EA Unlocked

Over the summer, new Assistant Head of School Meadow Davis arrived on campus to begin settling into life at EA.

EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke kicks off Season 7 with an insightful conversation with Ms. Davis as she shares her professional journey, her passion for education, and the experiences that have shaped her approach to school leadership. Hear her perspectives on building meaningful connections, supporting students and faculty, and what she's most looking forward to as she begins this exciting new chapter at EA.

Elevating Excellence and The Playbook for Success are the focus of the latest edition of The Episcopal Academy publication, Connections.

Athletic and academic success are long-standing traditions at EA. Teams continuously win league, state, and national titles; student-athletes are named MVPs and selected as All-Americans and Players of the Year.

EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with coaches and some of EA's team captains about the recipe for success on the field and in the classroom.

Guests:

• Steve Colfer/Assistant Athletic Director & Varsity Boys' Lacrosse Coach
• Katie Duffie/Assistant Athletic Director
• Todd Fairlie/Athletic Director & Varsity Football Coach
• Andy Fraggos/Varsity Girls' Soccer Coach
• Rebecca Block '26 (Field Hockey & Swimming)
• Caroline Johnson '26 (Soccer & Lacrosse)
• Frank Shanahan '26 (Soccer & Lacrosse)
• Jack Signor '26 (Football, Wrestling, Baseball)

Read the Summer 2026 edition of Connections.

Each August, EA freshmen head to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for the school's annual Outward Bound adventure — hiking, scaling rock walls, and camping under the stars.

As this year's class prepares for their trip, we're revisiting the Class of 2026's experience from four years ago.

Students and Form Dean Zach Richards join host Dr. T.J. Locke to relive their adventure, the challenges, and the stories that are still being told today.

In 2023, EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke spoke with Matt Freese '17 and AJ Marcucci '17 about their years on the soccer pitch at EA and their professional MLS careers.

Since the conversation was recorded, Matt has been the starting keeper for the U.S. Men's National Team competing in the World Cup.

Matt and AJ are long-time teammates and friends. AJ plays goalie for the New York Red Bulls and was a three-year starter at Connecticut College. Matt launched his professional career in Philadelphia as a "homegrown" player with the Philadelphia Union after playing at Harvard University. Along with the U.S. men's team, he also plays for New York City FC.

It is unusual for two alums from the same class, who play the same sport and the same position, to be drafted by Major League Soccer and now play against each other on rival teams in the same city.

Enjoy this entertaining "recast" episode of EA Unlocked.

Each year alumni of The Episcopal Academy, celebrating their 50th reunion, receive a special invitation for Alumni Weekend.

Third graders send handwritten letters inviting the class to campus for the special weekend and ask them to be their pen pals.

Alumni write back with great enthusiasm and answer questions about their favorite recess activity (maul ball), favorite teachers (Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Harper), and what it was like to be an EA student 50 years ago.

As the reunion weekend gets underway, pen pals meet in person where EA students of all ages learn how many things have changed over the decades, while many other special moments of an EA education remain the same.

The world of NCAA recruiting continues to change for today's high school athletes. With the rise of the transfer portal, NIL opportunties, and new roster limits, coaches are now balancing the recruitment of young talent with experienced college players, creating a more competitive and complex landscape.

EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J. Locke, talks with two experienced members of The Episcopal Academy about how they are working with students to navigate the recruiting process.

Chrissy Cerenzia is the Senior Associate Director of College Counseling. Steve Colfer is EA's Head Varsity Boys' Lacrosse Coach and Assistant Director of Athletics.

Additional Resources:

• EA College Counseling's online resource library
• Authenticity in Admissions: A Conversation with Wellesley College Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Peaches Valdes
• Making the Most of College Visits with Hamilton College Dean of Admission John McLaughlin

Educator Eric Hudson spent the day with faculty and staff during a spring professional development day to share his expertise and experience with integrating AI into schools.

During a keynote address and hands-on workships, Eric explored the thinking behind using AI in the classroom, in assessment design, and leadership development.

In our ongoing series about the use of AI at The Episcopal Academy, host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with Eric about best practices, advice and guidance for school leaders, and the questions parents need to be asking their students about AI.

Listen to past episodes in the EA Unlocked series about Artifical Intelligence in education.

• AI at The Episcopal Academy: Beyond the Classroom
• AI at The Episcopal Academy: Tools for Teachers
• AI at The Episcopal Academy: Philosophy & Vision

The college counseling team at The Episcopal Academy hosts a variety of on-campus guests for students and parents throughout the school year. Wellesley College Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Peaches Valdes recently spent a very productive and informative day at EA discussing Authenticity in College Admissions.

EA Unlocked guest host Assistant Head of School Chris Torino talks with Ms. Valdes along with EA Senior Associate Director of College Counseling Chrissy Cerenzia.

Additional Resources:

• EA College Counseling's online resource library
• A Conversation with Hamilton College Dean of Admission John McLaughlin: Making the Most of College Visits

In our ongoing series about the integration of AI at The Episcopal Academy, EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with teachers using AI platforms in the classroom.

EA is one of the first schools in the country to test out Viva, the platform Flint is a go-to for some Middle School English Teachers, and OpenAI is now offering free tools for teachers.

Guests:

• Justin Cerenzia/Buckley Executive Director for Teaching & Learning
• Maggie McGill/Middle School English Teacher

Listen to past episodes in the EA Unlocked series about Artificial Intelligence

• AI at The Episcopal Academy: Beyond the Classroom
• AI at The Episcopal Academy: Philosophy & Vision

From the world stage to EA hallways and classrooms, host Dr. T.J. Locke has spoken with Olympians, alumni of all ages, visiting guests, as well as teachers and students with fascinating ideas and passions.

To mark this milestone episode, Dr. Locke reconnects with three retired faculty and staff who held a variety of positions during their combined century of service: Former Classics Department Chair Lee Pearcy, Upper School English Teacher Lee Billmyer, and Director of Plant Operations Len Haley. Where are they now?

Checkout the EA Unlocked archive for past episodes you may have missed.