Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Living Lovett

S6E1 One of the most lasting influences shaping our alumni community is the lifelong impact of a Lovett education. From their earliest days in the lower school to their growth as leaders in their fields, Lovett graduates carry with them the values, experiences, and relationships that define their journey.

Mary Louise Kelly — Lovett Aluma and NPR’s All Things Considered host joins us on the Season 6 premiere of Living Lovett. A member of the class of 1989, Mary Louise takes us through her 13-year journey at Lovett, including pivotal moments that sparked her passion for writing and storytelling, to life lessons learned from legendary Lovett teachers.

• Get Mary Louise Kelly’s recent book It. Goes. So. Fast. and learn more about Mary Louise Kelly: https://marylouisekellybooks.com/
• There’s still time to vote! VOTE FOR LIVING LOVETT in the Women in Podcasting Awards, Education category! Click here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

Listen to Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E0 VOTE FOR LIVING LOVETT in the Women in Podcasting Awards, Education category! Click here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

School is back in session and so is Living Lovett for Season 6. This fall, we'll explore the changes happening at Lovett; engage in important discussions about communication and student development; and hear from special guests with unique insights into a Lovett education.

But first: Living Lovett is nominated for a Women in Podcasting Award in the Education category. Please take a minute and vote for Living Lovett here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

Episode one of the new season is out soon! We can’t wait to bring you another set of episodes, sharing Lovett stories from the riverbank.

You can listen to all past episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

For four seasons, Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School has brought you stories from the riverbank. The response has been nothing short of tremendous. Now, as we prepare to bring you Season 5 of Living Lovett, we are speaking to a variety of the people who make Lovett thrive as an organization. From admissions, to administration, to maintenance, we’ll bring you some stories that you may never have heard before.  Season 5 launches January, 2024.

You can listen to all past episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S4E7 At Lovett, cultivating faith and spirituality in our students is foundational to the whole-child philosophy. Our mission extends beyond academics to honor the significance of developing a child's inner being—including learning about God, faith, belief, and spirituality.

On the Season 4 finale episode of Living Lovett, Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer has a conversation with Lovett’s Interim Lower School Chaplain Rev. Ashley Carr. How do we talk to young children about faith and God? What can be expected of chapel for the Lower School students? How do pancakes relate to belief and belonging (listen to the episode to find out.) Jessica and Ashley discuss how Lovett talks about God and even have some tips for how parents can continue the conversation at home.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S4E6 Lovett students are encouraged to explore, question, and critically engage with a wide range of perspectives. Within our school walls, our teachers ensure students maintain an equitable and open-minded stance working to promote independent and critical thinking. The absence of a singular perspective in the classroom allows learners to form their own opinions, ultimately preparing them to become informed and responsible citizens who can actively participate in the diverse and ever-evolving global discourse.

Kevin Randolph (Lovett’s History Chair and a 43-year teaching veteran) and Dr. Alex Douglas (AP Economics; AP Government; Intro to the Old Testament) speak with Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer of The Lovett School. This episode is sure to give parents insight into intellectual inquiry and student discovery in the classrooms of Lovett.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S4E5 Creative expression is an integral part of the whole child education. Whether a student is articulating thoughts, new ideas, or feelings, being able to write, or speak, or tell stories are skills all of our students require.  

On this episode of Living Lovett, Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer speaks with two faculty members who are known for their storytelling superpowers: Jonathan Newman and David Silverman. Jonathan is a twenty year veteran of Lovett’s Upper School English Department and the creative mind behind the Lovett Short-Short Stories Contest. David has called Lovett’s Fine Arts Program home for eighteen years as a Theater, Film, and Religion teacher; he brings a fresh and unique perspective to Lovett students by drawing from his real-life experiences as a professional actor..

Whether you have a child who loves to read and write or you are simply hoping to grow their interest in those skills, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S4E4 For kids, motivation is the guiding light on their learning journey. It's the inner spark that ignites their curiosity and fuels a desire to grow. When students are motivated, they not only perform better academically but they also develop essential life skills such as resilience, determination, and self-discipline. On this episode of Living Lovett, Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer speaks with Chelle Wabrek, Associate Head of School at Lovett.

Chelle is a 25-year veteran of independent schools, and brings her breadth of experience (having taught elementary through high school) to our school and to this conversation. Chelle shares her perspective on how motivation works in the lives of our students.

