PCA Podcasts

PCA’s Head of School connects each week with parents about education at our school and how we continue to fulfill our mission of inspiring students to maximize their God-given potential.

PCA Podcasts is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts PCA Podcasts, a education show with 100 episodes published.

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  Episode #176

  Remembering 9/11: Passing Truth, Grief, and Hope to a New Generation

  Sep 7, 202611 min

  In this episode Mike Runey, the head of Portsmouth Christian Academy, reflects on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, exploring why events we remember deeply are often history to our students and how faithful memory should be passed on. He shares personal perspective as a former Army officer and military family member, and connects national grief to the local PCA community. Topics covered include: the lasting impact of 9/11 on the country and military families; the personal story of Tom McGuinnis — a Navy veteran, airline pilot, PCA parent who died on American Airlines Flight 11 — and how his life beyond his death should be remembered; and the responsibility of Christian education to hand memory to the next generation with honesty and care. The episode outlines a four-part approach PCA will use in school remembrance activities: remember, understand, lament, and respond. It explains age-appropriate ways teachers will help students learn what happened, who was involved, the consequences that followed, and how to grieve and reflect without sensationalizing trauma. Scriptural anchors referenced include Psalm 46, Romans 12:21, and the example of Jesus grief and hope. Key points and actionable responses emphasized are: preserve truthful memory rather than fear or bitterness; honor courage and sacrifice; care for and protect the vulnerable; refuse scapegoating and hatred; serve and love our neighbors; pray even for enemies; and root hope in the crucified and risen Christ. The episode also describes PCAs plans for a deliberate, compassionate campus observance on the anniversary and invites the community to join in remembering faithfully. This is a message from PCA leadership to the school community. Listeners can expect a reflective, pastoral tone aimed at guiding families, teachers, and students through remembrance that is truthful, compassionate, and Christ-centered.

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  Episode #173

  Welcome Back, PCA: Campus Ready and Children First

  Aug 31, 20267 min

  Good morning, PCA. In this episode the Head of School, Mike Runey, welcomes families to the new 2026–27 school year and to today’s open house, sharing a hopeful, practical preview of what students, parents, and staff can expect. The host speaks from campus and invites listeners to walk the halls, meet teachers, and imagine the growth ahead. Topics covered include the threefold summer preparation that has taken place: 1) readying the physical places (classrooms, fields, stages, and communal spaces) where relationships and learning happen; 2) strengthening academic programs and asking intentional questions about how students can be challenged, supported, and guided to take ownership of their learning; and 3) preparing the people — new and returning teachers, coaches, and staff — who will know students by name and walk alongside them all year. Key points Mike emphasized are a commitment to holistic growth — intellectual, social, and spiritual — and a focus on measurable but patient progress: curiosity, capability, service, teamwork, humility, and an increasing knowledge of and commitment to Jesus Christ. The school theme, drawn from Colossians 3, frames every activity — from Bible class to athletics — with the goal that "whatever we do... we do in the name of the Lord Jesus." Mike also calls parents to partner with the school: plug in this year, meet teachers, volunteer, celebrate growth over mere results, pray for staff, and communicate when challenges arise. Listeners are encouraged to notice the people on campus, meet another family, and imagine who their child will become by June. His send-off invites the PCA community to begin the school year together with gratitude and expectation, trusting that God will work among students and staff throughout the year. The episode is both an informational welcome to open house visitors and an encouragement to invest in the communal task of forming young people.

