"Certainly, my children’s teachers are what made us fall in love with this school. The way that they seek to know, care for, and love my kids had (and still have) a huge impact on our family." - Lauren Baggett, School Nurse

My husband, Chip, and I have been married for 17 years and we have 3 children: Will and Nora Kate are 11, and Luke is 9. Chip is one of the pastors at Cave Spring Baptist Church, and that job brought us to Roanoke almost 11 years ago.  I began working as the school nurse at Faith Christian School in August 2020.

My husband and I first learned of the classical education model when he was in seminary and his employer was involved in a local classical school. When we moved to Roanoke, our twins were 8 months old, and elementary school seemed far away, but as those years (quickly!) passed, we began looking at different education options for our children. We explored several places, including Faith Christian School, and it quickly rose to the top of our list. One thing that stood out to us was attending an FCS graduation for a student in our youth group. Our twins were 2 or 3 years old at the time, but it gave us a picture of the educational experience we would love for them to have. The twins started Kindergarten in 2017 and our third followed two years later. FCS has been a great fit for our family and we are so thankful!

What post-secondary schools did you attend? Degrees held?

I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Have you taught or been involved in schools somewhere else prior to FCS? If so, where, and how long?

Faith Christian School is the first school where I have worked. I have worked in hospitals on medical/surgical and palliative care floors as well as in public health providing home health and hospice care through the local health department.

We love our church family, and I am particularly involved in serving within our youth ministry. I enjoy teaching the Bible and discipling young women. As a family we enjoy being outdoors—hiking, biking, swimming, etc. My newest “hobby” is playing pickleball and I love playing that whenever I can! We are also in the middle of puppy training our Bernese Mountain dog named Scout, and that is taking up a good portion of my time at the moment! 

What or who inspired you to work in education?

Certainly, my children’s teachers are what made us fall in love with this school. The way that they seek to know, care for, and love my kids had (and still have) a huge impact on our family. However, what has made me stay here for my job is the administration. I have the utmost respect for the leaders of this school and am confident that all decisions are made with thoughtful consideration and prayer. It is a blessing to work for and with such Christ-centered people!

What do you find most compelling or distinct about Christian classical education? 

Something that is often said here is we are training our students to love what God loves. There is an intentional desire to weave in God’s good design and beauty into every subject and class and help students to see how God is “in all things and holding all things together” (Colossians 1:17). From what I have observed, the Christian classical model guides students to ask good questions, listen with intention, think well, and speak with truth and grace.

What do you love about the idea of teaching at Faith Christian School or what do you anticipate appreciating most about Faith Christian School?

As I have worked here the last few years, I have grown to know and truly love the students. It’s a joy to be able to work with students as young as JK all the way up to seniors. I enjoy each age and love watching them grow and mature. I am so thankful! 

What's a favorite book you've read?

My all-time favorite book is The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. She was a woman that was seemingly living an “ordinary” but faithful life to the Lord and found herself thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Her faith remained steadfast, and her hope and trust in the Lord only deepened through immense grief and trials—what an amazing testimony!

I also really love The Wingfeather Saga books by Andrew Peterson. I started reading these books aloud to my children when everything was shut down due to COVID. This series really encouraged me during some hard seasons, and the 3 children in the books bear a very strong personality resemblance to my 3 kids! 

If you have a "life verse" or a verse that is ministering to you right now, what might it be? 

My favorite book of the Bible is always the one I’m currently reading! Right now I’m in the book of Isaiah, and I love chapter 30:18-22, particularly vs 18: “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” 

If you have a personal life's mission statement, what is it?

As I think about interacting with students (especially if they are sick or injured), I love this quote from New Morning Mercies by Paul Tripp: 

“Here’s the plan: a God of grace makes his invisible grace visible by sending his people of grace to reflect his grace to people who need grace. You have been called to be the look on his face, the tone of his voice, and the touch of his hand. You are to represent his presence and his love. You are placed where you are to make his mercy and faithfulness visible and concrete.”