Valentine’s Day Conversations: What Really Makes Us Feel Loved?
February 9, 2026
Valentine’s Day can be one of the most romantic days of the year — or one of the most disappointing.
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Did you play “Hide and Seek” with your neighborhood friends growing up? The version I played involved the “Seeker” standing by a Home Base, usually a tree or street sign, and counting to a designated number (usually 100) while all the “Hiders” dispersed throughout the neighborhood. After the Seeker reached the end of their count, […]
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Who better to ask than a classroom full of teenagers, “What does it mean to be a good dad?” At Parkview High School, classrooms are full of a variety of perceptions considering its high diversity rate–both multiculturally and socioeconomically. There was hesitancy to even ask the question because that can be a sensitive topic to […]
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The time of the year that every parent loves has arrived! It’s back to school time! Dads (and moms) are happy to get the kiddos out of the house (and their hair) for the day. Clothes, school supplies, and other necessities have been obtained. Mission accomplished – right? Well, maybe not so fast. While the […]
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This month on the Growing Good Dads blog, we’re diving into the ways you can be a good dad to preteens. Children at this age are in a period of growth and discovery: they’re learning who they are and figuring out their passions by becoming more independent. On recent episodes of the Good Dads podcast, […]
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If your child is entering the public education system (maybe for the first time), you probably wondering how to make sure it’s a success. I understand, and I am in the same boat as a dad of a preschooler. I’ve done my share of research on making my son’s leap into elementary school go smoothly, […]
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This month on the Growing Good Dads blog, we’re focusing on being a good dad to kids between 6–9 years old. If you have a child this age, they’re most likely in the middle of their summer break. Because summer is the perfect time for relaxation and fun in the sun, the last thing some […]
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Suddenly the sound of a bell, horn or whistle breaks the silence. Almost immediately another set of sounds can be heard. Those whoops, sighs and moans are voices of school children, teachers and parents heralding the end of the school year. Summer vacation has arrived! Summer is a particularly important time for dads. Summer offers […]
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High-stress jobs in education? Been there. Managing and leading others? Done that. Juggling a career while being a dad? Welcome to Jim Millsap’s life. Good Dads’ new Strong Schools Coordinator has seen it all. A Springfield native, Jim attended Missouri State University to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The retired educator spent 39 total […]
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As a lifelong educator with 25+ years serving within public schools, I’ve seen teaching trends change from whole-group learning to targeted skill groups, from flashcards to computer programs, and from seated instruction to virtual learning. Each trend is always striving to close the achievement, equity, and success gap between children. However, the secret sauce component […]
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It’s one of the most controversial words in education and can send fear down the spines of parents and students alike: HOMEWORK. Educators frequently debate the merits of homework. Research shows that homework only has a minimal educational impact on elementary students and a moderate educational impact on secondary students. Some educators assign homework as […]
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At the History Museum on the Square, one of the best things to hear from young visitors are sentences beginning with I. Sentences, declared with confidence and enthusiasm, like: “I go to Phelps Grove Park with my family all the time.” “I rode a train just like this.” “I live next to that field where […]
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School. Soccer practice. Homework. Dinner. Piano Recital. Bed. Repeat. Does some variation of this sound all too familiar? Intentionally or unintentionally, our Generation Z kids are enduring heavy schedules filled with highly scripted activities. This leaves little (if any) downtime for unstructured play, learning, or even boredom — all of which experts suggest are crucial […]
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Good Dads Awarded 5-Year Federal ‘Healthy Marriage, Responsible Fatherhood’ Grant
Good Dads learned Tuesday morning that it is among 109 organizations in 38 states to receive grant funding via U.S.
3 Reasons to Support Responsible Fatherhood Today
In the nonprofit field, we always have our eyes set on the horizon. We’re always concerned with what the future
Pastor Brian Mattson on Strong Schools Captain Connections
Brian Mattson has a lot of roles in his life: husband, father of two, lead pastor of the Downtown Church
Practice Makes Perfect
Have you ever had this thought? You buy a Powerball ticket and discover you won the jackpot! You’ve made it!!
Father-daughter duo Rick and Daisy Gideon on learning lessons through Strong Schools
What do making paper airplanes, coloring pictures and creating pipe cleaner creatures all have in common? These are great, simple
Father-son duo Brian and Hudson on bonding opportunities through Strong Schools
Father of three sons Brian Stranghoener didn’t know what he was getting into when his 4th grader, Hudson, brought home
Simple Moments, Big Impact: Dads Making a Difference at School
In the latest episode of the Good Dads Great Communities podcast, we spoke to experts about father involvement in elementary
The Griffin family on learning the value of teamwork through Strong Schools
Eric Griffin, Springfield father of two kindergarteners and two fifth graders, knows what being a busy father looks like. He
Strong Schools Coordinator Jim Millsap on fatherhood engagement efforts in schools
Most people would be more than happy to stay retired after serving nearly 40 years in the education sector. Jim
Bringing it Home Attendees Joined Good Dads for First-Ever Reunion
We loved seeing Good Dads leaders from across the state Friday, July 18, at our Family Reunion in Springfield, MO.
Measure Twice, Learn Once
I have so many Tom stories, I thought I would share another one. It has always bugged me how Tom
June Conversations: Inspiring Insights from Four Good Dads Episodes
This month on the Good Dads Podcast, our lineup explored vital areas of fatherhood: from raising financially responsible kids to