EA Unlocked
Education & Explainer
About
EA Unlocked takes you behind the scenes at The Episcopal Academy. Join host and Head of School Dr. T.J. Locke as he interviews students and teachers, explores school traditions, and more.
Episodes
- EA College Counseling: Collegiate Sports Recruiting
EA Unlocked features Dr. T.J. Locke, Chrissy Cerenzia, and Steve Colfer discussing the complexities of NCAA recruiting for high school athletes, focusing on the transfer portal, NIL opportunities, and roster limits.
- AI at The Episcopal Academy: AI in Education with Eric Hudson
Educator Eric Hudson shares expertise on integrating AI into schools, covering classroom use, assessment design, and leadership. Host Dr. T.J. Locke discusses best practices and guidance for school leaders and parents.
- EA College Counseling: Authenticity in Admissions
Peaches Valdes, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Wellesley College, visited The Episcopal Academy to discuss authenticity in college admissions. EA's Chris Torino and Chrissy Cerenzia joined the conversation.
- AI at The Episcopal Academy: Tools for Teachers
EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke speaks with educators Justin Cerenzia and Maggie McGill about their use of AI tools such as Viva, Flint, and OpenAI in the classroom at The Episcopal Academy.
- *100th Episode* Where Are They Now? A Conversation with Lee Pearcy, Lee Billmyer, & Len Haley
This 100th episode of EA Unlocked features host Dr. T.J. Locke reconnecting with former faculty members Lee Pearcy, Lee Billmyer, and Len Haley. They discuss their careers at The Episcopal Academy and their lives after retirement.
- Sustainability at EA: A Conversation with Students, Faculty, & Staff Taking the Lead
Pollinator habitats, a rain garden, and composting are just a few of the initiatives underway at The Episcopal Academy, and it all started with curious students and an enthusiastic teacher. In this sustainability lab of sorts, thousands of…
- Bonus Episode: A Conversation with Taylor Long '15 - Google Senior Threat Intelligence Analyst
When it comes to cyber threats and security, "it's not if we will be targeted but a matter of when," according to industry experts. Episcopal Academy alumna Taylor Long '15 recently spent the day on campus as this year's Clare Foundation a…
- EA College Counseling: Making the Most of College Visits with Hamilton College Dean of Admission John McLaughlin
Planning college visits is an exciting time for students and their families. For some it can feel a bit daunting; when do you get started? How do you get the most out of a visit? What is the real purpose of on-campus visits? EA Unlocked ho…
- AI at The Episcopal Academy: Beyond the Classroom
In an ongoing series about the use of AI in education and at The Episcopal Academy, EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with two members of the leadership team about how AI is being put to use in various departments outside of the classr…
- A Portrait of a Graduate at The Episcopal Academy
The question of what kind of person is launched into the world after an Episcopal Academy education is the focus of an initiative underway called A Portrait of a Graduate. It's a shared vision, a North Star of sorts, of the kinds of qualit…
- The Sounds of the Holidays at EA
'Tis the season for beautiful music. The spirit of the season rang out throughout The Episcopal Academy as Lower, Middle, and Upper School students spread holiday cheer with their winter instrumental and choral concerts in December. Listen…
- AI at The Episcopal Academy: Philosophy & Vision
Artificial Intelligence and its use in education, at all levels, prompts a lot of discussion. In the first of several podcasts about AI, EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with some members of the leadership team about the philosophy an…
- Behind-the-Scenes of Athletic Success at The Episcopal Academy
The Episcopal Academy has a long-standing tradition of academic and athletic excellence. In the last year, EA teams have won 15 league championships and seven state titles. Ten student-athletes in multiple sports have been named MVPs, seve…
- A Conversation with EA's Senior Teacher, Mark Luff, Hon.
