Guest: Amy Riccardi, Loudoun County School Board Candidate (Sterling)

What if people were making the most critical decisions affecting your child’s education, you’ve never heard of—and never voted for?

In this powerful episode, Krishna Cart sits down with Amy Riccardi, a Loudoun County mom, educator, and school board candidate, who is sounding the alarm about what’s happening in public education. From spiraling budgets and lagging test scores to controversial books and a growing mental health agenda, Amy shares why she’s running as an independent—and what families, taxpayers, and teachers need to know.

You’ll learn how school boards actually work, why Sterling schools are falling behind, and what parents can do right now to get informed, involved, and influential. Whether you’re in public, private, or homeschool, this conversation is your essential School Board 101—with honesty, clarity, and purpose.

Listen in to hear: ✔️ Why $24,000 per student isn’t yielding better outcomes ✔️ The truth about controversial books and school libraries ✔️ What “counseling time” really means for K–5 students ✔️ How parents can hold schools accountable—without being political ✔️ The roadmap to restoring academic focus in a divided district

In Episode 12, Krishna Cart speaks with Amy Riccardi, a Loudoun County school board candidate, about the growing gap between what families expect from schools and what’s actually happening inside them.

Amy shares her journey—from shocked parent to independent candidate—after discovering troubling ideological content during her children’s online learning. They dive deep into the structure and power of local school boards, the disconnect between spending and performance, the politicization of education, and the need to refocus on academic results.

This episode offers a candid look at what’s driving school policy—and why your voice as a parent has never been more important.

In this inspiring episode of the Masterpiece Academy Podcast, Krishna Cart explores the transformative power of Project-Based Learning (PBL) within a Christ-centered education model.

You'll discover how Masterpiece Academy goes beyond traditional online schooling — combining accredited academics, personal mentorship, and vibrant community life. Students engage in real-world learning projects that strengthen leadership, critical thinking, and faith integration, preparing them not just for college but for their God-given calling.

Project-Based Learning (PBL) emphasizes real-world applications, not just test preparation.

Masterpiece Academy blends accredited education with rich community support and fellowship.

Students build essential skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving through hands-on projects.

Faith is fully integrated into every part of the curriculum, not added on as an afterthought.

Personal mentorship from licensed teachers ensures every student is guided, supported, and challenged.

Students work on projects that matter to them now, building ownership and engagement.

The curriculum is designed using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles — supporting diverse learning styles.

In high school, students tackle real-world problem-solving projects, preparing for leadership beyond the classroom.

Parents can support PBL at home by asking open-ended questions and getting involved in their child’s learning.

Celebrating creativity and perseverance helps build lasting confidence and resilience in students. You'll discover how Masterpiece Academy goes beyond traditional online schooling — combining accredited academics, personal mentorship, and vibrant community life. Students engage in real-world learning projects that strengthen leadership, critical thinking, and faith integration, preparing them not just for college but for their God-given calling.

• "PBL is deep, relevant learning."
• "Students are the authors and the creators."
• "Faith is not an add-on, it's the center."

• 00:00 — Introduction to Masterpiece Academy and PBL
• 01:17 — Understanding Project-Based Learning (PBL)
• 05:26 — Masterpiece Academy's Unique Approach
• 09:05 — Real-World Applications of PBL
• 10:27 — Supporting PBL at Home
• 13:08 — Final Encouragement and Invitation

In this episode of Learning by Design, host Krishna Cart explores why Bible-based education is more essential than ever in 2025. As culture rapidly shifts and parents re-evaluate what matters in their children’s education, this conversation gets to the heart of what makes education transformative, not just informative.

Mrs. Cart unpacks what Bible-based education truly means, why the cultural climate demands more intentional discipleship, and how Masterpiece Academy is building a unique model rooted in biblical truth, spiritual formation, and academic excellence.

Key Takeaways:

• Biblical-based education is foundational in today’s cultural moment.
• Education should lead to transformation, not just the transmission of information.
• Parents and educators must actively shape students' worldviews.
• Culture is forming children—unless we disciple them through truth.
• Masterpiece Academy offers a hybrid model grounded in faith and rigor.
• Education is a partnership between families, teachers, and the Church.

Featured Verse: “Train up a child in the way he should go…” — Proverbs 22:6

Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Bible-Based Education 03:09 – The Importance of a Biblical Worldview 05:24 – Navigating Modern Educational Challenges 07:34 – Education as Discipleship 10:00 – Future of Masterpiece Academy and Community Engagement 10:57 – Encouragement & Closing

Sound Bites: “It’s a mission, not just a school.” “Education is discipleship.” “Stay connected for future episodes.”

