Skip to main content
Stories from the Ridge, The McCallie Podcast

Stories from the Ridge, The McCallie Podcast

By McCallie School

Welcome to Stories from the Ridge, where we share stories from our alumni, faculty, and friends. We'll hear about a variety of topics all anchored in honor, truth, and duty and the special bond of brotherhood shared amongst the McCallie family.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
PodBean Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

"An Intellectual Foundation": A Conversation with Jon Meacham '87

Stories from the Ridge, The McCallie PodcastJan 25, 2019

00:00
10:11
The Emmett Till Story: The Rev. Wheeler Parker Visits McCallie School
Mar 22, 202449:21
Michaels-Dickson Scholars Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Michaels-Dickson Scholars Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary

 The Michaels-Dickson Scholars Program, which has transformed McCallie School’s boarding programs into one of the top such programs in the nation, celebrated its 25th anniversary in late February, 2024. In this edition of Stories from the Ridge, Head of School Lee Burns ’87 is joined by other top administrators – including two who were involved at the very beginning of the program -- and by a Trustee who was one of the two the first Michaels-Dickson Scholars. They reflect on the success and growth of the program over the past quarter century, and share their thoughts about the future.   A full story on the Michaels-Dickson Scholars program can be found on McCallie’s web site: www.mccallie.org/news.

Mar 12, 202432:44
Wrestlers Celebrate a Championship Season
Feb 23, 202427:12
The Changing Landscape of College Admissions

The Changing Landscape of College Admissions

The college admissions process is in the midst of perhaps the most profound and impactful series of changes in several decades, and navigating these changes is becoming more challenging for students, parents, and counselors, according to Abbie Roberts, who in August assumed the role of Director of College Counseling at McCallie. In this episode of Stories from the Ridge, Ms. Roberts is joined by Head of School Lee Burns ’87, in discussing the changing and complicated college admissions landscape and how it affects McCallie students.

Feb 13, 202429:21
McCallie At Carnegie Hall
Feb 01, 202422:25
T-Term – A Venture In How Boys Learn
Jan 15, 202434:28
Christmas Message from the Head of School
Dec 14, 202323:30
2023-24 Winter Sports Preview

2023-24 Winter Sports Preview

Winter Sports Preview

The winter athletic season is already underway and head coaches of the teams -- Basketball, Bowling, Climbing, Squash, Swimming and Diving, and Wrestling -- are looking at one of the best seasons in McCallie's storied history of great seasons. In this episode of Stories from the Ridge, the coaches are joined by Kenny Sholl, Executive Director of Athletics and Special Assistant to the Head of School, and Mark Wiedmer of Communications Staff, and talk about their teams and their approaches to coaching.

Dec 12, 202328:04
Coach Ralph Potter -- Championship Preview

Coach Ralph Potter -- Championship Preview

Ralph Potter and Lee Burns Discuss State Championship Game

 

For the first time in history, McCallie will face cross-town rival Baylor School for the State of Tennessee Division II-AAA football championship on Thursday, Nov. 30, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. As the excitement builds along the Ridge, Head Coach Ralph Potter ’81, sat down with Head of School Lee Burns ’87 on Monday, Nov. 27, in the Podcast Studio to talk about the game and Coach Potter’s coaching style, philosophy, and his perspective on competing for his fifth state title. For more details about Thursday’s game can be found on McCallie’s web site, www.mccallie.org.

Nov 27, 202320:54
Theater Program Off To Roaring Start

Theater Program Off To Roaring Start

McCallie’s Theater/Musical program is off to a great start for the 2023-24 school year, with its fallplays in both the Upper School and Middle School attracting record numbers of participants and stand-room-only crowds. In this edition of Stories from the Ridge, Head of School Lee Burns ’87, talks with Chelsea Padro, Director of Theater and Musicals, and Jared Eddy, Middle School Theater Instructor. Both are new to McCallie this year and they talk about their teaching/directing styles, their impressions of the talent in the student body, the enhanced McCallie/GPS partnership, and their plans for the remainder of the school year.

Nov 16, 202325:27
Summer Travel -- Beyond The Ridge

Summer Travel -- Beyond The Ridge

International Travel As Part of the McCallie Experience

International travel, especially mission and cultural trips during the summer, has long been an important part of McCallie’s curriculum. In this edition of Stories From the Ridge, Head of School Lee Burns ’87, and Dean of Faculty and Curriculum Sumner McCallie discuss the purpose of the travel program and hear from students and faculty who participated in several trips last summer.

