LEAven Blog

Rising to address educational topics

Early Research Skills: Building a Strong Foundation for Upper Elementary Students

April 15, 2025

For nearly a decade, I’ve had the privilege of teaching research skills to upper elementary students. It is one of the most rewarding parts of my job because it empowers…

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Thy Strong Word

April 8, 2025

I attended a memorial service at church over the weekend.  A well-loved, well-known member of our congregation had died, and many came to support the family and to praise God…

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Dealing with Opposition in Ministry

April 1, 2025

My father-in-law, a retired LCMS pastor, passed away a little over two years ago. When he died, my wife and I took ownership of a Bible commentary series from his…

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Praying Without Ceasing?

March 25, 2025

The National Day of Prayer this year falls on Thursday, May 1.  When I searched for information about this day, the first thing that I read was the following: “As…

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The Homework Debate: Rethinking Purpose and Impact

March 18, 2025

As teachers, we’ve all wrestled with questions about homework. How much should we assign? What types of assignments are most effective? Does homework truly enhance learning? Should spelling lists, independent…

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Soft Skills Within our Christ-Centered Vocations: Life-Changing for Leaders

March 11, 2025

In the modern world, soft skills are often associated with career success and personal development. An accepted definition of such skills is “personal traits and communication abilities that help people…

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Lutheran Education Legacy

March 4, 2025

In the past five decades of ministry in Lutheran education, I have learned how much God uses people whom He has called to serve in the most amazing ways! From…

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Not Broken, Just Different

February 25, 2025

Several years ago, a kindergartener was eating his snack in my room. The snack was bunny cheese crackers, so when he said to me, “I like this penguin-flavored one,” I…

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What’s Love Got to Do with It? Everything!

February 18, 2025

You may think Valentine’s Day is over, but it’s not! Tina Turner once famously sang, “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (cue the music…) – a question that might…

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Taking Care of Ourselves

February 11, 2025

The body has always intrigued people. It has so many parts and functions for scientists and doctors to explore. Some interesting facts about it include: Chances are if given the…

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