EA Unlocked

Each spring, Upper School students at The Episcopal Academy finish up their exams and transition to May Term, a two-week program that allows students to travel or remain on campus to study a variety of topics in depth. This year, 33 courses were offered, including, five international and three domestic trips. The science department offered a fascinating class, Science Beyond School. Seventeen students spent several days shadowing experts in the medical, engineering, and STEM fields. A highlight was the overwhelming offers from EA alumni and parents to host students. EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke, talks with a few of these hosts and the teachers who pulled it all together. Soledad Ganzhorn P '24, '26/Senior V.P. at SAP & Global Head of SAP Next Gen Dr. Noushin Heidary P '26, '31/The Cirillo Institute Stephanie Ladavac '95; P '34, '36/Project Specialist, Burns & McDonnell  Dr. Katie Colyer/EA Science Department Chair Grace Limaye '90/Upper School Science Teacher Read more about this year's EA's Ma

A long-standing tradition at The Episcopal Academy is the Teacher, Coach, Mentor model. This has proven to be a successful formula for EA's athletics program and in the classroom. During this episode of EA Unlocked, host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with top-ranked High Jumper and Triple Jumper Yaya Johnson, a talented student-athlete in the Class of 2025, and Computer Science and Engineering Teacher Matthew Davis. Over the years, this duo has worked together in the classroom and on the track with great success. Listen in on how Yaya's Lilley Advanced Independent Study project, called the Biomechanics of Track and Field, helped him adjust his jumping and break a 50 year-old record.  Yaya helped lead the EA Boys' Indoor Track and Field Team to its third consecutive state championship. Listen to the team and Coach Zach Richards relive this incredible win with only five competitors in six events.       

As a developing student-athlete, there's nothing quite like learning and getting encouragement from an upperclassman. The robust athletic teams and talented student-athletes at The Episcopal Academy, provide the perfect opportunity for varsity athletes to work with their younger peers in Middle School. In this episode of EA Unlocked, host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with Assistant Athletic Directors Katie Duffie and Steve Colfer, along with Coach Colleen Bernabei and varsity student-athletes Stevie Combs (Track & Field) and Evan MacFarland (Lacrosse) about EA's Bridge Day. 

The Chapel program at The Episcopal Academy is an important pillar of the school. Each year, more than 100 speakers share powerful insights and reflections with students, faculty, and staff in Lower, Middle, and Upper School.  This episode of EA Unlocked highlights some of those speakers who were featured in weekly @EAChapel Instagram posts. Speakers: :37 Dr. T.J. Locke, Hon. (Greville Haslam Head of School) 2:03 Katie Duffie (Assistant Athletic Director) 3:14 Chaz Howard (Univ. of Pennsylvania Chaplain) 4:32 Anna Safford '09 (English Teacher) 6:14 Nick Mead '13 (2024 Olympic Gold Medalist) 7:39 Erica Snowden (Exec. Dir. of the Office of DEI) 9:03 Quinn Whitaker '25 9:25 Michael DiMonte '25 10:58 Jovana Sekulic '21 (2024 Olympian) 13:02 Tony Herman, Hon. (English Teacher) 14:09 Cristina Deirmengian, Hon. (Spanish Teacher) 16:13 Father Tim Gavin, Hon. (Head Chaplain) 17:30 Anne Barr, Hon. (English Teacher) 18:41 Rev. Michael Palmisano (Middle School Chaplain) 20:34 Norman Vossschulte P '22, '25  

The arts at The Episcopal Academy are a treasured part of the curriculum. At EA art is more than just a subject. Visual Art Department Chair David Sigel talks with EA Unlocked host T.J. Locke about how art is the truest form students can dive into, to figure out who they are as a learner. One of the highlights of the year at EA is the annual spring celebration, ArtsFest. Listen in on the vibrant sounds of ArtsFest in a past episode of EA Unlocked.   

