody.capehart@jodycapehart.com, and PLEASE forward this to others, post it on Facebook, share it on Twitt, etc. We want as much input as possible!

Thanks so much and Happy New Year!

Chris

Published in: on January 5, 2012 at 12:43 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A Message from Jody’s Son, Chris

Today’s message comes to you from Chris, Jody’s son.

The reason for my writing today is to inform everyone that the blogs may not be coming in as regularly for a while due to medical complications Jody is currently working through.

Last week, Jody had emergency eye surgery to repair a detached retina. Needless to say, this is her top priority right now and is a very serious situation that must be handled properly. Unfortunately, the eye with the detached retina has no eyesight for the next few weeks and is her ‘good’ eye. The eye that she has left to do things with is her weak eye, which is straining mightily to do all the work right now. Again, it is imperative that she rest and allow her good eye to heal in order to restore her vision.

Her family is trying to get her to rest, which is not exactly what she does well.  During this time, you might see some repeat blogs or some that she dictates/discusses with me. I have already been helping behind the scenes, so we hope there won’t be too much interference with providing new content here for you.

However, the most important thing is for Mom’s eye to recover, and we will keep you updated as much as possible. We appreciate your prayers and patience as Jody works through this difficult situation.

Thank you,

Chris

Published in: on December 13, 2011 at 11:24 am  Leave a Comment  

Lesson 20: Schools Are (Not) Big Business

My son is a huge NBA fan. Naturally, he is pretty bummed out about the current lockout between the owners and players.

I’m just sad for Dirk and the Mavs and hope they have a chance to win the title again this year. Beyond that, I confess to know very little about basketball.

But something my son said the other day about the lockout piqued my interest because it paralleled something in the education world that many schools don’t get: the owning of an NBA team is not the same as owning a regular business.

Of course, I am not NBA savvy enough to repeat all of my son’s arguments here.

But I would argue that the same is true about being either a headmaster or a board member of a school.

What interests me is the idea that some institutions, while they do need to work within their budget, do not exist solely for the purpose of turning a profit.

This idea has important ramifications for both public and private schools.

Where Do Schools Go Wrong? Going After the Wrong Goal

Over the decades, public schools have struggled for many various reasons. An underlying issue rarely addressed at all is that they have begun approaching education as though it were identical to big business.

Certainly there are reasons people make this mistake.

For one, there is a lot of money involved. I mean, a lot. (Maybe too much for some districts and states, which regularly struggle with corruption and mismanagement of funds that should be going to the teachers and students. But that is another matter).

Where schools go wrong, and this is true of public as well as private, is putting money first.

Yes, schools must understand the business side of things in order to stay open. But the end is not to stay open for its own sake, in the way a business seeks to turn a profit or else close its doors.

The goal of a school is much different. The business side is not the summa bonum – the greatest good. Educating children is the goal.

If a school truly believes in its mission and has a vision that parents, students, and teachers resonate with, then getting the business side organized is important in order that schools can thereby continue their real mission of educating children.

Power Games with the Powerless

As far as I can tell, the same is true for the NBA. Yes, owners want to turn a profit. Players want to be compensated for their unique talents.

But the final goal is to provide an entertaining game for fans to watch.

As often happens in the school world, the fans (or the students) become lost in the shuffle. Even though they are the most important element, somehow they have very little power.

Unless they stop paying for games. Or stop going to a particular school.

But what fan doesn’t want to watch the game they love? And what nine-year-old is able to play a power game with the school?

At least children have parents looking out for them. Most of the time. Certainly more than agents look after the “best interests” (cough *money* cough) of their clients.

Knowing Who to Avoid

In the school world, just as in the NBA, there are many parties interested in a piece of the financial pie.

Those are the people to steer clear of. They are not interested in making the school as strong as possible. They are interested in making and saving money, regardless of the impact on the school overall.

Obviously, even I have to admit that some budget items have to be scrapped if the funds aren’t there.

The difference is that if I scrap something, it is because I want to be a trustworthy steward for the children and the parents. And if the budget item in question is something I really believe in, I will try any avenue I can to find a generous donor so we can pay for that extra expense.

Anything to make the school better. Not to generate more revenue, but to generate equipped learners, enriched environments, empowered teachers, and encouraged parents who are committed to partner with you.

That’s the deal. That’s the difference between running a school and running a business.

Learning On the Job

When I started my first school, I definitely did not have a great grasp of the business side of running a successful school. I had to learn that with on the job training.

Yet my school, and subsequent schools, remained open.

Not because I am a big business guru, but because I do everything I can to make the school the kind of place I would want to work at, raise my child in, and, personally, present to the Lord as a testimony that I used my talents and the opportunities He gave me to make something that impacts eternity.

