Living Lovett

S6E8 Creating a balanced relationship with technology is part of nurturing the whole child experience, and Lovett’s phone-free policy is a big step in that direction. For families, this policy has highlighted the power of the family-school partnership by uncovering new ways to connect and rethink how devices impact daily life, fostering healthier digital habits for students of all ages.  

Host Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at the Lovett School speaks to three parents from the Lovett community - Atira Goodwin, Lou Izquierdo, and Kerry Izard. The parents share their experiences and advice on adjusting to Lovett’s phone-free school policy. The discussion covers the impact on students and families, the challenges and benefits of limiting smart device usage, and the importance of modeling healthy tech behaviors.

This is the season finale episode of Living Lovett, Season 6. Thank you for another great season!

Listen to all the past episodes of award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E7 History and social studies classrooms at Lovett aren’t just spaces where memorizing facts and dates occur—they are where students begin to understand the world and their role within it. Through historical analysis, classroom discussions, and immersive learning experiences, our faculty design environments where students feel empowered to explore, question, and connect. 

Dr. Jeff Turner, Chair of the Upper School History Department and American Studies teacher, and Kai Parham, teacher of Global Issues, Civics, and Civic Leadership in the middle school join Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant on this episode of Living Lovett to outline the unique ways our history and civics teachers engage students in critical thinking and real-world applications. Jeff and Kai offer parents insights into the classrooms of Lovett as well as practical topics to introduce ideas to kids. 

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant. 

S6E6 Some were skeptical; some were excited. News of Lovett’s phone-free policy brought up a lot of questions before the roll-out this Fall. Now that Lovett’s no phone policy is the rule of the school, we’ve invited some key players onto Living Lovett to discuss the rationale of the new policy and get a progress report on how things are going with students and staff.

Three of our counseling pros join Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant on the show—along with Head of School Meredyth Cole—to share where the idea of the phone policy came from as how the policy is impacting each of Lovett’s divisions. In addition to talking about going phone free at Lovett, counselors Maggie Wise (Lower School), Lyvelle Simms (Middle School), and Dr. Brenda Wall (Upper School) offer practical and tactical tips for parents handling technology with their children—regardless of age. If you have questions of your kids and the influence tech has on them, this episode is sure to provide insight and information.

Learn more about counseling at Lovett: https://www.lovett.org/community/school-counseling

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E5 On this week’s episode of Living Lovett, Tricia Thornton ‘90, a Lovett alumna, licensed professional counselor, and registered play therapist, reflects on her journey from being a "14er" to becoming a mental health professional. In her conversation with Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant, Tricia examines how her time at Lovett instilled values like hard work and integrity, shaping her career path.

Tricia also highlights her work supporting families and children, particularly those dealing with anxiety and anger, and offers practical advice for parents and schools on fostering emotional well-being. She stresses the importance of balance, emotional awareness, and meaningful connections in a child's development.

Her book, Blessing from Fear, provides valuable insights for parents and caregivers, exploring the root causes of fear and advocating for a nurturing and supportive approach to children’s emotional needs.

Tricia Thornton Therapy: https://www.triciathornton.com/

Blessing from Fear on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5gEhP6I

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E4 At Lovett, education is more than just academics—it’s about creating lasting connections between students, families, and the generations that came before them. Joni Janis, a current Lovett grandparent, former Lovett parent, and former middle school teacher who dedicated 32 years to shaping students’ perspectives on history and the world around them joins Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant on this episode of Living Lovett. From her groundbreaking curriculum changes to her leadership in the “Connecting Generations” program, to sharing what it’s like to have children and grandchildren at Lovett, Joni discusses how all these various roles come together to form a unique perspective.  

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E3 The importance of intentionality can be seen in every part of The Lovett School—including the Admission Office. Melinda DeMaria, Head of Enrollment Management, joins Chief Engagement Officer and Living Lovett host Jessica Sant to discuss Melinda’s vision as she comes into this new role at Lovett. The conversation also touches upon the significance of financial aid, the student admission process, and what makes a Lovett education unique. Current and prospective families will find this episode educational and illuminating.

Start the process - Learn more about Lovett Admission here: https://www.lovett.org/admission

LAST CALL! VOTE FOR LIVING LOVETT in the Women in Podcasting Awards, Education category! Click here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

Listen to Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E2 One of the most important aspects of a Lovett education is the emphasis on spiritual growth and ethical understanding. From chapel, to more advanced religious studies, to learning how to have meaningful discussions about faith and belief, Lovett students are consistently encouraged to develop a deeper sense of self and the world around them. This holistic approach to faith and character development is woven into the fabric of the Lovett experience, led by a dedicated team of chaplains and educators.

On this episode of Living Lovett, meet Reverend Colin Brown, Lovett’s new Head Chaplain and welcome back Sandra Switzer in her role as K-12 Religion Curriculum Coordinator. Host and Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant speaks to Colin and Sandra about how spiritual development happens at Lovett.

There’s still time to vote! VOTE FOR LIVING LOVETT in the Women in Podcasting Awards, Education category! Click here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

Listen to Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E1 One of the most lasting influences shaping our alumni community is the lifelong impact of a Lovett education. From their earliest days in the lower school to their growth as leaders in their fields, Lovett graduates carry with them the values, experiences, and relationships that define their journey.

Mary Louise Kelly — Lovett Aluma and NPR’s All Things Considered host joins us on the Season 6 premiere of Living Lovett. A member of the class of 1989, Mary Louise takes us through her 13-year journey at Lovett, including pivotal moments that sparked her passion for writing and storytelling, to life lessons learned from legendary Lovett teachers.

• Get Mary Louise Kelly’s recent book It. Goes. So. Fast. and learn more about Mary Louise Kelly: https://marylouisekellybooks.com/
• There’s still time to vote! VOTE FOR LIVING LOVETT in the Women in Podcasting Awards, Education category! Click here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

Listen to Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S6E0 VOTE FOR LIVING LOVETT in the Women in Podcasting Awards, Education category! Click here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

School is back in session and so is Living Lovett for Season 6. This fall, we'll explore the changes happening at Lovett; engage in important discussions about communication and student development; and hear from special guests with unique insights into a Lovett education.

But first: Living Lovett is nominated for a Women in Podcasting Award in the Education category. Please take a minute and vote for Living Lovett here: https://womeninpodcasting.net/living-lovett-stories-from-the-riverbank/

Episode one of the new season is out soon! We can’t wait to bring you another set of episodes, sharing Lovett stories from the riverbank.

You can listen to all past episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S5E8 If you are a Living Lovett audience member, you’ve heard the title “Chief Engagement Officer” in every episode. But what are the responsibilities of that role? What does Jessica Sant do (besides serve as our podcast host)?

Meredyth Cole, The Lovett School’s Head of School hosts this episode of Living Lovett and turns the tables on usual host Jessica Sant. How did the Office of Engagement come to be? What other departments of Lovett are covered by the office? How did this podcast start? What does it say about Lovett as a school to work so intentionally to engage with parents, families, and even Lovett employees? You’ll learn all this and more on this special bonus episode. (Our podcast producer even pops in to talk about the show.)

- Learn more about Leadership at Lovett on our website: https://www.lovett.org/about-lovett/leadership

- Read about the Office of Engagement: https://www.lovett.org/community/engagement

- Listen to Meredyth Cole’s previous interview on Living Lovett: Link to the Episode

We hope you enjoyed this special bonus episode! Listen to all episodes of Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.