How Academy Online Isn't Your Typical Online School

That’s a wrap on our 2019-2020 school year, and with the fourth quarter held fully online, our students adjusted to a new way of learning in just a few weeks! We are proud to showcase some fun, quality projects our students completed over their final quarter. Enjoy!

One of our weekly themes was “Endurance”. Students were presented with a variety of assignments that required focus and perseverance to complete. We received a number of submissions that were creative and inspiring. Check out this “trick shot challenge” from one of our elementary students, where they were to set up a challenging shot and practice endurance until they succeeded at the shot.

The shift to online learning meant exponential opportunities to practice technology! Elementary students learned the ins and outs of iPad apps like iMovie, while learning practical skills like how do laundry! In one Creative Arts course, students created step-by-step presentations to teach others how to properly wash laundry. This was one of our favorites!

Our Jr High students’ backyard gardens are thriving! They’ve been applying what they learned in elementary gardening classes to manage pests with homemade organic sprays, and control weeds with mulching methods like cardboard and wood chips. Way to go students, we are so proud of you!

Also in Jr High, the Nutrition & Meal Prep class, emphasized skills such as proper knife grips, and how to work safely around heat in the kitchen. Their final project was to plan and execute a 3 course meal, documenting both how they used their skills, and the fellowship that was enjoyed on the other side of their efforts!

One of our high school students, Genesis, composed a poem in her Social Studies course reflecting on what they’ve learned in the class.  It was a joy to see students creatively express themselves and the content they had processed through online modules. 

“Life Hacks” was a favorite class with our younger elementary students. Teachers were intentional in embedding STEM skills (geometric shapes) and Language Arts skills (following and articulating step-by-step processes) into fun, creative projects.

In her 8th grade Project Development course, this Jr High student created a product called “No-Dough” to assist her in making bread and cleaning her supplies. This class trained students to create a product that met some need that they had, and could be marketable.

Memorizing and writing scripture is a component of our Language Arts courses. These are some submissions from elementary students!

This Jr High student did an excellent final project for his Visual Arts course! His video showcases the creation process.

And finally, this documentary by one of our upper elementary students blew her teachers away! The students were asked to use the videography and storytelling skills from the Documentary Making to produce a mini-documentary on a subject of their choice, something that was interesting and feasible to do within a 6-week period.

Students Respond with Service During the Pandemic

Written by Jr High and High Vice Principal, Mrs. Mathews

This spring, our staff and students went from an on campus school to distance learning in a matter of weeks in response to the global pandemic. Although it was a transition for us as educators, how much more for our students? Much of the normalcy of their day to day, including a social outlet and the opportunity to learn and experience spiritual growth at school was changed all in a matter of days.

As the Vice Principal of Jr High and High, I wondered how our students would respond. How would they navigate this monumental moment in history? How would they spend their days as we transitioned to online school? I was deeply moved to learn of how our students were serving their families and neighbors in need.  

Freshman, Anna Roberson, used her skill with sewing to make 50 face masks for local healthcare workers to use during the pandemic.

One of our ninth grade students, Anna Roberson, took it upon herself to make 50 face masks for local healthcare professionals. She saw a need and met it with the skills that she had. It was amazing to see her rise up to the occasion and do what she could to help those on the frontlines combating COVID-19. 

One of our eleventh grade students, Genesis Garner, realized that God’s gifts should only continue during this time. Instead of letting distance keep her from exercising these gifts, she set up a bible study and worship time on her own volition for students both in Nashville and Arcola, IL. It was during this time that young people realized that even though a screen separated them, the love of God brings them together.

One of our 7th grade students, Ezrah Aaseby, recently offered to mow the lawn for her elderly neighbor. She went with a joyful heart and served despite knowing she wouldn't be able to visit with her neighbor. What a response of humility! 

Sophomore, Jones Warren, built a chicken coop in his backyard for his new chickens he is raising!

Many of our students also have the opportunity to raise baby chickens! They have put their skills to the test and built a chicken coop for their new flock. This time at home has given one of our 10th grade students, Jones Warren, an opportunity to practice several skills he has learned on our campus. What a great use of time during this distanced season! 

