Talking Heads

They're Baaaaack! And talkier than ever! Can you believe it? We are starting our third season of the Oakhill Taking Heads Podcast. It is amazing! We are super excited about the podcasts we have lined up for the upcoming season. But before we get too far into the school year, we wanted to spend a little time going over Oakhill 101 to give you insight into why we do what we do at Oakhill! Later in the podcast, special guest PTO President Tammy Wright is chatting with the heads to give everyone the scoop on what you can expect from your PTO in the 2023-2024 school year.

Join us as we discover the heart and soul behind our educators' passion for teaching. But first, the Heads set the stage with a lively chat about binge-worthy TV shows for the chilly winter months.

Then, we sit down with an incredible lineup of Oakhill teachers: Terri Ferris, Alex Dickey, Dena Cole, Stephanie Lafferty, Leah Hyatt, Jaci Ebert, April Gunderson, and Becky Clemis. Together, we explore the unique motivations that led each of them to pursue a career in education, eventually bringing them to the ODS classroom. Tune in to hear their stories, insights, and heartfelt dedication to shaping the future of Oakhill students. This episode is sure to inspire and uplift as we celebrate the incredible educators who make Oakhill shine.

Mailbag time!
The Heads want to hear your thoughts on Season 3. Leave a message thanking your favorite ODS teacher, and you might be featured on an upcoming show!

This month, the Heads discuss preparations for the holiday season and movies before engaging in a conversation with K12itc President Brad Sandt. They delve into the behind-the-scenes efforts of his company to maintain Oakhill's technology infrastructure security amid the rising tide of cyber attacks. Brad also imparts valuable advice to the Heads on incorporating aspects of their school-focused strategies into their daily online lives.

Guest Bio:
Brad Sandt is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Menlo. Previously, he served as the Director of Technology at Park Hill School District. Brad Sandt is an alumnus of Park University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Management/Computer Information Systems. He has received training and holds certifications from prominent entities such as Cisco Systems, Microsoft, EMC, Citrix, VMware, and SAP Business Objects.

Mailbag time!
As the second half of the school year approaches, the Heads want to hear your thoughts on Season 3. Leave a message, and you might be featured on an upcoming show!

This month, the Heads will explore the vital work of Oakhill's H.E.A.R.T. Team. Join special guests Delaney Zimmermann, Abby Pavlisin, and Chris Fernandez as they delve into the team's dedicated efforts to foster the mental and physical well-being of Oakhill students. Discover the impactful initiatives and strategies that make a difference in our school community. Tune in for an insightful conversation on creating a nurturing environment for our students' holistic growth. The Heads also talk turkey-time preparations. Enjoy!

Join us as the Heads go all in on Oakhill's new 2-year Fund-a-need project, the Welcome Project! Director of Auxiliary Services, Athletics, and Edupreneurship Taylor Clevenger and Oakhill Parent and Architect Aaron Ross join the heads to talk about how the project came to be and to give all of the details on what we hope to see change around campus within the next 2 years! Also, the Heads chat candy, Halloween, and all the fun things that come with the season!

In this episode, Kathryn Dodson, Director of Campus and Business Operations, joins the Heads to delve into the critical topic of school safety at Oakhill. Tune in to learn about our strategies for ensuring a secure environment and gain insight into Oakhill's holistic approach to campus safety. And, stay tuned for a recap of Parents' Night and more exciting updates as we kick off the fall season at Oakhill!

Mailbag time!

Season three is underway? What would you like to hear the Heads discuss this season? 

Portrait of an Oakhill Graduate - Where are they now?

It's hard to believe we are wrapping up our second season of the Oakhill Taking Heads Podcast. By popular demand, we invited some of our ODS Alumni back for a catch-up session. Join us as The Heads take on the portrait of an Oakhill graduate - round 2! What does it mean to be an Oakhill graduate, what are they doing, and where are they now? This year, our Heads are catching up with young alumni Jackson Keuhn ('18), Lily Clevenger ('22/12th Grade), Brooke McCanles ('18), Olivia DiGerlamo ('18), Jonas Beckham ('20), and Mary-Kathryn Wert ('19). 

