September 3, 2024 • 23 mins
Join us for an uplifting episode as Allen Hester, our Spiritual Life Director, hosts another episode to dive into the essence of our core values and how they influence our decisions and unify our community. You'll hear personal stories, laughter, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude that showcase the dedication of our faculty and staff to fostering both spiritual and academic growth.
Discover why knowing our 'why'—serving an incredible God—is central to our mission and how it enriches our students' lives. In this episode, we also spotlight the vibrant and collaborative culture that sets NorthStar Academy apart from typical online schools. Explore the dynamic student council, diverse clubs, live classes, and mission trips that create a truly engaging community. Parents are not left out, with dedicated communication channels and live meetups enhancing their involvement.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hi, this is Stephanie Schaefer and you're listening
to the North Star Narrative, apodcast from North Star Academy.
I want to thank you for joiningus.
I hope you're encouraged,challenged and motivated by what
you learned today.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Enjoy the story again to the North Star Narrative,
one of our favorite items tolisten to during the week.
I hope it is for you, it is forus here at North Star, and so
thanks again for joining us.
My name is Alan Hester and I amthe Spiritual Life Director
here at the school.
(00:34):
Once again, we have turned thetables on Ms Schaefer, our
school director, and we're goingto ask her some questions today
and pick her brain a little bitabout something that is very
important to any organization orministry, and that is the core
values.
Ms Schaefer, welcome, we're soglad you're here today.
Thanks again.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
I love you getting to host for a while.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Well, don't get used to it, because we need you back.
We need you back in that hostchair very, very soon.
How's your week going?
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Anything fun, exciting, special happening this
week Fun hanging out with myfamily at home and we're
actually having a concrete porchboard.
We lived in this house, haven'thad a porch for a decade and I
love being outside spending timewith God there, having people
over.
So we're finally finally doingit.
And it rained and he's doingdirt work and it's like mud.
(01:24):
I'm like, oh, how is this goingto turn out?
Is it going to work?
Please, god, give him wisdom,help this guy know how to use
his machinery.
Yeah, so anyway, that's in mymind, because it's right outside
my door?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yeah, absolutely.
Back in June, we had ourin-person graduation celebration
weekend there in Mississippi,where our students and their
parents, our graduates, ourunderclassmen, even alumni, show
up for this wonderful weekendof celebration, which involves
not only our actual formalgraduation ceremony but also fun
(01:58):
games, activities, worshipgatherings, tons of opportunity
for just collaboration,connection and coming together.
I just wanted to ask you fromthat weekend, when you left it,
what did you walk away with fromit?
What were some fun moments foryou?
What did you think about theweekend?
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Oh, it was incredible .
As always, I can still see allthe parents' faces and students'
faces and hear their voices andthe excitement.
It is just incredible.
Excitement that comes becausesome of these students know each
other well but have never metin person, some of them are just
meeting for the first time.
And to see them immediatelystart an incredible friendship
(02:40):
and just have so much fun Tohear the parents give testimony
after testimony of how theirstudents have enjoyed, have
loved, have thrived, have grownspiritually, academically, been
challenged at North Star, andthe fact that they would come
from all over the world, get onmany flights to be able to make
it here, and that families wouldcome that aren't even
(03:01):
graduating, because they want tohang out, they want to be a
part of what North Star is doing.
It's so motivating and it's justso fun to hang out with them
because they're laughing andwhether they're hanging out with
you, alan, driving you crazy,chasing you down, telling you
not to go to Chili's becausethey want to protect you, or
we're having a graduation partyand, of course, the ceremony,
(03:24):
seeing them give roses to theirparents on the way out after the
ceremony.
So we're not only celebratingthe students' achievements but
the parents' achievements aswell, because they put so much
into their kids' education andspiritual life.
So, yeah, and then thereception, getting to hang out
afterwards and seeing theincredible tables that the
(03:46):
parents have set up for theirstudents with all of their
memories and you know, thephotos, and just cherished time,
so just all of it really is anexperience that I don't want any
of our families to miss.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Such an amazing weekend and we couldn't not
pause for just a second here tothank Ms Carpenter, ms Armstrong
Thank you both for theincredible amount of work that
you put into making this weekendhappen and all of our faculty
and staff who participate.
It's really a great, great time, and so absolutely I hope all
of you can show up at one ofthese one day and join us.
(04:20):
Well, we want to talk todayabout something that I think is
very important for all of us toconsider, and that is core
values.
Now, in every ministry ororganization, there is a mission
statement, there's a visionstatement, and most pause to
actually think through andidentify core values.
So my first question to you iswhy is that important?
(04:43):
Why does that even matter?
Why do we need to consider andtalk about core?
Speaker 1 (04:51):
values when it comes to our school at North Star,
Because core values driveseverything we do, how we do
things, what we're doing, how dowe make decisions, and so it
gives us, I think, a framework.
But I like to start with thewhy.