After much research and thought, The Episcopal Academy launched a cell phone pilot program in the Upper School. Each morning before homeroom, students place their phones in a secure holding case for the day and pick them up as they head out in the afternoon. Head of Upper School Mike Letts talks with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke about the process behind the initiative and the observations so far.    

The Episcopal Academy Boys' Track & Field Team pulled off a remarkable feat as they won their third consecutive Pennsylvania indoor state championship. With only five competitors in six events, every second, and every inch counted. In this bonus episode, the team and Coach Zach Richards share their "play by play," as the title came down to the Distance Medley Relay against powerhouse State College Area High School. "It was a movie in the making!" said Coach Richards. 2:20 Eli Engelman '25 (Mile, DMR) 4:47 Abaas Hunter '26 (200m, 400m, DMR) 9:00 Yaya Johnson '25 (High Jump, Triple Jump) 13:13 Curtis Conner '26 (DMR) 16:54 Kaleb Young '28  (DMR) 20:33 Jacob Serrano '28 (Alternate)  

With the wealth of talented and experienced educators at The Episcopal Academy, there are plenty of opportunities to learn from colleagues. In January, EA's Center for Teaching and Learning launched the inaugural Open Classroom Week. Teachers in Lower, Middle, and Upper School "opened" their classrooms to faculty and staff. With over 100 classroom visits, the week created quite a buzz. CTL Buckley Executive Director Justin Cerenzia and CTL Coordinator Allison Schultz talk about this growth opportunity with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke.

Curious who is reading five books a month, has returned to the classroom as a teacher's aide, and recently read a translation of The Odyssey?  With a combined 115 years of service to The Episcopal Academy, retired teachers Lynne Hay, Tim Kent, and Nancy Reinhard catch listeners up on their action-packed retirements and strong connections to the EA community.

The Episcopal Academy college counseling team recently hosted Kirk Brennan for a day on campus. The Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Admissions met with students, parents, faculty, and staff to discuss the college process. His talk was titled: Redefining Success: Guiding Your Student Through High School and Beyond.  Kirk Brennan talks about the misconceptions about the process and how college admissions has changed over the years with host Chris Torino, EA Assistant Head of School. Check out past episodes in our EA Unlocked College Counseling "quick takes" series. Takeaways From Strategic Campus Travel & Relationship Building with EA College Counseling EA College Counseling Shares Takeaways from the NACAC Conference     

For some students math can be intimidating. But an inspiring math department and teachers can make a real difference. EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with Episcopal Academy math teacher Dr. Tom Goebeler, who has taught many of EA's higher-level math offerings for the last 14 years. As Dr. Goebeler explains, "There is a lot of runway here" when it comes to math. Dr. Goebeler also talks about why he is committed to using the old fashion blackboard.  

'Tis the season at The Episcopal Academy! Students in Lower, Middle, and Upper School shared their musical talents and spread the spirit of the holidays during their instrumental and choral Winter Concerts in December. Listen in on the sounds of the holidays performed by EA's talented singers, orchestra and band students.  

More than 100 colleges and universities have visited The Episcopal Academy over the last few months as EA's team of seven College Counselors have visited campuses around the world. In our College Counseling "quick takes" EA Unlocked series, Head of School Chris Torino is behind the mic and talks with Executive Director of College Counseling Catalina Guzman and her team on the importance of strategic travel and relationship building. 1:50 Mary Maier/Sr. Associate Dir. of College Counseling (Univ. of Minnesota, Grinnell, Macalester, St. Olaf, Carleton College) 2:39 Lara Greico/Sr. Associate Dir. of College Counseling (LSU, Tulane, Loyola New Orleans, Dillard, Xavier, Northwestern, Loyola Chicago, Univ. of Chicago, USC) 4:19 Chrissy Cerenzia/Sr. Associate Dir. of College Counseling (Emory, Georgia Tech) 5:28 Julie Kerich/Sr. Associate Dir. of College Counseling (Study in Wales Tour)      

Each year, The Episcopal Academy brings accomplished professionals to campus for the Walter W. Buckley, Jr. '55 American History Lecture Series. In November, historian, author, and Princeton University professor Julian Zelizer spent the day speaking with students and faculty. Mr. Zelizer is the Malcolm Stevenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton. His book Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974 is a New York Times Best Seller. Mr. Zelizer continued his conversation and political insights with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke.

