PCA Podcasts

Mike Runey
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News and items of interest to the PCA community from school leaders, friends, supporters, and community leaders

  1. 4d ago

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

    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.

  2. Aug 31

    Welcome Back, PCA: Campus Ready and Children First

    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.

  3. Aug 25

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

    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.

  4. Aug 17

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

    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.

  5. Aug 10

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

    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.

  6. Aug 3

    Mondays with Mike: Preparing PCA for 26-27 — Vision, Faith, Action

    Hello, PCA families. In this opening episode of a four-part Monday series, Head of School Mike welcomes returning and new families as PCA prepares for the 26-27 school year, shares a personal reflection following his daughter’s wedding, and frames the year as a shared beginning that requires faithfulness, encouragement, and community. Mike explains the purpose of the series — not a run of announcements but a candid conversation about the kind of Christian school PCA is called to be. He previews upcoming episodes (next week: what strong teaching and learning should look; week three: a review of family survey feedback and leadership’s response; final Monday before open house: what students and families should expect) and notes that Nate Paul, who helps produce the podcast, will join him for these conversations. Each episode will include a short written summary. The episode articulates PCA’s educational convictions: whole-person formation (mind, body, spirit, relationships), academic rigor paired with character formation, and a distinct commitment to Christian identity — helping students know they are made in the image of God, follow Jesus, pursue truth with biblical integrity, and use their gifts for God’s glory and the good of others. Mike highlights a school-wide emphasis on writing as a tool for thinking, reasoning, revising, and communicating more clearly. Mike acknowledges the candid feedback from last spring’s family survey: praise for Christian formation, caring teachers and coaches, strong relationships, and meaningful opportunities — alongside concerns about academic strength and consistency, course delivery, communication, classroom expectations, and leadership follow-through. He outlines leadership’s responsibility and concrete next steps already underway: clarifying the philosophy of education, strengthening curricular coherence year to year, providing clearer expectations and stronger coaching for teachers, closer attention to classroom patterns, and appropriate follow-through when commitments fall short. The episode calls families to partner with the school through constructive communication and prayer, asks students to take increasing responsibility for learning and character, and invites the whole community to trust the Lord as they work together. Mike closes with a prayer for teachers, students, families, and the coming year, and expresses gratitude and anticipation for another school year at PCA.

  7. Jun 1

    Rooted, Formed, Sent: PCA's Week of Milestones

    Hello, PCA families and friends. In this episode we reflect on one remarkable week at Portsmouth Christian Academy: Baccalaureate for our seniors, an eighth-grade milestone, commencement for the Class of 2026, and our inaugural Academic Showcase. These events are presented as windows into the same story — students rooted at PCA, formed over time, and sent to their next faithful steps. We profile the Class of 2026 (45 seniors): 92 college acceptances, more than $780,000 in merit scholarships to the schools they plan to attend, 143 earned college credits, and nearly 12,000 hours of service during their upper school years. Beyond the statistics, we discuss the variety of next steps students are taking — engineering, robotics, medicine, ministry, trades, gap years, and more — and how PCA’s goal is to help each student grow toward their God-given potential. Turning to the Class of 2030 (48 eighth graders), we highlight their strong academic profile — a 93.3 course average (third quarter), 91st percentile growth, 98th percentile achievement in math, and high reading growth and achievement — alongside broad participation: 77% in athletics and 100% engagement in fine arts. We explain why this milestone marks readiness for the greater academic and personal stretch of upper school. The episode also recaps highlights from PCA’s first Academic Showcase: students across grades explaining and defending their work, demonstrating curiosity and public courage. Examples include Mrs. Chamberlain’s biology students studying Oriental Bittersweet on campus, a senior’s independent research on microplastics, chemistry and anatomy projects (titration curves, solubility tests, dual-enrollment muscle plans), and compelling fine arts capstones presented by student leaders. We summarize conversations from the showcase about curricular direction — new and refreshed upper-school courses in science and health, AP Seminar to develop source evaluation and argumentation, revamped history courses, and strengthened mathematics pathways — framing these changes around a coherent, long-term vision of formation rather than transient metrics. The central message is formation over time: academic rigor paired with character, service, creativity, and faith. We focus on students learning to explain how they know what they know (especially important in an age of AI), to listen, refine, lead, and serve. Student leaders (including Linnie, Chloe, and Gage) and faculty (including Mrs. Chamberlain) model and amplify that growth. We close with the immediate calendar and a charge to the community: Baccalaureate tonight, eighth-grade recognition on Thursday, commencement Friday, and gratitude for families and faculty who walk with students in daily faithfulness. Rooted here, formed here, sent from here — once an eagle, always an eagle.

  8. May 25

    Remembering with Gratitude: A Memorial Day Message to PCA Families

    In this solo message to PCA families, Mike reflects on Memorial Day, asking listeners to pause and remember the men and women who died in service to the nation. The host distinguishes Memorial Day from Veterans Day, frames remembrance in a Christian context, and urges gratitude, humility, and prayer as proper responses to the sacrifices that made our freedoms possible. The episode connects personal and national memory to the study of history, describing the host's reading of David McCullough's 1776 and encouraging a clear, balanced approach to the nation’s founding: honoring courage and sacrifice while honestly naming flaws. The speaker emphasizes that God’s story belongs in how we tell our national story and that parents and educators have a responsibility to help children understand what they inherit. Turning to the school year, the message celebrates late‑May as a time when student growth becomes visible — increased confidence, clearer thinking, creativity, leadership, service, and perseverance. The host explains that Christian education aims to help students see all of life before God, not merely to add Bible verses to lessons, and highlights concrete contexts where formation occurs: classrooms, labs, rehearsals, fields, and service projects. The episode also looks ahead to graduation for the class of 2026 and invites families to attend an upcoming Academic Showcase. Described as more than a science fair, the showcase presents student work and learning as a public demonstration of formation: selected upper‑school students will explain what they tried, what challenged them, and what they learned. Faculty will also share curriculum examples in math, science, and history. Throughout, Mike ties the Memorial Day theme to stewardship of what’s been entrusted to the next generation: asking not only whether students will be successful, but whether they will be faithful, truthful, humble, and service‑oriented. The message closes with encouragement to remember with gratitude, to notice the growth in students, and to enjoy a meaningful Memorial Day with family and friends.

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About

News and items of interest to the PCA community from school leaders, friends, supporters, and community leaders

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Runey
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    PCA Podcasts

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