EA Unlocked

Volleyball is coming to The Episcopal Academy! The popular and growing sport grew nearly ten percent last season as programs are being added around the country, including at the collegiate level. EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke gets the scoop from EA Athletic Director Todd Fairlie and Assistant Athletic Director Katie Duffie who played an important role in this decision.  If you are a new follower or have missed past episodes, check out the EA Unlocked archives to listen to past conversations.

It was a record-setting season for The Episcopal Academy boys' and girls' indoor track and field teams. This incredibly talented group set a combined 14 school records! The boys won the Pennsylvania State Indoor Championship for the second consecutive year and Coach Zach Richards was named Coach of the Year. Several of these student-athletes earned All-State and All-American honors. Host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with five seniors along with Coach Richards, and Coach John Goens about their EA careers and this spectacular season. Guests: Avery Elliott Saige Forbes Dawson French AJ Koukou Michael Woolery Coach John Goens/Girls' Coach Coach Zach Richards/Boys' Coach Boys' Indoor T&F Indoor Records: 60m, 200m, 400m, 3000m, High Jump, Triple Jump, and Shot Put. Girls' Indoor T&F Indoor Records: 60m, 200m, 55HH, 60HH, Long Jump, Triple Jump, and Pentathlon.  

While students dashed off campus to start their spring break, Episcopal Academy faculty and staff attended a professional development day with cognitive science researcher Dan Willingham. Dr. Willingham is a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia where his research focuses on the brain and how it learns and remembers. His most recent book is titled “Outsmart Your Brain – Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make it Easy.” And over the years, Dr. Willingham has built quite the following on TikTok. Justin Cerenzia, EA's Buckley Executive Director for the Center of Teaching and Learning, joined host Dr. T.J. Locke for this fascinating discussion.

Students of all ages juggle a lot in their daily lives. Add in the additional pressure of sports and that can make for a very full and sometimes stressful day. Many parents feel the pressure as well. Sports Psychologist Dr. Joel Fish works with athletes of all abilities and levels ranging from high school students to professional athletes. He recently spoke with Middle and Upper School students and parents at The Episcopal Academy. He also shared his expertise and strategies with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke    

The Episcopal Academy's Chapel program is an integral part of who we are at EA. Each week during Chapel, students in all three divisions hear from and have the opportunity to reflect on, powerful thoughts and messages from their peers, teachers, staff, alumni, and outside guests. There are well over 100 speakers each school year. This episode highlights some of those speakers. Like last season's episode, "The Power of Words," short excerpts from some of the Chapel Talks were included in weekly @EAChapel Instagram #EAChapelMinute posts.  Speakers: Fr. Tim Gavin, Hon. Rev. Michael Palmisano Dr. T.J. Locke, Hon. Aaron Hyman P '22, '29  Eve Hyman '29 Eleni Kousoulis (Sister of 911 victim) Fr. Rob Hagan O.S.A (Villanova Basketball team chaplain) Na'rome Rayborn '24, Grace McHugh '24 Jenn Jones (Upper School Science Teacher) Bert Howlin, Hon. (Middle School History Teacher) Erica Snowden (DEI Executive Director) Stevie Combs '25 Zach Richards, Hon. (Upper School Form Dean) Michael Whalen '08 (Upper School History

Curious who is learning how to restore furniture? Is a soccer mom? And who is helping to manage a golf course? Listen in on this entertaining conversation with some of EA’s well-loved retired faculty and staff. With over 90 combined years at The Episcopal Academy, this trio has not slowed down. Podcast guests: Cheryl McLauchlan - retired math teacher, Form Dean (24 years at EA) Tom Kossuth - retired Math teacher, coach, financial aid director (33 years at EA) Gina Buggy - retired Athletic Director, coach (34 years at EA)

Episcopal Academy Head Chaplain Tim Gavin discovered his love for writing in 5th grade when he authored the Christmas play for his school.  He published a book of poems in 2018 and recently released his book, A Radical Beginning - A Journey through the Prayer of St. Francis. Father Tim shares details of the book and what inspired him to write it in this episode of EA Unlocked. A Radical Beginning was published in October 2023 by Olympia Publishers London.