Nov 13, 202330:04
Varsity Sports Offerings Increase

Varsity Sports Offerings Increase

New Varsity Sports – Ultimate and Mountain Biking

McCallie’s varsity sports offerings have expanded by two. For the 2023-24 school year, Mountain Biking and Ultimate (formerly referred to as Ultimate Frisbee) have joined the list of 17 varsity sports. In this podcast, Kenny Sholl, Executive Director of Athletics, Special Assistant to the Head of School, talks to Jake Altemus, coach of the Ultimate team, and Jesse Teague ’00, coach of the Mountain Biking team. 

Nov 01, 202327:20
The Coach and the Bear

The Coach and the Bear

The Coach and the Bear

For more than 40 years, Gordon Connell, McCallie’s longtime head wrestling coach and Middle School science teacher, has regaled students with the story of how he, as a young man, once wrestled a bear. Now, with all the legendary embellishments and humor – and with some good-natured ribbing from Head of School Lee Burns ’87, Coach Connell shares the story on this podcast.

Oct 09, 202327:59
Two Prominent Alumni Share Stories of McCallie -- and Life
Sep 26, 202354:22
2023 Fall Sports Preview

2023 Fall Sports Preview

The 2023 fall sports season at McCallie is already underway and will get in full swing in early September with several of the varsity teams setting their sights on championship trophies. In this episode of Stories From theRidge, Mark Wiedmer '76 of the Communications Department is joined by Kenny Sholl in his new position of Executive Director of Athletics and Special Assistant to the Head of School, as they talk with Football Coach Ralph Potter, Cross Country Coach Mike Wood, Golf Coach Rob Riddle, and Crew Coach Sean McCourt as they share their expectations and some of their coaching philosophies.

Aug 23, 202336:20
Head of School Opening Talk August 16 2023

Head of School Opening Talk August 16 2023

Head of School Lee Burns ’87 welcomes 977 students to the 119th school year at McCallie School.

Aug 18, 202316:37
Audrey Smith discusses her two decades of fun at McCallie

Audrey Smith discusses her two decades of fun at McCallie

Audrey Smith, who, as Director of Events – or as she calls it, Director of Fun –  has worked with hundreds of alumni and friends of McCallie on events such as Reunion Weekends and class gatherings, has retired. Her last day at McCallie was June 30, but before leaving campus, she sat down in the podcast studio and talked about her career on the Ridge. Joined by Steve Hearn '74, Vice President of Advancement, Smith shares stories and her perspective on her job. 

In the podcast, Smith and Hearn are joined by Chair of the Board of Trustees Gary Welch '87 and Nick Wilkinson '96 who have worked closely with Smith on special events.

Jul 06, 202331:31
Two Top Administrators Discuss McCallie Careers and Their Upcoming Moves to Other Positions

Two Top Administrators Discuss McCallie Careers and Their Upcoming Moves to Other Positions

Two of McCallie’s most prominent and respected administrators have announced that they will be transitioning to other posts for the 2023-24 school year.  Kenny Sholl, who presently serves as Assistant to the Head of School, and Steve Hearn ‘74, Vice President for Advancement, have announced that they will step down from those positions at the end of this school year. Mr. Sholl will become Executive Director of Athletics and Special Assistant to the Head of School, and Mr. Hearn will become a traveling ambassador for McCallie, visiting alumni and friends of the school, keeping them informed and connected to McCallie.


Although the two will still have important administrative roles, their transitions from their present jobs have given them – and Head of School Lee Burns ’87 – an opportunity to reflect on their storied careers at McCallie and to look ahead at the future they have set for themselves and their school.

 

That’s the theme of an uplifting conversation among the three – the latest edition of McCallie’s Stories from the Ridge podcast series.

 

The podcast features a lot of genuine reflection on the character and soul of McCallie students and alumni, plus a fair amount of good-natured ribbing among the three colleagues, showing their friendship and comradery.