And companies, organizations,ministries that have a why and
know it and live from thatthrive compared to those who
(05:12):
don't.
You know, we're not our why isnot okay.
We provide a great educationfor students.
We're a school.
That's not our why and that'snot where our core values come
from.
You know our why and that's notwhere our core values come from.
Our why is because we serve anincredible God, who we talk
about all the time on thispodcast, that loves us so much
and that has freedom for us andthat we want to share that with
(05:36):
others.
We want people to not just comeget a great education, which
they do, but also be to ministerto and challenge, to grow in
every area, and so we know ourwhy.
I won't go too much into that,but from that our core values
come from him and from what heis doing here and we see, and so
(05:59):
core values give something foreveryone to hang on to, to be
unified in to understand, and sowhen things maybe get a little
hazy or a little hard or we cango back to, hey, let's celebrate
.
So I think it shows us what wecan celebrate because as we see
those lived out yeah, look atthat we can encourage one
(06:20):
another.
So there's so many reasons thatcore values are extremely
important to the core of whatyou're doing.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Absolutely Well.
Why don't we dive into that?
So we have identified or weemphasize kind of three areas
here for us at Northstar.
Why don't we take these one byone as we talk about them and
share a little bit about some ofyour thoughts on not only why
these are core values but howthey might be lived out here at
Northstar Academy?
The first one that we want totalk about is innovation and
(06:50):
lifelong learning.
Can you speak to that a little?
Speaker 1 (06:52):
bit.
Oh yes, I love any time we saythose words lifelong learning,
and I've grown to loveinnovation.
That was a challenge for mebecause that means change and
when I first came to Northstar Iwas like, can we put on the
brakes?
Surely we can stop.
Means change, and when I firstcame to North Star I was like,
can we put on the brakes?
Surely we can stop the change.
Now I love the change.
More change the better, becauseit's just more exciting, even
though I know it's really hardand I have to slow down often
(07:13):
for everyone else that doesn'tlike change because it's hard.
And if you want to hear moreabout change and transition and
how to care for yourself andothers in that, in order to
innovate, in order to grow, youhave to be learning.
I love that.
(07:33):
We do that as a community in somany ways, whether it's
professional development that wehave for our faculty and staff,
which they then are learningand growing, and that trickles
down to their students going toconferences and just doing book
studies together, like Alan'salways challenging us in morning
meetings and so just constantlyhaving that mindset oh, I have
(07:56):
not arrived.
I can continue to learn andgrow and find ways to change
things, innovate, flourish, andso innovation is very important
right now, with the wayeducation is changing and going
and technology, all the stuffwith AI and things.
We can't just say, oh, thisisn't really happening, or oh,
this isn't really happening, orthis isn't good.
We're not going to pretend likeit's not happening.
(08:17):
No, AI is going to change theway jobs are done and we're
going to say, yep, we agree withthat, and so we're going to
make sure our students know howto use, understand AI
appropriately, and so that'sgoing to mean more learning for
everyone and innovation that'sgoing to mean more learning for
everyone and innovation.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
That's wonderful to think about that, because here
at Northstar, we don't want yourstudents to come through this
program and just check boxes andtake courses.
We want your students to becomeand be critical thinkers who
are able to process, to think,to innovate.
We want them to have a love forlearning that sees their
potential in the Lord, and sothank you so much for sharing
(08:57):
that.
And, yeah, innovation, that'swhere we want to be, and so
we're looking forward tocontinuing to grow in that as we
learn all throughout our lives.
Well, the second area thatwe're emphasizing as core values
are mission andglobal-mindedness.
Tell us a little bit more aboutthat.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Well, we all love and know that North Star is a
global school, which is so cool,because anytime we're in
meetings, we could have severaldifferent continents represented
and different time zones foreverybody.
And so you're just that'slearning.
You're learning constantly.
I love that all of our facultyand staff, all of our students,
get to learn from one another,and so not only true to our
(09:37):
mission do we get to learn howGod views things through his
lens, from a biblical worldview?
We're also seeing things,whether it's geographically
different cultures, how he'screated so many people in the
world and so many differences,but how we can all come together
and find things to learn fromone another.
So many people in the world andso many differences, but how we
can all come together and findthings to learn from one another
.
And so that really excites metoo, whether it's the blessing
(10:01):
project we're doing or going ona mission trip together or in
our courses, just learning aboutdifferent cultures and then how
to interact with one another.
Well, in that, learning is somuch fun.
And, of course, our mission.
I love that we are founded onGod's word.
I love to say that because wewere created for Wycliffe
missionaries, and so our missiontoday is because of who God is,
(10:23):
because of his word, what he'sdone for us.
We want to personally invest ineach person that we have the
opportunity to do and then againthat we get to do that globally
.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Absolutely.
I'm just thinking about theglobal-minded part in that we
have created a new series ofConnects this year that is
called Culture Cruise and it'ssort of just a metaphor or a fun
way of approaching it, almostlike we're on a cruise ship and
we're cruising into differentlocations where we'll hear from
local people who talk about theculture and talk about the life
(10:57):
that they live there.