'Tis the season at The Episcopal Academy! Students of all ages shared their musical talents and helped spread the spirit of the holidays during their instrumental and choral concerts throughout December. Listen in on the sounds of holidays, and the beautiful music performed by our Lower, Middle, and Upper School students.

Join us as we go behind-the-scenes of EA's Middle School Harlequin Ensemble's spectacular production of Frozen JR. Fifty-five members of the cast and crew wowed audiences of all ages.  Listen in on how the cast managed six costume changes, how the impressive set came together, and the brilliant touch of making it snow on stage. Guests: Frozen JR. Cast Gina Tomkowich/EA Middle School School Drama Teacher Kelly Leight-Bertucci/EA Theatre & Dance Technical Director  

Each fall, exchange students from Australia and South Africa arrive in the United States and jump right into life at EA. This year, four students are living with EA host families, taking Upper School classes, and playing on the fall athletic teams. This enthusiastic group recently stopped by to talk with EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke. Listen in as they share their favorite American foods, experiences, as well as their thoughts about Philadelphia's sports teams. Guests: Ella Burgess/Central Coast Grammar School Evie Barker/Central Coast Grammar School Kenzie Mikkelsen/Central Coast Grammar School Kaylin Seymour/Herschel Girls School Elizabeth Doyle '25 Lucia Forte '26 Cassidy Ott '25 Ellie Rheam '27 Aiden Tsaturyan '25 Amy Brotschul/Upper School French Teacher    

In this Bonus Episode of EA Unlocked, listen in on the celebration of Thanksgiving at The Episcopal Academy. Lower, Middle, and Upper School students marked the occasion at the annual Thanksgiving Chapel services. Members of the 5th grade Chapel Council share A Litany of Thanksgiving which includes what EA's youngest students, in PreK through 3rd grade, are most thankful for this year. Upper School Science Teacher Jenn Jones speaks about the importance of a grateful heart- along with the sounds of the Middle and Upper School choral group.

Reluctant to update your computer or change your passwords? Do you avoid multi-factor authentication? "Ninety percent of cyberattacks are human error," obseves this week's EA Unlocked guest Kyla Guru. She is working to change human behavior and design systems that make the "convenience security trade-off" second nature and as easy as brushing your teeth or locking your car door.  After attending a NSA GenCyber camp when she was a 14-year-old high school student, Guru discovered her passion for cybersecurity and the importance of educating people about the topic. She is the founder and CEO of Bits N'​ Bytes Cybersecurity Education and a student at Stanford University, where she is studying computer science and international relations.  Thanks to the generosity of the Clare Foundation STEM Speaker Series, Guru spent the day talking with teachers and students at The Episcopal Academy, and EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke. Additonal Guests: EA Math Teacher & Clare Foundation STEM Speaker Coordinator Tracey Mo

Episcopal Academy alumni are working in fascinating careers all over the world. There are a handful who have taken their athletic talents to college and into the professional arena. It is unusual for two alums from the same class, who play the same sport, and the same position, to be drafted by Major League Soccer and now play against each other on rival teams in the same city. Matt Freese and AJ Marcucci are long-time teammates, friends, and both graduates of EA's class of 2017. AJ plays goalie for the New York Red Bulls and was a three-year starter at Connecticut College. Matt Freese launched his professional career in Philadelphia as a "homegrown" player with the Philadelphia Union after playing at Harvard University. He now is in goal for New York City FC. During an entertaining conversation, AJ and Matt talk with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke about their days at EA and life on the professional circuit.