Jun 01, 202337:18
McCallie administrators discuss the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence

McCallie administrators discuss the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence

As access to new artificial intelligence (AI) programs, such as ChatGPT, make their way into the academic arena, many educators, especially those in middle and high schools, are becoming concerned about AI’s dangers to student learning and the threat of plagiarism. But McCallie School sees many positive benefits to the program for both students and teachers. That’s one of the many insights on the rise of AI programs that the school’s administrators discuss in the latest edition of Stories from the Ridge, McCallie’s podcast series.

In this podcast, Head of School Lee Burns '87, Upper School Principal Hank Hopping and Dean of Faculty and Curriculum Sumner McCallie each offer their views on how AI can be a valuable resource for students and faculty, helping them expand and refine the learning experience. However, they also make it clear that lines must be drawn so that students and parents understand the appropriate uses of AI. 

May 17, 202324:39
Spring Sports Preview – Coaches of Spring Varsity Sports Discuss The Upcoming Season

Spring Sports Preview – Coaches of Spring Varsity Sports Discuss The Upcoming Season

With a legacy of state and regional championships to live up to, McCallie’s 2023 spring athletic season is promising to be one of the best in many years. That’s the predictions of the coaches who will lead six varsity teams this season.

In this episode of Stories from the Ridge, the coaches – Mike Wood of Track and Field, Tim Costo of Baseball, Sean McCourt of Crew (Rowing), Eamon Thornton ’02, Lacrosse, Chris Cushenbery of Soccer, and Jeff Clark ’91, Tennis – discuss their upcoming seasons, their coaching philosophies, and share some thoughts on championship rings, after-game meals, and other insider details. The discussions are hosted by Mark Weidmer ’76, of McCallie’s Marketing and Communications Office.

For those seeking specific sports, the following is a rough timeline:
Mike Wood, Track and Field: 2:22
Jeff Clark, Tennis: 11:32
Tim Costo, Baseball: 20:22
Eamon Thornton, Lacrosse: 29:42
Chris Cushenbery, Soccer: 42:28
Sean McCourt, Rowing: 57:06

Mar 13, 202301:08:16
Boomerang Boarders – A Discussion Among Boarding Alumni Who Live in Chattanooga

Boomerang Boarders – A Discussion Among Boarding Alumni Who Live in Chattanooga

In the 1990s, at the 90th birthday party for Chalmers MacIllwaine ’21, a group of McCallie boarding alumni who had returned to Chattanooga as graduates to live and raise their families, started an informal gathering, which they called Boomerang Boarders. The group has grown to more than 100, and continues to gather on campus to catch up with each other, renew friendships, and welcome new Boomerangers.

In this edition of Stories from the Ridge, four of those Boomerang Boarders, Henry Hennegar ’57, Drew Read ’89, John Ashe ’91, and Peterson Hostetler ’02, share their stories about the Boomerangers and recall life as boarders in their various decades. They are joined by Steve Hearn ‘74, Vice President for Advancement.

Feb 24, 202334:27
The storied history of McCallie's Dr Pepper Classic
Feb 01, 202330:19
The Role of Men in Today's Culture

The Role of Men in Today's Culture

The changing role of men in today’s culture and how boys and men adjust to the challenges it presents is the topic of the latest edition of McCallie School’s podcast, Stories From The Ridge.

In this informative discussion, Head of School Lee Burns ’87, is joined by David Thomas, Director of Family Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, and Glenn Breazeale, Director of Alpine Camp for Boys in Mentone, Alabama, to discuss the issues boys and men are facing in the post-COVID world. They continue the conversation begun in a December 2022, podcast with Richard Reeves of the Brookings Institute, discussing his new book, “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to do About it.”

As Mr. Burns explains, the discussion with Dr. Reeves was the “30,000-foot view” of issues facing boys and men, and this latest discussion is from the ground-level. “These gentlemen have daily experiences dealing with boys and how they are struggling with – and yes, overcoming – the challenges of today’s world."

Jan 25, 202336:50
Winter Sports Update: Championships In Sight

Winter Sports Update: Championships In Sight

The winter sports season at McCallie is already underway and will get in full swing in early January with several of the six varsity teams setting their sights on championship trophies. In this episode of Stories From the Ridge, Mark Wiedmer '76 of the Communications Department talks with the six varsity coaches about the winter season. They share their expectations and some of their coaching philosophies.

