The Forum Faculty Podcast

The Heights Forum

Welcome to the Forum Faculty Podcast, a podcast featuring conversations with teaching faculty of The Heights School, as well as friends of The Heights Forum. In each episode, we share the ideas, stories, and challenges rising out of the experience of teaching in the 21st century. These recordings are an expansion of chats and conversations had by teachers in the hallways, lounge, and offices of school, and we hope that they are not only enriching, but also an invitation to join in the discussion!

Episodes

  1. Athlete or Academic: What's the Real Priority in Schools?

    08/01/2025

    Athlete or Academic: What's the Real Priority in Schools?

    In this episode of the Forum Faculty Podcast, we're discussing the significance of sports in school life and striking the balance between being a student and an athlete. We welcome to this converastion coaches and teachers Jeff Thompson, Joel Sellier, and Brian Carroccio. They dive into the historical importance of physical education, the post-COVID surge in youth sports, the impact of club sports on school sports, and the critical development of discipline and teamwork through athletics. They also touch on challenges like balancing academic responsibilities with athletic commitments, and the role of parents in shaping a child's sports journey. Join us for a comprehensive discussion on how sports contribute to the all-round development of students. 00:00 Introduction 00:48 The Importance of Physical Education 01:38 Post-COVID Sports Boom 02:19 Balancing School and Sports 04:09 The Rise of Club Sports 05:27 Challenges of Travel Sports 13:58 Parental Influence in Youth Sports 17:54 School Sports vs. Club Sports 18:12 The Role of Discipline in Sports 19:31 Managing Expectations in Competitive Leagues 25:58 The Value of School Sports Beyond Winning 27:11 Balancing Academics and Sports 27:47 Lessons from the Field 28:20 Dealing with Success and Failure 28:58 The Importance of Teamwork 30:57 The Role of Coaches 35:32 Challenges of Scheduling and Facilities 45:23 The Value of Multi-Sport Participation 47:44 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    53 min
  2. The Homework Problem

    10/23/2024

    The Homework Problem

    In this episode, Lower School teacher, Elias Naegele, and Upper School teachers, Joel Sellier, and Michael Hude, engage in a comprehensive debate on the role and effectiveness of homework in student development. They explore differing viewpoints on the necessity of homework, its impact on motivation and resilience, and how it balances with classroom work and personal time. The conversation delves into the merits of fostering independent learning versus traditional rote assignments, the importance of tailored and thoughtful homework, and strategies for incorporating creativity and virtue-building into school routines. The discussion concludes by considering the broader implications for educational philosophy and practical classroom approaches. Chapters 00:17 Intro 02:04 What is "Homework?" 06:19 Reading vs. Written Work 07:47 The "No Homework" Argument 12:26 Homework as an Exercise in Self-Discipline 16:08 How Much Time Does a Student Have? 21:40 Does Homework Even Work? 23:09 Homework Time 25:03 Are Textbooks beneficial? 27:22 Maybe We Should Hold onto Homework 29:02 Elias is Reminded of Seabiscuit 30:34 Change from Family Centered into School Centered Mentality 32:12 Appropriate Homework Loads for Students 33:47 Unassigned Leisure Reading 35:33 Joel Asside and Seventh Grade Religion 37:09 Memory Work 39:00 Memorization 39:50 Homework must be Assigned Well 42:31 Other Responsibilities and the Juggling Act 43:10 Does Homework make one Pretend or Love their work 46:42 The Overworked Student is the Exception, Not the Rule 51:16 Homework as Training in Virtue

    1h 1m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Forum Faculty Podcast, a podcast featuring conversations with teaching faculty of The Heights School, as well as friends of The Heights Forum. In each episode, we share the ideas, stories, and challenges rising out of the experience of teaching in the 21st century. These recordings are an expansion of chats and conversations had by teachers in the hallways, lounge, and offices of school, and we hope that they are not only enriching, but also an invitation to join in the discussion!