Brookstone School - Be The One

In this episode, two of our Brookstone seniors sit down to reflect on what made their time here feel like home. From first impressions to meaningful relationships with teachers, activities that shaped them, and moments that made this place feel different, they share what Brookstone has meant to them as they prepare to take their next steps. A thoughtful conversation about community, growth, and finding belonging.

In today's episode, we are talking to Meghan Blackmon, Director of Servant Leadership and the Blanchard Leadership Institute. We have just wrapped up the Lower School Week of Service and it's the perfect time for her to share with us all about Servant Leadership here at Brookstone and the heart behind it!  For those of you interested in learning more about service opportunities through our Servant Leadership, please click on the link to the ⁠"Sharing the Sunshine"⁠ document to find our more. Do you have questions about enrollment or admissions or do you want to learn more about how to become a part of the Brookstone family? If so, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information. Her email address is ⁠⁠⁠⁠aparker@brookstoneschool.org⁠⁠⁠⁠. Lastly, you can watch this episode and other podcast episodes on our YouTube Channel, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CougarLive.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We also invite you to visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠brookstoneschool.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode, we are talking to Mitchi Wade, President of the BPA and Katie Bickerstaff, the Past President of the BPA and Cougar Nation Liaison. The BPA works tirelessly all year long in a variety of ways, hosting events, coordinating volunteers, and funding special projects - all of which help to build community and make our school better in every way! The next big event we have to look forward to is the Back to School Bash on Friday, August 25th during the first official home football game against Glenwood! You won't want to miss it!  If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. If you prefer to watch this video, you can watch this episode and other podcast episodes on our YouTube Channel, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CougarLive.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode, we are talking to Travis Wade, the newest Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Travis has been on the Board for almost a decade and has just assumed the role of Board Chair this summer. During this interview, he shares with us some insight into how the board works, his role as a board member, what it's like to be an alumni and a parent, as well as what he is looking forward to as the school year begins. If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. If you prefer to watch this video, you can watch this episode and other podcast episodes on our YouTube Channel, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CougarLive.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode, we are sharing the press conference from the Brookstone Football team's Media Day held last week. You'll hear from football parent Jason Branch, Coach Rance Gillespie, and senior football players, Swift Branch, Lane Cannon, Ian McGarry, Brooks Roney, Chris Vickerson, and Holt Young. And for those of you who are Cougar Football Fans, we have our first scrimmage against Chattahoochee County on August 11th with our official season opener at home on August 26th against Glenwood. That game - the first ever "State Line Showdown" - will be aired in its entirety by WTVM! If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. If you prefer to watch this video, you can watch this episode and other podcast episodes on our YouTube Channel, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CougarLive.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode we are talking to Coach Rance Gillespie about all things football and athletics. Rance has been our Head Football Coach and Athletic Director for the past year and a half and we are thrilled to have him as a part of our Brookstone family. As football season is ramping up into full gear, we are only weeks away from Friday night lights in our Mack Strong Stadium.  We are also thrilled to announce that on August 25th, Brookstone will be playing Glenwood at home in the first ever "State Line Showdown" that will be aired in its entirety on WTVM. If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. If you prefer to watch this video, you can watch this episode and other podcast episodes on our YouTube Channel, ⁠⁠⁠⁠CougarLive.⁠⁠⁠⁠ We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars! Show Notes: *The book written about Rance mentioned in the podcast is called Must Win by Drew Jubera.

Brookstone school is starting its 72nd school year in just a few weeks! Because we did not have a podcast at the time, we wanted to share a video that we made a couple of years ago in honor of our 70th school year celebration, but in podcast form. In today's episode we are going to hear from former students, board members, teachers, and even our very first Head of School, Jim McCallie as they share memories and stories from throughout the years. Others include Steve Butler, Jimmy Thompson, Catherine Trotter, Henry Swift, Nan Pate, Bob Newton, Kathelen Amos, Dr. Linda Hadley, Scott Wilson, and Dr. Dale Epperson. If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. If you prefer to watch this video, you can watch this episode and other podcast episodes on our YouTube Channel, ⁠⁠⁠CougarLive.⁠⁠⁠ We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode we are talking about our Core Values, those values that are part of the Brookstone mission statement -  loyalty, courage, wisdom, honor, respect, and leadership. We're releasing them in two separate episodes and this is part one.  We released this Core Values video series in the Spring of 2022, but are re-releasing them now in podcast form. In this series, you will hear from board members, parents, alumni, and faculty, as they share what these core values mean to them. In this particular episode, you will hear from Dr. Linda Hadley, Mat Swift, Dr. Lee McCluskey, Matt Lage, Katie Krieg, Javonne Stewart, and Kornisha Brown. If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. You can watch this episode and other podcast episodes on our YouTube Channel, ⁠⁠CougarLive.⁠⁠ We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode, we get to talk to Billy Blanchard, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Billy has been our Board Chair for the past three years and is about to pass that role on to our next chair, Travis Wade, this summer. During this interview, he shares with us some insight into how the Board works, the Head of School search, our Mission Statement, our Core Values and more. If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. You can watch this episode and other podcast episodes on our YouTube Channel, ⁠CougarLive.⁠ We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode, we visit with the one and only Cathy Smith, more affectionately known to students and parents as Boofus! Cathy has taught generations of students and she is simply legendary in the classroom. During this conversation, she shares some hilarious stories, some of her favorite Brookstone memories, and offers some sage advice. You are going to love this episode! Teachers like Boofus are what set Brookstone apart. So if you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family so they can have the best teachers ever like Boofus, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