Already on the schedule, wehave a cruise stop we call it
the Port of Call, Lagos, Nigeria, coming up in a few weeks, and
then also we have another one inColombia.
We're going to be schedulingthese kind of all around the
globe, the culture cruise thatwe cruise into.
And that's just one example ofmany of these opportunities that
students have, and I love that.
I love that a student who may beliving in Mississippi today is
(11:21):
interacting and classmates witha student who's in Switzerland
and another one that is inZimbabwe and another one in
Niger.
So I love the global aspect ofour school.
It's really really amazing,really unique.
The missional part we arelooking forward this year, if I
can just share this we're goingto have a global missions week
in the spring semester where wehear from people that are
(11:45):
purpose and intention to honorthe Lord, and also is globally
minded.
We want to see things from lotsof different perspectives.
And that brings us to our thirdarea of emphasis, and that is
(12:06):
community and collaboration.
So what can we expect as wethink through this idea of, yeah
, community and collaboration asa core value?
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Yeah, it's so important to live in community
because, back to therelationships, god created a
relationship, community with him.
We see it right from the verybeginning of scripture community
.
You have God, the creator,jesus, his son, the Holy Spirit,
all at the very beginning, andwe see that continuing and how
(12:39):
he gives us community with oneanother through our local church
, through schools like this,like North Shore Academy,
through our family, and so hewants us to operate in
relationship with one another,and then he wants our community
to thrive, and so our team isincredible here, bringing in the
(12:59):
lifelong learning of how tocontinue to create community,
how to help it flourish, likethat is one of our main goals,
and so everything we do is thisbuilding community.
How can we encourage, forinstance, our student council is
amazing, and so our welcomecommittee has been developing
each year, and so this year theyhave some awesome ideas about
(13:21):
how they want to immediatelywelcome people when they come
and share with them what ishappening at North Star Academy.
So that is creating community.
Hey, we have a place here foryou to come and grow and meet
maybe your best friend thatyou'll ever meet in your life.
And continue that friendshipoutside of North Star and do
your courses in communitylearning from one another, and
(13:44):
then the collaboration goesright along with that.
So I love how we have courseswhere you learn to collaborate.
You know work in teams and wedefinitely do that in our staff
and faculty of how we canchallenge one another to grow
and come up with new ideas, aswe hear other people share their
ideas, and so everything we dois coming out of collaboration.
There's no one in a siloworking by themselves, and so I
(14:07):
think an organization thriveswhen you have all of these core
values all of these core valuesAwesome.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
I'm even thinking about some of our discipleship
groups that gather on campus aspart of that collaborating and
community process of buildingstrong relationships, and so I'm
wondering, as you think overthese core values, how do they
perhaps help set North Starapart?
What is it about these thatthat influences who we are?
Because I think some peoplewhen they hear online school,
(14:38):
they imagine sitting in front ofa computer, clicking through
things, finish it, check the boxdone.
But North Star is so muchbigger and so much more
expansive than that.
How would you say these corevalues influence who we are and
what we offer, which might setus apart or might be attractive
to a family who's looking for aschool today?
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Oh yeah, definitely attractive.
When most people hear aboutNorthstar, they become very
intrigued and listen like, oh,you have that, you have that.
And then once they become apart, they're like so excited
that they did.
Because I believe that we dooffer a lot of things that a lot
of online schools can't offer.
Maybe they wish they could, butthey don't have the resources.
(15:20):
But God's provided anincredible team, like I've said
here, and the resources to beable to give students so many
different opportunities.
Every student is not going towant to participate in
everything, but we have enoughdifferent opportunities that
every student can find somewherewhere they can grow, whether
it's a club on a special hobbyor topic they like, or, yeah,
(15:42):
bible study or spiritualemphasis events or a live
mission trip or an NSA liveclass where you meet with the
students and teachers.
But you have even the communityof a lot of time with your
teacher, one-on-one and maybethrough their feedback.
So everything we do is tocreate that relationship, and so
(16:03):
I think that does definitelyset Northstar apart, because
we're so focused on it.
It's not just hey, if we havetime, we're going to make sure
we have some community going onhere.
No, like we hire people.
We spend our money on makingsure we have people with the
availability and the time topour into this community,
because it is something we'regoing to do.
(16:23):
I know some people might havecore values.
Like we have core values and weare emphasizing them, we are
talking about them, we are doingthem.
So this isn't like hey, look atNorth Star, I've got something
to say over here, we've got thisplaque on the wall with our
core values.
No, like we are intentionallydoing these.
Right, alan?
Like it is something that we'repursuing.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Absolutely so.
I heard you speak about howthese core values are offered to
students.
I've heard you speak about howour faculty and staff are
pursuing these core values inthe way that we are not only
personally growing, but howwe're able to provide services
and a quality education for ourstudents.
What about parents?
