The Old School

The Old School welcomes the great Dr. Peter Worthing of TCU to discuss the Boxer Rebellion. The three gentlemen discuss the origins of the movement, what it was and how it influenced China going into the 20th century and beyond. It is a great conversation that highlights not just the philosophical ideals that modern historians attribute to the Boxers but the real world circumstances that motivated...

Your two favorite hosts tackle the growing crisis surrounding boys and men and how education could potentially turn those indices around. The podcast takes a look at an article on the re-emergence and saving qualities of an all-boys education and how truly effective something like that could be. The hosts also try to tip toe around various political issues and paradigms this type of action could e...

Your two favorite hosts discuss the idea of traveling the world and selecting the six spots they would choose to stop and visit. Mr. Miller is planning something for her daughter in a few years so this conversation is a part theoretical and a part practical discussion on the wonderful places we would love to check out. In the comments below, please leave a list of six places where you would visit....

Your two favorite hosts welcome Boston College retired professor, Patrick McQuillan, to speak on his research as well as his new book that looks to shape how school leadership is to be taught and carried out. It is a methodology designed to build greater trust through all parties involved in our education system and in doing so, offer opportunities for all of our students to achieve their goals. A...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back Ksenia Filatov, as the three discuss new trends in education that are highlighted by a new superintendent in Houston, Texas and his controversial methods to increase test scores and efficiency. The trio look at the philosophy behind such techniques, the degree to which they are new at all and what needs to be considered when assessing such strategies. Duri...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller dive into the merits of the latter's home state of Maryland. Mr. Miller goes through the history of his state, touching on its qualities, characteristics and what sets it apart from other states. Meanwhile, Dr. Bourgeois takes shots across the bow, aiming at such low hanging fruit like the HBO show, The Wire . Mr. Miller sets the record straight and in the process, eve...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome the multi-talented Michelle Mayfield to the podcast. During the episode, the three will discuss the life of a musician, the songwriting process and the experience of being on stage. The three also spend time discussing influences and inspirations that can motivate a musician and help direct one's path.  You can follow Michelle Mayfield on the following platform...

The hosts tap into their love of music to first, characterize the art of drumming. This includes the stereotypes of drummers and the hosts tease out to the extent the stereotypes are true and why that might be. Second, each host will present their favorite drummers and what those artists brought to the instrument and the other musicians who played with them. Of course, this entire discussion is do...

The hosts looks at digitalization efforts in Germany and the impact of the same in the United States. The hosts also connect the writings of social critic Neil Postman and his clarion calls for attention and caution to be used when technology are allowed unfettered access into our children's classes - our sacred spaces - to the developing situation both in the U.S. and Germany...and beyond. This e...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back the great Dr. Alex Fingers to discuss the way teachers are evaluating and measured. Over the course of episode, the three discuss the way a principal assesses teachers - from the first interview to daily interactions - but also the way teachers are trained and educated. The hosts and Dr. Fingers also consider the degree to which the education system must b...

The hosts welcome Mr. Richard Marquez to the podcast. The famed educator has been known for his work in solving truancy issues as well as developing strategies for teaching students to read and use their ability towards their other studies as well as their life. An easy going conversation that is filled with wisdom and helpful ideas that can aide teachers and parents working to help students. The...

Mr. Miller calls in from Liverpool, flushed from his soccer experiences and touring around the great port city, as well as Manchester. The two hosts spend some time comparing and contrasting the soccer experience in England to that in Germany and do a deep-dive into English culture. Throughout, the hosts share insights and laughs about our English-speaking cousins from across the Atlantic.  This e...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller spend their 108th episode by tackling some of the ways in which education is making the news. The hosts address a cell phone ban in Massachusetts' public schools, a re-dedication to education by the Communist Chinese government and the International Day of Education, as established by the United Nations, gets the attention of the host with this year's focal theme on AI...

The hosts are joined by the dynamic Kyle Queal to discuss the nature of leadership within industry and the connective tissues that link those lessons to the classroom and to the athletic realm. The three seek to tease out such questions as what does a leader need to do when taking over an operation, how does a leader get the most from those working with them and how translatable are such skills an...

Today, the hosts enter a brave new world - the world of social media. Even though they have railed against it for years, the hosts sell their souls in hopes for greater and broader listenership. The hosts discuss the changes, what we hope to gain from it and what it might mean for them and their posterity.  Follow us on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/theoldschoolpodcast2021/ This episode is...

The hosts dive into the ideas of grit and determination in an attempt to understand how it develops and how it can be engendered. In the course of the conversation, the hosts dive into examples of grit and determination in their own lives, with examples stretching from the classroom and the tennis courts to the parade grounds of bootcamp in Parris Island. A show announcement: Our next episode will...

Going into the Christmas holidays and not wanting to discuss the aforementioned day, the hosts decide to channel Jerry Seinfeld and do an episode about nothing. Now, as Seinfeld himself explained it, nothing does not mean nothing but it allows for an organic exploration of whatever topics pop into the minds' of the hosts and in doing so, they cover topics such as vamping, radio, funerals and piani...

Following a recent trip to the nation's capital, Mr. Miller introduces the history of the city and then, both hosts delve into the culture of Washington. Comparing it to other great cities, the hosts discover how the city compares to many of the world's great cities - the bounty of great people, wonderful cuisine and, of course, unmatched historical monuments and places. One of the museums that th...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller discuss anger and how it is manifested in modern culture and to what degree it is helpful. We also take a look at how religions and philosophies have attempted to address the issue of anger. In the discussion, we move from Christianity to Buddhism to Stoicism in search of an answer. And like most things, perhaps the answer lies within ourselves. During the podcast, Bud...

There is no better way to start the second 100 episodes of The Old School then with a return appearance of Dr. Paul Weinhold. In this episode, the three readers discuss their first literary influences - either authors or literary characters. The three also discuss the notion of younger generations and the reading of entire books. This includes a look at curriculum as well as how testing has impact...

The hosts, over some Scotch and snacks, sit side by side to look back at how the podcast has developed over the last 100 episodes and what might happen in the coming years. It is a collection of shared stories, ideas of what's ahead and the people who have listened to the hosts ramble - sometimes coherently and intelligently - about the issues facing education and some not-so-serious experiences s...

During the Old School's 99th episode, the hosts dive into their favorite films - but not necessarily the best films. One film from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, the list is meant to show the films that most impacted the hosts throughout their lives. Additionally, the hosts asks listeners to consider joining the conversation in the comments, either to add your own favorite films or to t...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller, trying to sound as even handed as possible, discuss what they see as the future of the teaching profession. While good things and people exist in the profession, other forces could irrevocably alter the profession. The two hosts consider what teaching might look like, the training of teachers and what it means to educate the youth of America. Some of the issues discus...

Today is Dr. Bourgeois' turn to air his grievances. Unlike Mr. Miller, he has many more than one. The hosts go through a litany of issues in an attempt to bring solace and ultimate comfort to Dr. Bourgeois, as Mr. Miller experienced last week. The episode ends with the promise of more grievances in future episodes...but not right away...maybe. This episode sponsored by Ahart Solutions. 

In what was meant to be a litany of lamentations from both hosts, Mr. Miller's top concern takes priority - as does baseball. While the hosts promise a more equitable presentation of gripes for a later date, the hosts focus on baseball and the ambivalence of owners to the suffering of fans. The hosts compare the lack of representation of fans to those fans of German soccer, as detailed in episode...