If you are eager to explore strategies and approaches to grow a motivated learner in your home, this is the episode for you.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S4E3 Math. At some point in our lives, it’s likely that most of us were told (or we told ourselves) that we were either math people or we weren’t. On this week’s episode, you’ll meet Bob Amar, Lovett’s Upper School math department chair, and Corey Gray, Lovett’s Middle School department chair. Whether you have a student intimidated by math, or a student eager to dive into calculus, Mr. Amar and Mr. Gray have positive perspectives to share about the math experience at Lovett. 

Your host: Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School

The New Deal of Education: essay, Eva Edwards Lovett

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S4E2 Did you know The Lovett School has a team of professionals whose sole mission is to support the teachers of our school? The Lovett Teaching and Learning Team—affectionately known as TLT—is comprised of four professionals: PJ Miller, Director of Teaching and Learning in grades K - 2; Ashley Treiger, Director of Teaching and Learning in grades 3 - 5; Ashley Guianillo, Assistant Head of the Middle School for Teaching and Learning; and Amanda Lucas, Assistant Head of the Upper School for Teaching and Learning.

Jessica Sant (host and Lovett’s Chief Engagement Officer) speaks with each member of the TLT, and discusses how to identify what Lovett does especially well and where there are opportunities to do things even better. On this episode, you’ll learn how TLT is collaborating with teachers to develop engaging lessons and create meaningful experiences for students, cultivating joyful learning, promoting a positive and engaging environment for students and teachers, alike.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S4E1 Children's authors and teachers have a lot in common. They both possess the unique ability to ignite a young mind's curiosity and imagination. How about a teacher who is a children’s book author? Meet Kelly Young-Silverman, a  Lovett kindergarten co-teacher and author with a new Georgia-themed book coming in Spring of 2024.  

Jessica Sant (host and Lovett’s Chief Engagement Officer) speaks with Kelly about the importance of reading and how to encourage a love of learning in young people, as well as the process of writing. Kelly’s new book, Hot Boiled Peanuts: A Georgia Food Tour is due out Spring 2024, from Pelican Publishing. To learn more about Kelly’s other books and projects, visit her website here.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S3E7 The College Admission Summit—Lovett's annual event where our college counseling team strategically invites admission deans and directors from a wide range of universities to visit with students, parents, faculty, and trustees. This unique gathering is one of the many initiatives Lovett's college counseling team offers each year. On the season finale of Living Lovett, you'll learn more about how Lovett is preparing students and families for the journey to higher education.

Jessica Sant (host and Lovett's Chief Engagement Officer) speaks with a group of six college admission deans who share their insights about the current landscape of college admissions and what working with Lovett looks like from their perspective.

Visit the Lovett College Counseling page on the Lovett website here: https://www.lovett.org/academics/college-counseling

Special thanks to Eric Ahlstrand, Melissa Cline, Nate Crozier, Jeff Gallant, Calvin Wise, and Mary Tipton Woolley.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S3E6 For the past ten months, a trio of students—Anna Mefford, Copeland Stukes and Kennedy Crane—along with a combination of teachers, administrators, parents, and a trustee have been exploring the question, “How might we broaden the definition of success at Lovett?”

On this episode of Living Lovett, you’ll get to hear from these students as they speak with Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School. You’ll also learn how this group was formed through Lovett’s work with an organization called Challenge Success, how we have approached our efforts, and the tools we’ve used through Challenge Success—most notably its surveys.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S5E8 If you are a Living Lovett audience member, you’ve heard the title “Chief Engagement Officer” in every episode. But what are the responsibilities of that role? What does Jessica Sant do (besides serve as our podcast host)?

Meredyth Cole, The Lovett School’s Head of School hosts this episode of Living Lovett and turns the tables on usual host Jessica Sant. How did the Office of Engagement come to be? What other departments of Lovett are covered by the office? How did this podcast start? What does it say about Lovett as a school to work so intentionally to engage with parents, families, and even Lovett employees? You’ll learn all this and more on this special bonus episode. (Our podcast producer even pops in to talk about the show.)