Also, this is our last episode of the season, but don't worry; we will be back in August for season 3 of Talking Heads!

Mailbag time!

The Talking Heads are back from a little hiatus caused by the hustle and bustle of the end of the school year! Maggie Newhouse steps in for Ms. G for part of the show, and Jared Cole, Middle School Science Teacher, joins the heads for a special Earth Day edition of the Podcast. Hear Mr. Cole's rundown of Oakhill's Living Lab outdoor classroom and other green initiatives from his science room. Also, on the show, the Heads discuss highly anticipated end-of-year events from the year, like the Auction and the preparation for the Florida Keys trip.

Mailbag time!

This month on The Talking Heads, we get candid about our journey into D.E.I. work. Special guest Elaina Holsey joins the podcast to talk about her work with Single Story, Inc. and her work as Oakhill's S.E.E.D. (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) leader. The Heads also discuss how Oakhill's D.E.I. work is furthering its mission of making each student, staff, and community member feel known and valued. We'll also find out how our Heads celebrated the Chief's Super Bowl win and how they prepared for Spring Break. Also joining the Heads is Maggie Newhouse, ODS Director of Student Affairs, to chime in on the conversation. Enjoy!

This month on The Talking Heads, our Heads get unfiltered while talking, having a filter on and offline. Oakhill works hard to teach students how to live the Lifeskills, but what happens when they go online? Communication gets tricky with a screen involved, and we will unpack it all with today's special guest, Mrs. Sara Verwers, Oakhill's Techbrarian, with knowledge of all things online. We'll also find out how our Heads have kicked off the cold start to the second semester. Enjoy!

Mailbag time!

This month on The Talking Heads, our Heads are flying solo and giving their hot takes on hot education topics. In the digital age, is it essential to still teach students how to read a clock, write in cursive, learn measurements, and more? We'll also find out what our Heads have planned for the holidays as Winter Break quickly approaches. Enjoy!

Mailbag time!

This month on The Talking Heads, our Heads dive into the next steps after a student receives a diagnosis. Finding out your child needs more academic or emotional support can be stressful; that's why Oakhill's Learning Specialist, Delaney Zimmermann, and Wellness Counselor, Abby Pavlisin, are on the podcast to help give parents ways to go from diagnosis to academic success! Also, on the podcast, the Heads share how they get ready for the holidays. Enjoy the show!

Mailbag time!

This month on The Talking Heads, we welcome Oakhill Upper School Division Director Margaret Sarver to the podcast! Then, our Heads sit back and listen to a few members of the ODS teaching staff explain what makes them happy to teach. The team then discusses the impact each of those teachers brings to the school community, especially their classrooms. The Heads also dive into Halloween and the hustle and bustle of school life in the Fall!

Mailbag time!

The Talking Heads welcome Audra Olson, 5th Grade Teacher, back to the podcast to dive deeper into Conscious Discipline. The team discusses teacher training, implementation, and what has been working so far as the Oakhill teaching staff progress on their journey into positive social and emotional learning. Also, on the podcast, the Heads talk football and the start of Autumn!

Mailbag time!

The Talking Heads are back, refreshed, and ready to take on a new season of conversations in all things education. To kick off season two, the Heads are talking to Oakhill Athletic Director Taylor Clevenger about the importance of movement on classroom management, success, and athletics at Oakhill. Also, on the podcast, we hear about the Heads' adventures over the summer months, and Ms. G reveals her secret talent! 

