Costumes are welcome this week on campus. Remember, our students range in age from kindergarten through high school. All costumes must be family friendly. Students are also welcome to have pajama day instead.

If you wish to send a treat in with your child, please choose an item that can be sent home at the end of the day. We collect treats in individual bags and hold them for student pickup. That way, parents can help students make great choices!

In the next few weeks, please consider limiting the candy in packed lunches. It’s difficult for instructors to always help students choose which order to eat their meal items for best nutritional support.

Families, as you know, election day is fast approaching! Here at Berea, we continue to pray for the wellbeing of our local, state, and federal governance.

Our host location, Southgate Church, has been retained as a polling place on November 5, 2024. The polling location is in the gym portion of the building, with voters only able to access the gym through the rear doors. As an active polling place, the building and parking lot will be quite busy. Additionally, this polling location will be new for many voters.

After much discussion and prayer, we feel it is appropriate for our Tuesday classes to meet online for classes on 11/05/2024. We considered the challenge of redirecting voters to the correct entry location, the lack of access to the playground and gym, and the general noise and distraction for our students. Though we do not make this change lightly, we believe this is the wisest option for our students.

Many of our Berea families have not experienced online learning “Berea style.” We set different expectations based on student age and subject. Please be sure to check Google Classroom for specifics from your instructor. Your instructor will provide you with the details you need for a successful class session. In general, our Wonder and Explore program has an optional meeting time. Level Up and Core Concepts has a specific meeting time, which does not exceed 45 minutes. Junior High and High School students are expected to meet for two 40 minute sessions.

If you have additional questions, please let us know. You can contact your instructor or email the administration team at BereaAcademyStL@gmail.com

Thank you! It’s such a privilege to navigate these situations together.
Jess, Maggie, and Beth

It’s hard to believe but midterm is here already! The first half of the semester has flown by.

Grades are issued from our online system, ThinkWave. Please be sure to check your email for midterm reports. If you do not receive a report let us know. You can also log into ThinkWave to see your student’s progress. If you need a new invitation to ThinkWave, email us at BereaAcademyStL@gmail.com

Costumes on Campus

We respect that our community has many different opinions about Halloween. Over the years, we have enjoyed costumes during the week of Halloween. We do not “trick or treat,” though we do celebrate each individual’s creativity and fun.

Child friendly costumes are welcome October 29, October 30, and October 32, 2024. Please be sure students can still participate in their regular class period while wearing their costume. For students who do not wish to wear a costume but still want to participate, pajamas are a great, fun alternative.

Instructors are invited to join the fun, as well!

Volunteers Needed

Families, we are seeking additional volunteers to help at
1. Lunch/recess from 11:15 am- 12:45pm.
2. Door monitoring Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The times vary, but are limited to normal operating hours. There is no minimum time required. If you are able to stay a little after drop off, or come a little earlier than pickup, that can help!

Open Hands

Angela Sipe, a former instructor at Berea, once said “I hold this position with an open hand.” Her wisdom continues to guide our culture at Berea. We know how God moves in our lives – and sometimes, that isn’t on the schedule we expected.

Our campus assistant, Mr. Zach, is being called to a new opportunity. We are grateful for all he has done at Berea! Join us in praying for Zach and this new step. God’s provision and abundance is waiting for us all, and Zach is stepping along the path God has designed for him!

See you on campus this week!

See you there! To help us out, you can use our email BereaAcademyStL@gmail.com or use our attendance line 314 730 6258 to let us know if your plan to attend.

RVSP or attendance notice is NOT required. Come by!

If you want to help with this event, contact Berea and we will get your information to our event organizer.

Have a wonderful week!
See you on campus.

Classes start this week – January 9, 10, and 11, 2024

Weather and Cancellations, oh my!

I know our students are ready to jump back into class this week. I am watching the weather carefully. It does appear that the snow/ice is going to miss most of the St. Louis area. However, we want to be prepared!

Cancelling for whole day before school starts:
1. Announcement will be made by 9 am, though earlier if possible.
2. Closure announcement will be sent by 1. email Newsletter (MailChimp). 2. Posted in Google Classrooms. 3. Broadcasted on KSDK (online and on air).
3. If in doubt, text Beth at 314 556 4725.

Cancelling in the middle of the day due to worsening conditions:

1. You will receive a phone call or text directly from a staff member letting you know about the new pick up time (younger students). For high school and Jr high classes, staff may ask the student to contact their parent/guardian directly.
2. Announcement will be sent by email Newsletter (MailChimp).
3. Other forms of communication, such as Google Classroom, may be used. However, our first priority is to reach every parent/guardian who has a student on campus as quickly as possible.

What about a late start?
At this time, Berea does not have a “late start” option. The schedule is quite complicated, which doesn’t work well with a change in starting times.

If it is unsafe for you to bring your child to school, we understand! Our families come from all over St. Louis with a variety of street access/service. It is imperative that you make the best decision for your family. If you cannot make it to class, please contact your instructor or Beth at 314 556 4725 (text only).

Annual Information Forms – REQUIRED

If it required that every student attending Berea fill out an Annual Information Form every year. Please fill out this form immediately. If you have completed the form, please ignore!

To Fill out the form, email BereaAcademyStL@gmail.com for the link.

100 Days of School!

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Wonder and Explore students will be celebrating the 100h day of school this year! Students are welcome to dress up as if they are “100 years old.” Students will do class activities celebrating the number 100 – especially in math class.

All staff and Berea students are invited to join in the fun! Explore 100 your way!

Happy August! It’s shocking how fast August snuck up on us. I’m so grateful we don’t start until September. We can’t have Summer forever… but we get to keep it a few more weeks!

Classes are filling up. If you have been meaning to enroll, now is the time. We’d like to finalize the schedule/classes etc so we can start preparing for students.