Learn more & connect: https://masterpiecek12.org/masterpiecek12-org-learning-by-design-podcasts

Episode 9: From Reading to Writing — The Power of Personal Statements

In this episode of the Learning by Design podcast, host Krishna Cart offers practical tips and guidance for families on how to write a personal statement for college and technical programs like MATA (Monroe Advanced Technical Academy). Whether your teen is applying for college, scholarships, or internships, a personal statement is their chance to stand out—and your role as a parent matters.

Krishna shares how to support your child’s writing process without taking over, why authenticity beats polish, and how everyday literacy habits at home—like reading, journaling, and meaningful conversations—build a strong foundation for impactful writing.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why personal statements matter in college, MATA, scholarships, and internship applications
• What makes a personal statement genuine and effective
• The difference between technical program and college essays
• Tips and guidance for families to support without overstepping
• How literacy habits at home build writing confidence and voice

Keywords: personal statements, writing, education, parenting, literacy, college applications, scholarships, internships, MATA, student guidance, storytelling, character development, communication skills

Read the Blog

Episode Chapters:

00:00The Importance of Personal Statements

04:17Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement

06:32Parental Guidance in the Writing Process

09:22Building Literacy for Effective Writing

11:53The Role of Parents in Literacy Development

Takeaway: The best personal statements don’t try to impress—they connect. With the right support, your teen can tell a story that’s honest, thoughtful, and uniquely theirs.

Like what you hear? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another family preparing for college, MATA, scholarships, or internships.

In this episode of Learning by Design, Krishna Cart explores how parents can play a pivotal role in their children’s literacy journey. Drawing on 25+ years of experience in literacy education, Krishna shares practical, research-backed strategies to build a literacy-rich home, nurture a love for reading and writing, and use technology mindfully. Whether you're supporting a beginning reader or a high school writer, this episode is packed with real-life, doable guidance for every stage of development.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Literacy Education
• 02:50 – The Five Components of Literacy Development
• 05:59 – Practical Strategies for Fostering Literacy
• 08:52 – Utilizing Technology Mindfully
• 12:08 – Conclusion and Key Takeaways

• Host: Krishna Cart, National Board Certified Reading Specialist, founder of Young Scholars Circle (Masterpiece Academy)
• Focus Topics:
  • Building a literacy-rich environment
  • Modeling reading and writing at home
  • Using tech wisely in education
  • Reading comprehension and critical thinking development
  • Supporting literacy from K–12

In this inspiring episode, Krishna Cart welcomes former student Helena Gabriel and her father Charles Gabriel to explore how intentional parenting, early academic exposure, and faith-based values helped shape Helena and her sister Antonia’s journeys—from gifted test prep in elementary school to elite high school programs like TJ and Academies of Loudoun. Charles shares his coaching-style parenting approach, Helena opens up about her path to discovering a passion for healthcare, leadership, and advocacy, and together they reveal lessons in resilience, strategic thinking, and staying grounded in purpose. A must-listen for parents navigating how to support their child’s potential—academically, spiritually, and personally.

"Train up a child the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Read our Blog that accompanies this Episode 7. Lessons from the Gabrial family.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Learning Journey 05:55 Nurturing Individual Strengths 10:53 Building a Campaign for Success 17:31 Recognizing and Preparing for Potential 23:22 Overcoming Academic Challenges 29:14 Navigating Academic Milestones 33:16 Passions and Career Paths 36:02 Parenting and Nurturing Potential 39:08 Advocacy in Education 43:44 Stress and the Education System 49:14 Character Building and Community Involvement 52:02 Spiritual Foundations in Parenting

Episode 6: PSAT to Paycheck – Scholarships That No One Talks About

️ Episode 6 of the Learning by Design Podcast: Think the PSAT is just another standardized test? Think again! In this episode, we uncover the hidden financial opportunities tied to the National Merit Scholarship Program—scholarships that could turn your test scores into tuition dollars. From PSAT preparation to unlocking exclusive college funding, we guide you through the lesser-known pathways to securing merit-based scholarships that many students and families overlook, breaking down the step-by-step process from PSAT preparation to winning merit-based awards. Whether you’re a student striving for recognition, a parent supporting your child’s academic journey, or an educator looking for insights, this episode is packed with expert tips, strategies, and essential information.

What You’ll Learn: The National Merit Scholarship timeline—from PSAT to finalist status.

• How to calculate your Selection Index score and determine cutoff thresholds.
• Myths and misconceptions about the National Merit process.
• The different types of scholarships available, including corporate and college-sponsored awards.
• Test-taking strategies to boost your PSAT score and increase your chances of success.

Why It Matters: Winning a National Merit Scholarship can open doors to full-ride college opportunities, provide valuable academic recognition, and set students up for future success. Read our blog post that accompanies this.

Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Vimeo, and other streaming platforms!

Subscribe and share with students, parents, and educators looking to navigate the scholarship journey!

Discover the journey from high scores to scholarships!

Watch now and start your path to academic success!