Dec 15, 202201:06:12
The Emmitt Till Story: American History And McCallie “Connections”

The Emmitt Till Story: American History And McCallie “Connections”

When McCallie student Jonathan Manta ’23 began working on a history project on the 1954 murder of Emmitt Till last spring, he discovered how McCallie School “connections” can literally bring history to life. That’s the topic of this moving podcast discussion of how McCallie alumnus Jason Walker ’92, arranged an interview for Jonathan with Mr. Walker’s father-in-law, who was Emmitt Till’s cousin, neighbor and close friend. The podcast features Jonathan, Mr. Walker, and McCallie History teacher Dr. Duke Richey ’86 discussing details of the tragic murder of 14-year-old Emmitt Till, as well as details of how Jonathan’s award-winning history project was developed.

Dec 08, 202242:18
Honor, Truth, Duty ... And a Touch of Grace: Dr. Jay Wellons ’87, Discusses His New Book and His Job As a Neurosurgeon
Nov 28, 202227:37
Of Boys and Men: A Podcast Discussion With Dr. Richard Reeves

Of Boys and Men: A Podcast Discussion With Dr. Richard Reeves

Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It, by Dr. Richard Reeves, was released earlier this fall to strong positive reviews. New York Times Columnist David Brooks said the book “is a landmark, one of the most important books of the year, not only because it is a comprehensive look at the male crisis, but also because it searches for the roots of that crisis and offers solutions.”

Dr. Brooks, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, discusses the book and some of his recommendations in the latest edition of McCallie’s “Stories from the Ridge” podcast series.

Head of School Lee Burns '87 is joined by former McCallie administrator, Troy Kemp, who is now an administrator at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, in discussing issues facing boys and men in today’s world. The informative discussion ranges from how boys learn and how their minds develop to questions of “toxic masculinity,” the changing role of fatherhood, and why there is a dearth of academic research into issues of males and maleness.

Nov 18, 202249:15
Dear William Author David Magee Discusses Addiction, Recovery, and Healing

Dear William Author David Magee Discusses Addiction, Recovery, and Healing

David Magee, author of the national bestseller memoir Dear William, a nationally recognized motivational speaker and parent of two McCallie alumni, returned to campus in late October to speak to students and parents. His presentations recounted the death of William, class of 2008, to drugs, his other son, Hudson’s (class of 2010) struggles and recovery, and his family’s establishment of the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi.

During his visit to McCallie and GPS, Mr. Magee sat down in McCallie’s podcast studio with Head of School Lee Burns ’87 and Director of Counseling Joel Coffman to discuss the death of his son and his family’s steps toward recovery and helping others who are struggling with addiction. His powerful story is now available as the latest edition of McCallie’s Stories from the Ridge podcast series. 

Nov 02, 202224:52
Social Media And McCallie's Counseling Program with Trey Tucker '98
Oct 26, 202231:19
Three Teachers Share Their 2022 Faculty Enrichment Travel Stories

Three Teachers Share Their 2022 Faculty Enrichment Travel Stories

In this podcast, Sumner McCallie, Dean of Faculty and Curriculum, who administers the summer travel grant program, talks with three faculty members about their travel experiences last summer. Adam Tolar '96, Michael McCallie, and Will Givens share some wonderful stories, but more importantly, they share how the summer travel grants enabled them to return to the classroom this fall with new ideas and new inspirations.

Sep 19, 202245:46
Golf, Rowing, Cross Country and Football Coaches Discuss This Fall’s Season

Golf, Rowing, Cross Country and Football Coaches Discuss This Fall’s Season

The fall sports season is already shaping up as a strong one as two teams, football and cross country, are trying for record four-in-a-row state championships, and the other two, golf and rowing are promising strong, competitive seasons.

Coaches from the four fall sports recently sat down with Mark Wiedmer ’76, a new member of McCallie’s Communications staff, to discuss the upcoming season. Head Football Coach Ralph Potter '81, Cross Country Coach Mike Wood, Golf Coach Rob Riddle, and Assistant Rowing Coach Paul Marrion, share their perspectives on the season, which is already underway, and recall some past teams as well. And they share their coaching philosophies, as well as which restaurants the students like to visit after a victory.