- Learn more about Leadership at Lovett on our website: https://www.lovett.org/about-lovett/leadership

- Read about the Office of Engagement: https://www.lovett.org/community/engagement

- Listen to Meredyth Cole’s previous interview on Living Lovett: Link to the Episode

We hope you enjoyed this special bonus episode! Listen to all episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S3E5 Purpose.  No matter the Lovett alum, it’s almost always the first of our values that comes to mind when meeting a Lovett graduate. It’s impossible to miss how connected they are to why they do what they do. Regardless of the life path they’ve chosen, Lovett alumni live fully into our community’s vision of leading lives guided by deep and clear collective purpose.

On this episode of Living Lovett, Drew Stockton (Lovett Class of ’10) speaks with Chief Engagement Officer (and host of Living Lovett) Jessica Sant. Drew is an entrepreneur; a cancer survivor; a health advocate; and a meditation and yoga coach, too. How did his time at Lovett create a foundation for this kind of life? Drew and Jessica discuss all this and more on this episode.

Learn more about Drew and his MÁS Health work here: https://www.bemashealth.com/

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S3E4  Adam Nelson has quite the list of bona fides: he’s a Lovett grad; he was a Lovett athlete; he was a professional athlete; and he’s an Olympic gold medalist. Add to that: he’s now a Lovett dad and Lovett’s Athletic Director.

Athletics has a lot to do with the whole child promise, and educational based sports offer different opportunities than club sports. Mr. Nelson and Living Lovett host Jessica Sant (Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School) discuss how sports positively impact resiliency and help students learn more about themselves as they do their best on the court, track, or field.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S3E3 Culture is sometimes hard to define: it’s all around us yet, if we aren’t careful, it’s easy to take the culture of a place for granted. When we’re mindful of culture, it has the potential to connect us to the best of what Lovett strives to be.

Dr. Tommy Welch, Lovett’s Chief of Culture and Community joins Chief Engagement Officer, Jessica Sant on Living Lovett. Listen in as Dr. Welch shares his insights on building inclusive school cultures, the challenges and opportunities of diversity, and how we can support students from all backgrounds.

In a Living Lovett first, Dr. Welch offers his contact info:

Call Dr. Welch: (470) 830-5157

Email Dr. Welch: tommy.welch@lovett.org

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S3E2 If you are searching for a spot on campus that reflects the best of our community, you need not look any further than the Lovett Cafe. Before you even cross through its doorway, you’ll be certain something good is (literally and figuratively) cooking inside. 

Living Lovett host Jessica Sant is the Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School and number one Cafe super-fan. On today’s episode, you’ll meet Cat Chartier, The Lovett Cafe’s head chef, and also Michael Brown and Chris Lewis, two of our cafe associates.

Lovett values extend beyond our classrooms. While the Cafe is obviously a place for a great meal, a strong cup of coffee, or a sweet treat, it’s also a central hub for community cultivation – where learning is frequent, kindness is modeled, and genuine fun is had by all. 

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. Want to know more about Warm Cookie Wednesday at the Cafe? Also email Jessica.

S3E1 The Head of School is not just any administrator. They're the driving force behind the success of an independent school community responsible for leading the vision strategy and day-to-day operations of the school. Like many things Lovett, our Head of School is uniquely challenged to steward and guide our whole child promise.

On our first episode of Season 3, you'll meet Meredyth Cole, Lovett’s Head of School since 2018. Listen to the conversation between Meredyth and Living Lovett host Jessica Sant to gain insights about how Lovett fosters healthy school/family partnerships; where Lovett fits in the broader community; and where Lovett is headed in the future.

We are sure you will hear the passion and dedication of Meredyth to Lovett and the whole child education throughout this episode.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

Just over a decade ago, the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation created an endowed award to attract, retain, and develop teachers at The Lovett School, and in 2021 the recognition was modified to recognize some of Lovett’s most expert faculty. The faculty named will hold the chair for as long as they remain at our school. 

Throughout season two of Living Lovett, you’ve heard from Ben Posten, Amy Story, and David Eccles—three of Lovett’s Rollins Chairs for Excellence in Teaching. On this season finale, it’s fitting to speak with the four remaining Chairs—Ashley Sharpton, a Lower School 3rd grade teacher; Eric Schoonard, an 8th grade math teacher; Angela Mitchell, Upper School Spanish teacher; and Kevin Randolph, social science and history teacher.

