Morgan Shillow is the Head of School at St.Paul’s Community School (SPCS), a new school and CRBC Mission Partner that provides an accessible, affordable and classical Christian education on the south side of OKC. She can actually see the school from her house, where she lives with her husband of 7 years, Chauncey, and their two boys, Joshua (4) and Malachi (1).
Ahead, we talk about daily practices she as an educator implements with her own kids, her favorite southside restaurant, inline skates and how she connects to God in daily life.
I love this picture of you and Chauncey...I don’t think I know the story of how you two met!
We don’t really know exactly where or how we met! He spoke at my church a couple of times and we would see each other around Santa Fe South (school district) when I was mentoring a 4th grader and he taught high school there. Eventually, I was hired on with the district while I was in college and I would see him when I picked up test material at the high school. But we never liked each other or anything. Then...there was a prayer night that a few southside churches put together and one of the topics Chauncey was leading was prayer for the schools in our community. The Lord had really started growing my heart for schools and my students and I remember crying while I was praying, asking God to intervene in the lives of specific students. John-Mark (pastor of Christ Community Church), nudged Chauncey that night and said, “Have you ever thought about Morgan…?”
Such a matchmaker!
Ha, I know! Chauncey brushed it off, but sort of tucked it away. Chauncey always thought he would end up with a Latina woman or someone who spoke Spanish (he’s fluent), so a few months later when he saw pictures from a trip I went on to Costa Rica, he called me up. Lo and behold, I don’t speak Spanish but I guess the Lord used that to get him interested enough to call me! We got married about a year after we started dating.
I think the values of SPCS are so great. (They are: Christ-centered, whole person gospel education, partnerships of reconciliation and justice, loving relationships, and healthy rhythms of rest, work and play.) I would love to know how YOU play.
I am getting into inlines lately…
Inline skating? Like rollerblading?
Yes, haha, but the hip term NOW is “inline”. I used to do it all the time as a kid, so it’s been really fun to get back into it. I also love running, which helps me rest my mind.
As an educator, what is a daily practice you implement for your own children?
I ask Joshua a lot of questions. If he asks me a question, I usually put it back to him first (“What do you think?”). We’re also counting all the time--what’s on his plate, things on the page of the book we’re reading, etc. We sound out our letters, things like that. But I think asking questions is what I do most with him.
Also, what exactly is classical education?
A phrase that I use a lot to describe classical education is: “We not only care that kids read, but what they read.” We know that everything we put in front of them is going to form them and their loves. So we seek to form kids in what is true, good, and beautiful.
We are focusing on our daily lives during our missions season. What is one thing you do daily that helps you stay connected to God and the mission you are called to?
I think prayer has been so huge--having little ones at home and being so busy, being in the Word for me during this season has just looked different. I usually read shorter passages and meditate on verses, things like that. But praying and knowing that I’m not alone and God hears my prayers; it’s a constant conversation. It keeps me remembering that all the life and work I do is not meant to be held tightly, but with open hands. I know that St.Paul’s isn’t mine, I know that my boys aren’t mine, but to live that way...it can be hard!
Favorite restaurant on the Southside?
There’s too many. I probably can’t pick just one. I love Taco San Pedro (I really like their nachos. They have those thick chips and really great, creamy sauce...and great chicken.) And El Rey is a go-to spot for us! Also, Four J’s for really good Thai food.
I would love to know...what book(s) are on your nightstand right now?
I have a lot! I feel good having them right there because there are so many I want to read, plus ones I keep on my nightstand to reference. I’m currently reading Jack by Marilyn Robinson--a friend gave it to me for my birthday and it’s about a biracial couple, so that’s kind of fun. One I have read is Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcy, it’s about biblical sexuality and is really good. Wisdom and Eloquence is a classical education book I’m working through. (This really tells you a lot about me, doesn’t it?!) There’s also Labor with Hope, a mom book about pregnancy and delivery. Building a Story Brand is a business book by Donald Miller. I also just started Emotionally Healthy Discipleship by Peter Scazzero.
Our staff read The Emotionally Healthy Leader a few years ago and I loved it! I’m adding a few of these books to my list. Okay, last, but not least...how do you drink your coffee?
Well, I am off dairy while I’m breastfeeding, so I’ve really been into oat milk lattes. Just a plain, good ole’ latte--no syrup, no sweetener.
Thank you so much, Morgan! We love partnering with you and St.Paul’s Community School. If you are interested in volunteering with St.Paul’s, you can head to their website. I’ve been reading with their students on Thursdays and it’s so much fun.
Meet the Author!
Makenzie graduated from Wheaton College where she majored in Christian Ministry, Urban Studies, and Photography and somehow managed to apply all of her degrees to work in the real world! She has a passion for community development after years working in urban ministry in Chicago, non-profits in Austin, and has been on staff at CRBC since 2012. She loves being able to equip and serve the church through her role as Minister of Missions at CRBC which includes both local and global partnerships. Despite being the missions minister, she is quite the homebody. She is an avid Harry Potter fan, loves Oklahoma City, and is happiest when surrounded by friends, family, and her ADORABLE weenie dog, May.