I am still on Summer Office Hours. I am “in the office” Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. My hours are 11:00am – 3:00pm. It’s August, though, so my computer time is expanding, while shifting around to start unpacking everything for our first day.

If you have any questions about the schedule or enrollment, send me an email at BereaAcademyStL@gmail.com. We can set up a specific time to address your questions.

I can’t wait to see you all…. But in September!
Mrs. M

New schedules and everything

This semester I am looking forward to teaching Academic Writing and American Literature. I love the part that both of these classes play in developing student writing, both in practical skills and in forming and developing ideas. While both of these classes help prepare students for writing in the future, they also show that writing can and should be fun!

2. How did you discover your passion for English and writing?

I have always loved writing, but my British Literature class with Judy Musick at Berea Academy helped me realize that I wanted to pursue an English degree in college. At College of the Ozarks, while I was earning my degree in English with a Writing and Rhetoric minor, I had the privilege of working in the writing lab on campus, helping my peers with their writing assignments. I realized very quickly that I wanted to continue to help students with their writing after I graduated college, and I am very excited to do so at Berea Academy!

3. What’s your favorite thing about helping people learn to write and improve their communication skills?

Though I love working with students, helping them become comfortable in their communication skills, my favorite thing about helping students learn to write is when my help is no longer needed. Building relationships with students and learning and growing together becomes all the more meaningful when students are confident and comfortable in their writing. Though the goodbye’s are always bittersweet, I find so much joy in my students’ confidence and growth as writers.

4. What would students be surprised to find out about you?

I have three older siblings and eleven younger siblings! I love being an older and younger sister, watching my siblings grow up. Even though my house is like a crazy party most of the time, it is my favorite place to be.

5. What do you plan on doing during Summer Break?

This summer I will be volunteering at Kids of Victory Summer Camp at Southgate Church. I have been at KOV every summer since I was six years old, as a camper, leader, and intern (if you came last summer, you might know me by my nickname, “Muscle Milk”!). This summer I will be in the craft room, teaching the crafts to the teams. If you’re coming to KOV this summer, be sure to say hi when you see me!

6. If you could take any Berea class, which would you want to take? Why?

Though I loved taking my art, dance, Spanish, and English classes at Berea, I was always jealous of the fun activities my siblings participated in for their Wonder and Explore classes. I would be the eldest student by far, but I would enjoy every minute of creativity and hands-on learning.

7. What’s your favorite thing to have/bring for lunch? 

Taco bowls and homemade soups are my favorite lunches, though I usually add more jalapenos than I can handle.

8. What is something you’d like your classes to be famous for?

I would like my classes to be famous for being fun and encouraging. Looking back, I remember all my classes at Berea as being fun and encouraging, and I always looked forward to class time. This is something that I would like my classes to be famous for (though a monthly Weird Hat Wednesday is another option I’m seriously considering).

9. Coffee or tea? (or neither?)

Though I like tea, I generally only drink it when I am sick or have a sore throat. I prefer coffee in the morning… and at most other times during the day.

10. Do you have any advice for students?

Sometimes, as a homeschooled student, I forgot that homework was about learning. Homework always seemed like an obstacle in between me and having fun. But, as a college student, I discovered that the subjects I enjoyed the most were often the ones I worked at the most. Remember that, even though learning is the goal of homework, learning is the fun part of growing up, and that the fun of learning, like growing up, never stops!

THE SINGLE BEST THING I’VE DONE AS A HOMESCHOOLING MOM IS GIVE UP.  Not give up as in QUIT, but give up as in stop being in control and responsible for Every. Little. Detail.

Our best homeschooling years are the ones where, this time of year, I slip away for an hour and go to my church.  I get some funny looks, but I take with me my milk crate full of curricula, lesson plans, and high hopes.  I plunk that crate down in the sanctuary, and give over everything that’s in it – including my plans, my new-school-year-resolutions, my textbook choices, my weaknesses, all of it.          

Slowly during that hour, my homeschooling plans are gradually transformed into an offering: “This is the best I know how to do for my children this year, Lord.  I offer it to you not just asking that you rubber-stamp my plans with Your blessing.  I offer it all to you so that it can be Yours – clay in the Potter’s hands.”

And during that hour I settle in to pray for each of my children.  Some years I am blessed with a God’s-eye view of that child.  The Lord graces me with a glimpse of my role in his far bigger, far better plan for her.  Other years I am simply reminded that He does have a plan, a beautiful, rich plan, for each of my children.  And His plan can be fulfilled even through my imperfect homeschooling.

This month’s graduation was a privilege to participate in! Our speakers prepared eloquent and wonderful speeches that really helped make the day special. I was very humbled to give a student speech after those excellent turns. If you were in the audience at graduation, you got to hear me deliver this with a few tears. But for those unable to attend, I thought I would share it here. To the class of 2021, and all of our wonderful Berea family.

“It didn’t matter what I was doing. I was happy to be doing it.” 

My grandfather, or Opa as I called him, told me this all the time. It was probably his number one piece of wisdom to me- and he gave me a lot of wisdom. Opa loved to talk. He especially loved talking with me. He never held back from heavy conversations just because I was a child, and before he passed away, he gave me enough wisdom to last a lifetime. 

That particular piece, though, is the one that has stuck with me. His life wasn’t easy, and yet he was always happy, always smiling. I didn’t fully understand how much intentional effort this took at the time. I think I understand more now. Shortly before he died, I learned I had inherited the same neurodegenerative disease he had. I can’t pretend to understand his time with the army or his experience growing up, but I can at least empathize with the struggles caused by his failing nerves. Living with limited feeling in your hands is frustrating. It makes simple tasks a thousand times more difficult. Yet, even though he had much worse nerve damage than I do, he didn’t bemoan the things he could longer do. He celebrated the things he could. 

