What kind of future do we want for our children? Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith, with the federal Office of Early Childhood Development, has spent her career answering that question.

In this week's episode of The Narrative, CCV Communications Executive Director Mike Andrews and Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) Executive Director Troy McIntosh speak with Laurie as she shares real-time trends and statistics in American classrooms, what downsizing the Department of Education entails, and why school choice is essential to protecting parental rights and student success.

Before the guys sit down with Laurie, Troy shares exciting OCEN updates, including:
Seven new Christian schools opened this year through the partnership of OCEN, CCV, and churches that felt called to serve the children in their communities. 
The launch of the nationwide Christian Education Network brought in leaders to Ohio from three states to learn how they can build a network of their own.
The recent Sidney Daily Newsarticle Troy wrote in response to school choice critics.

 

MORE ABOUT LAURIE TODD-SMITH

Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith is the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Office of Early Childhood Development at the Administration for Children and Families at the US Department of Health and Human Services.

She most recently served as the America First Policy Institute as Director of the Center for Education Opportunity and the Center for the American Child where she focused on assisting states to advance evidence-based education policy reforms including the expansion of school choice, early literacy, foster care reform, online safety of children, as well as model policy for fentanyl curriculum in public schools. 

Dr. Todd-Smith served as Senior Education and Workforce Policy Advisor to Governor Phil Bryant as well as Executive Director of the State Early Childhood Council. Her work led to remarkable growth in reading and math achievement outcomes for Mississippi's students, earning the state the title of the "Mississippi Miracle."

President Trump appointed Dr. Todd-Smith as the Director of the Women’s Bureau at the United States Department of Labor in 2018. During her tenure at the Women’s Bureau, she focused the agency on childcare quality and access, paid family leave, and grants to support women in apprenticeships.  

Dr. Todd-Smith holds a doctorate in education from Mississippi State University, a master’s degree from Western New Mexico University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.

 

 

TALK TO US

We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now.

👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077.

👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org.

To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.

⭐️ How are we doing?

If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you'rehelping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!

🔎 About The Narrative

The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies.

Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.

What kind of future do we want for our children? Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith, with the federal Office of Early Childhood Development, has spent her career answering that question.
In this week's episode of The Narrative, CCV Communications Executive Director Mike Andrews and <a href="https://ohiocen.org/">Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN)</a> Executive Director Troy McIntosh speak with Laurie as she shares real-time trends and statistics in American classrooms, what downsizing the Department of Education entails, and why school choice is essential to protecting parental rights and student success.
Before the guys sit down with Laurie, Troy shares exciting OCEN updates, including:
<ul>
<li>Seven new Christian schools opened this year through the partnership of OCEN, CCV, and churches that felt called to serve the children in their communities.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The launch of the nationwide <a href="https://www.christianednetwork.org/">Christian Education Network</a> brought in leaders to Ohio from three states to learn how they can build a network of their own.</li>
<li>The recent Sidney Daily News <a href="https://www.sidneydailynews.com/2025/08/16/their-view-support-for-edchoice-program/">article</a> Troy wrote in response to school choice critics.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
MORE ABOUT LAURIE TODD-SMITH
Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith is the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Office of Early Childhood Development at the Administration for Children and Families at the US Department of Health and Human Services.
She most recently served as the America First Policy Institute as Director of the Center for Education Opportunity and the Center for the American Child where she focused on assisting states to advance evidence-based education policy reforms including the expansion of school choice, early literacy, foster care reform, online safety of children, as well as model policy for fentanyl curriculum in public schools.&nbsp;
Dr. Todd-Smith served as Senior Education and Workforce Policy Advisor to Governor Phil Bryant as well as Executive Director of the State Early Childhood Council. Her work led to remarkable growth in reading and math achievement outcomes for Mississippi's students, earning the state the title of the "Mississippi Miracle."
President Trump appointed Dr. Todd-Smith as the Director of the Women&rsquo;s Bureau at the United States Department of Labor in 2018. During her tenure at the Women&rsquo;s Bureau, she focused the agency on childcare quality and access, paid family leave, and grants to support women in apprenticeships.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Dr. Todd-Smith holds a doctorate in education from Mississippi State University, a master&rsquo;s degree from Western New Mexico University, and a bachelor&rsquo;s degree from the University of Arizona.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
TALK TO US
We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We&rsquo;ll answer your questions on an &ldquo;Ask Us Anything&rdquo; episode later, so send in your questions now.
👉&nbsp; Leave us a voicemail or text at <a href="tel:614-769-7077">614-769-7077.</a>
👉&nbsp; Email us at <a href="mailto:thenarrative@ccv.org">thenarrative@ccv.org.</a>
To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ccv.org/join">CCV.org.</a>
⭐️ How are we doing?
If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and&nbsp;brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!
🔎 About The Narrative
The&nbsp;Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today&rsquo;s culture and political controversies.
Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.

The Narrative breaks away from the script to reveal the driving forces behind the most important and divisive issues facing our culture today.

Visit CCV.org to learn more.

The Narrative breaks away from the script to reveal the driving forces behind the most important and divisive issues facing our culture today.
Visit <a href="https://www.ccv.org/">CCV.org</a> to learn more.

The Narrative

🔊 Talk to Us

We want to hear from you! Your feedback helps us keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and engaging. Have a guest suggestion, a topic you're curious about, or a question you want answered? Let us know! We host “Ask Us Anything” episodes where we respond to your questions on the show.

👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077.

👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org.

To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.

⭐️ How are we doing?

If you've found any episode of The Narrative to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you'rehelping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!

🔎 About The Narrative

The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives, and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture, and political controversies.

Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.

Visit CCV.org/TheNarrative to learn more.

Produced by Wessler Media.

🔊 Talk to Us
We want to hear from you! Your feedback helps us keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and engaging. Have a guest suggestion, a topic you're curious about, or a question you want answered? Let us know! We host &ldquo;Ask Us Anything&rdquo; episodes where we respond to your questions on the show.
👉&nbsp; Leave us a voicemail or text at <a href="tel:614-769-7077">614-769-7077.</a>
👉&nbsp; Email us at <a href="mailto:thenarrative@ccv.org">thenarrative@ccv.org.</a>
To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ccv.org/join">CCV.org.</a>
<hr>
⭐️ How are we doing?
If you've found any episode of The Narrative to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning&nbsp;you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!
<hr>
🔎 About The Narrative
The&nbsp;Narrative&nbsp;breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media&nbsp;narratives, and helps you understand the root causes of today&rsquo;s culture, and political controversies.
Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.
Visit <a href="CCV.org/TheNarrative">CCV.org/TheNarrative</a> to learn more.
Produced by <a href="https://www.wesslermedia.com/">Wessler Media</a>.

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