Sep 02, 202239:13
McCallie Motorsports: Building a Race Car, McCallie Style

McCallie Motorsports: Building a Race Car, McCallie Style

Recent graduates David Dalton '22 and Rowdy Stephens '22 talk with Skip Brock '68 about their shared passion for cars and racing. The discussion is hosted by the Director of Digital Communications Deanna Luna, of McCallie's Communications and Marketing Department.

In August 2021, David and Rowdy expressed an interest in re-restarting a car club at McCallie, and serendipitously, alumnus and Board of Trustees member Skip Brock had expressed an interest in working with students on building a race car. Thus began a year-long collaboration. In the episode, the students discuss their process for building the car, including meticulously documenting each step, as well as their first foray into taking the car for a spin on a track.

May 26, 202239:26
Chet LeSourd and Bob Bires: On Teaching, McCallie and Retirement
May 20, 202242:34
Meet Megan Cover, GPS Head of School

Meet Megan Cover, GPS Head of School

The latest edition of Stories from the Ridge features the new Head of School at GPS, Megan Cover, in a conversation with McCallie’s Head of School Lee Burns ’87. The two discuss the special relationship of McCallie and GPS and share ideas for enhancing some coordinate programs in the future. And Ms. Cover shares with the McCallie community the story of her professional career, from a French/German teacher in Philadelphia to the head of one of the nation’s top girls’ schools.

May 05, 202220:32
Baseball Talk – Three McCallie ‘Titans’ Share Stories, Laughs

Baseball Talk – Three McCallie ‘Titans’ Share Stories, Laughs

With the varsity baseball stadium being named the Kenny Sholl Stadium, and the dugouts being named for Hank Hopping and Bill Eiselstein, the three titans of McCallie baseball sat down on a recent spring afternoon as the baseball team was practicing and shared their thoughts and stories about baseball at McCallie. Steve Hearn ’74, Vice President of Advancement, hosts the discussion, which is full of laughs and wonderful memories.

Apr 22, 202247:22
Number One in Nation: A Discussion With Varsity Tennis Coach Jeff Clark '91

Number One in Nation: A Discussion With Varsity Tennis Coach Jeff Clark '91

Ranked as the top high school team in the nation, McCallie’s Blue Tornado Tennis Team is off to a great start this year. Head of School Lee Burns ’87 and Varsity Tennis Coach Jeff Clark ’91 recently sat down to discuss the number one ranking and the team’s prospects, and that lively, informative discussion is available in the latest edition of McCallie’s Stories from the Ridge podcast series. The two, who were both top-level tennis players at McCallie to discuss the 2022 team, its season so far and the prospects for the remainder of the season, and they recall other great McCallie tennis teams (such as the top-ranked 1977 team) as well as their own tennis careers.

The podcast was recorded on March 23, 2022.

Mar 28, 202220:56
Academics at McCallie: An Administrative Perspective
Mar 10, 202253:32
Tornado Term: From Cybersecurity to Horsemanship

Tornado Term: From Cybersecurity to Horsemanship

McCallie’s innovative Tornado Term, which allows Upper School students to take a deep dive into special interests or topics over a two-week period every January, has become one of the most popular parts of the school’s curriculum. In the latest episode of McCallie’s Stories from the Ridge podcast series, that topic is discussed, especially the most recent T-Term (as it is informally called).

In the podcast, Chris Carpenter ’96, Dean of Student Academics, who oversees the T-Term program, discusses the concept and implementation of T-Term with Spanish Teacher Chip Arnold ’90, who leads a T-Term course on Southern rock music, and students Joseph Mason ’22, who served an internship in cybersecurity, and Harry Carter ’24, who participated in the Horsemanship class.

Feb 24, 202235:38
Teacher Stevie Ray Dallimore Heads to Broadway

Teacher Stevie Ray Dallimore Heads to Broadway

Stevie Ray Dallimore, Director of Theater at McCallie, will head to New York in the next few days where he will be the understudy for actor Daniel Craig in the upcoming Broadway production of Macbeth, directed by Sam Gold.

In this episode of Stories from the Ridge, Mr. Dallimore discusses his role as understudy, what it entails, and how he got the offer. He also reflects on his nine years leading McCallie’s theater department and how that experience has helped him as an actor. He plans to return to the Ridge once the show ends its 15-week run.