There have been times in my life when I’ve resented my situation. Sometimes over simple things, like washing a particularly dirty pan, or complicated ones, like my chronic illness diagnosis. In these moments, I take a deep breath and remember Opa’s words. I thank God that I have water to wash dishes, that I have treatment options to try. In the words of Mary Oliver, “it is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world.” The mere act of existing is something joyful.

I don’t expect this next phase of life to be easy all the time. Not for me, or my fellow graduates, or even the adults in the room. The future will hold times when you face sadness or frustration. My advice is the same as my Opa’s before me. Don’t let it matter what you’re doing. Find what you can be grateful for. Then you can be joyful in every experience.

Thank you.  

A number of years ago a student in Idaho presented a science project called “How Gullible Are We?” He did a survey of fellow students to see what they thought about a chemical he called dihydrogen monoxide or DHMO.  He explained how it is implicated in thousands of deaths through accidental ingestion, as a gas can cause severe burns, accelerates the corrosion of metals, and is a major component of acid rain.  Among other dangers, he pointed out that for those who have developed a dependency on DHMO, complete withdrawal means certain death.  Out of his sample of 50 fellow students in the survey, 86% thought this chemical should be banned.  Now these were students who had studied Chemistry and many had parents who worked in a nearby Nuclear Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.  Yet they did not catch on to the fact that dihydrogen monoxide was simply water.  A molecule consisting of two hydrogens and one oxygen.
 
This story has implications for the use of misleading scientific information to influence public policy, but that’s not what I’m writing about.  Nor am I writing about how people can believe something without truly thinking about it.
 
Rather I hope to influence your perspective on this universal life-sustaining substance – water.
 
The subject of water is fascinating to me.  God created a substance so universal and so much needed for all of life, yet so simple.  Water is based on only two chemical elements – hydrogen and oxygen.  Their combined atomic mass is only 18.  If you ever study Chemistry, you may learn about something called hydrogen bonding.  This is the idea that the hydrogens of one water molecule form weak bonds with the oxygen of another water molecule.  So rather than a bunch of individual water molecules existing together, now there is a network of them.  This results in some unusual properties for supporting life on Earth.
 
Most matter contracts when it becomes cold and expands with heat.  However, water expands when it freezes resulting in a lower density.  That’s why ice floats.  This also results in lakes freezing at the top insulating the water below to allow fish to survive below the ice surface.   
 
The phenomena of hydrogen bonding results in water having a relatively high boiling point (212 degrees Fahrenheit) for its relatively small molecular size. To go along with this, a relatively large amount of heat is required to raise the temperature of water.  For example, it takes about ten times more energy to raise water by one degree Celsius than to raise the same amount of iron one degree Celsius.  It is certainly good to have iron, copper, and aluminum cooking utensils heat up quickly, but it takes a while for water to reach its boiling point.
 
Also, a large of amount of heat is given off during a small drop in temperature for water.  As a result the vast amounts of water on the Earth’s surface alternately store and release heat.  This moderates daily temperature variations, which are especially noticeable near a large lake or the ocean.  St. Louis winter and summer temperatures may not seem moderate at times, but Earth’s overall temperature range is livable compared to the moon or planets without water.  The most extreme temperature range ever recorded for Earth ranged from a low of -126 degrees Fahrenheit in Antarctica to a high of 136 degrees Fahrenheit in the Libyan desert.  The range is typically much less than that.  By contrast, the moon with no water has a range of about -280 degrees to 212 degrees, or the boiling point of water.
 
It also takes a relatively large amount of heat to evaporate a small amount of water.  This is good for us as the large amount of heat produced by our bodies can be dissipated by the evaporation of small amounts of water (perspiration) from the skin.
 
Another interesting property of water is something called surface tension.  When water molecules bond together the surface of water can support light objects.  An insect called a water strider easily walks across water.  A small needle made from steel can be made to float even though steel is about eight times denser than water.  This also explains why you can slightly overfill a glass of water or certainly fill to the rim without spilling. 
 
Water is our universal solvent for all kinds of materials as well as a cleaning agent.  It sustains our bodies.  After all the human body is about 60% water. 
 
Water is certainly symbolic in the Bible as Jesus talks of providing living water.  From the universal flood of Noah’s time that dramatically changed the entire earth to the river of the water of life described in Revelation 22:1, water is an essential part of the Christian faith.
 
So this summer as we take a break from Berea Academy, I hope you have a better appreciation for the dihydrogen monoxide you might enjoy at your favorite lake or swimming pool. 
 

It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? An exhausting, all-too-significant chapter for the history books and in our individual lives. But we’ve endured, we’ve survived, and, as tends to happen, God has entwined blessings with hardship. Dozens of people have come out of the pandemic grounded and gifted with a new perspective, myself included. Now that the end of the road seems to be drawing near, I would like to take this opportunity to pass on what I’ve learned, in the hopes that it will inspire families to look at their lives—both with and without the pandemic—and make a change. Interestingly enough, my story starts with someone else’s methods of coping and adapting to health problems.

I once knew a woman who had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Among other side effects, the disease drastically reduced her endurance, to the point where completing simple, daily tasks became an uphill battle. One day she shared with me a concept that I circle back to pretty much every time I get overwhelmed. She said she liked to think of energy in spoonfuls; if normal people had, say, ten spoonfuls a day to use, she would only have four or five. Cleaning her house might take one spoonful. Picking her daughter up from school, two and a half. Once she had used all her spoonfuls, she was done for the day—no matter what—so, she explained, she had to ration them carefully. She also had to accept when some things would just have to wait until the next day, or not get done at all.