Furthermore, as part of their online curriculum, all of our Jr High students are now starting their own backyard gardens! We hope this task teaches them responsibility and a desire to be grounded during this pandemic experience. 

Our students’ world changed, but they did not. They have continued implementing the lessons and values they are learning at school, whether it be on campus or online. They are serving nurses on the frontlines, the elderly in their neighborhoods, and their own families. They did not look at this moment in history and become stifled. Rather, it has sparked something in them they might not have realized that they had, and they are spreading that light. These faces are the face of the future, and all I see is hope. I pray that they can continue to bless those in the face of adversity because they surely blessed me during this season!

Training in Godliness

Written by Mrs. Mathews, 7-12th Vice Principal

“Train yourself in godliness; for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, holding promise for the present life and the life to come.” - 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Spirituality doesn't automatically happen for those who are in pursuit of our Lord. Spirituality has to be developed over time and with great intentionality. As parents, we know this to be true as spirituality is not something that we practice just for ourselves but we try to emulate for our children.

There have been so many moments this semester thus far where I have seen our students demonstrate what they have been taught both at school and at home. The SLAM Winter Retreat started our semester off right where our students left hungry to know God’s Word. Students returned making commitments of reading God’s Word every day, spoke about doing their devotionals earlier and longer, and expressed a desire to hold one another accountable.

We have had moments where our Jr High and High students used their recess time to worship God and pray, not just because they were encouraged by a teacher to do so, but because they felt prompted by the Holy Spirit. Our Jr High and High chapel experiences have been filled with hearts ready to worship and testimony to God’s answered prayers.

Not only are our halls being filled with impromptu worship sets and prayerful voices, but our students are now preparing to take their spiritual disciplines abroad.

Vice Principal, Mr. Muñoz, leads the El Salvador mission team in Spanish worship songs. Learning Spanish has been one of the major aspects of training for this team as they learn to communicate cross-culturally.

Watching our 8th-12th grade students prepare for their El Salvador mission trip is such a joy! As they practice their Spanish speaking skills, skits, and songs, I see a young generation being trained in godliness, wanting to use their spirituality not just for themselves but to serve those in need.

Our young people are more than ready to use their training in “godliness to be of value in every way” for all those they serve both here and abroad. Please continue to be in prayer for them as they prepare these final weeks for their mission trip to El Salvador!





High School CLEP Opportunities

Written by John Edmondson, Jr High & High School Resource Teacher

In CLEP American Lit I this semester, we utilized the “Kahoot!” App with our tech-savvy students to incorporate CLEP practice questions into student review and study times.

At the Academy for G.O.D. I have the pleasure of being directly involved in our high school CLEP Program. The College Board’s College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), offers students the opportunity to take college level courses while still in high school and eventually the opportunity to test out of those same courses, with credit, at the college or university they attend upon graduation. Currently at the Academy, we offer our high school students the opportunity to take up to 6 different CLEP courses during their four years with even more offerings being planned for the very near future. 

There are many benefits to being able to offer these courses to our students. From a fiscal standpoint, the benefits are obvious. “From 2008 to 2018, the average tuition at four-year public colleges increased in all 50 states. On average, tuition at these schools has increased by 37%.” The ability to test out of almost an entire year’s worth of college classes, with only having to pay nominal testing fees, can save our students tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and exponentially more in future student loan repayments. 

From an academic standpoint, we offer many opportunities for our students to parse out those areas and subjects where they have the greatest interest. The benefit of doing this is that it allows them time to decide where they want to focus their study in college before they start college. With CLEP, our students would have the ability to not only start college with credits toward graduation, but they would also be able to step directly into major coursework in their field of interest, side-stepping general education courses in the process.

Simon Liley & Channing Gondzar work through course material in CLEP College Composition during the 2018 Fall Semester.

In my CLEP American Literature course this Fall, I have had the opportunity to teach college-level American Literature to Freshmen! Not only do our students have the ability to receive the benefits associated with the CLEP Program, but we at the Academy for G.O.D. are intentional with our spacing and scheduling of those courses. The student’s schedules are thoughtfully designed to avoid unnecessary stress on our upperclassmen, instead spreading the college-level coursework over their entire four years instead of just the last two.