Feb 16, 202229:54
From Pep Band to Handbells: The Many Parts of McCallie’s Music Program

From Pep Band to Handbells: The Many Parts of McCallie’s Music Program

The many and varied music offerings, from the pep band to private vocal lessons, is the topic of the latest in a series of podcasts examining McCallie’s academic departments. Michael Ake, Chair of the Music Department sits down with Sumner McCallie, Dean of Faculty and Curriculum, to discuss the various offerings and objectives of the department. Mr. Ake uses the annual Christmas performance known as Candlelight to highlight the many aspects of the Music Department, and how practice, practice, practice, results in outstanding performances by groups as varied as handbells, the McCallie/GPS Chorus, and classical guitars.

Jan 20, 202258:49
History: A way of understanding oneself

History: A way of understanding oneself

Classes that are fun, flexible and filled with humility is the objective of McCallie’s History Department, say three of the school’s history teachers in the latest podcast series that examines McCallie’s academic disciplines. The podcast is part of McCallie’s Stories from the Ridge growing podcast series and can be found by searching for “McCallie Stories from the Ridge” on major podcast platforms. In the podcast, the teachers let us in on some of their professional secrets they use to keep students engaged. Joining Dean of Faculty and Curriculum Sumner McCallie for the timely discussion are Department Chair Randy Odle, Dr. Duke Richey '86, and Bart Wallin '99.

Jan 07, 202201:01:14
Fine Arts At McCallie: A Way To Self-Discovery

Fine Arts At McCallie: A Way To Self-Discovery

McCallie’s Stories from the Ridge podcast series that has focused on the academic disciplines continues with a look at the Fine Arts Department. Three of the school’s arts teachers discuss how arts are taught at McCallie, how creativity is nurtured, and how arts are used as a springboard for self-discovery and problem solving for McCallie boys.

The podcast, featuring Department Chair Paul Merrion and teachers Suzanne Mortimer and Will Givens, is hosted by Dean of Faculty and Curriculum Sumner McCallie.

Dec 16, 202101:01:22
Math: A (Fun!) Problem Solving Process

Math: A (Fun!) Problem Solving Process

Math at McCallie is not an exercise in learning numbers and equations, but instead, it is “a philosophy, a practice of logic” and a “way to think.” And it is fun. That’s the message of four of McCallie’s math teachers as they discuss their academic discipline in the latest edition of McCallie’s podcast series examining the various academic departments at the school.

Hosted by Dean of Faculty and Curriculum Sumner McCallie, this podcast features Department Chair Rob Lyons and teachers Cary Hubbard, Andrea Odle and Byron McCague.

Dec 09, 202159:42
Championship Week: A Conversation With Lee Burns and Ralph Potter

Championship Week: A Conversation With Lee Burns and Ralph Potter

As the McCallie community prepares for the Blue Tornado football team’s game Thursday, December 2, for the state championship, Head of School Lee Burns ’87 sits down with Coach Ralph Potter ’81 to discuss the upcoming game, the legacy of football at McCallie, and the prospects for the game against Montgomery Bell Academy. Coach Potter shares his coaching philosophy, and the two stress the importance of the McCallie community cheering the team on as they play for the championship in Chattanooga’s Finley stadium.

Nov 29, 202115:24
Bible Department: A Discussion With Dr. David Eastman

Bible Department: A Discussion With Dr. David Eastman

A new book (his fourth) by Dr. David Eastman, the Sherril Chair of Bible and head of the Bible Department, is the topic of the latest in a series of podcasts examining the various academic departments of McCallie. In this episode, Dr. Eastman is joined by Dr. Sal Musumeci, one of McCallie’s history teachers, as well as Sumner McCallie, Dean of Faculty and Curriculum, in a discussion of the book, North African Christianity, Turning Points in the Development of the Church. They also talk about the Bible Department, how McCallie teaches Biblical subjects to students of many different faiths, and why teaching about religion, faith, and ethics is an important part of McCallie’s pedagogical philosophy.

This is the fourth in a series of podcasts examining the academic departments at McCallie. Other podcasts in this series will be posted throughout the remainder of 2021.

Nov 26, 202155:09
Languages: More than Immersion

Languages: More than Immersion

McCallie’s goal is for students to not simply “learn” a second or third language, but to “acquire” it, and by doing so to understand the cultures and personal perspectives of people in other parts of the world. That’s one of the themes touched on in a podcast discussion among four language teachers at McCallie. The discussion is part of McCallie’s Stories from the Ridge podcast series on academic departments.