Why This Difference Matters

I am currently working on a School Whisperer book. The main purpose is to write about how to start and sustain successful schools.

However, it is also important to talk about why many schools fail. A major reason is that some people directly involved in the process and have far too much power are motivated primarily by dollar signs.

When a school listens only to those individuals, it will begin to change. And while it might keep its doors open, it transforms into something else — and often something inferior.

As my friend and colleague Rodney Haire, Headmaster of Liberty Christian School in Argyle, wrote in his powerful truth-telling book Called to the Principal’s Office, these same people often run successful companies and so they believe they have the experience and expertise to run a school. Often they believe they can do it better than the Headmaster.

The problem is that these individuals, whether parents or board members, forget one thing: a school is not the same as a business.

Yes, important similarities exist that cannot be ignored or else the school will fall flat on its face. In fact, many schools that fail do have heart but have little or no business sense. That is equally dangerous to the life of a school.

For me, personally, I would rather go down for a vision I believe in than for losing heart and compromising my principles.

And if the culture of the school is modeled after big business, that is exactly what it will feel like: a place that exists to make money for a few while “serving the needs” of its patrons.

Its faceless, nameless patrons, who can – and will – be replaced by others without a thought…so long as they can pay.

Ken Robinson writes in his book Out of Our Minds that the solutions attempted in education reform appear almost identical to those of the automotive industry. The problem is, he writes, that cars don’t care how we treat them. But people do.

Mark Cuban and Me

I don’t open schools because I love business.

I start schools because there is a need for education that cares more about the hearts, minds, and souls of the students than the bottom line.

I am proud to be involved with exactly that kind of school at Grace Academy of North Texas, by the way. Originally, I thought it would be a short-term commitment as part of my School Whisperer consulting. I would get it launched as an interim head of school and then move on.

But I have fallen in love with everything and everyone about the school. A place where the bottom line is about heart, not dollar signs. There the budget is balanced — not only on the books, but also with the mission and vision of the school.

A school that can do both is a unique place. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12: 34).

As my son would say, NBA owners like Mark Cuban get that. They are not afraid to spend a little more in order to create a better experience for the players and fans.

When that happens, everyone wins.

I just wish it happened more often. Especially in the school world.

God calls us to be good stewards with what He has given us, and then He will entrust us with more.

And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Mattthew 25: 20-21).

Published in: on October 13, 2011 at 9:47 am  Leave a Comment  
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Lesson 19: Grace #2 – Trust and Obey, for There’s NO Other Way

Please note: this blog was supposed to be posted on Friday, but life gets in the way sometimes. Long story short: I was caring for my granddaughter because her brothers were sick. Then her parents got sick and I took the boys. While I was caring for them, I received the call that my nephew who I was very close to and who was an integral part of our family had just passed away. Thank you for your prayers for our family.

A little while back I wrote about God’s sense of irony in bringing me full circle to serve as head of school  and help start my second Grace Academy, and how in doing so He reminded me of the importance of grace itself, something He richly provides for me every day.

I also recently wrote about how the 10 year anniversary of September 11 began a time of reflecting about God’s guidance in my life.

And yet still I find myself constantly thinking about God’s grace so much lately that I feel I must share more, as His gifts cannot be contained in one or two posts alone.

God Used Her?! Yes, Yes He Did

A couple of humorous (possibly humiliating!?) examples will help illustrate just who it is that God is working with when He uses His dear little servant…me.  

When I wrote Once Upon a Time, it was to show that God cares more for our availability than our ability. Our job is to simply make ourselves available to Him; He does the rest.

The book is chock-full of stories from my life that makes it clear that God is in control. Otherwise, there is no way I would have accomplished anything in my life that I have up to this point. Or anything to come.

At my current Grace Academy, one of the teachers asked if we could use the book for our first faculty Bible Study for the year. At first I chuckled and thought she was kidding. Then I realized she was serious. After praying and pondering, I did turn it into a Bible Study. (The questions from our first week will be posted later this week in case you want to journey with us.)

I’m a mess and living proof that God can use anyone. People are often surprised that I am so transparent. It is because it is not about me, it is all about Jesus. If He can be glorified by using someone like me, wow, now that is amazing!

If you’ve been reading this website Lessons Learned since the beginning, then you already know about such times as when I accidently glued my eyes shut, thinking I had put in eye drops but it was superglue, and still insisted on going to the VBS closing ceremony while faking eyesight rather than go immediately to the hospital.

That story alone should suffice as evidence of God’s control and is worth a re-read. (Although I don’t think I will read it again myself at this moment, thank you very much!).