You’ll be delighted by the passion each educator has for their profession—and more importantly, the students they teach. Living Lovett host and Lovett Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant speaks with each teacher about their journey to Lovett and gets their insights about what the current teaching climate is like, and what that means for students and families alike.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

A core value of The Lovett School, faith is considered a fundamental dimension of our students’ growth personally and educationally. There is no other department on campus that is more directly responsible for that effort than our Chaplaincy program.

Lovett’s chaplains work to cultivate spiritual formation in our kids by providing students with opportunities for religious learning and development. All three Lovett chaplains-- Steve Allen, Upper School chaplain and Head Chaplain; Jennifer Arnold, Lower School Chaplain; and Wade Reck, Middle School Chaplain speak on this episode of Living Lovett with host Jessica Sant. 

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

Reading is a fundamental skill on which so much learning relies– just as Lovett equips students to succeed in a variety of fields and pursuits, resources and helpful staff are dedicated to the success of our student’s literacy. Enter the ARC– the Academic Resource Center and Ally Wickman. Ms. Wickman is a Lovett Lower School Reading Specialist and spends her days coaching our K-5 learners to develop strong literacy skills.

Whether your child has a learning difference or not, you will gain from the enthusiastic conversation between Ms. Wickman and Living Lovett host Jessica Sant (Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School.)

Learn more about ARC here: Academic Resource Center at Lovett

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

“Art is considered the domain of the heart.” This is how Sarah Kaufmann and her colleagues at the Washington Post put it in a 2017 article entitled, This is Your Brain on Art. This idea is likely why the arts at The Lovett School are a dimension of most of our students’ journeys.  After all, when we think about whole child learning, our values, and our mission, the heart, in partnership with the head, is centered in all that we do.

David Eccles, Dr. Tim Pitchford, and Amy Story join Jessica Sant (Lovett Chief Engagement Officer and host of Living Lovett) to discuss the arts education available to our students and why those opportunities seem to have such an impact. Each of our guests on this episode are practicing artists in addition to being educators—learn how that dynamic shows up in the classroom. This episode is a prescient follow-up to last week’s episode where so many of the Class of 2012 noted how important the arts were to their development.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

Lovett is one school made up of three: the Lower School, the Middle School, and Upper School. On this episode of Living Lovett, host Jessica Sant speaks with the leaders of each school: James Choi, Head of the Lower School; Joseph Moody, Head of the Middle School; and Patrick Boswell, Head of the Upper School. Many parents comment that depending on where a child is at Lovett, the experience might be remarkably different from school to school. While some of this dynamic may be to accommodate the developmental stage of students, the desire is for a culture of One Lovett.

This wide-ranging conversation is sure to give understanding of the challenges and joys that can be found in each level, and what parents can expect as their children progress through Lovett.

The topic of academic rigor arose during the conversation, so host Jessica brings on Chelle Wabrek, Associate Head of School to provide some insight about what rigor means at a place like Lovett.

Read more about the Administrators at The Lovett School here.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? What did you think of Season 1 of Living Lovett? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

S5E7 What is best for Lovett? There is one group of people at our school who must answer this question every day. While everyone involved in our community obviously has an interest in our success, The Lovett School’s Board of Trustees is charged with ensuring that what is best for Lovett is actually realized. As we wrap up season five of the podcast, there is no better way to introduce you to the work of our trustees than by sharing a conversation with Lovett’s board chair, John O. Knox.

John O. (Lovett Class of ’88) joins Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer on this episode of Living Lovett and explains what role the Board of Trustees serves for our school, and shares insights about how the long-term, strategic vision of Lovett is developed and carried out.

As this is John O.’s final year serving as Board Chair, we are grateful for this opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved over the years, and celebrate John O.’s contribution.

Learn more about the Lovett Board of Trustees on our website’s Leadership page: https://www.lovett.org/about-lovett/leadership

That’s a wrap on Season 5! (But stay tuned for a special episode, coming soon.) Listen to all episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

The student experience takes center stage at an independent school like Lovett, but that’s not the only element that makes the Lovett a thriving community. Our school needs the involvement of parents and families that dedicate their time and talents to helping the activities and events of Lovett come to life. Parent volunteers help Lovett thrive.

Meet Mia Rogers and Ashante Gilstrap (Co-Presidents of Lovett International Alliance); Elizabeth Caldwell and Jordan Holden (Co-Presidents of the Lovett Parent Association.) These four enthusiastic parent volunteers speak with host Jessica Sant about the impact volunteering has on Lovett as well as the enrichment it offers the volunteers.