We have all been there, desperate to retrieve information during a conversation, for an assessment, or project. During a recent professional development day, faculty and staff at The Episcopal Academy worked with cognitive scientist and Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music, Pooja Agarwal. She is the author of Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning. Dr. Agarwal has researched how students learn for more than 20 years. Her specialty is retrieval practice and enduring learning. Buckley Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Justin Cerenzia arranged the professional development day with Dr. Agarwal. He joins in on this fascinating conversation with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke.  

Over the last few years, there has been a lot of work underway at The Episcopal Academy surrounding College Counseling. The initiative is led by Assistant Head of School, Chris Torino. Throughout Season 5, EA Unlocked host T.J. Locke is handing over the mic to Chris for some "quick takes" on the college counseling landscape. This first "bonus" episode features Catalina Guzman who was welcomed to campus over the summer. She is the new Executive Director of the department. Catalina and her team recently attended the NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) conference in Los Angeles and visited more than 15 California colleges and universities. Learn more about Catalina's vast experience in College Counseling and the headlines out of the NACAC conference. Be sure and follow @eacollegecounseling for the latest.

Senior Jack Gallagher spend three weeks in Namibia over the summer with the National Geographic Student Travel Program. Armed with two cameras, multiple lenses, and plenty of water, Jack captured stunning photos of the landscape and wildlife that wander the arid region. His work kicked off the 2024-25 season at The Episcopal Academy's Crawford Campus Center Art Gallery. The exhibit is titled Mbi ri nama (I'm doing alright). Listen in as Jack shares his photographic adventure, including being eye to eye with a cheetah, with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke. Check out Jack's photos here.  

This fall a new initiative is underway at EA, designed to help students, faculty, and staff learn more about productive civil dialogue. The Episcopal Academy is fortunate to be a school that is grounded with strong values, moral character, respect, and civility through the Chapel program and the Stripes. EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with Middle School Head Laurie Piette about the rollout of MODEL the Stripes!    

It was an especially exciting summer for four Episcopal Academy alumni as they competed in the Summer Olympics in Paris. Rower Nick Mead '13 competed in the coxless men's four and won gold. It was the first gold medal for the men's four since 1960. Nick was also selected to carry the American flag in the Closing Ceremony alongside fellow medalist and swimmer Katie Ledecky. Open water swimmer Ivan Puskovitch '19 braved the waters of the Seine in the men's 10K where he placed 19th overall. Water polo player Jovana Sekulic '21 was all smiles as she made her Olympic debut with USA Women's Water Polo. The squad won four of their seven games and finished in 4th place. Ashley Sessa '22 lived her Olympic dream as a member of Team USA Field Hockey. She opened the team's scoring with a goal in their first game against Argentina. They finished in 9th place overall. EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with these incredible athletes about their path to the Olympics, experiences at EA, and their favorite Olympic swag.

As the 2023-24 school year wraps up, EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke ventured down to the new Lower School playground. Fourteen swings, two basket swings, zip lines, tube slides, and creative wooden dodecahedrons, (think 12-sided beehive) have all made for a lot of fun and adventure for playground visitors of all ages. Listen in as EA's young students serve up sand pies and cookies made daily at the very popular water pump and sand play area. Guests: Father Tim Gavin (1:19) Terry Malone/Head of Lower School (1:32) Lisa Herbster/Assistant Head of Lower School (1:53) Jen Fifer/Director of Institutional Advancement (2:17) Luke Wright '29 (4:18)