Another triumphant moment for me was when I married Paul. Women have told me that they wake up their husbands (if they’re reading in bed) laughing hysterically about my wedding day story, which I write about in detail in Once Upon a Time.

Then there was the infamous time I fell into the trash dumpster at my apartment complex because I had accidently thrown away my glasses. I had gone for a chair and was reaching down trying to retrieve them when fell in head first…and then couldn’t get back out…for hours.

My life isn’t always so easy to live, but in retrospect would make a great “I Love Lucy” TV series. Like Kerby Anderson says, “Jody Capehart is the Erma Bombeck of the Christian world.” Enough said.

Modern Day Biblical Characters

Not that I’m equating myself with them, but many characters in the Bible displayed similar propensities for messing up as I have done on so many occasions. 

In fact, I believe God could have made the Bible anywhere from a thousand to a billion times longer if He included all the ways He has helped human beings over the generations (keep that in mind next time you think to yourself, The Bible is too long to read the whole thing).

Most of you can likely recall the mishaps of Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Saul/Paul, and Peter, along with a host of other major figures.

But let’s not forget about Cain, Aaron, Isaac, Jacob, Samson, Elijah, Judas, and yet another host of other minor-to-medium figures.

The Bible is full of characters who experienced, as teenagers today love to say, “epic fails.”

The Bible is a “Happy” Book…How?

And yet, despite all this, the Bible is a happy book.

Not happy in a children’s book sort of way, of course, but in something much deeper and satisfying to the soul. We often call the Bible a love story of redemption, and without a doubt it is that and more.

But the Bible is also a comedy, similar to the Shakespearean sense.

What I mean by this is that at times it looks downright disastrous for these characters. They appear to be beyond saving, beyond redeeming. Yet we know throughout that God is in control. So we don’t panic and trust Him until the end.

In contrast to Shakespeare’s tragedies, this story, this “comedy,” ends well for the ‘good guys’…the ones who put their trust in Him.

Throughout, what eases our heart’s anxiety is this: God’s active role in history and continued examples that He has anticipated everything we have or will ever encounter. He knows, and He has a plan.

I don’t know about you, but that makes this flawed Jody Capehart feel a whole lot better. I just wish I could remember that lesson from minute-to-minute, let alone day-to-day.

I confess, I tend to forget sometimes.

Seeing the Pieces Come Together

But then, even when I forget yet again, God gives me those moments when the pieces He has been moving around, as I looked on in bewilderment, all settle into place, and I can step back in awe of the picture He has formed.

My “return” to Grace provided just such a moment for me recently.

We were on a school-wide field trip to a pumpkin patch. With us that day was my son-in-law, who was graciously running the “Field Day” part of the day, my daughter Angela (holding my newest grandchild, Charlotte Grace), and both their boys (Keagan and Hudson), who are enrolled in the school.

If you are a grandparent, I am sure you can relate to the overwhelming feeling of pure joy I had on this day as I shared this perfect autumn day with my family.

What made it even better was knowing all the many ways God had orchestrated things for this day to occur, from their move from New Jersey to finding a wonderful house near us and the school, not to mention the fact that Grace Academy of North Texas went up faster and with fewer bumps in the road than any school I have ever opened!

Knowing all this, how could I ever again forget that God is in control?

Mankind is Fallen, but God is Risen

The puzzle of my life is still not fully complete yet, but God continues to be in control, putting it together piece by piece by piece.

Recently He closed a door I didn’t expect, but I know that He knows what He’s doing.

That’s His track record. And it’s much better than mine. Infinitely, I would say.

Life is full of uncertainty. God never promises we will know just why everything happens. That kind of certainty is only for Him.

But He still provides a deep sense of security that we can all rest in.

Not too far back in my educational past, I believed that Legacy Christian Academy would be my final education resting place. I used to say, “I’m here until retirement or rapture, whichever comes first.” And I was sincere, although I never thought I would retire…

But my prediction did not come true.

For now it appears as though Grace #2 may most likely be how God bookends my educational career. I only say “most likely” because God has shown me again and again that only He knows the future.

If God has other plans, I will follow them. After all, He’s never led me astray.

If His will is that Grace is my final school, then I will be overjoyed. It is the sweetest, most caring place, one that truly captures and reflects my heart for Christian education in a way I love experiencing every single day.

Plus, it is a place where my grandson can knock on my office door, walk to my desk, and softly say, “Grandma, I made this for you.”

Have I mentioned that I don’t deserve God’s grace? How true it is.