If you are interested in getting involved as a parent volunteer, on this episode you’ll learn the easiest and most direct ways to get started. You’ll also hear first-hand testimony about the benefits each of the volunteers receive—in addition to seeing excellent programs and events coming together. You’ll even hear some transparent reports about volunteers who are totally new to independent schools—if you are wondering things like: will my family fit in? Will my child always feel welcome at Lovett? Are there genuine conversations about thing that matter here?—you’ll get some authentic insights from our conversation.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? What did you think of Season 1 of Living Lovett? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

S2E2   When we hear the words “philanthropy”, “fundraising”, or even “charity”, most of us default to the act of financial giving. And while development offices on independent school campuses certainly prioritize fundraising, there is no question our community deeply honors the sentiment that we are asked to offer something even greater - to make an investment of the heart.

On this episode of Living Lovett you’ll meet Matt Gould—new to The Lovett School serving as the new Chief Advancement Officer. You’ll learn how Matt’s office furthers the goals of the Lovett community. Pay careful attention to how Matt frames his day-to-day efforts, more specifically, how he centers the people on this campus, especially students.

Lovett alum and Director of Annual Giving Maggie Dozier Carr also joins Living Lovett host Jessica Sant to discuss True Blue and what impact the annual fund has on student experience (in addition to the experience of faculty and staff.)

Make a gift to Lovett online here: Lovett.org/give

Learn more about True Blue here: Lovett.org/support/true-blue-annual-fund

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? What did you think of Season 1 of Living Lovett? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

S2E1   Experiential learning shows up in opportunities all over Lovett’s campus. It is just one strategy our faculty utilize to move our students closer to the practice of skill building and further from mere content acquisition.

One shining example of this effort is in Ben Posten’s classroom. Ben has been a Middle School social studies teacher at The Lovett School for the past 40 years. He’s taught a variety of courses but in this episode you’ll hear about his eighth grade civic leadership class. Fran Turner is Lovett’s Director of Civic and Global Engagement. Mrs. Turner spends a great deal of energy not only supporting field work in the civic leadership program but also in curating a variety of service experiences, career engagements, and semester and exchange programs for our students.

How could we hear about these tremendous opportunities for students without speaking to some civic leadership class participants? Lovett ninth graders, Anna Mefford and Will Byrne, speak with Living Lovett host Jessica Sant, discussing the impact of the class. 

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? What did you think of Season 1 of Living Lovett? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

S2E0  We are on the edge of launching Living Lovett Season 2 , and to get listeners excited for what’s coming up, we’re turning the tables on Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School . On this episode Living Lovett host Jessica Sant is interviewed by producer Catherine O’Brien.

What is in store for Season 2? What’s the best thing and what’s the biggest challenge about being at an independent school? Why a podcast? Has the podcast had any kind of positive impact already? Ms. Sant offers her thoughts on all these matters and more.

“Engagement” is a big word at Lovett, and Jessica shares insight into what that means for the school and for her role. If you want to understand more about how Lovett is connecting and building relationships with all the parents and families of Lovett, this episode is a must. Living Lovett is produced by Catherine O’Brien of Branch Out Programs.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? What did you think of Season 1 of Living Lovett? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

S1E5  Humbling – the work of a parent is just that. No sooner than you think you’ve got the hang of this gig, your child goes and changes once again. Being a parent in 2022 is simply not for the faint of heart. On this season finale of Living Lovett, host Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School speaks with two Lovett parents-- Kerry Izard and Alethia Love. Both Alethia and Kerry have children who are Lovett grads, plus they both have recent grads in the Class of 2022.

Why did Alethia and Kerry pick Lovett for their respective children? What sets Lovett apart from other independent schools? What can parents expect from being involved in a community like Lovett? All this and more on the season finale of Living Lovett.

Special thanks: Tim Pitchford and Lovett’s Ellington Jazz Ensemble for providing the music for our show. Stewart Key, Class of 2022, designer of the Living Lovett cover art. Justin Abraham, Director of Communications, Mason Rooney, Social Media Manager, and Janie Beck, Chief Marketing Officer. Living Lovett is produced by Catherine O’Brien of Branch Out Programs.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? What did you think of Season 1 of Living Lovett? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

S1E4  Springtime on a high school campus is often filled with excitement and optimism, but there is much to do before the summer officially arrives, particularly for seniors. At The Lovett School, celebrations can’t begin for some until senior projects and diploma distinctions are officially submitted. Two Lovett seniors, Caki Staton and Margaret Hare, join Living Lovett host, Jessica Sant, to discuss why they pursued a diploma distinction and what’s more, why they focused their efforts on building a “one Lovett” community. Listeners will also hear from six other 12th graders who will introduce what they’ve been working on - their topics are wide-ranging but equally inspiring. 