That's a wrap! Our first season of the Oakhill Taking Heads Podcast is coming to an end. What better way to end the season than by catching up with a few of our alumni! Join us as The Heads talk portrait of an Oakhill graduate. What does it mean to be an Oakhill graduate, what are they doing, and where are they now? Chatting with our Heads are alumni Alex Diaz ('12), Anthony Giordano ('13), Harrison Feaster ('14), Delaney Clawson ('16), Connor Carlson ('17), and a special surprise, Brady McCanles ('14). This episode is longer than usual, but these former students blew us away; we couldn't help ourselves. We have bankers, filmmakers, golf professionals, and scientists repping Oakhill every day! Hear all about it for yourself directly from the alumni.

Also, this is our last episode of the season, but don't worry; we will be back in August for season 2 of Talking Heads!

Mailbag time!

This month, our heads are talking internet safety and cyber security. In an increasingly digital world, the conversation is not whether or not to give students technology but how we can keep them safe while using technology. Join us as The Heads talk about their own technological woes and how the school has pivoted to make the tech students bring with them part of the school day. Stick around as guest experts join us, Oakhill's Innovation Specialist Sara Verwers and 8th Grade parent, and Chief Information Security Officer Cindi Carter. They will walk us through simple steps to get your family one step closer to being safe and secure online.

This month, our heads are talking parenting and discipline. Parenting is one of the most challenging jobs that a person can have, and there is no guidebook. Join us as The Heads talk about their parenting journeys, discuss questions from Oakhill parents, and more! Then stick around for the show's second half, where 5th-grade teacher Audra Olson will walk us through Conscious Discipline, a comprehensive emotional intelligence and classroom management system that integrates all learning domains (social, emotional, physical, cultural, and cognitive).

This month, our heads are talking State of the School and Summer. How is Oakhill doing as we head into the last half of the year? Get a real-time update on admissions, finance, and more as we talk about the growth the school has seen so far over the 2021-2022 school year. Board of Trustees President, An Le, is joining us to help lead this important conversation. In the second half of the episode, Kids' Club and Summer Coordinator, Taylor Clevenger, joins us in the studio to talk about Oakhill Fully Charged Summer 2022. What's new this summer? Will Mr. Kleyh get invited back to the pool? Find out the answer to this and more in our next episode of Talking Heads!

This month, our heads are talking, "Why Oakhill?" Picking a school for your child can be challenging for any family. What did you look for in a school? Class size, great teachers, academic outcomes? What makes a school a good fit for your family? Oakhill Director of Admissions and Financial Assistance, Dorothy Beckham, joins the Heads this month to walk through the ODS family journey, the family/school partnership and talks about the value of an Independent School education. Enjoy this month's conversation with the Talking Heads!

This week our Talking Heads talk traditions and their importance to the Oakhill community. We'll also take a look at what's happening at Oakhill in the next month and will chat with special guests, Emma (4th Grade) and Oakhill Third Grade teacher Mrs. Hadel, about their exciting trip to Cape Canaveral to watch the NASA Lucy Mission Space Launch. Sit back, grab a snack, and enjoy this month's Talking Heads.

Mailbag time!

This week our Talking Heads recap the middle school's recent trip to the Badlands and discuss why Oakhill makes student travel part of the curriculum. We'll also get a run-through of the big fall events coming up for Oakhill and we will get a glimpse at how the Mental Wellness programming has evolved over the past year. Sit back, and enjoy this month's fun with the Talking Heads.

Premiere Date: October 14, 2021

Audio Credits:

So here we are, the Talking Heads (of school and divisions) embarking on a new adventure! We're educators, not talk show hosts, but we are going to do our best each month to engage and inform as we host a variety of special guests and give you a preview of what's happened and what's coming up at Oakhill. Sit back, and enjoy our first episode of Talking Heads with your hosts Suzanne McCanles (Head of School), Amy Ganaden (MS and IM Division Director), Tim Ziegler (LS and EC Division Director), Tori Jones (PRIME High School Director), and special guest, Delaney Zimmermann (Oakhill's Learning Specialist).