Is there anything for apotential parent or supervisor?
(17:05):
What do we have in regards tothat, if anything?
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Yeah, we have all kinds of communication that we
like to keep in front of them,but we also have live meetings,
whether it's a parent chapel ora parent just get-together, or
parent webinars where they canlearn more about a certain topic
, like we have live meetups atgraduation.
Parents have their own specialroom and time to get to know one
another.
We have parents that come onand welcome.
(17:30):
So when you go through theorientation as a new parent, you
have to go in teams and say Hi,I'm Stephanie Schaefer, I'm a
new parent of a ninth grader andI'm so glad to be here and
other parents will come and say,hey, thank you for reaching out
.
We're here for you if you'vegot questions.
So at all times, 24-7, a parentcan write a question in teams
and know that they're going toget an answer at some point,
(17:52):
depending on the time zone andstuff.
But so we have intentionallycreated spaces for community and
we have those that really,really want it.
We know sometimes you don'thave time for the community
Every season in your life is notgoing to allow that but it is
here and we're always open toideas of how to continue.
(18:13):
We're asking our parents whatis something you would like to
lead, and so now we have parentsleading out.
It's not just staff, so that'sbuilding a culture.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Absolutely.
I wish you all could have beenlive at the graduation gathering
that I spoke about earlier, butone of the things that happens
during that weekend is there isa gathering of parents of
seniors who are graduating andan opportunity is given for them
to speak and to talk abouttheir experience with North Star
, and I have heard from many ofour staff who were present in
(18:45):
that gathering that there's juststory after story after story
of transformation, of how astudent came in from an adverse
or negative situation.
They weren't thriving, theyweren't doing well, but then,
during their time at North Star,brand new things began to
change and happen in their lives, where suddenly a kid who was
not really connecting withothers is now very active in the
(19:08):
community and is now leading.
And so we're seeing theseamazing stories of
transformation and we thank Godfor that.
And so I would just say againto any of you that are
considering us we'd love to tellyou more of those stories, we'd
love to share more of thosestories.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
You can see the parents telling the stories
themselves on our YouTubechannel.
So if you go to NorthstarAcademy one no spaces in that,
then, and it's the number one,northstar Academy, and the
number one you'll be able tofind our graduation videos and
parent testimonies, studenttestimonies.
We're adding and so and we'llhave Jessica put the link here
(19:45):
with the podcast too.
So, yeah, don't just take itfrom me and Alan, you can hear
it from parents too, if you'reinterested in knowing about
Northstar and don't already know.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Fantastic.
Well, I definitely encourageeverybody to go check that out.
Check out our school website.
Yeah, connect with us.
We want to know you and we wantto be part of your journey.
If we can be of support and bea blessing to you, Definitely.
Well, Ms Schaefer, thank you.
This has been awesome to thinkthrough our core values.
I'll just list them again sothat we can begin to think a
(20:17):
little deeper about them.
The first one was innovationand lifelong learning.
The second was mission andglobal mindedness, and the third
was community and collaborationCore values that we embrace
here at North Star and areintentionally pursuing these as
we move forward.
So it's exciting.
It's an exciting time to bepart of this school and an
(20:38):
exciting time to see how God isgoing to use these as we live
out the how and the why behindwhat we're doing here at
Northstar.
So thanks for talking with ustoday and agreeing to get on the
other side of the mic to answera few of these questions here
today.
Any final thoughts that youhave for us today?
Speaker 1 (20:57):
to answer a few of these questions here today.
Any final thoughts that youhave for us today?
Yeah, just thank you, alan, somuch for just taking time to
talk with me about this and tointentionally pursue.
You're doing that so well in somany ways at Northstar and so
I'm so thankful God has broughtyou here and kept you here for
this season.
And yeah, so, parents, ifyou're already with us, you can
share these podcasts to yourfriends that need schooling.
(21:19):
You can go on and share ourYouTube channel so they can see
the parent testimonies.
So share, share these podcasts,like Alan said, last one on
transition.
If you know somebody that wouldlike to speak, share that with
us as well.
We would love to share people'sstories and if you've got a
story, let us know.
But share these podcastsbecause there's so many
different ones and each guestthat comes on here they have
(21:43):
such good nuggets of wisdom,they have some practical advice,
they have some greatencouragement, so don't forget
to share.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
Thanks again.
It's going to be a great yearhere at North star and we'd love
for you to be part of it.
Join us in this excitingadventure and we look forward to
our next podcast, having MsSchaefer back in the chair
interviewing special guests.
And so please do subscribe,where you can, to our podcast on
whatever platform you choose tolisten to these on.
And, yeah, keep listening, keepjoining us and give us some
(22:13):
feedback on what you hear andwhat you experience and any
ideas that you may have.
Thanks again, everybody, fortuning in this week.
We appreciate you and we areasking God to help us to live
boldly these core values thathe's placed before us this year.
Thanks everybody, have a goodone.