If Nothing Else, Learn this ONE Lesson…

If you are at a place in life when it is difficult to see the full puzzle coming together, take a moment to reflect on past puzzles He has completed. Then walk in faith that He will continue to do so today.

And tomorrow.

And the day after tomorrow.

If you still don’t feel better, remember what He did with and for a woman who glued her eye shut and fell into a dumpster.

If that doesn’t make you feel more at ease, I don’t know what can.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way. Just take that first step, even when you don’t know the way, because He does! 

Published in: on October 10, 2011 at 11:46 am  Leave a Comment  
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Lesson 18: Pray Without Sneezing…Ceasing!

Wednesday, September 28 was the “See You at the Pole,” as students across the country were meeting at the flag poles to pray at their respective schools.

For students in public schools it is an especially important day because the freedom to pray out loud isn’t always granted. As Head of School, I have always had the students honor this important day, even though we have the privilege of praying each day at school in each of our classes.

However, this Wednesday, all of our older students were involved in doing a play for chapel and were busy getting ready and into their costumes, and so we decided not to participate in the “See You at the Pole” before school. However, I did have several things I wanted to say at chapel and then have an extended time for prayer.

That morning I was sneezing with allergies and took something for it which gave me somewhat of a brain fog, but at least I wasn’t sneezing — which reminded me of one of my favorite chapel stories, and I decided to share the story about a student sneezing during chapel.

However, the room was packed with parents and grandparents coming to see the play, and I could tell the students were eager to perform. So after the opening pledges, I decided to move the prayer segment to the close of chapel.

OK, so you may be asking by now…”So, what is the point of all this and when are you going to tell the story about the child sneezing at chapel”… and, well, you’re right!

First, the point. In all of this changing my mind about when to share and what to share, I ended up forgetting to share anything! All day it bugged me because PRAYER is of the utmost importance and needs to be the HUB and HEART of our day. All day, I berated myself, “How could you have forgotten to pray with the students and talk about prayer when it was first and foremost on your mind?”

On a practical level, I can say that I was also excited about the Character Crew performing the skit and music for “Obedience.” The room was crowded, and I didn’t want to go up on the stage. But that is no excuse.

Then it dawned on me. Inadvertently, and sadly, I became the object lesson for the day. I simply forgot!

So, my lesson, which was on “Why Prayer Should be Part of Every Day and Not Just the See You at the Pole Day,” got lost and I missed a very teachable moment. When I rearranged the time in which to present the lesson, it simply flew off my radar.

And therein lies the lesson: when we don’t put prayer as our top priority of the day, somehow the time for it simply falls off of our radar. We believe in the vital importance of prayer. We want to put it as our top priority. But somehow the busyness of the day takes over and our prayer time does not become the hub and heart of our day.

Jesus modeled prayer for us in the Bible. One of the things He modeled was to get up early to spend time with the Father before we begin the activities of our day.

Mrs. Zuehsow, the 5th grade teacher, and I have talked on several occasions about how thankful we are for our long drives in the morning because it gives us a chance to pray about our day. She prays for each one of her students, and I love her heart for prayer. When I get up earlier to have time my quiet time with Him before I begin my day, I see a vital difference in my day. When I put the ‘frosting on the cake’ by using my drive time to pray, I feel His guiding presence leading me through the day.

I didn’t do that on Wednesday because I had been up most of the night coughing with these silly allergies. As a result, I made a series of wrong choices because I wasn’t hearing His voice guiding me through the day. I pray I won’t make that mistake again!

Now for the long-awaited sneezing story! And, yes, I will tell this in chapel one day because I think it is worth repeating.

Some years ago, I was teaching the children about the importance of “Praying without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “You can talk to God anytime! You can be riding your bike, sitting in class, on the playground…simply talk to God. You don’t have to fold your hands for God to hear you; simply talk to Him, out loud or silently. He hears your heart and always wants to hear from you.! Pray without ceasing!”

As the children were leaving chapel, I would shake their hands and even collect some hugs.

One child came out sneezing with allergies. As a young child without a tissue, he was wiping his nose on his hand and sleeve. “I’m sorry I was sneezing during chapel today, Mrs. Capehart. I have allergies today.”

I assured him that was not a problem, and as I thanked him for his apology, I was putting tissues into his little hand. But his little hand went back up to wipe his nose, “But I was sneezing during your prayer.”

Again, I assured him, “Oh, Sweetie, that’s OK. You can’t help when those ‘ole sneezes come.” And again, I put tissues into his little hand as he responded, “But, I thought you liked us to pray without sneezing!”

