Stag Symposium

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 17. Publication date 5/5/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is senior Jackson Ross. Jackson shares his introduction to DeMatha, his experiences in class and in sports, and the things he will take with him to Randolph-Macon. Jackson’s tenure as the Student Government President has been marked by collegiality, school sp...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 16. Publication date 4/21/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Scott Sicko. Scott’s work at DeMatha in the classroom has been notable for its range. He has expertly directed students through AP US Government, AP Comparative Government, Psychology, US History (on different levels), and a highly sought after elective,...

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 15. Publication date 4/7/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Erin Bright. Erin’s primary work for the past 14 years has been in Campus Ministry where she has done exemplary work with our service program and various drives as well as supporting retreats and liturgies and faith opportunities for students and adults alike. She has taught Theology and AP Government...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 14. Publication date 3/24/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Jamie O’Connor who is in his 20th year at DeMatha.  Jamie’s relationship goes back much further though as he was a student, musician, athlete. He taught Spanish for 14 years and has been Associate Dean of Students for 6; he works and helps plan retreats,...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 13. Publication date 3/10/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Michael Boxley ‘25.   Michael is a current senior and this is the first time we have interviewed a student. We discuss how Michael got to DeMatha, what some of his formative experiences have been, and where he goes from here. Both Mike Ptomey and Dan have...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 12. Publication date 2/24/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Mark Jefferson ‘87.   Mark joins Mike and Dan to talk about his varied career as a laborer, teacher, divinity student, lawyer, and administrator. Mark is one of those remarkable “bridge” people who connects with others and connects people to each other. H...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 10. Publication date 2/3/2025 Stag Symposium visits with Andrew Eck (‘11) for a far-reaching discussion on integrating the variety of roles one can play in a high school such as DeMatha. Andrew has taught different levels of English, moderated Chorus, assisted with the drama program, lent his beautiful singing voice to nume...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 10. Publication date 1/20/2025 Stag Symposium spends this episode with Mike and Dan talking about books they are reading, movies they are watching, and reflecting on what they are learning from colleagues and texts–and how that shows up in their teaching. Lots of shout outs to stoicism and a request to listeners that if the...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 9. Publication date 1/6/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Kelly Lama. Kelly joins Mike and Dan to talk about his career teaching and coaching at DeMatha. Kelly has chaired the Mathematics department for many years and he worked in the Dean of Students Office with Tom Burke. He is a recipient of the Collins-Wootten...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 8. Publication date 12/16/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Charlie Kenny ‘68.   Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 7. Publication date 12/2/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Fr. James. Join us as Fr. James reflects on the influences in his life and his time at DeMatha. While he has spent 28 years in ministry to the school, he has seen so many developments since he joined the faculty in 1975.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 6. Publication date 11/18/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Bill McGregor. Bill McGregor has spent 45 years at DeMatha and his impact on generations of students, athletes, and colleagues is immeasurable. Bill talks about Buck Offutt, Morgan Wootten, and John Moylan and what he learned from them. His passion for te...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 5. Publication date 11/4/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Angela Woods. Angela is in her 3rd year teaching math at DeMatha. She has taught for 11 years all together and she tells us about her experiences teaching hard-to-reach students and the importance of faith and spirituality to getting her into teaching. Mik...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 4. Publication date 10/21/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Paul Davies. Paul’s 27 years at DeMatha have seen him teach every level of Spanish. He served for many years as moderator of the National Honor Society and has coordinated and directed at least 15 trips abroad. His expertise at the language is such that h...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 3. Publication date 10/7/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Homer Twigg. Homer has served DeMatha as a Theology teacher at all levels but his specialty is teaching Ethics to juniors. Homer has a deep knowledge of hip-hop that students are often shocked to discover–and then he uses that in class. He has a particular...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 2. Publication date 9/23/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Sam Haller. Sam has served DeMatha brilliantly as a teacher at all levels from below-grade readers to Advanced Placement students. He has coached freshman football, directed our new teacher orientation program, chaired the English department, coordinated o...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 1. Publication date 9/9/2024 The new season of Stag Symposium opens with an interview with Neal Murphy whose 40 year career at DeMatha has seen him teach thousands of students in math, coach hundreds more in basketball, and work with dozens of students in the computer center. Neal’s influence as a colleague is incalculable...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 1, Episode 14. Drop date 6/10/2024 The podcast wraps up its first season with Mike and Dan reflecting on through-lines that we saw in the range of guests. Some of those through lines include: passion, curiosity, a sense of mission, and humor. There is a sense of gratitude and wonder at the range of teaching and, in plans for next seas...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org ) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 13. Drop date 5/27/2024 Guest: Mr. William Clark is completing his 40th year at DeMatha and is stepping away from his duties as Assistant Principal which he has performed brilliantly for the past 27 years. He will be staying on to teach Advanced Placement French and to assist in all manner of things. Bill talks about his own...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org ) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 12. Drop date 5/13/2024 Guest: Fr. Damian Anuszewski is in his 5oth year at DeMatha. He has interacted with students and families as a teacher, a minister, a team chaplain, the Rector, the Emcee at numerous celebrations, the Department Chair and in countless other ways. Fr. D reflects on those who influenced him and how he s...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org ) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 11. Drop date 4/29/2024 Guest: Ms. Joan Phalen has worked miracles in her time in Academic Support. From her beginnings as a volunteer in the space that Patricia Guerrin created, Joan has helped countless students (and parents and colleagues) become better learners. With her wide-ranging knowledge across so many disciplines,...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org ) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 10. Drop date 4/15/2024 Guest: Mr. Shaka Dickerson ‘03 has had a rich and varied career in education. From DeMatha to Columbia and Howard and Vanderbilt with interests ranging from architecture to urban planning to history to leadership, Shaka thinks deeply about spaces and learning, about expectations and learning, about se...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org ) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 9. Drop date 4/1/2024 Guest: Mr. Chris Hurst is in his 16th year teaching at DeMatha. Chris has taught almost all levels of math and his current assignments include two different AP courses: Calculus AB and Economics. In his career at DeMatha Chris has worked service trips with students and coached basketball. Chris was the...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org ) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 8. Drop date 3/18/2024 Guest: Mr. Tom Krawczewicz.  Main Topics: Tom Krawczewicz’ (‘81) career of more than 30 years teaching every level of English as well as every programming language offers a fascinating study of bridging disciplines. Tom’s Master’s degree from Full Sail University (first in his class!) has helped inform...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org ) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 7. Drop date 3/4/2024 Guest: Mr. John McConnell. John has been teaching at DeMatha for 19 years and is co-chair of the English Department. He has led several Cerfroid Summer Seminars for professional development and participated in numerous others. His Film class and War Narrative class are always over-subscribed. John has c...