Bye, everybody.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
Thank you so much for listening today.
If you have any questions forour guest or would like
information about Northstar,please email us.
At podcast at nsaschool, welove having guests on our show
and getting to hear theirstories.
If you have anyone in mind thatyou think would be a great
guest to feature, please emailus and let us know.
And don't forget to subscribeso you don't miss out on
(22:59):
upcoming stories.
Hi, this is Stephanie Schaefer and you're listening
to the North Star Narrative, apodcast from North Star Academy.
I want to thank you for joiningus.
I hope you're encouraged,challenged and motivated by what
you learned today.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Enjoy the story again to the North Star Narrative,
one of our favorite items tolisten to during the week.
I hope it is for you, it is forus here at North Star, and so
thanks again for joining us.
My name is Alan Hester and I amthe Spiritual Life Director
here at the school.
(00:34):
Once again, we have turned thetables on Ms Schaefer, our
school director, and we're goingto ask her some questions today
and pick her brain a little bitabout something that is very
important to any organization orministry, and that is the core
values.
Ms Schaefer, welcome, we're soglad you're here today.
Thanks again.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
I love you getting to host for a while.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Well, don't get used to it, because we need you back.
We need you back in that hostchair very, very soon.
How's your week going?
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Anything fun, exciting, special happening this
week Fun hanging out with myfamily at home and we're
actually having a concrete porchboard.
We lived in this house, haven'thad a porch for a decade and I
love being outside spending timewith God there, having people
over.
So we're finally finally doingit.
And it rained and he's doingdirt work and it's like mud.
(01:24):
I'm like, oh, how is this goingto turn out?
Is it going to work?
Please, god, give him wisdom,help this guy know how to use
his machinery.
Yeah, so anyway, that's in mymind, because it's right outside
my door?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yeah, absolutely.
Back in June, we had ourin-person graduation celebration
weekend there in Mississippi,where our students and their
parents, our graduates, ourunderclassmen, even alumni, show
up for this wonderful weekendof celebration, which involves
not only our actual formalgraduation ceremony but also fun
(01:58):
games, activities, worshipgatherings, tons of opportunity
for just collaboration,connection and coming together.
I just wanted to ask you fromthat weekend, when you left it,
what did you walk away with fromit?
What were some fun moments foryou?
What did you think about theweekend?
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Oh, it was incredible .
As always, I can still see allthe parents' faces and students'
faces and hear their voices andthe excitement.
It is just incredible.
Excitement that comes becausesome of these students know each
other well but have never metin person, some of them are just
meeting for the first time.
And to see them immediatelystart an incredible friendship
(02:40):
and just have so much fun Tohear the parents give testimony
after testimony of how theirstudents have enjoyed, have
loved, have thrived, have grownspiritually, academically, been
challenged at North Star, andthe fact that they would come
from all over the world, get onmany flights to be able to make
it here, and that families wouldcome that aren't even
(03:01):
graduating, because they want tohang out, they want to be a
part of what North Star is doing.
It's so motivating and it's justso fun to hang out with them
because they're laughing andwhether they're hanging out with
you, alan, driving you crazy,chasing you down, telling you
not to go to Chili's becausethey want to protect you, or
we're having a graduation partyand, of course, the ceremony,
(03:24):
seeing them give roses to theirparents on the way out after the
ceremony.
So we're not only celebratingthe students' achievements but
the parents' achievements aswell, because they put so much
into their kids' education andspiritual life.
So, yeah, and then thereception, getting to hang out
afterwards and seeing theincredible tables that the
(03:46):
parents have set up for theirstudents with all of their
memories and you know, thephotos, and just cherished time,
so just all of it really is anexperience that I don't want any
of our families to miss.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Such an amazing weekend and we couldn't not
pause for just a second here tothank Ms Carpenter, ms Armstrong
Thank you both for theincredible amount of work that
you put into making this weekendhappen and all of our faculty
and staff who participate.
It's really a great, great time, and so absolutely I hope all
of you can show up at one ofthese one day and join us.
(04:20):
Well, we want to talk todayabout something that I think is
very important for all of us toconsider, and that is core
values.
Now, in every ministry ororganization, there is a mission
statement, there's a visionstatement, and most pause to
actually think through andidentify core values.
So my first question to you iswhy is that important?
(04:43):
Why does that even matter?
Why do we need to consider andtalk about core?
Speaker 1 (04:51):
values when it comes to our school at North Star,
Because core values driveseverything we do, how we do
things, what we're doing, how dowe make decisions, and so it
gives us, I think, a framework.
But I like to start with thewhy.
And companies, organizations,ministries that have a why and
know it and live from thatthrive compared to those who
(05:12):
don't.
You know, we're not our why isnot okay.
We provide a great educationfor students.
We're a school.
That's not our why and that'snot where our core values come
from.
You know our why and that's notwhere our core values come from.
Our why is because we serve anincredible God, who we talk
about all the time on thispodcast, that loves us so much
and that has freedom for us andthat we want to share that with
(05:36):
others.