Oh, my! It did make me laugh! This little child’s theology would’ve been messed up for years if he thought I was teaching them to “Pray without sneezing!” So, note to self: make sure to re-teach what the word ‘ceasing’ means…

In closing, I have little notes to myself with a “P” on them to remind myself to PRIORITIZE my day: God, Prayer and Time in The Word before I start stumbling through the day in the flesh, because I will stumble. But when I pause, pray, and proceed in the power of the Holy Spirit, my days are prioritized His Way!

P.S. These two wonderful 2nd grade boys pictured above prayed in this position on their own. I just happened to be right there and was able to get the picture when the music teacher prayed in chapel and caught this picture at the end of the prayer.

Published in: on September 30, 2011 at 10:08 am  Leave a Comment  
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Lesson 17: Reflections on 9/11: A Decade of Difference

Like you, I’m sure, this past week I spent some time reflecting on the September 11 attacks of ten years ago.

Like you, I’m sure, my life has taken some unexpected turns since then. I see these changes as taking place on several different levels.

There is, of course, the superficial level of obvious changes. For example, in the past ten years I have grown ten years older. Probably you did the same. (If not, please share your secret with me!)

My sweet husband gave me a new car that allows me to talk on the phone through my car’s stereo — hands free! What a cool device, and one that has made my life much simpler, not to mention the road much safer for other drivers near me!

But the truth is, I could live without the new car, just as I would be totally fine if I didn’t have to keep aging!

On the next level I see changes that are of much greater personal significance.

Ten years ago Legacy Christian Academy was operating out of two campuses…

To continue reading from last month’s newsletter, click here

Published in: on September 23, 2011 at 9:45 am  Leave a Comment  
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Lesson 16: Have I Learned MY Lesson?

Well, I did it again. I started another school. This one is called Grace Academy of North Texas. I have to say, it’s a wonderful school.

The school is Classical, Pre-K through 8th, and located in Prosper, TX. We have two full weeks under our belt so far, and I feel that great things are in store for the future of this school.

But the question I’m concerned with here is, what have I learned from my past that I can apply to Grace Academy?

Most educators are never involved in a start-up  school. Those who do, usually only do it once and rarely twice, and certainly not as many times as I have done over the past 40 years.

Grace makes six for me. So obviously I haven’t learned that lesson!

What I want to know, though, is if I’ve learned from my past experiences with school start-up. I originally began this blog – before I got consumed with starting another school! – to help other educators learn from my experiences.

But have I learned from them?

Starting a school is hard work. I mean hard work! So before you associate “hard work” with mowing a large lawn on a hot Texas day, let me give you a different analogy: it’s like giving birth…with an extra long labor. All while simultaneously mowing the lawn on a hot Texas day! Just kidding!

Each school has had its own unique ‘birthing’ story. For the other schools, I was there from its inception, named the ‘baby’, gave it a mission/vision, and brought it from inception to a fully accredited institution.

Yet even the birth analogy fails because giving birth to a school is not a solo job.

Grace Academy of North Texas came together from the combined efforts of many wonderful and dedicated founding families and an extraordinarily gifted faculty.

So what is my role? I love to come in and offer the experience and wisdom I have obtained over the years. I provide a vision and philosophy that have continued to resonate with the parents and faculty of the schools I have started. Or, as the teachers and parents frequently tell me, I create the culture for the school.

What I do not love to do is put in 15-18 hour days. But that’s the reality of starting a school. There’s no way of getting around it. That’s why I want to write a School Whisperer Guide to Starting Schools and talk about the real difficulties of starting a school. Even one as nice as Grace Academy is a major challenge. So the reality is that a “Dummies’ Guide for Starting a School” will simply not suffice.

Let me be clear:

There is no easy formula or even a simple list of things to do that can begin to prepare someone for what it takes to start a school.

That would be like giving the next President the following list – stabilize economy, protect national security, and balance the budget – and expecting that to be enough to help them get the job done!

(By the way, have you ever noticed how quickly our presidents’ hair turns gray? There’s a reason for that. And personally, I wish gray hair looked as distinguished on me as it does on men!)

Hair aside, the analogy works to a degree. The President not only has an agenda that is a mile long, but he has various voices and requests coming at him all day long. The work of a Head of School is not nearly as complex, but it can feel that way at times and I praise God that it isn’t under international scrutiny like the president. As Head, the desire to satisfy the people you serve is always on your heart and mind, and many situations are not easily resolved.

At least I don’t have to deal with Congress! Although, I might add that some Boards have come close at times.

Perhaps the word picture I am trying to create is that starting a school is like giving birth while mowing a lawn during a triple-digit Texas summer and trying to get Congress to come together on economic reform at the same time.  Get the picture? It’s not easy.

