EA Unlocked

After a two-year hiatus, EA freshmen ventured to North Carolina for the annual Outward Bound School experience. During the trip, students hiked, learned to scale rock walls, and camped in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with students and class advisor Zach Richards about the adventure that still has students smiling and sharing stories.

Plans are underway to break ground on a new playground for the Lower School over the summer. Play is an important component in early childhood education. Host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with Head of Lower School Dr. Terry Malone, Director of Institutional Advancement Jen Fifer, and Chief Operating Officer Mark Notaro about the project.

It has been a record-setting season for EA's cross country, indoor, and spring track & field teams. The boys and girls have set an astounding 22 school records this year! Seniors Mekhi Rodgers, Bryce Cooper, Kathryn Lynn, and junior Dakin Ebmeyer, stopped by to talk with host Dr. T.J. Locke and share their thoughts on the success of EA running. Additional guests: Coaches Jim Farrell, John Goens, Laurie Finnical

This year's Walter W. Buckley, Jr. '55 American History Lecture Series featured Dr. Joanne B. Freeman. The noted historian specializes in the politics and political culture of the revolutionary and early national periods of American History. She is also a leading expert on the life of Alexander Hamilton. During her day on campus, Dr. Freeman also met with students and EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke.

EA student musicians shared their talents and provided some beautiful music for this year's Easter celebrations. Student pieces are performed by Ashley Kim '23 (flute), Sejin Park '20 (viola), and Michael Zhou '21 (piano).

Middle School students jump into learning the Classics at EA with the introduction to Latin in 7th grade. One of the highlights for 8th graders is the Emperors Project. This project stretches through all three trimesters and culminates with A Night with the Emperors. Classics Chair Steve Bosio talks about EA's hands-on curriculum and the success and growth of the department.

Seniors Juliette Loor and Ned Meisel, co-presidents of the Install It club, talk with host Dr. T.J. Locke about their experience curating the school-wide art collaboration and installation of Into the Light. The exhibit includes cut-out designs made by PreK-12th grade students, faculty, and staff. The project was inspired by artist Anila Quayyum Agha. Additional Podcast Guests: Upper School art teachers Hilary Hutchinson, David Sigel, Woodworking & Design teacher John Binstock, Gallery Coordinator Susan Coote, and 2nd and 4th grade students.

The Middle School boys' A (Division 1) and B (Division 2) squash teams won the 2022 National Championship- for the first time in school history. The team was seeded #1 heading into the tournament which was hosted at the newly opened Arlen Spector US Squash Center at Drexel University. Two players, and EA Squash Co-Director Lyall Paterson, talk with Dr. T.J. Locke about the experience. Guests: 8th graders Rubens Schwarz & Brandon Bin, EA Squash Co-Director Lyall Paterson.

Curious how Dr. Locke determines when to call a snow day for EA? It is a team effort and involves input from several departments on campus. Guests: Michele Godin, EA Director of Communications, and Mark Notaro, EA Chief Operating Officer.  

This school year, EA's team of talented librarians launched an initiative to bring the community together through reading. Each month, a picture book is selected that is enjoyed by students in PreK through Upper School.        

EA students have a vast offering of electives to choose from in Middle in Upper School. Eight years ago, additional courses were added for Upper School students through Global Online Academy (GOA). The consortium includes schools from all over the world. Host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with three seniors about their experience with GOA.

Each fall, during Spirit Week, PreK-5th graders are challenged to put their design skills to the test during the All Lower School Build. Using upcycled materials, students have crafted cars, boats, and this year, parachutes. Head of Lower School, Dr. Terry Malone, discussed this fun Lower School tradition with EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke. Also featured are 2nd grader Will, this year's parachute drop winner- 4th grader Yara, Technology Coach Kim Farrell, and repeat faculty winner, 4th grade teacher Brendan Fitzpatrick.

Enjoy some Christmas favorites performed by EA's talented Lower, Middle, and Upper School musicians.

Lessons and Carols at EA is held on the morning before students are dismissed for the much-anticipated holiday break. Middle and Upper School students gather in The Class of 1944 Chapel, along with their teachers, parents, and young alumni, to listen to nine lessons and beautiful carols to celebrate the holiday season. Father Tim Gavin talks with EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke, about this EA favorite that dates back to the 1800s.

EA launched its Computer Science and Engineering department in 2018 with a cutting-edge curriculum for Prek - 12th grade students. Middle and Upper School students can choose from a robust list of course offerings, while students in Lower School work with a team of Technology Coaches in the Idea Lab and across disciplines in their homeroom classes.  Department chair Matt Memmo, Hon. shared his insights and thoughts about Computer Science and Engineering with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke.

Each year, students are encouraged to share their talents in the Dora Khayatt art and music competitions. In the spring of 2021, seniors Madison Bello and Paige Croney won for their beautiful singing performances. Nick Cerone '22 (baritone sax), and Ashley Kim '23(flute), won for their instrumental performances. Ashley and Nick recently stopped by to talk with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke about their love for music and the Dora Khayatt contest.

EA's rivalry with The Haverford School dates back to 1889, when the first football game was played between the two schools. In the 1980's, the coveted Split Sweater was introduced and awarded to the school that won the most contests- which grew to include soccer, cross country, water polo, and golf. In 2005, EA girls began competing against The Agnes Irwin School in an effort to win the Banner. Retired Athletic Director Gina Buggy and Associate Director of Athletics Jim Farrell take a look at the history of this long-standing tradition and share some of their memories of this rivalry weekend.