We want people to not just comeget a great education, which
they do, but also be to ministerto and challenge, to grow in
every area, and so we know ourwhy.
I won't go too much into that,but from that our core values
come from him and from what heis doing here and we see, and so
(05:59):
core values give something foreveryone to hang on to, to be
unified in to understand, and sowhen things maybe get a little
hazy or a little hard or we cango back to, hey, let's celebrate
.
So I think it shows us what wecan celebrate because as we see
those lived out yeah, look atthat we can encourage one
(06:20):
another.
So there's so many reasons thatcore values are extremely
important to the core of whatyou're doing.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Absolutely Well.
Why don't we dive into that?
So we have identified or weemphasize kind of three areas
here for us at Northstar.
Why don't we take these one byone as we talk about them and
share a little bit about some ofyour thoughts on not only why
these are core values but howthey might be lived out here at
Northstar Academy?
The first one that we want totalk about is innovation and
(06:50):
lifelong learning.
Can you speak to that a little?
Speaker 1 (06:52):
bit.
Oh yes, I love any time we saythose words lifelong learning,
and I've grown to loveinnovation.
That was a challenge for mebecause that means change and
when I first came to Northstar Iwas like, can we put on the
brakes?
Surely we can stop.
Means change, and when I firstcame to North Star I was like,
can we put on the brakes?
Surely we can stop the change.
Now I love the change.
More change the better, becauseit's just more exciting, even
though I know it's really hardand I have to slow down often
(07:13):
for everyone else that doesn'tlike change because it's hard.
And if you want to hear moreabout change and transition and
how to care for yourself andothers in that, in order to
innovate, in order to grow, youhave to be learning.
I love that.
(07:33):
We do that as a community in somany ways, whether it's
professional development that wehave for our faculty and staff,
which they then are learningand growing, and that trickles
down to their students going toconferences and just doing book
studies together, like Alan'salways challenging us in morning
meetings and so just constantlyhaving that mindset oh, I have
(07:56):
not arrived.
I can continue to learn andgrow and find ways to change
things, innovate, flourish, andso innovation is very important
right now, with the wayeducation is changing and going
and technology, all the stuffwith AI and things.
We can't just say, oh, thisisn't really happening, or oh,
this isn't really happening, orthis isn't good.
We're not going to pretend likeit's not happening.
(08:17):
No, AI is going to change theway jobs are done and we're
going to say, yep, we agree withthat, and so we're going to
make sure our students know howto use, understand AI
appropriately, and so that'sgoing to mean more learning for
everyone and innovation that'sgoing to mean more learning for
everyone and innovation.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
That's wonderful to think about that, because here
at Northstar, we don't want yourstudents to come through this
program and just check boxes andtake courses.
We want your students to becomeand be critical thinkers who
are able to process, to think,to innovate.
We want them to have a love forlearning that sees their
potential in the Lord, and sothank you so much for sharing
(08:57):
that.
And, yeah, innovation, that'swhere we want to be, and so
we're looking forward tocontinuing to grow in that as we
learn all throughout our lives.
Well, the second area thatwe're emphasizing as core values
are mission andglobal-mindedness.
Tell us a little bit more aboutthat.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Well, we all love and know that North Star is a
global school, which is so cool,because anytime we're in
meetings, we could have severaldifferent continents represented
and different time zones foreverybody.
And so you're just that'slearning.
You're learning constantly.
I love that all of our facultyand staff, all of our students,
get to learn from one another,and so not only true to our
(09:37):
mission do we get to learn howGod views things through his
lens, from a biblical worldview?
We're also seeing things,whether it's geographically
different cultures, how he'screated so many people in the
world and so many differences,but how we can all come together
and find things to learn fromone another.
So many people in the world andso many differences, but how we
can all come together and findthings to learn from one another
.
And so that really excites metoo, whether it's the blessing
(10:01):
project we're doing or going ona mission trip together or in
our courses, just learning aboutdifferent cultures and then how
to interact with one another.
Well, in that, learning is somuch fun.
And, of course, our mission.
I love that we are founded onGod's word.
I love to say that because wewere created for Wycliffe
missionaries, and so our missiontoday is because of who God is,
(10:23):
because of his word, what he'sdone for us.
We want to personally invest ineach person that we have the
opportunity to do and then againthat we get to do that globally
.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Absolutely.
I'm just thinking about theglobal-minded part in that we
have created a new series ofConnects this year that is
called Culture Cruise and it'ssort of just a metaphor or a fun
way of approaching it, almostlike we're on a cruise ship and
we're cruising into differentlocations where we'll hear from
local people who talk about theculture and talk about the life
(10:57):
that they live there.
Already on the schedule, wehave a cruise stop we call it
the Port of Call, Lagos, Nigeria, coming up in a few weeks, and
then also we have another one inColombia.
We're going to be schedulingthese kind of all around the
globe, the culture cruise thatwe cruise into.