With this being my sixth term in office as Head of School, I hope I have learned some key lessons.

The first would be to listen to my body. I know I should start with something more spiritual, but this one actually is in a way (as are all of life’s lessons; there is no special category for “spiritual” – they all are).  While I receive praise for my work ethic, I also receive many words of wisdom from loved ones to ‘slow down’. I have learned that God gave me a body that can withstand 60 hour work weeks and I praise Him for that. But when I abuse it and go over that boundary too often, and start-up schools will do it, my body responds with a big Norwegian ‘Uffda’ and simply shuts down.  For example, when we moved into our new campus for Legacy, I was in the hospital after several major surgeries and was very ill. I’m healthier now than I used to be, and that I consider a blessing, even if I still need reminders from time-to-time to slow down. And yes, I’ve accepted the fact that I’m not 25 anymore.

The second lesson would be to rely on others more. This past year with starting my new School Whisperer consulting business, I have had the privilege of working with my son, Christopher. I can actually lean on him, and I do because I trust him completely.  At Grace Academy, I have people I know I can rely on and trust, and that is also a welcome blessing.

Trusting God often means trusting those that He puts in your life. Because it’s easy to trust God if He’s going to do it all Himself; it’s quite another thing to trust Him when He asks you to let go of some control and rely on others. I’ve often wondered what it must be like to have God’s capacity to fix things and yet to continually rely on mankind. Now that would give me gray hair!

Finally, I hope I have learned to carve out time for the things I love to do. Don’t get me wrong, I love being at school, love each and every one of my students (whom I probably hug too often but will never ever stop), and love all the amazing parents and teachers I get to serve with every day.

But I also love to read, to swim, to garden, and of course, being a grandmother.

My daughter, Angela, and her family just moved here from New Jersey. That means that for the first time ever all my grandkids will be in the same city. And there’s one more coming in a few weeks! I am over-the-top with happiness!

Grace Academy has been kind enough to allow me a couple of weeks with reduced hours to spend helping my daughter recover after her upcoming C-section and caring for her two pre-school boys. Beyond that, though, it is up to me to provide balance. I guess this is also a trust issue, a “let go and let God” situation. Once again, the lesson is spiritual. And once again, I hope I’ve learned it.

What lessons are there for you today? Perhaps you find yourself in a similar situation and may need to work on balance, giving up control, and trusting more.

It’s times like these when I wonder if I’m the right person to give such advice. I’m still on the learning curve!

But then I remember it’s not me giving the advice; it’s God working through me. Just as He has with the past five schools and will continue to do so as long as He calls me to start Christian schools dedicated to teaching His children about how much He loves each and every one of them. For that job, I know what my answer will be every time: “Yes, Lord!”

Published in: on September 5, 2011 at 4:35 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Lesson 15: Learning Lasting Lessons…from Others

It has always given me a great sense of joy and accomplishment to reflect on the fact that I have served over 40 years in education, naively believing that my total must be one of the very highest in the country.

This past week I learned I am mistaken. While visiting Western Oklahoma Christian School and Corn Bible Academy as part of my School Whisperer duties, I discovered a music teacher who has been working at CBA for 46 years. That’s six years more than me – all in one school! I was truly impressed!

Oh, and did I mention that Corn Bible was founded in 1902 and is now 109 years old!? That is the fifth oldest Christian school in the United States and the oldest west of the Mississippi River!

Well, let me tell you, there is a reason this school has kept its doors open through two world wars, the Great Depression, presidential assassinations, the Civil Rights Movement, major advancements in technology, the emergence of more private and charter schools, and the constant economic highs and lows that most institutions are unable to withstand.

Beyond all the praises I could give them regarding their curriculum choices and policies, one element stood out to me at both schools: the people involved. In my two days with them, I saw an amazing group of educators and board members that truly “gets it.” These wonderful people are completely sold out and committed to Christian education.  It is evident that they love the Lord, serve each other, and put the school’s best interest above their own. Both are institutions where people honor the heritage of the school as well as those who have sacrificed to make it possible.

There are dozens of stories I could share with you to illustrate this point. But one telling example will suffice.

The chairman of the board is not the first from his family to serve the school. His father also served on the board. As did his father’s father. That’s three generations of service from one family. Currently, this board member’s son – the fourth generation – attends WOCS and will go to CBA next year.

But it gets better. Each of these men met their wife at CBA. Can you believe it? This means Corn Bible has produced four generations of godly families who serve the school out of a deep, personal commitment to family, the Lord, and school. What a remarkable testimony to the school’s lasting legacy: its people.