This way of thinking has been immensely helpful to me during the past year. Between searching for a college, completing senior-year coursework, and learning to navigate a new teaching job—all in the middle of a pandemic—it was just plain unrealistic to believe that some things wouldn’t fall through the cracks. Once I came to terms with that, life got a lot easier. Now, granted, it’s easier for me to say that than most of my colleagues; they’ve got their own kids to teach and to raise, in addition to everything else. But I would like to put in writing, as both a teacher and a daughter, that letting some things slide is okay. This past month, my mom was in bed with Covid for over two weeks, and my siblings didn’t do any schoolwork. They are still going to complete the year as two perfectly capable, learned, intelligent middle-schoolers. At the risk of being overly blunt, the takeaway here is something my therapist told me a few months ago: the world is not going to collapse if you prioritize yourself.

It’s less difficult to say than to believe, especially if you are someone who is used to taking on more than you probably should. Trust me, I get that. I was the same way. But the truth is, whether you are eighteen or eighty, that’s not healthy. You have to be honest with yourself about what you can handle. If you can grade twenty papers in a day, that’s great! If you can only do five, that’s perfectly alright, too. Doing the best you can do is enough. We are blessed to live and work in a community that is understanding, compassionate, and supportive; remember that. And most importantly, remember there is someone more powerful, more capable than anyone on earth watching over you, and he has promised to shoulder your burdens and give strength to your spirit. You are not alone.

So let yourself be tired, overwhelmed, or frustrated; rest and relax when you need to; and trust that, at the end of the day, the world will keep on spinning. Teachers or not—we’re only human, and if this past year has reminded us of anything, it’s that human beings are fragile creatures. Be gentle with yourself. You deserve it.

If you’re familiar with Berea, you probably know my mother already. I often introduce myself as “Arianna, Beth Mennemeyer’s daughter”. I share my mom with my two younger brothers and, in a way, the whole Berea community. I don’t mind sharing her awesomeness, though! While Berea may take some (or a lot) of her time and energy, our relationship has only been strengthened by this phase of our lives. Of course, Berea hasn’t just influenced my relationship with my biological mom. It’s also introduced me to several maternal figures.

On a drive home recently, Mom and I were talking about Berea’s “maternal culture”. When I laughed about how many “moms” I have at Berea, Mom replied, “You wouldn’t have it any other way.” She’s right! I’m deeply grateful for the wonderful women Berea has brought into my life. When we began Berea, the only teacher I knew was Judy Musick. Over the years, I’ve met teachers like Sra. Steen, Maggie Sanazaro, and Jen Hogan. Now they stop in the hallways to check in with me every day. I can’t count the number of times that Berea teachers have listened to me, let me cry on their shoulders, or given me hugs to celebrate good news.

I’m thankful for all the moms I’ve gained at Berea. I’m even more thankful for my actual mother. Beth Mennemeyer is Berea’s rock, but she’s also my rock. As a child, I thought that growing up meant that you wouldn’t need your mother anymore. Now I realize that couldn’t be further from the truth. My mom helps me think through difficult decisions, like college, and simple ones, like which kind of cake we should get. She listens to my ramblings. Even though she’s not a very cuddly person by nature, she always makes sure that I get enough hugs (which is a lot). Not to mention she’s a mean cook and has great taste in TV shows.

Mother’s Day has never been a huge holiday in my family. The most my mom’s ever asked for is for Dad to fix the broken screen door. This year, we have the added distraction of my birthday falling on Mother’s Day. So let me take this space to celebrate all our Berea moms, but especially my mother. I love you, Mom, and thank you for being here every step of the way.

I was asked a few weeks ago if I would write this blog post.  I was told it could be about anything I felt like talking about.  Now, writing isn’t one of my strongest suits, especially when I am free to write without any direction.  I did what I always do…worried over whether I could write anything worthwhile and put it off as long as possible.  Then when I was online, I came across a story that inspired me.  I would like to start by telling this story from the book Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland:

A ceramics teacher announced on opening day that he was dividing the class into two groups. All those on the left side of the studio, he said, would be graded solely on the quantity of work they produced, all those on the right solely on its quality.

His procedure was simple: on the final day of class, he would bring in his bathroom scales and weigh the work of the “quantity” group: fifty pounds of pots rated an “A”, forty pounds a “B”, and so on. Those being graded on “quality”, however, needed to produce only one pot – albeit a perfect one – to get an “A”.

Well, came grading time and a curious fact emerged: the works of highest quality were all produced by the group being graded for quantity. It seems that while the “quantity” group was busily churning out piles of work – and learning from their mistakes – the “quality” group had sat theorizing about perfection, and in the end had little more to show for their efforts than grandiose theories and a pile of dead clay.

I find that this story illustrates my biggest challenge in life.  I often get so focused on perfection that I become intimidated and never start.  I would like to challenge you all this month to change your perspective and experience those things that you have been too scared to try.

How many times have you attempted a new skill or hobby only to give up shortly after?  Too often in life, we give up because something doesn’t come as easy to us as we expect.  We often claim it is too hard, or that we can never be good at it since we are struggling in the moment.  How many joys could we be missing out on if we don’t continue? Our fear of failure is powerful, so we need to start training our minds to view it differently.  Whether it be a language, instrument, art skill, computer program, or even a math problem, we need to learn how to push past our initial self-doubt.  No matter the skill, we will always improve with practice and eventually, we will conquer it.   Failure only occurs when we stop.   The students in the story were given the task of creating every day.  They no longer feared failure, and because they continued to try over and over again, they were able to create a perfect pot. 