And that's just one example ofmany of these opportunities that
students have, and I love that.
I love that a student who may beliving in Mississippi today is
(11:21):
interacting and classmates witha student who's in Switzerland
and another one that is inZimbabwe and another one in
Niger.
So I love the global aspect ofour school.
It's really really amazing,really unique.
The missional part we arelooking forward this year, if I
can just share this we're goingto have a global missions week
in the spring semester where wehear from people that are
(11:45):
purpose and intention to honorthe Lord, and also is globally
minded.
We want to see things from lotsof different perspectives.
And that brings us to our thirdarea of emphasis, and that is
(12:06):
community and collaboration.
So what can we expect as wethink through this idea of, yeah
, community and collaboration asa core value?
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Yeah, it's so important to live in community
because, back to therelationships, god created a
relationship, community with him.
We see it right from the verybeginning of scripture community
.
You have God, the creator,jesus, his son, the Holy Spirit,
all at the very beginning, andwe see that continuing and how
(12:39):
he gives us community with oneanother through our local church
, through schools like this,like North Shore Academy,
through our family, and so hewants us to operate in
relationship with one another,and then he wants our community
to thrive, and so our team isincredible here, bringing in the
(12:59):
lifelong learning of how tocontinue to create community,
how to help it flourish, likethat is one of our main goals,
and so everything we do is thisbuilding community.
How can we encourage, forinstance, our student council is
amazing, and so our welcomecommittee has been developing
each year, and so this year theyhave some awesome ideas about
(13:21):
how they want to immediatelywelcome people when they come
and share with them what ishappening at North Star Academy.
So that is creating community.
Hey, we have a place here foryou to come and grow and meet
maybe your best friend thatyou'll ever meet in your life.
And continue that friendshipoutside of North Star and do
your courses in communitylearning from one another, and
(13:44):
then the collaboration goesright along with that.
So I love how we have courseswhere you learn to collaborate.
You know work in teams and wedefinitely do that in our staff
and faculty of how we canchallenge one another to grow
and come up with new ideas, aswe hear other people share their
ideas, and so everything we dois coming out of collaboration.
There's no one in a siloworking by themselves, and so I
(14:07):
think an organization thriveswhen you have all of these core
values all of these core valuesAwesome.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
I'm even thinking about some of our discipleship
groups that gather on campus aspart of that collaborating and
community process of buildingstrong relationships, and so I'm
wondering, as you think overthese core values, how do they
perhaps help set North Starapart?
What is it about these thatthat influences who we are?
Because I think some peoplewhen they hear online school,
(14:38):
they imagine sitting in front ofa computer, clicking through
things, finish it, check the boxdone.
But North Star is so muchbigger and so much more
expansive than that.
How would you say these corevalues influence who we are and
what we offer, which might setus apart or might be attractive
to a family who's looking for aschool today?
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Oh yeah, definitely attractive.
When most people hear aboutNorthstar, they become very
intrigued and listen like, oh,you have that, you have that.
And then once they become apart, they're like so excited
that they did.
Because I believe that we dooffer a lot of things that a lot
of online schools can't offer.
Maybe they wish they could, butthey don't have the resources.
(15:20):
But God's provided anincredible team, like I've said
here, and the resources to beable to give students so many
different opportunities.
Every student is not going towant to participate in
everything, but we have enoughdifferent opportunities that
every student can find somewherewhere they can grow, whether
it's a club on a special hobbyor topic they like, or, yeah,
(15:42):
bible study or spiritualemphasis events or a live
mission trip or an NSA liveclass where you meet with the
students and teachers.
But you have even the communityof a lot of time with your
teacher, one-on-one and maybethrough their feedback.
So everything we do is tocreate that relationship, and so
(16:03):
I think that does definitelyset Northstar apart, because
we're so focused on it.
It's not just hey, if we havetime, we're going to make sure
we have some community going onhere.
No, like we hire people.
We spend our money on makingsure we have people with the
availability and the time topour into this community,
because it is something we'regoing to do.
(16:23):
I know some people might havecore values.
Like we have core values and weare emphasizing them, we are
talking about them, we are doingthem.
So this isn't like hey, look atNorth Star, I've got something
to say over here, we've got thisplaque on the wall with our
core values.
No, like we are intentionallydoing these.
Right, alan?
Like it is something that we'repursuing.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Absolutely so.
I heard you speak about howthese core values are offered to
students.
I've heard you speak about howour faculty and staff are
pursuing these core values inthe way that we are not only
personally growing, but howwe're able to provide services
and a quality education for ourstudents.
What about parents?
Is there anything for apotential parent or supervisor?
(17:05):
What do we have in regards tothat, if anything?
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Yeah, we have all kinds of communication that we
like to keep in front of them,but we also have live meetings,
whether it's a parent chapel ora parent just get-together, or
parent webinars where they canlearn more about a certain topic
, like we have live meetups atgraduation.