The latest podcast features Dean of Faculty and Curriculum Sumner McCallie talking with the language teachers about their teaching methods and the importance of language proficiency in today’s global world. Joining Mr. McCallie are Frank Watkins, Spanish teacher and chair of the department, Paul Cudd, German teacher, Jason Jones, Latin teacher, and Carson Murphy, Chinese teacher.

Nov 18, 202101:04:19
English Department: Grammar and Literature Reexamined
Nov 04, 202101:02:60
A New Way of Teaching Science

A New Way of Teaching Science

Collaboration, moving around, not expecting teachers to know all the answers, even learning to appreciate failure ... those are some of the characteristics of new methods of teaching science that members of McCallie’s Science Department are using to educate a new generation of scientists and citizens. And they are topics that are discussed in this edition of McCallie’s Stories From the Ridge podcast series.

The Science Department podcast is hosted by Sumner McCallie, Dean of Faculty and Curriculum, and features Michael Lowry, in his 28th year on the Ridge, and who serves as department chair, Dr. Karah Nazor, in her 10th year, and Matt Allen, in his third year. It includes lively discussions of how and why science is taught in both the Upper and Middle Schools and conveys the passion that the teachers bring to their profession.

This is the first of several podcasts featuring the academic departments at McCallie. Other podcasts will be released throughout the fall of 2021.

Oct 27, 202101:04:41
Squash: What It Is, How It is Played, and Its Role in McCallie’s Varsity Athletic Offerings

Squash: What It Is, How It is Played, and Its Role in McCallie’s Varsity Athletic Offerings

Squash, McCallie’s newest varsity sport, is the topic of this edition of Stories from the Ridge. Head of School Lee Burns ’87 introduces the new head varsity squash coach, Dan Sharplin, who discusses his reasons for coming to Chattanooga to lead this growing part of the school’s athletic offerings. Mr. Sharplin, who comes to the Ridge via his native New Zealand and Boston, shares his vision for McCallie’s squash program and how he sees it as a way to introduce squash to other high schools in the Southeast. He and Mr. Burns also share their vision for a squash facility on McCallie’s campus (the squash currently uses a club squash facility in Downtown Chattanooga).

For the many McCallie alumni and friends who are unfamiliar with squash, Mr. Sharplin gives a brief explanation on how it is played.

Oct 18, 202118:43
The Ed Johnson Project

The Ed Johnson Project

In this podcast, leaders of The Ed Johnson Project, along with a McCallie history teacher, discuss the story of Ed Johnson, who was lynched on Chattanooga’s Walnut Street Bridge more than a century ago, and the five-year effort by community volunteers that has resulted in a memorial being placed near the bridge to commemorate Mr. Johnson and the attorneys who defended him.

The podcast also discusses the role the Rev. T.H. McCallie, one of the founders of McCallie, played in trying to prevent the lynching and how he offered shelter on the school’s campus to one of the attorney’s families. And it discusses how McCallie history teachers use the Ed Johnson story to inspire McCallie students to be responsible citizens in their communities.

Participating in the podcast are:
Donivan Brown, president of the Ed Johnson Project;
Eleanor McCallie Cooper, great-granddaughter of the Rev. T.H. McCallie, and a member of the Ed Johnson Project;
Mel Cooper, former McCallie Vice President of Development, and a member of the Ed Johnson Project;
Bart Wallin ’99, who, with David Levitt ’94, teaches the Ed Johnson story as part of their 8th-grade history classes.

Links mentioned in the podcast:
The to documentary video on Ed Johnson by Linda Duvoisin:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1730677540326112
PDF of anti-lynching sermon delivered in 1883 by the Rev. Dr. T.H. McCallie (courtesy of Eleanor McCallie Cooper): https://www.mccallie.org/fs/resource-manager/view/05341ae6-0c51-44d0-86e4-52b7c148c9de
The Ed Johnson Project website, with a schedule of events for the weekend of the memorial dedication: https://www.edjohnsonproject.com/
The book, Contempt of Court: The Turn-of-the-Century Lynching that Launched 100 Years of Federalism by Mark Curriden and Leroy Phillips Jr., published 1999 by Faber and Faber, Inc., New York, available through most booksellers.

Sep 14, 202101:00:44