---
title: Worthington Christian School Parent Blog | Al Iten
description: Before passing away in January of 2021, Al had 40 years of classroom teaching experience. He also spent time writing textbooks. He loved teaching ideas, critical thinking and writing. He was passionate about encouraging his students to pursue God in all things.
---
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## Navigating Your Child's Education: Grades 9-12
## Al Iten
Before passing away in January of 2021, Al had 40 years of classroom teaching experience. He also spent time writing textbooks. He loved teaching ideas, critical thinking and writing. He was passionate about encouraging his students to pursue God in all things.
## Recent Posts
###### 2 min read
## [Summer "Assignments"](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/summer-assignments)
By [Al Iten](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/author/al-iten) on May 27, 2020 9:00 PM
[](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/summer-assignments)
I've recently taken on the following activities as "assignments" for myself. This is in no way an exhaustive list of possible summer activities--you won't find day trips to the pool or beach, family vacations, or cookouts with friends on this list of "summer assignments" (though those may appear on a different list of summer fun!). And these are not necessarily measurable action items that can be checked off of a to-do list upon completion. You may want to practice some of these things once (or several!) times per day, while others may be more sporadic or peppered throughout your week.
Topics: [Spiritual Formation](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/spiritual-formation) [Teens](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/teens) [Summer](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/summer) [High School](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/high-school) [Teen Mental Health](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/teen-mental-health)
[Continue Reading](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/summer-assignments)
###### 2 min read
## [The True Basis of Learning](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/the-true-basis-of-learning)
By [Al Iten](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/author/al-iten) on Jul 10, 2019 11:09 AM
[](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/the-true-basis-of-learning)
Education--learning--is not necessarily the pathway to truth.
Paul told Timothy that the men of today would be “always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (II Timothy 3:17). In his letter to the Romans, Paul says that men, in an attempt to prove that they are wise, will suppress the truth and, claiming to be wise, become fools--their minds and hearts darkened (Romans 1:21-22). Even the Pharisees, the religious leaders of Jesus' day, searched the Scriptures, but Jesus told them that they had no idea what the truth was. He stood right in front of them and they didn't comprehend; they had blind minds and blind hearts (Matthew 23:16-17, for example).
Topics: [Spiritual Formation](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/spiritual-formation) [Christian Education](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/christian-education)
[Continue Reading](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/the-true-basis-of-learning)
###### 2 min read
## [How Praising Our Teens Can Hinder Their Spiritual Development](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/how-praising-our-kids-can-actually-hurt-them)
By [Al Iten](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/author/al-iten) on Jun 6, 2019 9:25 AM
[](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/how-praising-our-kids-can-actually-hurt-them)
Applause.
Nothing is more insidiously dangerous than the pursuit of the applause of men. Nothing is more temporary, more meaningless than the applause of men.
Topics: [Spiritual Formation](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/spiritual-formation) [Teens](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/teens)
[Continue Reading](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/how-praising-our-kids-can-actually-hurt-them)
[All posts](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/all)
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