We also have to stop comparing everything we do with others.  My family and I recently went on a trip where we attended a drawing class.  We learned how to draw a certain cartoon character, and when we were done, my son was very upset because his drawing didn’t look as good as mine or my daughter’s.  He’s seven.  He stopped drawing at one point because he felt his would never match ours.  This is an attitude we often face.  We compare our own endeavors to those of our peers.  If we truly want to succeed, we need to change our approach.  Try to avoid judging your achievements by the achievements of others.  You have no idea what that person has done to get to their current skill level.  Everyone is on their own journey.  You are on your own path and should measure your success by how much you have improved.  I will often look over older artwork of mine and see how far I have come.  It is important to celebrate our own improvement.  That should be our only real definition of success.

Most importantly, don’t let yourself stop doing something you love based on how it will measure up to others.  Keep doing what you love, even if it is not perfect.  The joy will come from the doing, not necessarily the final product.  If you keep trying, you will learn from your mistakes and get better.  Don’t be afraid to develop your own style and technique.  Be yourself and enjoy every new skill and lesson.  That is how we grow to be better people. 

In closing, I challenge you to go out into the world and try new things without fear of failure. The first step is not only the hardest but the most important.  Try not to judge yourself by others, and endeavor to find new activities that bring you joy.  Don’t be afraid to do things your way.  You may find it is the best way.  No matter what, be like the quantity potters and keep doing, for eventually, success will be yours. 

Waiting is not something I am particularly good at.  It is something I generally struggle with, but recently, it has been an even bigger struggle for me.   But God is good; he has used my time of waiting to change me. 

When Covid started and we were in quarantine, the Lord used those months to begin to work on healing in my life.  He took that time to deal with issues that had been a part of my life for a long time.  The more I forgave and healed, the more I heard from Him. 

Over the summer, He began to lay on my heart that change was coming for our family.  He slowly used events in our life to show me that He was calling my husband into full-time ministry.  My husband is a Program Manager for a big company here in St. Louis.  He has always done well in his job and enjoys the work he does.  So, when the Lord started showing me full-time ministry was up ahead for us, I questioned it.  I waited a couple of weeks to mention any of this to my husband.  When I finally got up the courage to tell him what I was feeling, I was surprised to hear my husband was not shocked.  His response was that the Lord was speaking the same thing to him. 

Since then, he has taken a class at Midwestern Baptist Seminary and has been meeting with our Pastor regularly.  We feel he is being called to be a Pastor of Administration/Leadership.  We are excited to see what is up ahead for us.  Excited to see where the Lord has us serving.  But the waiting…the not knowing…  the trusting.  It is hard.  It is hard not to question why we are waiting or what the outcome will be.  It is hard to trust that God knows the outcome and has a perfect plan for us, in HIS timing. 

So often I want it in MY timing.  The Lord is showing me in this waiting season that I need to trust Him.  That I need to work on the things in my life that need pruning.  That I need to sit at His feet and let Him work while we wait.  Just because I cannot see God working out the details does not mean He is not doing anything.  I need to trust Him and His timing. 

Over the last couple of months, I have clung to this verse: “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (NIV Isaiah 43:19). This verse reminds me that even though there can be dry spells and times in my life when I am searching for a purpose, God can be preparing the way for me, making streams in the wasteland.  We do not know what God has in store for us, but I am choosing to believe it will be incredibly good and worth the wait!

I’m a fairly flexible person. I like having a plan, but I tend to be able to switch gears when necessary and make the best of a bad situation. That being said, teaching (on top of raising children and the everyday tasks it takes to create life) during a pandemic has stretched me further than I could’ve imagined. I’m sure it’s done the same for you. I’m new to teaching, but I’m hearing everyone across the board (seasoned teachers, public and homeschooling parents, and of course children) relaying the same frustration. I’ve heard their struggles with losing contact with loved ones, the mandatory separation, and the loss of their normal.  

Something that I’ve gleaned through this season of hard is the inability to fake it. In the past, I was a master of faking. I can put on a mask with the best of them (no covid pun intended 😉 ). But my true need for growth and healing wasn’t hidden to God. He has invited me away from masks into the real. These challenges tend to strip all away, all the niceties, all the fluff, and shine a light on everything that was never truly working. 

Real isn’t always pretty. Strike that. Real isn’t usually ever pretty. But real is lasting. Real is strong, true, healthy, loving…truly loving. Real provokes the best version of ourselves to the surface through things we never imagined would be on our plate. It pokes at long lying issues and brings them up to be cleared. It produces good fruit. Lasting fruit. Strong fruit. What a beautiful gift that we are not left lying dormant in our filth. What a blessing the fire can be heating up every corner of our hidden coping mechanisms, our immaturity, our habits that don’t serve us. The heat invites us to shift, turn, rise…and we will RISE. 

It’s been a long season and I’ve watched my beautiful Berea family rise to these challenges over and over. A child’s mind will retain more when their spirit is replenished and when they feel safe. When “safety” means something different for each child, we’ve got our work cut out. Children, more than any other group I’ve encountered, can sniff out “phony” a mile away. They don’t want your niceties and placating. They need the real connection, the true statements, the permission to have strong feelings and opinions, and the guidance through these treacherous waters. It is the ability of a grownup to navigate the real with a child that makes them feel truly safe.

I want to encourage you to focus on the beautiful invitation to freedom that comes after the stretching. I’m honored to be in the trenches with each and every one of you. 

So I encourage you to embrace this journey of unraveling… of unveiling… of true growth, health, and healing. Rise. 

Voice of the Caves

The harsh clack of a Silverfish’s tongue,

The shifting rustle of the Spider’s many young,

The soft clink of iron boots on hard dark stone,

The quiet swish of a turning page, 

The fatal hiss of a Creeper’s last breath,

The endless clatter of Skeleton’s bone,

The harsh screech of the Enderman’s great rage,

The faint stink of rotting death,

The beckoning call of tunnels deep,

The silent bubble of Lava’s slow creep,

The mindless ramble of a Zombie’s moan,

The present fear that is always known.