What is the objective of diploma distinctions at Lovett? Who advises students across their five-semesters of work? What’s the impact of experiential learning on students as they pursue these projects? These questions and more are answered on this episode. 

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

S1E3 The College Counseling team at The Lovett School is often called upon to discuss the latest in applying to college, especially as the admission process seems to grow evermore mysterious and mercurial. Anita Hua, Director of College Counseling joins Living Lovett host Jessica Sant to talk about the challenges (and joys!) of engaging the journey to college, keeping in mind the unique needs of students and families.

With an eight-year history working together, Ms. Hua and Ms. Sant have a lot to talk about. All Lovett college counselors have experience “on the other side of the desk,” that is, they all have worked in college admission. How does that experience translate into advising and guiding Lovett students?  

Why is the unofficial motto of the College Counseling Office, “It Depends”? How can students and families keep some perspective during the application process? What constitutes a “tough” conversation? Do the college counselors ever tell a student where they should (or shouldn’t) apply? These questions and more are answered on this episode.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

S1E2 What does a school counselor do? Maybe this is a school administration role you might not have thought a lot about, but at The Lovett School, school counselors are here to be resources to students and parents alike.

Sara Friedman is Director of K-12 Counseling at Lovett and she joins host Jessica Sant (Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School) to talk about skills, emotional developments of students, and the importance of resiliency.

What kinds of topics do counselors cover with students? When do students meet with the counseling staff? When should parents expect to hear from a counselor? All these questions and more are answered on this episode of Living Lovett.   

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S1E1 Welcome to Living Lovett: Stories from the Riverbank, a podcast of The Lovett School, a leading independent school in Atlanta, Georgia. On this inaugural episode, we meet Sandra Switzer who has taught at Lovett for the last 26 years.

Ms. Switzer embodies the whole child promise championed by Lovett in many ways. Learn about Ms. Switzer’s journey to being a teacher and why she chose The Lovett School for her own children.  

Your host is Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School. This story from the Riverbank illustrates how an education is not only a formative experience, but can have an impact on a generation and the generations to come.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

 

 

For nearly a century, The Lovett School has educated students by dedicating ourselves to the whole child promise. It takes parents, faculty, staff, and of course, students for this special community to fulfill that commitment and to continue to grow and thrive.

Introducing Living Lovett: Stories from the Riverbank, a podcast of The Lovett School, a leading independent school in Atlanta, Georgia.

Your host is Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School. On this show you’ll enjoy stories from teachers, alumni, students, and staff, parents, and administrators. Whether you’ve experienced Lovett for generations or you’re getting to know your new school home, listeners will learn more about what Living Lovett means to all of us.

Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

 

S5E6 Things have come a long way for students with learning differences, and at The Lovett School, the Academic Resource Center exists to walk alongside students and parents alike to support the learning styles of all our students. Whether a child has a learning difference diagnosis; or is struggling in a particular area of school; or is not making progress in a way they’d like—the Academic Resource Center is equipped with staff and skill building techniques designed to help students achieve.

Carrie Stafford, Director of the Academic Resource Center joins Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer on this episode of Living Lovett. Carrie describes how the center serves as a support network for the Lovett community—meeting students and families where they are, and explains how students learning needs are assessed and addressed.

Are you enjoying Season 5 of the podcast so far? Listen to all episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S5E5 The generosity of The Lovett School community has unquestionably shaped our near 100-year history. Driven to deliver on the Lovett promise, giving has always been key to supporting critical needs like student financial aid, campus enhancements, and teacher salaries. In fact, philanthropy is the cornerstone to Lovett’s excellence and ensures our school fulfills its mission for all students we enroll.

On this episode Courtney Ferencik, Senior Director of Development joins Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer on Living Lovett to share the role Development and fundraising plays at our school. From what the annual fund is, to endowments, to what is learned through a spirit of giving, Courtney and Jessica’s conversation is informative and forward-focused on Lovett’s next 100 years.

