Your kid can ace the test and still feel lost, anxious, and disconnected, and that gap is what we tackle with Dr. Amy Tepper and Dr. Amy Vaughn. They’re educators, speech language pathologists, longtime colleagues, and co-authors of Grounded in Greater, a faith-informed approach to K-12 education that aims for something bigger than scores: grounded, resilient humans who know their worth and can live with integrity.
We talk about what’s quietly disappearing from many schools: everyday practice in being a good human. That includes honest communication, healthy peer interaction, perseverance, and the kind of character formation that helps students navigate pressure, loneliness, and identity confusion. Amy and Amy share why they intentionally keep the book’s tone from becoming a political rant, even while naming real frustrations and real indoctrination fears, so more families, teachers, and administrators can actually work together.
The conversation gets practical and timely as we connect the dots between screen time, social media, and the post-COVID shift in how kids relate. From a speech language pathology lens, they explain why reduced face-to-face time and masks made communication development harder for many students, including those with hearing challenges. We also redefine grit: resilience doesn’t look the same for every child, and sometimes “showing up” is the win. Along the way we dig into what teachers need most right now, how gratitude can change the temperature in a school, and why community stakeholders, employers, and even seniors belong in the solution.
If you care about K-12 education reform, student mental health, parent engagement, and building strong communities, this conversation will give you language, perspective, and next steps. Subscribe, share this with a teacher or parent, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Buy the book Here: https://amzn.to/4dxSKGs
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Elsa Kurt: You may know her for her uncanny, viral Kamala Harris impressions & conservative comedy skits, but she’s also a lifelong Patriot & longtime Police Wife. She has channeled her fierce love and passion for God, family, country, and those who serve as the creator, Executive Producer & Host of the Elsa Kurt Show with Clay Novak. Her show discusses today’s topics & news from a middle class/blue collar family & conservative perspective. The vocal LEOW’s career began as a multi-genre author who has penned over 25 books, including twelve contemporary women’s novels.
Clay Novak: Clay Novak was commissioned in 1995 as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and served as an officer for twenty four years in Mechanized Infantry, Airborne Infantry, and Cavalry units . He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019. Clay is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and is a Master Rated Parachutist, serving for more tha...