And in every classroom

Volunteers bustled about

With shelves, chairs, and vacuums.

Their job was recurring

But this week was special.

Instead of returning,

There was a break in the schedule.

It wasn’t quite spring yet;

Snow was still on the ground

When “Wish It Was Spring”

Break came around. 

Students will return soon

Hopefully when they do

They’ll be ready for midterms

And a real Spring Break too.

Enjoy your break, Berea family! We’ll see you in March.

WHO AM I? LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF…

Hi! My name is Marie Van Brittan Brown. Does my name “RING” a bell?  I am a 43 year old nurse, who works in the heart of Jamaica, Queens in New York City. My husband, an electronic technician, and I work many long, late, and unsteady hours.  Oftentimes, I am left at home alone and not in the presence of my husband.  I needed protection from and wanted to lessen the risk of vulnerability in my community due to the increasing crime and slow police response time.  Therefore, I intervened with the first home security. My closed-circuit television (CCTV) security opened doors to safe communities and a safer society for today’s commercial businesses and residential homes.

In 1966, I created a two-way communication and surveillance system allowing me to see who was at my front door and a means to trigger an alarm to alert authorities quickly. I placed three peepholes at different levels on my front door so the sliding camera would capture the various heights of the person standing at my front door.  If the person was recognizable from viewing the television monitors, then I would use my remote to safely unlock the door. Otherwise, I would communicate through my two-way microphones and/or press my emergency button, for anyone I perceived suspicious.  I’m grateful that this system has provided me with a peace of mind and a sense of control in my own home!

My “Home Security Utilizing Television Surveillance” became a patent in 1966. I perfected its designs, creating the specifications, and detailing the artwork.  Today, security systems have expanded to intercom and buzzer systems, DIY home security systems, retail security systems, automatic door locks, and alarm systems that notify police and EMT via a central hub such as ADT, Vivint, and SimpliSafe.  One can even monitor, activate, or disarm their security system while at home or away from all electronic devices.  

By 2013, my patent had been cited by over a dozen inventors for their own devices.  It has also generated more prevalent CCTV surveillance in public areas. Worldwide, more than one hundred million concealed closed -circuit cameras are now in operation.

Otis Boykin was born in Dallas, Texas, on August 29, 1920, to parents Sarah and Walter Boykin. His father was a carpenter and then became a minister. Sadly, his mom, a homemaker, died of heart failure in 1921. After graduating as valedictorian from Booker T. Washington High School (Dallas, TX), he studied at Fisk College (Nashville, TN).  Otis Boykin graduated from Fisk College in 1941. He landed a job as a laboratory assistant advancing to a supervisory position with Majestic Radio and TV Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. In 1941, Otis Boykin worked with P.J. Nilsen Research Laboratories while creating his own company named Boykin-Fruth Incorporated. It was through the operation of his company (early 1946) Otis Boykin began working on his inventions.  He entered into graduate studies at Chicago’s Illinois Institute of Technology from 1946-1947.  Unfortunately, he was unable to complete his graduate studies due to lack of finances  to meet the cost for his tuition. Otis Boykin earned 26 patents in his lifetime. 

Otis Boykin had a special enjoyment working with resistors.  He researched, perfected, and received a patent for a wire precision resistor on June 16, 1959.  This resistor limited the flow of electric current withstanding extreme changes in temperature and pressure.  Otis Boykin’s wire resistor was a necessity to the United States military guided missiles and IBM computers; it’s the most reliable on the market.  His many resistor models are used in consumer products such as televisions, computers, and radios –  all devices we use in the world today.  As consumers, for these products, we can thank Otis for making them more affordable and efficient.

Otis Boykin personally made an impact on my life.  In March 2010, I was implanted with a dual implantable cardioverter, acting as both a pacemaker and defibrillator.  My heart muscle had begun weakening tremendously due to the abnormality of my left ventricle pumping twenty percent of blood to my entire body. This poor pumping action led to organs and tissues being depleted of their oxygen and an enlarged left ventricle. It was a high probability my heart would enter into dysrhythmia, a fatal rhythm, at any time.  Without question, my cardiologist and I knew it was a critical decision for me to receive this device to counteract any fatal rhythms.  

Otis Boykin famously invented and patented a resistor for the control unit in the pacemaker.  The control unit will send an electrical stimulus to regulate the heartbeat.  It identifies the number of pulses per minute for each individual and becomes the number of beats per minute for the paced heart.  His contribution from this innovation aided in the first implantable pacemaker in 1958 (Sweden).  “Pacemakers today are powerful devices with a number of benefits for patients. Many have computing power similar to early personal computers and can last more than 10 years on their internal battery,” Mouchawar, divisional VP of product development at Abbott, said. “But all technology starts somewhere, and Otis Boykin’s work set the technology on a path that led us to where we find ourselves today.”

Most, if not all, of you know of a legendary actress and model, exemplar for civil rights named Cicely Tyson (96). Cicely Tyson passed away on January 28, 2021, leaving us with a memoir of her heart, soul, and a testament of faith displayed throughout her life and craft. It is a great honor to pay a tribute to a pioneer who has made a contribution for over seven decades in the areas of humanity, television, movie, and broadway plays. An imprint of Cicely Tyson’s greatness and endurance will forever live in our hearts.

Cicely Tyson was an icon. Her wisdom, voice, and image captivated many African American women from youth until adulthood.  She intentionally used her platform as an actress, tearing down the physical, social, and racial barriers and biases. Cicely Tyson’s loyalty was to everyone. However, her pursuit was to portray strong, positive images of Black women gracefully. (1 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.  For this reason I have sent to you, Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.)