Reach out to Courtney by email: courtney.ferencik@lovett.org

Make a contribution to The Lovett School: https://www.lovett.org/support

We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! Listen to all past episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S5E4 Did you know that The Lovett School is considered to be a 24/7 facility, 365 days a year? All the activity at our school—including students in classrooms; athletes using sports facilities; play across our beautiful setting; and more—mean that every part of our grounds, every building must be maintained. One of the people who makes sure Lovett is running smoothly all day, every day is Scott Russo.

On this episode of Living Lovett, Scott, a Maintenance Tech talks to Chief Engagement Officer, Jessica Sant. Listen to this episode to get a sense of what goes into making Lovett run, and learn how Lovett values extend to Scott and his colleagues.

We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! Listen to all past episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S5E3 A position like an office manager is critical in any organization. While the title may suggest a focus on administrative tasks, the Lovett Upper School Office Manager’s responsibilities extend far beyond. On this episode of Living Lovett, you’ll meet Kelly Scott.

In addition to working in the Upper School as an administrator, Kelly also oversees a sophomore advisory and sponsors several (!) student groups. Kelly discusses all these roles with Living Lovett host (and Lovett Chief Engagement Officer) Jessica Sant.

We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! Listen to all past episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

You might have seen their signatures on a Lovett communication; you may have caught their names mentioned when Meredyth Cole offers school-wide updates, but the truth is many parents never meet Lovett’s Chief Financial Officer or Chief Operations Officer—in spite of the fact that both roles are critical to keeping Lovett running smoothly and efficiently 365 days a year. 

On this episode, you'll meet John Mongelli, CFO and Gray Kelly, COO at The Lovett School. John and Gray speak with Living Lovett host Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer, and share how each of their respective roles contribute to the individual student experience at our school.

- Learn more about the Georgia GOAL Scholarship program, mentioned on the episode: https://www.goalscholarship.org/

We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! Listen to all past episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S5E1 One of the most influential forces shaping our community is The Lovett School’s admission team.  The five-person team are responsible for guiding prospective families on a journey that begins before the Lovett application is completed and extends beyond graduation day for a student. At Lovett, a special emphasis is placed on making the enrollment process not just seamless but also relatable, warm, and kid-centered; our admission officers extend a uniquely personal touch to navigating the complexities of what can feel like a daunting process. 

Gopi Shammas, Director of Enrollment (and Lovett Class of ‘95 alumna) joins Lovett Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant on the Living Lovett Season 5 premiere. If you’ve ever wondered what the acceptance rate is at Lovett or how acceptance decisions are made, this episode answers those questions and more.

More about Admission at Lovett: https://www.lovett.org/admission

Meet the Admission team: https://www.lovett.org/admission/admission-team

We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! Listen to all past episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E8 Creating a balanced relationship with technology is part of nurturing the whole child experience, and Lovett’s phone-free policy is a big step in that direction. For families, this policy has highlighted the power of the family-school partnership by uncovering new ways to connect and rethink how devices impact daily life, fostering healthier digital habits for students of all ages.  

Host Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at the Lovett School speaks to three parents from the Lovett community - Atira Goodwin, Lou Izquierdo, and Kerry Izard. The parents share their experiences and advice on adjusting to Lovett’s phone-free school policy. The discussion covers the impact on students and families, the challenges and benefits of limiting smart device usage, and the importance of modeling healthy tech behaviors.

This is the season finale episode of Living Lovett, Season 6. Thank you for another great season!

Listen to all the past episodes of award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E7 History and social studies classrooms at Lovett aren’t just spaces where memorizing facts and dates occur—they are where students begin to understand the world and their role within it. Through historical analysis, classroom discussions, and immersive learning experiences, our faculty design environments where students feel empowered to explore, question, and connect. 

Dr. Jeff Turner, Chair of the Upper School History Department and American Studies teacher, and Kai Parham, teacher of Global Issues, Civics, and Civic Leadership in the middle school join Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant on this episode of Living Lovett to outline the unique ways our history and civics teachers engage students in critical thinking and real-world applications. Jeff and Kai offer parents insights into the classrooms of Lovett as well as practical topics to introduce ideas to kids. 