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  Episode #171

  Known, Challenged, Prepared: PCA’s Vision for the Year

  Aug 25, 202613 min

  Join Nate Paul and Head of School Mike Runey for the fourth summer episode of Mondays with Mike as they recap key conversations from this summer and preview the new school year at PCA. Nate and Mike reflect on themes covered in recent episodes — academic coherence, survey insights, and the traits of excellent teachers — and connect them to three core promises the school makes to families: every child will be known, challenged, and increasingly prepared to go beyond PCA. The episode highlights PCA’s annual core value of Christ-centeredness grounded in Colossians 3:16–17, explaining what that looks like across campus — in classrooms, on the field, during correction and encouragement, and through daily conduct. Mike and Nate discuss how the verse gives practical shape to teaching, community care, and school leadership. Listeners will hear concrete examples of how teachers build deep relationships to understand each student’s gifts and struggles, how challenge is thoughtfully calibrated (academically, physically, spiritually, relationally, and creatively), and why PCA aims to be a safe place to attempt hard things, fail, and grow. The hosts emphasize the ordinary practices — daily reading, focused practice, perseverance — that build character and prepare students for life beyond school. The conversation also covers systems improvements families can expect this year: clearer learning goals, stronger course-to-course connections, more dependable feedback, and principals spending more time teaching and leading. Mike describes what excellent teaching looks like — knowing the student and the destination well enough to calibrate growth — and shares how PCA supports relational and spiritual development alongside academics. Finally, the episode previews Open House and offers practical tips for families: get your child ready, connect with teachers and the community, and complete administrative tasks (health forms, portals, traffic and logistics). Nate and Mike close with excitement for the year ahead and a reaffirmation of PCA’s mission to prepare Christ-centered graduates who will impact the world for good.

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  Episode #3

  Survey Says: PCA's Spring Feedback & a Plan for Progress

  Aug 17, 202615 min

  PCA community, welcome back to Mondays with Mike. In this episode Nathan Paul (PCA’s marketing director and chief storyteller) sits down with Head of School Mike Runey to unpack the results from the spring family, student, faculty, and alumni surveys. They explain why the school conducts regular surveys, how leadership interprets the voices of the community, and why broad participation matters for charting school priorities. The conversation highlights the strengths the community affirmed: a Christ-centered culture, caring teachers and coaches, strong relationships, meaningful opportunities for students, and a sense that students are known and encouraged academically, spiritually, and relationally. Nate and Mike celebrate those wins while emphasizing the need to hold praise and critical feedback together. They also review the main areas families asked the school to strengthen: academic consistency and confidence in teaching (with particular attention to math and STEM variability), clearer leadership oversight and follow-through when issues arise, and more consistent communication and expectations so parents understand what students are being asked to learn and how success is measured. Mike outlines the school’s evidence and response: academic outcomes show both strengths and opportunities — AP results are strong (an average of 3.74), SATs are improving but below target, and internal reviews confirm year-to-year variability in some areas. Planned actions include a major vertical review of math, strengthening the upper school science sequence, a deliberate writing alignment (grades 6–12), PCA-aligned assessments for key courses, improved mentoring and professional development for teachers, and freeing principals to spend more time in classrooms as instructional leaders. Throughout, the hosts stress that coherence and improvement won’t mean sameness or loss of teacher personality; the goal is to steward what is strong while addressing uneven areas. They close by thanking families for candid feedback, committing to continued listening and steady work, and previewing next week’s episode — practical expectations for the coming year and a deeper dive into academic evidence such as AP, PSAT/SAT, dual enrollment, and student showcases. Listeners can expect transparency about next steps, a clear focus on sustaining PCA’s Christ-centered community, and concrete plans to make teaching and learning more consistent and dependable across the school.

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  Episode #2

  Building the PCA Staircase: A Christ-Centered Approach to Curriculum Coherence

  Aug 10, 202617 min

  Join Nate Paul, PCA’s Marketing Director and chief storyteller, and Head of School Mike Runey on Mondays with Mike as they explore how PCA is intentionally aligning curriculum and instruction across grade levels. This episode dives into the distinction between clarity and coherence in education, and why building a dependable “staircase” from preschool through graduation matters for every student. Mike and Nate discuss the school’s recent work to shore up a Christ-centered program—how PCA teaches faith and character across subjects, not just in chapel or Bible class—and the importance of supporting teachers so they can teach with confidence. They cover topics such as teacher retention and development, team collaboration across grade levels and departments, and creating PCA-aligned assessments to supplement external measures like NWEA. Specific examples highlight the plan in action: the math “staircase” that takes students from basic facts to AP Calculus, science programs that feed engineering and robotics pathways (including SeaPerch and regional competitions), and upcoming work on writing across the curriculum for grades 6–12. Mike outlines what leadership is asking of teachers—more teamwork, common outcomes, shared language—and how principals will support that work through professional development and assessment design. The episode also offers practical guidance for parents: ask your child about what they’re learning and its application, encourage perseverance when students face challenge, and celebrate growth as students develop. Finally, Mike previews next week’s conversation about family survey results and invites listeners to stay engaged as PCA continues this multi-year effort to tighten curriculum coherence and student readiness.

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