Betsy Carter knows Covenant as a parent, a kindergarten teacher, and now its Director of Admissions. In this episode of Wingin’ It, she joins Kali and Brady to share the unexpected path that brought her here, from preparing for medical school to discovering her love for teaching while volunteering in a classroom.

With admissions season underway, Betsy offers a look at how her team welcomes prospective families and what she hopes they discover when they visit. From outdoor learning at Birdwood to the friendships formed through Hickory’s house system, she shares how Covenant’s Christian mission shapes an education that engages the head, heart, and hands. She also talks about looking for students who are willing to try something new, embrace a challenge, and grow through the experience.

Along the way, Betsy reflects on watching her former kindergartners receive their diplomas, shares a classroom story involving spinach and one very helpful student, and remembers the preparation behind her favorite Covenant tradition, B Is for Bethlehem.

Plus, Kelly Thomas stops by with a preview of this year’s gala, Kali and Brady share school news and fall athletics updates, and everyone gets a lesson in “LARPing.”

Stay Connected
Thanks for listening to Wingin’ It. Follow us on social at @winginitcovenant and keep up with The Covenant School at @thecovenantschoolva. New episodes drop every other Wednesday, so tune in and join us as we wing it together!

What happens when the career you never pictured becomes the work you love most? In this episode of Wingin’ It, we sit down with Dr. Mackenzie Farleigh, Covenant’s ninth grade biology teacher, to hear how an unexpected turn brought her from teaching college anatomy and physiology to a high school classroom she now calls her biggest blessing.

From testing pH with cabbage juice to student-written songs about the kidneys, Dr. Farleigh shares how hands-on labs, humor, and a few surprising facts help students discover that science might be for them after all. She also reflects on the joy of exploring God’s creation with her students and the relationships that make teaching at Covenant so meaningful.

We hear the story behind her 2026 World Changer Award from Grove City Christian School and why making an impact can look like showing up each day, listening, and praying with a student. Along the way, we recap Spirit Week and homecoming, catch up on fall athletics, and discover Dr. Farleigh’s source for keeping up with student slang.

Stay Connected
Thanks for listening to Wingin’ It. Follow us on social at @winginitcovenant and keep up with The Covenant School at @thecovenantschoolva. New episodes drop every other Wednesday, so tune in and join us as we wing it together!

Kali and Brady kick off the episode with Spirit Week, Homecoming, fall sports, and a shoutout to Patrick Estes before welcoming Pre-K teacher Becky Lynch.

Becky shares how a neighborhood bear hunt helped her first Pre-K class stay connected in 2020, why her students begin the school year with a party on the lawn and a parade into the building, and what children learn through play that they may not yet have words to describe. She also tells the story of Little Duck, the real duck who grew up alongside her class, and how caring for her helped students practice empathy. Along the way, there’s a lost-tooth investigation, favorite Birdwood traditions, and a conversation about helping young children love their neighbors.

Stay Connected
Thanks for listening to Wingin’ It. Follow us on social at @winginitcovenant and keep up with The Covenant School at @thecovenantschoolva. New episodes drop every other Wednesday, so tune in and join us as we wing it together!