Isn’t it Lovely When Children Feel Safe and Loved? Special Guest: Dr. Kym Johnston

“They [children] all want to be loved. They need to know that somebody cares about them.”

Tracy and Rachel celebrate the Season 4 finale of Isn’t it Lovely? by welcoming Sioux Falls Christian Elementary School Principal Dr. Kym Johnston to the podcast! A daughter and granddaughter of educators, Kym reflects on a passion for education that dates back to playing school as a little girl, reveals how the belief of a leader inspired her dream and goal of becoming a principal, and offers encouragement to those walking through seasons of discomfort and growth. Tracy and Kym discuss the double-edged sword of increased technology in the classroom and how to utilize it to better enhance, yet not replace, instruction, while Rachel marvels at Kym’s ability to greet every student (and their siblings) by name in below-zero temperatures at morning drop-off while looking like a million dollars. Kym models ways to demonstrate to your professional team that you trust and care about them and reminds us that all children seek to feel safe and loved. Tracy and Rachel request advice for helping children embrace imagination and empathy, while also learning the finer points of South Dakota’s geography, despite combined decades of living in the Mount Rushmore State.

Episode Mentions:

  • Sioux Falls Christian School Website: https://www.siouxfallschristian.org/

  • Psalm 46 (NIV)

  • Sephora: https://www.sephora.com/

  • Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/

  • Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It’s Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind… by Louie Giglio

  • It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst

  • Daughter of the Reich: A Novel by Louise Fein

  • Look’s Marketplace: https://www.looksmarket.com/

  • Good Pictures, Bad Pictures by Kristen A. Jenson and Debbie Fox

  • Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Jr. Kristen A. Jenson and Debbie Fox

Dr. Kym Johnston has been an educator for over 30 years. She has spent time as a teacher, principal, curriculum director, assessment coordinator, activities director, and adjunct professor. Her most recent position at Sioux Falls Christian (SFC) Elementary School has allowed her to be blessed by Christian Education. Prior to SFC, Kym was an administrator in the Lennox School District for 19 years and also taught grades 5-7 for twelve years in SD and MN. She loves being a "Gigi" to Pryor and Baby Bo and considers herself a lifelong learner.

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Isn’t it Lovely When Your Upbringing Teaches Empathy? Special Guest: Vince Danh

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Isn’t it Lovely When We Humanize an Issue? Special Guest: Rich Merkouris