Surgite

Connor Sheehan is an 8th and 9th grade science teacher and the Director of Athletics at Sparhawk Academy.  Our conversation ranges from his birth in Framingham, Massachusetts,  childhood in Lovell, Maine (with a couple of Stephen King sightings) through his college and post-graduate work at Boston University and Notre Dame’s ACE teaching fellowship.  We go on to discuss Sparhawk’s traditional athl...

Gaby Golden is the Event Coordinator and a Receptionist at Sparhawk Academy and mother of four current Sparhawk students. Our conversation includes her origins in Quito, Ecuador where she attended Opus Dei schools, and how her higher education career led her to Boston where she met and married her husband Jim. We go on to discuss volunteering for the community at Sparhawk, and what it’s like being...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit surgite.substack.com

Sean Mahoney is a founding faculty member of Sparhawk Academy and teaches Ancient History, Literature, and Latin to the eight grade.  Mr. Mahoney is also Director of the Attic Greek Society at Sparhawk, where he instills an appreciation for that ancient language.  In this delightfully meandering conversation, we discuss the value of an out-of-doors childhood, the integration of work and rest as co...

Ben Houde - The Moral Imagination Sparhawk Academy Parent Formation Series March 12th, 2026 Ben Houde is the Director of Lower School and 5th grade homeroom teacher at Sparhawk Academy. In this talk, Mr. Houde explores a guiding principle of Sparhawk’s education: building and strengthening a healthy moral imagination. He highlights how classic literature and fairy tales inspire virtue by providing...

In this conversation, host Dan Taylor speaks with Father John Grieco, a priest of Opus Dei and the chaplain to Sparhawk Academy and MontroseSchool.  Father John is also the creator of the excellent weekly meditation podcast “Come Away By Yourselves” which provides spiritual reflectionson sacred scripture, church doctrine, and teachings of the saints. During the discussion Father Johnrecounts meeti...

In this conversation, host Dan Taylor speaks with Joe Billmeier, the director of the Opus Dei Chestnut Hill Center in Newton, Massachusetts. Joe is the author of an upcoming book, The Tenth Hour - Ten Transforming Encounters with Jesus in the Gospels by Scepter Publishers. Joe is also on the board of directors for Sparhawk Academy and is involved in the entrepreneurship program for the older grade...

Jim Golden was the first teacher hired at Sparhawk Academy and is also the property manager. We discuss his background and his early involvement in the school's beginnings, as well as many aspects of the school that appeal to discerning families of faith. Sparhawk Academy is an independent day school for boys grades 3 - 9 in Millis, MA https://sparhawkacademy.org Video: A day in the Life of a Spar...

Tim Casey was one of the founders of Sparhawk Academy, an independent day school for boys in grades 3-9 in Millis, Massachusetts, and is currently the chairman of the board of directors. We discuss the origins of the school, its mission to help parents raise men of character, Tim's work with Holy Cross Family Ministries, and the Christian life more generally. Sparhawk Academy: https://sparhawkacad...

Tom Keefe is Director of the Middle School at Sparhawk Academy in Millis, MA. In this conversation host Dan Taylor explores Tom's early involvement in searching for the school campus location, his deep knowledge of Sparhawk lore, and some of his thoughts on the mission of the school. Sparhawk Academy, an independent day school for boys grades 3 – 9: https://sparhawkacademy.org Singing hymns at mas...

In this conversation, host Dan Taylor speaks with first year Sparhawk teacher Robbie Klucik about his fascinating story. Robbie was homeschooled in K through 12 in one of the first handful of families to live in Ave Maria, Florida, a town expressly created to support the Catholic University of the same name. We learn how Robbie met role model, friend, and future Sparhawk colleague Ben Houde, how h...

In this conversation we talk to Bob Sylvain, co-founder, first headmaster, and current teacher of Sparhawk Academy. We discuss the origins of the school from its conception through the first years, including COVID, the idea and practice of Opus Dei, the theory of language and music, and the future possibilities of the campus. Sparhawk Academy is an independent day school for boys grades 3 - 9 in M...

In this brief interview with Sparhawk teacher Matt Reilly, we discuss his origins in Northern Virginia, attending The Heights School in Potomac, MD, his college studies at the University of Navarra in Spain, and what inspired him to become a teacher at Sparhawk Academy. Sparhawk Academy is an independent day school for boys grades 3 - 9 in Millis, MA https://sparhawkacademy.org Video: A day in the...

In this interview with Sparhawk teacher John Paul (JP) Lechner, we discuss his origins in Illinois, attending Northridge Prep, teaching at the Heights School in Potomac, MD, and his early involvement in the beginnings of Sparhawk Academy. Sparhawk Academy is an independent day school for boys grades 3 - 9 in Millis, MA https://sparhawkacademy.org Video: A day in the Life of a Sparhawk Boy: https:/...