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.

S5E7 What is best for Lovett? There is one group of people at our school who must answer this question every day. While everyone involved in our community obviously has an interest in our success, The Lovett School’s Board of Trustees is charged with ensuring that what is best for Lovett is actually realized. As we wrap up season five of the podcast, there is no better way to introduce you to the work of our trustees than by sharing a conversation with Lovett’s board chair, John O. Knox. John O. (Lovett Class of ’88) joins Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer on this episode of Living Lovett and explains what role the Board of Trustees serves for our school, and shares insights about how the long-term, strategic vision of Lovett is developed and carried out. As this is John O.’s final year serving as Board Chair, we are grateful for this opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved over the years, and celebrate John O.’s contribution. Learn more about the Lovett Board of Trustees on our website’s Leadership page: https://www.lovett.org/about-lovett/leadership That’s a wrap on Season 5! (But stay tuned for a special episode, coming soon.) 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.

S5E6 Things have come a long way for students with learning differences, and at The Lovett School, the Academic Resource Center exists to walk alongside students and parents alike to support the learning styles of all our students. Whether a child has a learning difference diagnosis; or is struggling in a particular area of school; or is not making progress in a way they’d like—the Academic Resource Center is equipped with staff and skill building techniques designed to help students achieve. Carrie Stafford, Director of the Academic Resource Center joins Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer on this episode of Living Lovett. Carrie describes how the center serves as a support network for the Lovett community—meeting students and families where they are, and explains how students learning needs are assessed and addressed. Are you enjoying Season 5 of the podcast so far? 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.

S5E5 The generosity of The Lovett School community has unquestionably shaped our near 100-year history. Driven to deliver on the Lovett promise, giving has always been key to supporting critical needs like student financial aid, campus enhancements, and teacher salaries. In fact, philanthropy is the cornerstone to Lovett’s excellence and ensures our school fulfills its mission for all students we enroll. On this episode Courtney Ferencik, Senior Director of Development joins Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer on Living Lovett to share the role Development and fundraising plays at our school. From what the annual fund is, to endowments, to what is learned through a spirit of giving, Courtney and Jessica’s conversation is informative and forward-focused on Lovett’s next 100 years. Reach out to Courtney by email: courtney.ferencik@lovett.org Make a contribution to The Lovett School: https://www.lovett.org/support We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! 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.

S5E4 Did you know that The Lovett School is considered to be a 24/7 facility, 365 days a year? All the activity at our school—including students in classrooms; athletes using sports facilities; play across our beautiful setting; and more—mean that every part of our grounds, every building must be maintained. One of the people who makes sure Lovett is running smoothly all day, every day is Scott Russo. On this episode of Living Lovett, Scott, a Maintenance Tech talks to Chief Engagement Officer, Jessica Sant. Listen to this episode to get a sense of what goes into making Lovett run, and learn how Lovett values extend to Scott and his colleagues. We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! 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.

S5E3 A position like an office manager is critical in any organization. While the title may suggest a focus on administrative tasks, the Lovett Upper School Office Manager’s responsibilities extend far beyond. On this episode of Living Lovett, you’ll meet Kelly Scott. In addition to working in the Upper School as an administrator, Kelly also oversees a sophomore advisory and sponsors several (!) student groups. Kelly discusses all these roles with Living Lovett host (and Lovett Chief Engagement Officer) Jessica Sant. We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! 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.

You might have seen their signatures on a Lovett communication; you may have caught their names mentioned when Meredyth Cole offers school-wide updates, but the truth is many parents never meet Lovett’s Chief Financial Officer or Chief Operations Officer—in spite of the fact that both roles are critical to keeping Lovett running smoothly and efficiently 365 days a year.  On this episode, you'll meet John Mongelli, CFO and Gray Kelly, COO at The Lovett School. John and Gray speak with Living Lovett host Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer, and share how each of their respective roles contribute to the individual student experience at our school. - Learn more about the Georgia GOAL Scholarship program, mentioned on the episode: https://www.goalscholarship.org/ We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! 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.

S5E1 One of the most influential forces shaping our community is The Lovett School’s admission team.  The five-person team are responsible for guiding prospective families on a journey that begins before the Lovett application is completed and extends beyond graduation day for a student. At Lovett, a special emphasis is placed on making the enrollment process not just seamless but also relatable, warm, and kid-centered; our admission officers extend a uniquely personal touch to navigating the complexities of what can feel like a daunting process.  Gopi Shammas, Director of Enrollment (and Lovett Class of ‘95 alumna) joins Lovett Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant on the Living Lovett Season 5 premiere. If you’ve ever wondered what the acceptance rate is at Lovett or how acceptance decisions are made, this episode answers those questions and more. More about Admission at Lovett: https://www.lovett.org/admission Meet the Admission team: https://www.lovett.org/admission/admission-team We are thrilled to bring you Season 5 of the podcast! 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.

For four seasons, Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School has brought you stories from the riverbank. The response has been nothing short of tremendous. Now, as we prepare to bring you Season 5 of Living Lovett, we are speaking to a variety of the people who make Lovett thrive as an organization. From admissions, to administration, to maintenance, we’ll bring you some stories that you may never have heard before.  Season 5 launches January, 2024. 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.

S4E7 At Lovett, cultivating faith and spirituality in our students is foundational to the whole-child philosophy. Our mission extends beyond academics to honor the significance of developing a child's inner being—including learning about God, faith, belief, and spirituality. On the Season 4 finale episode of Living Lovett, Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer has a conversation with Lovett’s Interim Lower School Chaplain Rev. Ashley Carr. How do we talk to young children about faith and God? What can be expected of chapel for the Lower School students? How do pancakes relate to belief and belonging (listen to the episode to find out.) Jessica and Ashley discuss how Lovett talks about God and even have some tips for how parents can continue the conversation at home. Find 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.

S4E6 Lovett students are encouraged to explore, question, and critically engage with a wide range of perspectives. Within our school walls, our teachers ensure students maintain an equitable and open-minded stance working to promote independent and critical thinking. The absence of a singular perspective in the classroom allows learners to form their own opinions, ultimately preparing them to become informed and responsible citizens who can actively participate in the diverse and ever-evolving global discourse. Kevin Randolph (Lovett’s History Chair and a 43-year teaching veteran) and Dr. Alex Douglas (AP Economics; AP Government; Intro to the Old Testament) speak with Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer of The Lovett School. This episode is sure to give parents insight into intellectual inquiry and student discovery in the classrooms of Lovett. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts 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.