Justin Cerenzia joined The Episcopal Academy over the summer as the Buckley Executive Director of the Center for Teacher and Learning. EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke, talks with Justin about the impact that AI is having on education and how teachers and students are learning to use AI in a "positive way." Follow EA's Center for Teaching & Learning @ea_ctl on Twitter/X  

After graduating from The Episcopal Academy in 2019, Theo Vadot continued his passion for the arts at Rice University where he studied architecture. He recently stopped by campus for an artist reception for his exhibit, Open -, Cumulative Works, 2019-2022, in the Crawford Campus Center Gallery. The show features Theo's pieces from architecture school, along with sculptures he designed while at EA. Theo and his art teacher Hilary Hutchison sat down with EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke, to talk about the exhibit, Theo's trajectory in the arts, and how his EA art classes prepared him for a rigorous architecture curriculum. He is currently interning with Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in New York City. Episode Guests: Theo Vadot '19 Hilary Hutchison/EA Upper School Art Teacher Honors 2-D & 3-D Design students      

Throughout the school year, students in all three divisions at The Episcopal Academy hear powerful messages from guest speakers including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. There are well over 100 speakers who share inspiring thoughts and words each year. (See the speakers included in this episode of EA Unlocked below.) This episode highlights some of those speakers. Many were included in weekly @EAChapel Instagram #EAChapelMinute posts.  Dr. T.J. Locke Father Tim Gavin, Hon. Mike Sheehan '04 Erica Snowden/DEI Executive Director Norm Fitzpatrick '80/Veteran's Day Chapel Speaker Ali Fitzpatrick Carey '06/Veteran's Day Chapel Speaker Teja Smith P '23 Michael Whalen '08  Jim Erwin/Music Dept. Chair Rev. Michael Palmisano  Lower School Chapel Council Members Colleen Bernabei, Hon. Rev. Edmund Zelly I'jaaz Abdul-Malik '23  Dr. Oksana Jackson/Maura Murphy Lecture Speaker Clayton Platt '73/Alumni Chapel Speaker  

Each spring, the arts are celebrated at The Episcopal Academy during ArtsFest. This afternoon of campus-wide fun includes musical performances, a wearable trash fashion show, improv, and gallery exhibits that feature student works from PreK - 12th grade artists. EA Unlocked "hit the road" for this episode, to gather the beautiful and inspiring sounds of ArtsFest. Interviews include various students, faculty, and staff, along with music from EA's talented musicians.    

Throughout Season 3 Host Dr. T.J. Locke has been talking with Episcopal Academy alumni to hear about their EA experience and how those years impacted their lives and careers. Mark Hoplamazian is a member of The Episcopal Academy's Class of 1981. He arrived at EA as a freshman in what he describes as, "a pretty discombobulated state." He calls the "warmth and engagement" he received from the community "remarkable."  Hoplamazian is the President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels. He received EA's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2021.

Music and singing are an integral part of The Episcopal Academy's chapel program. Lower, Middle, and Upper School students work with Head Chaplain Tim Gavin and Middle School Chaplain Michael Palmisano to plan each service, along with the music teachers in each division. The tradition of singing in EA chapel dates back to the school's founding in 1785. Faculty, staff, and students, regardless of age, have their favorites! Guests: Father Tim Gavin/Head Chaplain Father Michael Palmisano/Middle School Chaplain Jim Erwin/Music Director Jayne Borras/Middle School Choral Director  Deborah Newnham/Lower School Music Teacher & Choral Director Kevin Landaiche '23/Vestry Accounting Warden Kempley Bryant/Kindergarten Teacher Niall Doherty/Middle School Spanish Teacher Kim Piersall/Middle School Health Teacher Girls in STEM Club Members

Dr. Eric Mazur, Harvard University's Balkanski Professor of Physics and Area Dean for Applied Sciences and Engineering, recently visited campus to work with EA faculty during a professional development day. Dr. Mazur is an educational innovator known for his work with interactive teaching and peer instruction with the goal of better engaging students in the classroom. He shared some of his experiences and insights with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke.