Currey Ingram Conversations

From zero organized gaming experience to a state championship and a college scholarship! Co-hosts Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher trace the history of our school's Esports program alongside Athletic Director Reid McFadden and graduating senior Finn Kelly. Finn opens up about his rapid interest in Esports, getting recruited by Baylor University, and capping off his senior year with a spe...

In this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations, Dr. Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher step aside to give the floor to the people who know Currey Ingram Academy best: the students. Two seniors share their personal journey of why they chose our school, how their teacher mentorship has been valuable, and what has helped them flourish as students. Their stories are a powerful testament to the way Currey...

Are screens helping or hurting our kids, especially those with learning differences? In this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations, hosts Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher invite Ginann Franklin and Melissa Powers to explore the complex relationship between screen time, neurodivergence, and the developing brain. Grounded in current research, they unpack how digital media impacts attentio...

In this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations, hosts Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher sit down with Tyler F. LeMarinel, partner at Allard Ward Architects, to explore the vision behind the school's Master Plan and how thoughtful design shapes the student experience. From creating flexible, student-centered spaces to supporting regulation, well-being, and long-term growth, they highlight...

In this Currey Ingram Conversation, Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher dive into structured literacy, with a focus on the fundamentals and why it's essential for learning to read. Joined by Dr. Regan Anderson, Currey Ingram Academy's Director of Program Outreach, and Lower School teacher, Mary Jackson, the conversation blends research and classroom insight to explain how this evidence-base...

In this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations, Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher sit down with two members of the Currey Ingram faculty to explore the power of continued education and the impact of ongoing professional growth. Together, they discuss why investing in lifelong learning is essential for educators, especially those serving students with learning differences, and how high-qualit...

In this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations, co-hosts Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher sit down with a Currey Ingram Academy board member, Curt Thorne, to explore what it means to "Rise & Thrive" from a governance perspective. The conversation unpacks how the strategic plan serves as a compass for decision-making, why staying in your lane is essential for effective board leadership, and...

In this special episode of Currey Ingram Conversations , co-hosts Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher celebrate 20 years of the Rock Band program at Currey Ingram Academy — a signature experience that blends musical growth with personal transformation. Sean Kelly, who founded the program, sits down with two current student musicians and a proud alum to reflect on the impact of Rock Band over t...

In this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations, Lower School Division Head Dr. Danielle Barton and Lower School Assistant Division Head Catherine Thomson explore how skill deficits influence students' unexpected behaviors. They discuss Currey Ingram Academy's diagnostic approach to addressing behavior by seeking underlying causes, implementing skill-building approaches, and fostering overall growt...

In this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations , co-hosts Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher welcome Dr. Melinda Hirschmann, Assistant Director for Educational Services and School Outreach at the Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia. Dr. Hirschmann brings a wealth of experience in literacy instruction and intervention, working with educators and students across K-12 to str...

In this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations, co-hosts Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher are joined by an alumni parent who shares her son's journey with slow processing. Reflecting on his growth, she emphasizes that Curre Ingram "understood who he was, what he brought, what his struggles were, and what his gifts were." This conversation highlights the transformative impact of finding the...

In this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations, co-hosts Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher sit down with Cindy Cowhey, a dedicated Currey Ingram parent, to discuss the Academy's new strategic plan. They explore its philosophy, the key themes of Mission , People , and Future , and the goals driving the school forward. From financial sustainability and national outreach to fostering inclusivit...

Join co-hosts, Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher, along with special guest Molly Rollins, President of the Board of Trust, as they dive deep into the heart of Currey Ingram Academy's mission and newly unveiled strategic plan in this episode of Currey Ingram Conversations. Together, they explore how the school's unwavering commitment to empowering students with learning differences through in...

Currey Ingram Conversations' co-hosts, Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher, dive deep into the heart of the theme for the 2024-25 school year: Imagine & Achieve. They are joined by Ginnan Franklin, Currey Ingram's Director of Libraries and Educational Technology, who brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the conversation. Together, they share how a current student inspired the theme, how...

Looking for your next summer read? Join Dr. Mitchell, Courtney Gallaher, and Roxanne Zazzaro as they share their top book recommendations in this engaging podcast. Whether you're interested in leadership, unlocking hidden potential, AI, sensory processing, or managing anxiety, our experts have you covered. Tune in for a lively roundtable discussion where they delve into their favorite picks and wh...

Amid the excitement of graduation, Dr. Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher sit down with Class of 2024 senior Shea Locke and her parents to share their Currey Ingram story. After ten years at Currey Ingram Academy, Shea's parents proudly reflect on how she has surpassed every expectation they had for her, crediting the academy's pivotal role in her transformational journey. Now, Shea "is ready to fly."...

Dr. Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher invite three Currey Ingram students to discuss our exciting and upcoming IDEA Center. Grounded in the principles of Ingenuity, Design, Exploration, and Application, the IDEA Center represents an exciting opportunity for all our students. Listen to our students share the invaluable benefits of experiential learning.   

For this episode, Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher sit down with Michael Follis, Middle School Assistant Division Head at Currey Ingram Academy, to discuss the impact of AI on education, specifically as it relates to students with learning differences. Together, they explore how Currey Ingram is approaching the current era of artificial intelligence. Specifically, they discuss how AI can transf...

Stephanie Johnson, Lower School Instructional Coach at Currey Ingram Academy, joins Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher in a conversation diving into executive functioning (EF) skills, focusing on task avoidance, rigidity, and inflexibility. Tune in to hear about the nuances of EF skills, the concept of an EF "fuel tank," and the importance of adopting a solutions-focused approach. By expandin...

It has become a tradition for Currey Ingram Conversations to revisit their annual New Year's Resolutions. Co-hosts Dr. Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher take a moment to reflect on last year's goals and unveil the priorities for 2024. There is no shortage of endeavors to keep Currey Ingram focused on the future. Tune in to discover how the resolutions remain aligned with sustainability, strategic gro...

Can community be cultivated within a math classroom? Absolutely! Listen as Dr. Isaac Nichols-Paez, an esteemed Upper School math teacher at Currey Ingram Academy, discusses his recent doctoral achievement with co-hosts Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher. During this engaging conversation, Dr. Nichols-Paez highlights how community learning can be instrumental in mathematical development. He emphas...

Co-hosts Dr. Jeff Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher kick off the 2023-24 school year with Kelly Fish, Assistant Head of School for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives. All three leaders chime in on Currey Ingram Academy's theme of "Growing IDEAs." Listen and hear how growing is essential to a school for students with learning differences and how growth occurs by going through it, dreaming big, bein...

Summer reading should be about choice, whether it is a choice of topic or format. Dr. Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher sit with Ginann Franklin to explore summer reading books and options. Hear Dr. Mitchell provide recommended books for leaders and parents, and listen to Courtney and Ginann discuss the value of audiobooks and graphic novels, especially as format styles for students with learning dif...

Summer camps provide a time to build skills and reduce learning loss, especially for students with learning differences.  Co-hosts Dr. Mitchell and Courtney Gallaher sit down with Dr. Regan Humphrey, Currey Ingram's Director of Program Outreach, and Luke Brown, Currey Ingram's Director of Summer Programs, to discuss Currey Ingram's summer camp experiences. They discuss the value of both experienti...

You don't want to miss Dr. Jeff Mitchell's and Courtney Gallaher's conversations with LauraTutt and Kenda Lovecchio, who share their first-year experiences as parents at CurreyIngram Academy.  Laura and Kenda moved their family from out-of-state for their child to attend Currey Ingram.  Listen as they tell how they have been surprised by the level of support given to parents, how their child has n...