The Darlington Podcast

Welcome to Episode 25 of The Darlington Podcast!

In this episode, learn more about how technology is integrated into Darlington's curriculum and what that looks like for students of all ages. Your host is Stefan Eady, assistant head of school for academic affairs. He will be talking with Beth Wardlaw, technology integration coordinator; Matt Enderle, Upper School math teacher; and Patrick Cash, a fourth-grader from Rome who has been utilizing technology at Darlington since pre-K. 

This has been an exciting week for Darlington because for the third time since 2016, Apple has named Darlington an Apple Distinguished School, recognizing the school for its commitment to teaching students technology skills to solve real-world problems as an integrated part of its curriculum. This new three-year designation required a rigorous review process to determine continued growth and commitment to this program and extends Darlington’s designation until 2024.

Click here for a news story with more information about this honor >>

Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. They use Apple technology to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration, and make learning personal. 

For further insight into technology integration, and what this honor means, read Stefan's blog, "What does it mean to be an Apple Distinguished School?"

Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 24 of The Darlington Podcast!

In this episode you'll hear about Darlington School's approach to college guidance. Your host is Ivy Brewer, associate dean of college guidance, and she's joined by Tara Inman and Mike Hudson ('94), two of Darlington's outstanding college advisers. You'll also hear from Elsa Quay Corbin, a senior day student from Rome (and one of Tara's advisees) currently going through the college application process. 

Click here to check out today's show notes >

Welcome to Episode 23 of The Darlington Podcast!

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with two students who shared their thoughts on Darlington’s Honor Code with the student body at this year’s Opening Convocation ceremony. Mary Mac Pittman is a senior day student from Rome and is president of the Upper School Honor Council and Ward Jennings is a fifth-grader from Rome. You'll also hear the speeches given by Mary Mac and Ward who each shared their thoughts on the importance of Darlington's Honor Code and living a life of integrity.

The most respected tradition at Darlington School, and the key to our community, is that of honor. The school motto, “Wisdom more than Knowledge; Service beyond Self; Honor above Everything” is the driving spirit behind our student-led Honor Code. To make the ideals expressed in the Honor Code effective and to enforce the code when it is violated Darlington has an Honor Council composed of representatives from grades 9-12 who are mentored by a faculty advisor.

Click here for complete show notes.

Welcome to Episode 22 of The Darlington Podcast! 

In this Darlington Connects episode, Julie Lucas ('97), chief advancement officer, catches up with Laura Deems ('12), an Atlanta-based abstract artist. They chat about Laura's life since Darlington and the Darlington connections that have been woven throughout her career since leaving the Lakeside. 

Laura earned a B.F.A. from The University of Georgia, where she studied textile design. Her formal training is in dyeing fabrics, color theory, weaving, and screen-printing. The foundation of her artistic practice is derived from these methods and are where her tools come into play. Mixing materials, color and techniques define Laura's strong visual language. Her signature overlay marks were born out of techniques used in the screen printing process. Each tool she uses works to create a loose interpretation of a pattern. In short, she is “freeing” the motif from the repeat. 

Click here for complete show notes and links to Laura's website & Instagram account →

Welcome to Episode 21 of The Darlington Podcast! 

In this Darlington Connects episode, Carson Raymond, director of major gifts, catches up with Robert Hortman ('99, LD '18) and Ben Bagley ('00, LD '20) who both work as pilots for FedEx Express. Robert and Ben have each had interesting careers that have taken them across the globe, ultimately leading to FedEx and the opportunity to move their families back to their hometown of Rome, Georgia. 

Robert holds a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. He served as an active duty pilot for 12 years across the globe in the U.S. Navy and continues to serve as a Commander in the Naval Reserves. Robert has been a pilot at FedEx Express since 2016.

Ben attended Auburn University where he majored in Aviation Management. He has been flying for FedEx Express since 2011 and is currently a 767 Captain. He was previously domiciled in Hong Kong, Anchorage, and Dusseldorf, Germany.

Click here for complete show notes.

Welcome to Episode 20 of The Darlington Podcast!

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with coaches involved in fall sports at Darlington. You'll hear about how our athletes have been preparing over the summer and what we might expect to see over the next few months. Brent is joined by Eddie Guth, athletic director; Tommy Atha, assistant athletic director and head football coach; and Anna (Swafford) Harris ('11), head softball and strength and conditioning coach.  

Click here for complete show notes.

Welcome to Episode 19 of The Darlington Podcast! 

Our host today is Rebekah Kinney, professional development coordinator. She's joined by Justin Bruce, Upper School learning specialist, and Andrew Beckman, middle grades science teacher. They'll be chatting about ways that they have personally benefited from the professional growth opportunities afforded to them at Darlington and look ahead for even more ways to creatively enhance the student experience.

Darlington is fortunate to benefit from the Thatcher Faculty Development Fund and the Carla & Leonard Wood Distinguished Faculty Fellowship to assist with professional growth. Each year, faculty members have the opportunity to submit proposals to receive funding from these endowed grants. A committee reviews the proposals and decides which will be funded for the next academic year. 

Click here for complete show notes.

Welcome to Episode 18 of The Darlington Podcast! 

In this Darlington Connects episode, Julie Lucas ('97), chief advancement officer, catches up with Charles Bamford ('55), a recruiter in the energy industry since 1986. Julie and Charles chat about his time at Darlington and how his curiosity about technology has guided his career. 

In 2012, Charles’ firm, Rockwood Energy Search, began focusing on clean energy companies. Seeing an opportunity to work on important issues and in rapidly-growing job sectors, Rockwood now works exclusively in renewables, primarily in the solar and energy storage sectors. Clean Energy Careers, a sister company of Rockwood Energy Search, is his subscription-based consulting service for cleantech technologies and the industries that use them. Companies in those areas rely on him to find candidates who are committed to improving the planet’s climate health and qualified to do the work that will help them succeed. 

Click here for complete show notes!

Welcome to Episode 17 of The Darlington Podcast! 

In this episode, Derek Fine, director of information technology, chats with Beth Wardlaw, technology integration coordinator, about ways to manage technology as a family and how Darlington works to teach kids of all ages to be responsible with their devices. 

Click here and check out our show notes for links to helpful resources and fun apps for the entire family!

Welcome to Episode 16 of The Darlington Podcast!

In this episode, Carson Raymond, director of major gifts, catches up with Katy Allan ('00), a content creator and founder of "Savoring the Flavoring" - a food blog where Katy shares family recipes and other great content connected to the kitchen and parenthood. 

Katy is a member of the Darlington Class of 2000 who is eagerly awaiting her unfortunately postponed, long overdue, highly hyped 20-year class reunion. She earned her B.A. in Journalism from Auburn University and founded the blog and corresponding Instagram account Savoring the Flavoring (@savoringtheflavoring), where she focuses on a balanced, realistic approach to nourishing her family of five, as well as regaling her audience with tales from the boymom trenches.

Complete Show Notes >>