Cicely Tyson was a game changer. She was a woman assured of her identity.  She triumphed over her flaws with resilience. Her spirit blossomed with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  Cicely Tyson was confident, poised, and regal. She inspired African American women to embrace their standards of beauty-plethora of skin tones, full lips, natural hair… https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cicely-tyson-hair_n_5652171. Her selflessness and humility drew people close by her side. Cicely Tyson was a ray of sunshine illuminating light.  She would not allow her integrity to be tainted by accepting degrading roles of African American women.  Cicely Tyson voiced in an interview, “Unless a piece really said something, I had no interest in it. I have got to know that I have served some purpose here.”  (Proverbs 20:5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.)

Cicely Tyson was a trailblazer.  She was vulnerable and stretched beyond measures. Knowing her worth and dignity throughout her amazing life embodied a pillar of genuineness. Cicely Tyson was edifying and shared wisdom aiding in the maturity of others. She made countless sacrifices to open doors and leave a lasting legacy for those inspiring African American actresses and actors. Cicely Tyson quotes, “[on her commitment to choose only positive images] Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They’re what make the instrument stretch — what makes you go beyond the norm. The choices of roles I made had to do with educating and entertaining. And as a result, I found myself working only every two or three years.”

(Ephesians 2:10 TPT  We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!)

Take a closer look at Cicely Tyson’s interview, airing days before her passing, with more of her capturing journey and book, “Just As I Am: A Memoir”.

Hollywood legend Cicely Tyson recounts life, career in new memoir

It’s been almost three years since I started working on the Berea Academy website. In that time a lot has changed in the world around us, and even more has changed for our community, school, and family. Nothing is more indicative of this change than when my daughter was asking me to get my homework done and write a promised blog post about what I do here. She’s grown, Berea has grown, and our community of parents, students, and dedicated staff are all so much more than what we ever envisioned.

When I took over from the Webly site and moved to WordPress, I assumed it would eventually enable other people to do the content management and leave me to the technical stuff. I’m amazed at how it has actually worked out just like that. We’ve got students writing blog posts and running social media accounts. We’ve got teachers writing their own bios and course descriptions. We’ve got family and friends creating course listings and maintaining the lending library.

So my tasks here are really quite simple, if technical in nature. I keep the domain registration and DNS setup so that when you type bereaacdemystl.org into your browser (or click that handy link) the computer knows where that site is hosted. I manage the web hosting at BlueHost to keep the content (images and articles) available, keep the WordPress software (and dozens of plug-ins) current, and manage the database that catalogs it all. This means that I regularly do updates of the software, nightly backups, and tuning of images so it serves it up as fast as possible. To keep it all fast, I manage the content-delivery-network CDN using CloudFlare‘s generous free service.

When we first transitioned, I searched through all kinds of WordPress themes to find one that suited our style and then customized it to suit our colors and iconography. Then we embarked on finding images that would dress it all up, mostly from Unsplash‘s free public domain collection. These days, other people are contributing images that I have to optimize for speed (and remove personal information from).

The site’s calendar is driven by a google calendar that others manage, as are the complete course catalog and various forms and policies, all I have to do is embed them into the site as need using some really nice WordPress plug-ins.

Besides the website, I also occasionally fix printers or purchase/evaluate/setup hardware for Berea, which is always fun.

In truth, my work is mostly about keeping things going, tweaking the performance, changing the oil, etc. Just the other day I was asked what I should be paid for a particular bit of computer maintenance. I answered the way I always do (and how I truly feel). I have been gifted with a particular set of skills, I’ve nurtured and grown them SO I can use them to help other people. I don’t want to be paid for this, it’s my calling and I’m grateful to be able to use this ability to help.

I hope in the coming years to keep the website fresh, the technology working, and the clocks all wound. Thanks for letting me.

On Wednesday, January 6, I was at my desk in my new home. Surrounded by boxes, mostly waiting impatient to be unpacked, freezing in the basement, I was teaching American History via Zoom. Our topic of the day was American Women in the late 1800s and the Cult of Domesticity. We’re a history class, not current events, though back in November we took a break to learn about the election system. 

Our history class is unique in many ways. I don’t lecture a lot, and I ask the students to do a lot of independent learning. Our class time is spent focused on learning from each other. By asking questions, listening to one another, exploring our personal experiences, and always treating one another with respect, we are learning. We are wrestling with the way the history of our Nation unfolded, and how it impacts us now, in this time. 

History is so much more than a series of dates and locations. History is people. And American History is people of different ethnic backgrounds, different skin tones, different cultures, different beliefs; America is a place of differences. This is as true today as it was when Washington led an army across the Delaware, on Christmas Day of 1776. And yet, in the midst of these differences, we have a commonality: the quest for a place of freedom, a place of opportunity, a place of equality. 

It is never easy to look back on our country’s origins and see how our differences conflicted with our commonality. The Indigenious, the Immigrant, the Enslaved, the Settlers, the Founders – our experiences in freedom, opportunity, and equality were radically different. For some, those experiences still are. 

And yet, I have been privileged to watch a group of young people straighten their shoulders under this burden of study. To view one another, and the past, with a steady gaze. To see how often there is more than one side of a line. To accept that perfection isn’t part of our story. 

I strongly suspect that if you ask the students in my American History class what they have learned so far, you will get very different answers. Maybe they will talk about the Revolutionary War, or President Jefferson, or Women’s Suffrage. They can tell you that they’re learning how to see one another in compassion, to learn from one another in peace, to understand our differences and maybe even appreciate them. This is what I’m seeing in these young men and women. 