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

 

S6E6 Some were skeptical; some were excited. News of Lovett’s phone-free policy brought up a lot of questions before the roll-out this Fall. Now that Lovett’s no phone policy is the rule of the school, we’ve invited some key players onto Living Lovett to discuss the rationale of the new policy and get a progress report on how things are going with students and staff.

Three of our counseling pros join Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant on the show—along with Head of School Meredyth Cole—to share where the idea of the phone policy came from as how the policy is impacting each of Lovett’s divisions. In addition to talking about going phone free at Lovett, counselors Maggie Wise (Lower School), Lyvelle Simms (Middle School), and Dr. Brenda Wall (Upper School) offer practical and tactical tips for parents handling technology with their children—regardless of age. If you have questions of your kids and the influence tech has on them, this episode is sure to provide insight and information.

Learn more about counseling at Lovett: https://www.lovett.org/community/school-counseling

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E5 On this week’s episode of Living Lovett, Tricia Thornton ‘90, a Lovett alumna, licensed professional counselor, and registered play therapist, reflects on her journey from being a "14er" to becoming a mental health professional. In her conversation with Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant, Tricia examines how her time at Lovett instilled values like hard work and integrity, shaping her career path.

Tricia also highlights her work supporting families and children, particularly those dealing with anxiety and anger, and offers practical advice for parents and schools on fostering emotional well-being. She stresses the importance of balance, emotional awareness, and meaningful connections in a child's development.

Her book, Blessing from Fear, provides valuable insights for parents and caregivers, exploring the root causes of fear and advocating for a nurturing and supportive approach to children’s emotional needs.

Tricia Thornton Therapy: https://www.triciathornton.com/

Blessing from Fear on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5gEhP6I

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E4 At Lovett, education is more than just academics—it’s about creating lasting connections between students, families, and the generations that came before them. Joni Janis, a current Lovett grandparent, former Lovett parent, and former middle school teacher who dedicated 32 years to shaping students’ perspectives on history and the world around them joins Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant on this episode of Living Lovett. From her groundbreaking curriculum changes to her leadership in the “Connecting Generations” program, to sharing what it’s like to have children and grandchildren at Lovett, Joni discusses how all these various roles come together to form a unique perspective.  

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E3 The importance of intentionality can be seen in every part of The Lovett School—including the Admission Office. Melinda DeMaria, Head of Enrollment Management, joins Chief Engagement Officer and Living Lovett host Jessica Sant to discuss Melinda’s vision as she comes into this new role at Lovett. The conversation also touches upon the significance of financial aid, the student admission process, and what makes a Lovett education unique. Current and prospective families will find this episode educational and illuminating.

Start the process - Learn more about Lovett Admission here: https://www.lovett.org/admission

LAST CALL! VOTE FOR LIVING LOVETT in the Women in Podcasting Awards, Education category! Click here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

Listen to Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E2 One of the most important aspects of a Lovett education is the emphasis on spiritual growth and ethical understanding. From chapel, to more advanced religious studies, to learning how to have meaningful discussions about faith and belief, Lovett students are consistently encouraged to develop a deeper sense of self and the world around them. This holistic approach to faith and character development is woven into the fabric of the Lovett experience, led by a dedicated team of chaplains and educators.

On this episode of Living Lovett, meet Reverend Colin Brown, Lovett’s new Head Chaplain and welcome back Sandra Switzer in her role as K-12 Religion Curriculum Coordinator. Host and Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant speaks to Colin and Sandra about how spiritual development happens at Lovett.

There’s still time to vote! VOTE FOR LIVING LOVETT in the Women in Podcasting Awards, Education category! Click here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

Listen to Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S7E1 How does Admission work at The Lovett School? You may have heard rumors or myths (often shared by well meaning people) but in this season 7 premiere of Living Lovett, you’re going to hear directly from some of the people involved in the Admission process, ready to debunk myths and misconceptions, providing reliable Lovett Admission information to prospective families and current Lovett families alike.

Melinda DeMaria, Head of Enrollment Management joins Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant; followed by a discussion with Jessica and Chelle Wabrek, Associate Head of School.

Both conversations provide insights into how Lovett selects students as well as how the mission of the whole child education shows up in Admissions. Prospective families will get an understanding of how the process works; current families will understand deeper how Lovett values are woven into every aspect of the school’s administration.

 è More information about Lovett Admission here: https://www.lovett.org/admission

Listen to Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.