After teaching several CLEP courses, I can already testify to the fruit it has produced. Simon Liley, a 2019 graduate of the Academy for G.O.D., took the CLEP College Composition course I taught last year and was able to test out of its equivalent at the Institute for G.O.D. this past Fall. He recently shared with me his gratitude for the ability to do so, which allowed him the opportunity to take another class in his field of interest—Biblical Studies—instead. We have high hopes that Simon will be the first of countless students who will reap the benefits of our CLEP-inclusive curriculum during their high school careers.

Sources:

AbigailJHess. “The Cost of College Increased by More than 25% in the Last 10 Years-Here's Why.” CNBC. CNBC, December 13, 2019. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/13/cost-of-college-increased-by-more-than-25percent-in-the-last-10-years.html.

Academy Senior Serves Local Widow

Written By Rosemary Sherrod

Eighteen year old Blake Botzum, now an Academy for G.O.D. graduate, wanted his senior project to be connected to ethical building. Blake interviewed several builders within the GOD community to learn what that meant, and what he found was one common motivation: to help someone who could not help themselves in a way that could be modeled by others.  Therefore, instead of focusing on what kind of building project he would enjoy doing, Blake first considered who he wanted his senior project to benefit. “I want to serve those who are on God’s heart and I thought about a verse in the book of James that my Mom had me memorize years ago: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” He went on: “God emphasizes caring for children and widows. So that is what I would do. I wanted my offer my services to a widow in our neighborhood and that’s when I met Mrs. Frances.”

Denise Bennecker, manager of G.O.D.’s Widow and Elderly Care program, introduced Blake to Mrs. Frances, and pointed him to a biblical precedent for caring for widows in 1 Timothy 5. It may come as a surprise that the Bible gives standards for which widows should be helped, but when dealing with a large number of widows, the text is very helpful. After Blake’s time with Mrs. Frances, he agreed that she was one of the “true widows” that the text describes: “at least sixty years old ... well attested for her good works, one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted and devoted herself to doing good in every way,” (5:9-10).  Blake recounted: “She spent her life serving the children at her church and in her neighborhood. She describes herself as the neighborhood’s grandmother and that fits her perfectly. It was so easy for me to talk to her and before long I discovered how I could help her.”

Mrs. Frances has always worked in her yard whether planting or maintaining her shrubs and flowers. However, at this time in her life, she expressed that there were things she needed or wanted to do but she was no longer able. Blake asked, “What can I do for you?” and Mrs. Frances was ready with an answer. “I need a step with a rail built so I can get in and out of my shed and I would really enjoy having an arbor built right here.” The “right here” is the spot where Mrs. Frances could look out her back door and see the greenery covering her arbor.

So Blake got to work. The Academy at G.O.D. provided all the materials and Blake provided the labor (Blake’s dad helped him with planning, design and a little hands-on work). Blake intentionally paced himself so that the job took the full five weeks that the project was termed. I asked him why he didn’t just get it done. “I could have, of course, especially if I asked my dad to help more. But I wanted to show consistency and have time to build a relationship. Even though I love building, I loved serving Mrs. Frances more.”  Blake isn’t interested just in building but ethical building which means he cares so much about the person on the other side of a building project that their needs are incorporated into the actual project plans. In considering Mrs. Frances’ needs more significant than his own, Blake committed himself to a longer period of time than was actually required to finish the project but not without effort. “It takes longer to get something done when you stop and consider the person you are serving. I am such a task-oriented person and I wasn’t sure I could get over that.”

I asked Blake how he will go forward from this project. “I’m maintaining my relationship with Mrs. Frances by visiting her and helping her in any way I can.” He smiled and said, “I offered to fill her car tire and she offered to bake me some cookies.” The service, it seems, goes both ways.

In the end, Blake expressed how thankful he is that God showed him that he works well with the elderly and he said he will be getting involved with our Widow and Elderly Program. In a more sober but hopeful tone, Blake commented about this grandmother who lives out of town: “My Grandma is also like the 1 Timothy widow. I hope the church back home is taking care of her in a similar way.”

Honor widows who are really widows...The real widow, left alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayer night and day (1 Tim. 5:3,5).