Parents have their own specialroom and time to get to know one
another.
We have parents that come onand welcome.
(17:30):
So when you go through theorientation as a new parent, you
have to go in teams and say Hi,I'm Stephanie Schaefer, I'm a
new parent of a ninth grader andI'm so glad to be here and
other parents will come and say,hey, thank you for reaching out
.
We're here for you if you'vegot questions.
So at all times, 24-7, a parentcan write a question in teams
and know that they're going toget an answer at some point,
(17:52):
depending on the time zone andstuff.
But so we have intentionallycreated spaces for community and
we have those that really,really want it.
We know sometimes you don'thave time for the community
Every season in your life is notgoing to allow that but it is
here and we're always open toideas of how to continue.
(18:13):
We're asking our parents whatis something you would like to
lead, and so now we have parentsleading out.
It's not just staff, so that'sbuilding a culture.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Absolutely.
I wish you all could have beenlive at the graduation gathering
that I spoke about earlier, butone of the things that happens
during that weekend is there isa gathering of parents of
seniors who are graduating andan opportunity is given for them
to speak and to talk abouttheir experience with North Star
, and I have heard from many ofour staff who were present in
(18:45):
that gathering that there's juststory after story after story
of transformation, of how astudent came in from an adverse
or negative situation.
They weren't thriving, theyweren't doing well, but then,
during their time at North Star,brand new things began to
change and happen in their lives, where suddenly a kid who was
not really connecting withothers is now very active in the
(19:08):
community and is now leading.
And so we're seeing theseamazing stories of
transformation and we thank Godfor that.
And so I would just say againto any of you that are
considering us we'd love to tellyou more of those stories, we'd
love to share more of thosestories.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
You can see the parents telling the stories
themselves on our YouTubechannel.
So if you go to NorthstarAcademy one no spaces in that,
then, and it's the number one,northstar Academy, and the
number one you'll be able tofind our graduation videos and
parent testimonies, studenttestimonies.
We're adding and so and we'llhave Jessica put the link here
(19:45):
with the podcast too.
So, yeah, don't just take itfrom me and Alan, you can hear
it from parents too, if you'reinterested in knowing about
Northstar and don't already know.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Fantastic.
Well, I definitely encourageeverybody to go check that out.
Check out our school website.
Yeah, connect with us.
We want to know you and we wantto be part of your journey.
If we can be of support and bea blessing to you, Definitely.
Well, Ms Schaefer, thank you.
This has been awesome to thinkthrough our core values.
I'll just list them again sothat we can begin to think a
(20:17):
little deeper about them.
The first one was innovationand lifelong learning.
The second was mission andglobal mindedness, and the third
was community and collaborationCore values that we embrace
here at North Star and areintentionally pursuing these as
we move forward.
So it's exciting.
It's an exciting time to bepart of this school and an
(20:38):
exciting time to see how God isgoing to use these as we live
out the how and the why behindwhat we're doing here at
Northstar.
So thanks for talking with ustoday and agreeing to get on the
other side of the mic to answera few of these questions here
today.
Any final thoughts that youhave for us today?
Speaker 1 (20:57):
to answer a few of these questions here today.
Any final thoughts that youhave for us today?
Yeah, just thank you, alan, somuch for just taking time to
talk with me about this and tointentionally pursue.
You're doing that so well in somany ways at Northstar and so
I'm so thankful God has broughtyou here and kept you here for
this season.
And yeah, so, parents, ifyou're already with us, you can
share these podcasts to yourfriends that need schooling.
(21:19):
You can go on and share ourYouTube channel so they can see
the parent testimonies.
So share, share these podcasts,like Alan said, last one on
transition.
If you know somebody that wouldlike to speak, share that with
us as well.
We would love to share people'sstories and if you've got a
story, let us know.
But share these podcastsbecause there's so many
different ones and each guestthat comes on here they have
(21:43):
such good nuggets of wisdom,they have some practical advice,
they have some greatencouragement, so don't forget
to share.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
Thanks again.
It's going to be a great yearhere at North star and we'd love
for you to be part of it.
Join us in this excitingadventure and we look forward to
our next podcast, having MsSchaefer back in the chair
interviewing special guests.
And so please do subscribe,where you can, to our podcast on
whatever platform you choose tolisten to these on.
And, yeah, keep listening, keepjoining us and give us some
(22:13):
feedback on what you hear andwhat you experience and any
ideas that you may have.
Thanks again, everybody, fortuning in this week.
We appreciate you and we areasking God to help us to live
boldly these core values thathe's placed before us this year.
Thanks everybody, have a goodone.
Bye, everybody.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
Thank you so much for listening today.
If you have any questions forour guest or would like
information about Northstar,please email us.
At podcast at nsaschool, welove having guests on our show
and getting to hear theirstories.
If you have anyone in mind thatyou think would be a great
guest to feature, please emailus and let us know.
And don't forget to subscribeso you don't miss out on
(22:59):
upcoming stories.
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