In the middle of my Wednesday American History class, the Capitol building in Washington D.C. was taken over by citizens, forcing the suspension of our democratic system, triggering violence and destruction. I learned of these events during our class break. As I sat at my computer, waiting to restart our class session, I prayed for guidance. I prayed for a way to remind us all  of our commonality. Watching the clock tick towards our restart time, I felt the weight of our differences pulling me down. 

Once our class session restarted, the way became immediately clear to me. I have made space in our class for students to have different perspectives, political thoughts, to share their varied experiences. Because it is only in allowing that space that we can learn to trust our commonality. Looking into the young faces of my class, I knew what needed to happen: I briefly explained the situation and then I reminded them of our greatest commonality – our faith. I led them in prayer for the safety of all, for God’s peace to descend, for wisdom to come forth.  I felt the weight or our differences lighten, lift away, leave me free to continue leading class. 

I know not all Americans are Christian. I know how privileged I am to teach in a place that encourages prayer. I’m so humbled by the gift that is Berea Academy. Though not every Berea student is Christian, we are called to lead this community to Him. And I’m regularly pointed back to Jesus by my colleagues, friends, and students. God hasn’t asked me to minister in Africa, though that is an amazing call. God hasn’t asked me to become part of a religious order, though that, too, is an amazing call. God has called me to Berea Academy. And in that work, like all our work in and for the Kingdom, I am held to His goals – not my own. 

I’m grateful for the time I spend with my students each week. I’m doubly grateful some of those students were with me on January 6, coming alongside one another to call out to God. 

I would encourage all my fellow Christians to see the Good Work of these young people. I know we all have differences. Rather than fear those differences, turn your eyes and heart to our commonality. 

1 John 3:21-23

The Passion Translation

21 My delightfully loved friends, when our hearts don’t condemn us, we have a bold freedom to speak face-to-face with God. 22 And whatever we ask of him we receive, because we keep his commands. And by our beautiful intentions  we continue to do what brings pleasure to him.

23 So these are his commands: that we continually place our trust in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and that we keep loving one another, just as he has commanded us.

We’ve made it! Every new year comes with excitement, but I think most of us welcomed this change of the calendar even more than usual. Here’s to 2021!

As we enter a new year, we also enter a new semester at Berea. Semester grades are in the works, and teachers are preparing for the second phase of the school year. Mrs. Musick is gearing up to give her annual “tabula rasa” lecture. For those who haven’t heard her lecture, I’ll explain. Tabula rasa is a theory that traces back to Aristotle, which suggests that the mind begins as a clean slate. In terms of Berea, it refers to the clean slate of the new semester. Like the new year, it’s a reset button.

Clean slates don’t stay blank for long, though. John Fortescue writes, “Therefore, Prince, whilst you are young and your mind is as it were a clean slate, impress on it these things, lest in future it be impressed more pleasurably with images of lesser worth.” Your slate will be written on with something- the key is intentionally choosing what. When I begin a new semester or a new year, I ask myself how I want it to look on the other side: what do I want to achieve? How do I want to view my year? As we go into a new year, I welcome parents, staff, and students alike to ask these questions. How can we grow together this semester?

Wishing you a happy New Year, Berea family!

What classes do you teach? Talk a little about them and why you are excited to teach them.

I teach a watercolor pencil class for 3rd-6th graders. Watercolor pencils are like colored pencils except for one, fun little twist: their pigment becomes paint when water is added. I am excited to begin teaching this particular class because watercolor pencils are fun to work with and they are fairly forgiving once you get the hang of them. They can be tricky, but they can produce some beautiful pieces of art.

How did you discover your passion for art?

I have always had an interest in art, even from a young age. When I was little, I would often draw the characters from certain TV shows I would watch and I always found art to be fun and relaxing. As I entered the middle of my high school years, I began to study art a little more seriously and began to consider an art related career. I took some art classes that  I attended Meramec college, which is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design when I finished high school. I graduated with honors with an Associate of Fine Arts degree. Despite the credentials, I’m still an artist at heart. I like to have fun with it and I believe that anyone can become good at art if they set their minds to it by practicing. My art teacher motto is that every artist is at first an amateur. It takes years to get skilled at art, and you never reach a point where you have “arrived.” You will always be improving.

What’s your favorite medium of art to create/observe? 

My favorite mediums to use are prismacolor markers and colored pencils. My favorite art to observe would be tessellations and optical illusions.

What would students be surprised to find out about you?

I have done a front flip off the high dive.

What are you doing during Winter Break?

Mostly working at TJ Maxx in Kirkwood as a full-time beauty associate.

If you could take any Berea class, which would you want to take? Why?

If I were to take a Berea class as a student again, I would choose Acrylic Painting through Art History. It can be fun to observe and attempt to copy the style of famous artists throughout history. I might even notice something I hadn’t noticed before the first time I took the class.

What’s your favorite thing to have/bring for lunch? 

My favorite food really just depends on the mood I am in. The foods I eat most often are probably pizza and chicken.

What is something you’d like your classes to be famous for?

I would like my class to be most known for being fun. I would also like other students from other classes to see what my students are doing and become interested in art themselves.

Coffee or tea? (or neither?)

I’ll take coffee with my creamer. I really can’t drink any sort of beverage that isn’t water unless it is sweet.

Do you have any advice for students?

Never tell yourself that you can’t be good at art. Everyone learns at their own pace. It is great to be proud of your artwork, but it isn’t the end of the world if you sometimes don’t like it. I look back at some things I did as a student and there are pieces that I don’t particularly like. Disliking one of your own pieces is not only completely normal and ok, but it is also part of growing and is actually a sign that you are improving. When we start finding things we are dissatisfied with in our artwork we can start asking ourselves WHY we are not as happy with it as we would like to be. Once we figure out what it is we do not like about a piece, we can start asking ourselves how we can correct what we do not like or what we should do next time. Remember, every artist is at first an amateur.