Episode 97 - Taking Jesus to School: How Christian Educators Live Out the Fruit of the Spirit with Dr. Jackie Minor

Date: February 3, 2026 Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Dr. Jackie Minor   Story Highlights: In this inspiring episode of The Women Behind the Words, Debbie Dufek sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Minor for a thoughtful and encouraging conversation about bringing faith into educational spaces and equipping Christian educators to live out the fruit of the Spirit in their daily work. With more than four decades of experience as a teacher, administrator, professional developer, and global consultant, Dr. Minor offers a grounded and compassionate perspective on the challenges educators face today. Dr. Minor shares the heart behind founding Victorious Educator Ministries, a nonprofit created to support and encourage Christian educators as they navigate their calling in classrooms, schools, and learning environments of all kinds. She explains how the belief that God has been “taken out of schools” deeply affected educators over time, often creating fear and confusion about how to live out faith at work. Jackie emphasizes that when Jesus lives in a believer’s heart, He goes with them everywhere, including into the classroom. The conversation traces Jackie’s journey from a lifelong educator to ministry founder and author. She reflects on the years of preparation God used to lead her into writing Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display. What began as obedience through blog writing eventually became a full length book designed to equip educators with biblical truth and practical application. Jackie speaks honestly about the difficulty of writing the book and how God used the process to teach her daily obedience, dependence, and trust. Debbie and Jackie discuss the realities educators face in public schools, private schools, charter schools, and homeschool settings. They talk about classroom chaos, emotional exhaustion, difficult student behavior, and the pressure teachers feel when they believe they are not equipped for the task. Jackie encourages educators to shift their focus toward what they allow into their minds and hearts, reminding listeners that spiritual nourishment, Scripture, prayer, and community are essential for sustaining faith and joy in challenging environments. Throughout the episode, Jackie explains how the fruit of the Spirit is not something educators manufacture on their own but something that flows naturally when they walk closely with the Holy Spirit. She shares how kindness, patience, gentleness, gratitude, and self control can transform interactions with students, colleagues, and parents, often leaving a lasting impact that may not be seen until years later. The episode reinforces the message that educators are never alone in their calling. God sees their faithfulness, honors their obedience, and works through ordinary moments to create eternal impact. Jackie encourages listeners to remember that every child is created in God’s image and that small acts of love and grace can ripple far beyond the classroom.   About Our Guest: Dr. Jacqueline Minor is the founder of Victorious Educator Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping Christian educators to live out their faith confidently in the workplace. With over forty years of experience as a teacher, school principal, assistant superintendent, professional developer, and global consultant, she has worked with educators across the United States and in multiple countries. Jackie inspires educators, administrators, homeschool families, and school staff to view every learning environment as a mission field and an opportunity to reflect Christ. Dr. Minor is the author of Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display, a book created to help educators grow spiritually while navigating the daily realities of education with wisdom, grace, and faith. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Vern.   Book Spotlight: Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display by Dr. Jacqueline Minor is a practical and faith filled resource for Christian educators seeking to integrate their beliefs into their professional lives without fear or compromise. The book walks readers through each element of the fruit of the Spirit, explaining its biblical meaning, how Jesus modeled it, and how educators can apply it in real life situations. Each chapter includes real world scenarios, Scripture based teaching, and reflection exercises designed for individual study or group discussion. The book is written for educators in public, private, charter, and homeschool settings and encourages readers to see spiritual growth as the foundation for lasting impact in their work with children and families.   Connect with Jackie: Victorious Educator Ministries Website: https://www.victoriouseducator.com/about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jackie-minor-3bbba618 Book: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Jesus-School-Spirit-Display/dp/B0FCSPB3BQ X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/JackieMinorVEM   Closing Thought: Educators carry a sacred responsibility and a powerful opportunity. When faith is lived out through love, patience, kindness, and grace, classrooms become places where God’s presence is felt without a single word being spoken. Dr. Jackie Minor reminds listeners that God equips those He calls, and faithful obedience today can shape lives for generations to come.