The tradition of EA's senior teacher dates back to the 1950's and is one of several long-standing traditions at The Episcopal Academy. This person is the longest-tenured teacher and plays an important role during the opening day of school…
- A New PreK Wing & Reimagined Science Center for The Episcopal Academy Lower School
Season 6 of EA Unlocked kicks off with an exciting conversation about the newly opened PreK wing and reimaged science classrooms in the Lower School. The state-of-the-art space was dedicated in October to beloved and retired teachers, Joyc…
- Science Beyond School - EA May Term 2025
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 course…
- The Science Behind Breaking a 50 Year-Old-Record
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 ta…
- Teaming Up for Bridge Day with Middle & Upper School Student-Athletes
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 var…
- The Power of Words III - EA Chapel Speakers
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…
- The Arts at The Episcopal Academy with Department Chair David Sigel
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 d…
- Upper School Cell Phone Pilot Program at The Episcopal Academy
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 ou…
- EA Unlocked Bonus: Boys' Track & Field PA Indoor Championship Three-Peat
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…
- Open Classroom Week at The Episcopal Academy
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. Teach…
- Where Are They Now? A Conversation with EA Retirees Lynne Hay, Tim Kent, and Nancy Reinhard
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 Ke…
- EA College Counseling - A Conversation with Kirk Brennan, USC Associate Dean, Dir. of Undergraduate Admissions
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…
- All That Math! A Conversation with Math Teacher Dr. Tom Goebeler
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 h…
- Music of the Holidays at The Episcopal Academy
'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 sou…
- Takeaways From Strategic Campus Travel & Relationship Building with EA College Counseling
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…
- A Conversation with Buckley Lecture Speaker Historian & Author Julian Zelizer
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 da…
- Retrieval Practice & Enduring Learning with Dr. Pooja Agarwal
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 As…
- EA College Counseling Shares Takeaways from the NACAC Conference
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 ha…
- The Sights & Sounds of Namibia Through the Lens of Photographer Jack Gallagher '25
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 wildli…
- Learning and Practicing Civil Dialogue Through MODELing the Stripes
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,…
- EA Olympians Share Their Stories & Experiences from the 2024 Summer Games
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 si…
- The Sights & Sounds of the New Lower School Playground
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)…
- A Discussion About Relationship Mapping
As work continues on health and wellness to support students at The Episcopal Academy, 6-12th grade students, and their teachers, took part in a relationship mapping exercise in the fall. The goal is to ensure that every student has at lea…
- A Conversation with Clare Foundation STEM Speaker Dr. Po-Shen Loh
Dr. Po-Shen Loh is a social entrepreneur and inventor and works across the spectrum of math, education, and healthcare. He's a math professor at Carnegie Mellon University and was the coach of the USA International Mathemtical Olympiad tea…
- A Conversation with Harvard Historian Annette Gordon-Reed
Harvard University historian Annette Gordon-Reed recently spent the day at The Episcopal Academy for this year's Walter W. Buckley, Jr. '55 American History Lecture Series. Ms. Gordon-Reed is the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvar…
- EA Unlocked - Volleyball is Coming to The Episcopal Academy
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 sc…
- A Record-Setting Season for EA Boys' and Girls' Indoor Track & Field
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…
- A Conversation with Dr. Dan Willingham - How the Brain Learns & Remembers
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…
- Managing the Mental Aspects of Athletics with Sports Psychologist Dr. Joel Fish
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…
- The Power of Words II - EA Chapel Speakers
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, tea…
- Where Are They Now? - EA Retirees Gina Buggy, Cheryl McLauchlan, & Tom Kossuth
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…
- A Radical Beginning with Father Tim Gavin
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…
- The Sounds of the Holidays at The Episcopal Academy
'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…
- Behind-the-Scenes of Frozen JR.
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,…
- Australian & South African Exchange Students Welcomed to EA
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 athlet…
- Bonus Episode: Thanksgiving at EA - Gratitude
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…
- Cybersecurity & What Students Can Do to Protect Themselves
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 behavio…