Examples such as this one that were so evident everywhere at both schools crystallized for me something I learned long ago about education: a philosophy can only be brought to life by the people who embody and serve it. This is precisely the case at CBA and WOCS, where multi-generational testimonies weave together to form a beautiful tapestry for each school. Both institutions powerfully demonstrate that God works His plan through people.

Their example reminded me of a friend and colleague of mine, Dr. Rodney Haire, who is the founder and still Headmaster at Liberty Christian School in Argyle (formerly Denton, TX). He recently self-published a book entitled Called to the Principal’s Office in which he candidly and openly shares many of his successes as well as failures during his 28 years at Liberty.

His message boils down to this: find the right people for the job. That goes for principals, teachers, and board members.

Corn Bible Academy and Western Oklahoma Christian School have all the right people serving in the right places utilizing their gifts. That is how the body of Christ should operate.

I started Lessons Learned in the Little Red Schoolhouse to share my insights from my own years in education. This week, I learned from them. What a beautiful, bright, committed, and united group of people. I could not have been more impressed and was honored to be a small part of their amazing journey.

All school administrators – from private to public school – want to know the secret: how do we build, grow, and sustain a school that lasts? I have my answers, just as Dr. Haire has his. But we can all learn from schools like Corn Bible Academy and Western Oklahoma Christian School. I know I did.

Published in: on June 27, 2011 at 11:32 am  Comments (1)  
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Lesson 14: Praising God for His Gift of Grace

God’s Grace in My Life

My life in the school world is often a microcosm of what real life is like: I never know what will happen next, but I have learned that it is all about God’s grace.

While I am a planner by nature, I have to put those plans on the altar each day and seek God’s plans for my life and day. The Bible says that we are to seek His Kingdom first and then all the these things will be given as well. (Matthew 6:33)

Take, for example, the most recent turn in my career. God has called me to be the head of school for Grace Academy of North Texas.

It makes me smile because God has such a fun sense of humor and irony. At a season in life when I thought I was done starting schools, he has brought me full circle to my second Grace Academy.

Just like the first one nearly 40 years ago, I did not name this school. The first one came with the name of the church: Grace Bible Church, which my family and I called home for over a decade. This new Grace Academy was named by the founding families before I ever came on board.

Started in the hearts of these six founding families, Grace Academy of North Texas is located in Prosper, Texas.

(By the way, do you notice how I keep moving north? From Highland Park to North Dallas to Plano to Frisco and now to Prosper! Maybe Minnesota is slowly drawing me back home! :) )

Throughout these moves, God keeps reminding me: Jody, remember: It is all about My grace.

Thank you, God. I need that reminder.

God Is Teaching Me Each Day

Our strengths often end up being our weaknesses when taken to extreme. I work hard and my tendency is to rely on myself to get everything done. My “to-do” lists take over and my life often becomes increasingly complicated until God finally slows me down – usually through the breakdown of some body part – so that I remember it is not what I do but what He does.

He is showing me every day how to live, love, work, and be in His power and strength and not in my own. This is not only my prayer in the morning, but the one I must continue to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) throughout the day. It is not by my might or power, but by His spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

When I let go and let God work through me, everything goes better, and He truly gets the glory. I am humbled and grateful beyond words when I experience His grace and unmerited favor.

Grace is God’s Plan

Grace is God’s plan from eternity past. I don’t deserve it, but in gratitude, I embrace it and serve it with all my heart.

With each school, I see God’s grace unleashed. People, resources, and students seemingly come from nowhere which means, of course, that God did it. When I say that each school is a ‘to God be the glory story,’ it is absolute truth. He just gave me the gift of His grace to be along for the ride. Soli Deo gloria!

As with the Grace Academy of decades ago, I will do everything I can to remind the staff, faculty, parents, students, and, of course, myself that it is a gift of God’s grace. I love that it is right there in the name.

Teaching Redemptively

Recently I have been re-reading – and again enjoying – Teaching Redemptively: Bringing Grace and Truth into Your Classroom by Donovan L. Graham.

He states, “Just as redemptive teaching requires that we try to structure the education process according to biblical creational norms, it also requires that we teach from a framework of grace, for redemption was completely an act of grace. Redemptive teaching should be a living picture of that grace. The concept of grace does not directly determine our purpose for education, nor does it design a curriculum in a way to encourage good behavior. Grace is the atmosphere in which the educational endeavor occurs. It is a means through which the character of God is demonstrated and realized.”

Be watching my Equipping Educators blog for an up-coming post about the role grace plays in everything we do at school: from teaching to our interactions with students to discipline to structuring the school.

