EPS Insightful Questions

In part 2 of last week’s episode, Head of School Sam Uzwack continues his discussion with Jason Barnwell, Jonathan Briggs, Allison Luhrs, and Dr. Julia Hitch. This time the conversation turns to the adults in students’ lives, and how families and educators can help young people thrive as AI reshapes their world. 

As a licensed psychologist (and EPS parent), Dr. Hitch provides meaningful advice to parents/guardians, “The habit of mind that I would love everyone to do is to not move away from discomfort, but to sit with it, because that is when you realize that you’re powerful, that you’re competent.”

In this episode, Head of School Sam Uzwack talks with four guests about how artificial intelligence is shaping our school, our students, and the way we think critically: 

Jason Barnwell compares today’s AI tools to the encyclopedias of his own childhood: “Pedagogical institutions have been dealing with versions of this for as long as we have been condensing our knowledge into more concise forms and making that readily available. What we’re trying to do is activate curiosity, intrinsic motivation—all things that you’re already doing.”

Season four of Insightful Questions explores the theme "Think Critically: Purposeful Reflection." In the season opener, Director of Enrollment Management Cheryl Schenk takes over as guest host. She talks with Head of School Sam Uzwack, founding Head of School Dr. Terry Macaluso, and Self Study Coordinator Matt Delaney about accreditation: what it is, who does it, and why it matters to everyone at EPS. They explain the self-study the school is starting this year and the peer-review visit that follows. They also look back at past EPS accreditations and discuss how community feedback will shape what comes next. As Sam explains, an honest self study reflects what we are teaching students: "In some ways, we're actually modeling what we expect from kids. We're going to think about ourselves deeply and we're not going to shy away from areas where we need to improve."

In this special season finale of Insightful Questions, Head of School Sam Uzwack takes a seat on the other side of the desk as four seniors— Piper Belfiore, Anhat Bhutani, Andrew Ma, and Cass Megiddo—step into the studio. The script was flipped, with students asking Sam questions about leadership at EPS, decision-making, EPS traditions, and the impressive qualities of the Class of 2026.

In this episode of Insightful Questions, Head of School Sam Uzwack is joined by EPS faculty member Gaylynn Lynch, Jamie Andrus, Associate Director of Student Well-Being, and Dr. John Stegeman, Head of Upper School. They discuss ensuring that every EPS student feels seen and supported and how clarity in expectation, communication, and care helps create a more connected school environment.  They also discuss finding balance at school. As Dr. Stegeman notes, “If we can center the student, the human being, in the conversation about balance, it’s a way of reducing the complexity of the conversation…We want to have all parts of our experience and identity validated.  And when it is, the equilibrium appears.”

In this episode of Insightful Questions, Head of School Sam Uzwack is joined by EPS parents Bengu Bostanci, Polina Mokshina, and Hao Song to discuss how the partnership between parents/guardians and Eastside Prep helps build a more caring and connected school.

In this episode of Insightful Questions, Head of School Sam Uzwack is joined by two Eastside Prep alums: Josie Kranick and Lorenzo Da Fieno, both EPS Class of 2024. They discuss lessons learned at EPS including accountability and working with others. They also discuss advice they would give to their younger selves. Josie’s advice to her junior- and senior-year self includes, “Be where my feet are planted…be a bit more present.”  

In this episode of Insightful Questions, Head of School Sam Uzwack is joined by student Alyson (Class of 2027), faculty member Burton Barrager and Marinn Carpenter, a resource specialist for King Conservation District for a conversation about caring for the environment with intention. They discuss how EPS can help students grow into environment stewards and reflect on a place each of them feels connected to the environment. As Alyson notes, “Nature connects everything.”

In this episode of Insightful Questions, Head of School Sam Uzwack is joined by student Victoria (Class of 2028), School Counselor Amy Sanchez, and Trustee Dr. Habib Rahbar for a rich conversation about responsible use of technology tools, digital boundaries, and growing up in the age of artificial intelligence. Together, they reflect navigating the nuances of our digital age and on shared values. As Habib notes, “AI is going to make us all more efficient, but how are we all going to learn to be better human beings through that…I love how EPS has kind of always been focusing on those things.”

In this episode of Insightful Questions, Head of School Sam Uzwack speaks with students Javier and Roya as well as Director of Student Well-Being Paul Hagen and Student Life Coordinator Karla Harris about what leadership looks like at Eastside Prep. Together, they explore how care and clarity guide their experiences as student leaders—whether in classrooms, clubs, or community events. Through honest reflection and shared stories, they reveal how leadership at EPS is less about titles and more about collaboration, communication, and making space for others to thrive.