Beth Corrigan is the new chair of EA's Board of Trustees. She was recently on campus for the fall Board meeting and stopped by for an EA Unlocked recording session to share her thoughts on her new role.

Olympic rower Nick Mead '13 launched his rowing career as an EA freshman, under the guidance of Classics teacher and rowing coach Molly Konopka, Hon. He recently stopped by campus to talk with Coach Konopka and EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke about competing in the Tokyo Olympics, his strong ties to Episcopal, and his plans for the future.

Despite distanced learning restrictions, EA's music department still managed to provide some beautiful music for the holidays. Enjoy these sweet sounds from EA's Lower, Middle, and Upper School musicians.

This special "pop-up" edition of EA_Unlocked features EA's talented student musicians in Lower, Middle, and Upper School. Excerpts are included from spring, remote music classes and performances from throughout the 2019-2020 school year. Enjoy.

EA student musicians, along with Music Department Chair Jim Erwin, shared their talents and provided some beautiful music for this year's Easter celebrations. Student pieces are performed by freshman Ashley Kim (flute), senior Sejin Park (viola), and Junior Michael Zhou (piano).

Middle School English teacher Mark Luff is EA's longest-tenured teacher. The 2019-2020 school year marks his 42nd year. At the opening day for faculty and staff in August, it is a tradition for the teacher who has worked at EA the longest to address the group. EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke, sat down with Mr. Luff to hear more about this tradition and his reflections on four-decades of teaching EA students.

The college admissions process has changed a lot over the years, with early decision, early decision-2, and early action applications. Here at EA, we are very fortunate to have four experienced college counselors working with our students. Director of College Counseling Cynthia Crum shares her thoughts and advice on the college admissions process.

Through Episcopal's partnership with the Global Online Academy (GOA), EA students are given the opportunity to explore dynamic subjects from some of the world's leading educators in a global classroom. GOA Site Director Dr. Adam Lavallee stops by tell us more about the program and how GOA elevates the learning experience.

After a thorough review, the 6th-12th grade science curriculum has been overhauled- which includes a new department chair structure. Grace Limaye '90 now chairs the department. She recently sat down with Dr. T.J. Locke to talk about the new curriculum and her hopes and dreams for science at EA.

The history department at EA is always looking for ways to engage students and bring history to life in the classroom. Teacher Chuck Bryant has integrated the popular game, Escape the Room, into the curriculum. Dr. T.J. Locke recently stopped by Mr. Bryant's AP U.S. History class to check it out.

The holidays are an exciting time on campus at EA. PreK students stop by Dr. T.J. Locke's office to decorate his tree, read a book, and share cookies. Throughout December, EA Chaplains mark Advent and celebrate other traditions. The annual Scrooge Chapel is a much-anticipated favorite, as teachers, faculty, and staff delight students with their acting and singing talents. Students are dismissed for the holiday break, after a beautiful, music-filled, Lessons and Carols service.

In 2018, The Lilley Fellowship was launched at EA through the generosity of Bill Lilley '55  and his wife Eve. In year one, two students were selected to pursue independent study opportunities. In 2019, Kat Harrar '21 spent time studying farm-to-feed programs and cultivating EA's Syd Buck Memorial Garden. Kat and Lilley Fellowship Director Max Kelly '06 recently discussed the program with host T.J. Locke.

The robotics program is as popular as ever at EA and is continuing to grow. Last season, the team found great success in local competitions- as well as in Quebec and at the world championships in Detroit. Upper School science teacher Teddy Mathisen '02 discusses EA's robotics team and program.    

EA's rivalry with The Haverford School dates back to 1889- when the first football game was played between the two schools. In the 1980's, the coveted split sweater was introduced and awarded to the school that won the most contests- which grew to include soccer, cross country, water polo, and golf. In 2005, EA girls began competing against The Agnes Irwin School in an effort to win the Banner. Athletic Director Gina Buggy and Associate Director of Athletics Jim Farrell take a look at the history of this long-standing tradition and share some of their memories of this rivalry weekend.

Starting in 7th grade, all EA students begin their adventure studying Latin with an enthusiastic team of teachers. One of the highlights for 8th graders is the Emperors Project. This project stretches through all three trimesters and culminates with A Night with the Emperors. Classics Chair Steve Bosio talks about EA's hands-on curriculum and his team's foray into social media. 

The Domino Club is one of the oldest clubs at EA and is responsible for selecting the fall and spring Upper School productions each year. Under the direction of Theatre Department Chair Dan Clay, the productions are consistently ambitious and impressive. In the spring of 2019, The Domino Club presented Les Miserables- the largest and most challenging production to date. We go behind the scenes with Mr. Clay to hear how the Domino Club picks its productions, and how 80-plus students pulled off Les Mis.

It's the perfect way to start the school day- taking a few minutes to greet your classmates and teacher and preview the day's activities, the weather, upcoming projects, and find the mistake in Miss Tierney's written morning message. This podcast was produced with the help of EA 3rd graders.

On September 11, 2001 Lt. Col. Bob Darling (Ret.) bunkered down in the White House operations center with Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as one of the worst days in U.S. history unfolded. During a recent visit to EA's campus, Mr. Darling spoke with students and shared, "We had a full-blown terrorist attack going on before our eyes. Our job was to give the president options." 

In our premier episode, The Episcopal Academy Head of School Dr. T.J. Locke speaks with Upper School teacher and Junto Club advisor Jen Maier about the long-standing history of debate at EA.