The Heart of the Gospel is Grace

For now I will close with just this idea from Graham: If the Gospel is what it claims to be, then its message should permeate into every single thing we do. And since the heart of the Gospel message is grace, then that should be reflected by us every moment of every day.

National Day of Prayer and Focus on the Family

Praise puts power in our prayers. Gratitude, according the renowned G.K. Chesterton, is the truest sign of happiness in individuals. We want to teach our students to look for the blessings in their lives and praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Throughout my career in education, I have always tried to find practical way to teach this lesson to my students by having them share a praise and prayer request. First we list our praises and then our prayer requests. This forms the habit of praising God as our first priority.

Of course, I will continue to fall far short of the glory of God and that’s why I need grace. During this week of the National Day of Prayer, I invite you to join me in praising God for His grace in our lives and by praying: ”God, teach us more about Your grace.”

I invite you to join me on a special program with Focus on the Family’s webcast “Your Family Live” this Wednesday, May 4th at 1 p.m. Central. Just use this link:

http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/community/webcasts/2011/0504

Thanks! See you then!

Published in: on May 3, 2011 at 1:59 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Lesson 13: The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

My father taught me many invaluable life lessons. The one that I especially hold dear is the way he could find the joy and humor in any situation. He modeled this for my siblings and me each and every day.

Daddy loved to tell stories, and he would laugh harder than anyone at the end.

At one of the earlier schools that I started, we purchased an old building, which needed a great deal of work. My parents graciously came down and worked hard to transform that building into a beautiful school house.

One day my dad was putting up coat hooks as one of the finishing touches. A wide-eyed little boy came up and asked him, “Who are you?”

My dad responded, “I’m Mrs. Capehart’s dad.”

His eyes like saucers, the little guy whispered, “How old are you?”

My dad leaned in and whispered back, “64.”

Aghast, the child stepped back and exclaimed, “Sixty four! You could be dead!”

Granted, if you heard this story, it might not seem like the funniest story in the world. But to hear my dad tell it, you would laugh. Why? Because my daddy loved that story. He told it a hundred times, if not more, and laughed as hard each time.

JOY Is Contagious

Yes, joy is contagious. Perhaps that is why King Solomon, in his wisdom, wrote “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones” (Proverbs 15:30).

First Thessalonians 5:16 reminds us, “Be joyful always.” An attitude of joy can carry you through many tough times. Laughter can lift up your spirit.

With the start of one of the schools, people were feeling the weariness of putting things away twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays for the host church and were yearning to get into our own building. We had just been told not to put out any pictures of Santa at Christmas.

That was fine. Our discouragement wasn’t about Santa; it was about feeling the lack of freedom of not having our own building.

At the faculty meeting, to lighten up the mood, I decided to do a parody of the ‘church lady’ from a show that used to be funny, but isn’t any more (Saturday Night Live).

In my not-so-amazing impersonation, I croaked out, “Course, we all know that Santa spelled backwards is Satan.”

Looking out at a bewildered staff, they asked me to spell Santa backwards…

Now it may sound silly to you in reading this, but I laughed so hard my head came down and crashed on the overhead projector.

Then we all got to laughing until we cried.

Was it really so funny? Of course not. It is probably more of a ‘you had to be there moment.’

I tell the story because that release of laughter relieved the tension, the tiredness, and the tediousness of the every day ‘stuff.’ We were energized and ready to get on with the real agenda for our faculty meeting.

As joy and laughter filled the room, the tiredness vanished.

The Bible says our lives are to be a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God (2 Cor. 2:15). We want others to say, “Hmmm, that’s nice” when we leave, rather than rushing to find a can of Lysol!

We have a choice when things come our way: we can choose to react with a negative, grumbling attitude, which I confess I have done that more times than I care to admit; or, we can choose to look for the positive, the humor, the joy – as my Dad did.

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

In the Old Testament, Nehemiah did not have to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. He chose to go anyways. When every obstacle imaginable came his way, he could have given up. He chose not to instead.

It should not surprise us, then, to read in Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” How else could he have accomplished such a task?

Starting new schools is hard. Therefore, I like to be around people who are joyful because they bring the necessary energy to the journey.

Two weeks ago I agreed to serve as interim head of school for a group of founding families because I saw them to be full of joy—truly joyful. This past week I had my first board meeting with them. We got a lot accomplished – and we also laughed a lot. I came away excited to get going for Grace Academy of North Texas!

In the little red schoolhouse, when I take time to laugh, see the humor, and find the joy in a situation, I find strength. I am energized and empowered to do that which God has set forth for me to accomplish for His Kingdom.

Yes, the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Published in: on April 11, 2011 at 11:44 am  Comments (2)  
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