Our beautiful Graduation ceremony was held last weekend and in today's episode, we are sharing the speeches from our student-selected speakers, Alex Leary and Luke Snipes. They will give you insight not only into the Class of 2023, but also to the special relationships students and teachers have here at Brookstone. If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. You can watch this episode and other podcast episodes on our YouTube Channel, CougarLive. We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode, we are talking to our Head of School, Marty Lester as he shares some reflections on his time here at Brookstone. Marty is retiring at the end of the year and we will forever be grateful for the impact he has made on our school. As Marty says in this interview, Brookstone is an incredibly special place. If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode, we talk to two Brookstone legends, Mitzi Gaynor and Deedee Branham, who have both taught Upper School Science for years and who are retiring at the end of this school year. They have impacted hundreds and hundreds of students over the years, as is evidenced throughout our conversation, and we are going to miss them! They are leaving very big shoes to fill! If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family so they can take part in the coolest classes and go on trips with teachers like Ms. Gaynor and Mrs. Branham, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information on how to apply. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

Yesterday was our seniors' last day of classes this year, so In today's episode, we are talking to senior Zoe Zwickey, Communications Prefect, all about life as a student in the Upper School. With graduation quickly approaching, we talk about classes and teachers and all the fun things about being an Upper School student at Brookstone. If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

Today we have a special guest visiting us, Mr. David Magee, the bestselling author of the award-winning book Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love and Loss. He's also the host of his own podcast, The Mayo Lab Podcast with David Magee, and is the creator of and Director of Operations at the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi. The Institute is named after David's late son, William, who died of an accidental drug overdose. In this episode, we talk about how David has taken this tragedy and used it as a platform to help others, providing hope and support along the way. Student mental health and wellness is at the heart of what we do here at Brookstone. If you would like more information about many of the things we have in place to support student well-being, I invite you to reach out to Mr. Jacob Crowder, Director of Counseling, with any questions you might have. His email address is jcrowder@brookstoneschool.org. And if you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, please reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information. Her email address is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. Resources: The William Magee Institute for Student Well Being at the University of Mississippi The Mayo Lab Podcast with David Magee - Available wherever you listen to podcasts

In today's episode, we are talking to our future Head of School, Henry Heil, who was in town recently to visit campus. We thought it would be fun to do a little "Get to Know You" episode while he was here and we had a great time learning more about him, his family, and his vision for Brookstone. If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information. Her email is aparker@brookstoneschool.org. We also invite you to visit our website at brookstoneschool.org and follow us on social media. Go Cougars!

In today's episode, we talk to Andy Fleming. Andy is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Developmental Edge. He and his team of experts, including Harvard Faculty Dr. Bob Keegan and Dr. Lisa Lahey, as well as Andy's wife, Claire Lee, work with companies all over the world as they seek to accelerate personal and professional growth within the corporate setting. He and his team have also worked with Brookstone faculty and students extensively over the past four years through our Blanchard Leadership Institute. We are proud to be the first and only school in the world to introduce the very same principals of developmental intelligence that they use with corporations across the globe to our students. For information about the work Andy Fleming is doing through The Developmental Edge, you can visit their website at www.developmentaledge.com. If you would like more information on the Blanchard Leadership Institute, reach out to Meghan Blackmon, the Director of Servant Leadership and the Blanchard Leadership Institute to learn more. Her email is mblackmon@brookstoneschool.org. And f you are interested in finding out more about how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, please reach out to Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment for more information. Her email is aparker@brookstoneschool.org.

Join us for a conversation with Mr. Garry Sullivan, Head of Upper School, as he shares all about the adventure of working with teenagers and life in the Upper School. You can also watch this conversation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM1JXx5n3xU For more information on how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, visit our website at ⁠www.brookstoneschool.org/admissions⁠ or email Mrs. Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment, at ⁠aparker@brookstoneschool.org⁠ for more information.

Join us for a conversation with Mr. Jacob Crowder, Director of Guidance, as we talk about all kinds of things! We talk about the differences between Generation X, Z, and the new Generation Alpha, healthy and unhealthy social media, how to navigate mistakes and how to give grace. This episode is full of good stuff you are not going to want to miss it! And if there is ever a reason "Why Brookstone?" -  Jacob is one of them!  To learn more about the many guests we've had on campus this year to visit with our parents and students as a part of our health and wellness program, you can click here.  If you find yourself wanting more information on how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, visit our website at www.brookstoneschool.org/admissions or email Mrs. Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment, at aparker@brookstoneschool.org for more information.

Join us for a conversation with Mr. Joe Mills, Director of Brookstone Preschool, as he shares all about the ins and outs of life in the Preschool. For more information on how your child can become a part of the Brookstone family, visit our website at www.brookstoneschool.org/admissions or email Mrs. Anne Parker, our Director of Enrollment, at aparker@brookstoneschool.org for more information.