The Old School

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...

The hosts tackle an aspect of education that has always been present - tutorials. The hosts examine the qualities and effectiveness as well as the difference between tutoring in school with one's teacher and hiring it out to be done - a field of endeavor that Mr. Miller is currently engaged in. Not only does tutoring look different in or out of school, but also through various subjects. Are you in...

Once more, the hosts are proud to present the estimable Dr. Alex Fingers to the podcast. This time, Dr. Fingers speaks on the value of sports and extracurricular activities to the student in their academic pursuits. From personal experience, Dr. Fingers speaks on the lessons learned from winning, losing and the tireless preparation for the moment. If you would enjoy a detailed look at the forces a...

In this episode, the hosts follow the advice of Jimmy Buffett and show their age - this time, by complaining about the state of etiquette today and whether it is a real problem or whether they are the problem. After consider the state of the world with the presence or lack of manners, consider doing a deep intellectual dive into our book, The Center Cannot Hold: A Critical Look at Contemporary Edu...

The hosts return to Mr. Miller's trip - the second part through Montana and Glacier National Park. As the story unwinds, the Miller family pass through Missoula, a garden of Buddhas, a mission church, complete with a member of rock n' roll royalty and the majestic peaks and valleys of the park itself. Mr. Miller finishes with a visit to Little Big Horn. After delving into the wonders of nature wit...

As Mr. Miller and his family attempt to shoe horn two more national parks before the start of the next school year, the hosts discuss the first of the two parks - Grand Tetons National Park in western Wyoming. In the course of this discussion, the hosts unpack the park itself as well as the drive there, Jackson Hole, the beauty of southeastern Idaho and the nature of cities in the northern mountai...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back now three-time guest - Dr. Rick Westfall. In their discussion, the hosts and guest get into the dynamics of building school culture, including relationships with students, teachers and parents. The goal of striking a balance between a school's administration and the three "stockholders" is an intricately complicated process and Dr. Westfall brings his expe...

In this episode, Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome Dr. Carrie Currier from TCU to discuss China's geopolitical position - with their neighbors and with the west. In the process, the hosts and guest discuss what lies in store for China in the coming years, from growing tensions surrounding North Korea and Taiwan as well as their attempts to influence developing countries. The three also serve up...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller, in what may be the start of a on-going series of state profiles, take a look at the 34th state to join the Union - Kansas. In particular, the hosts delve into its history - such as its history related to the Civil War and Civil Rights as well as the Wild West; its culture, including its food; the capital of Topeka and the government's efforts to change the reputation...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome Ksenia Filatov, a doctoral candidate at Boston College, to discuss her background that has led to her research on teacher agency and how college teacher training can both help or hinder new teachers entering the classroom. As with many of their guests, there is also the idea that more episodes with Ms. Filatov could be in the future. United World College Robert...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller, using and summarizing Jonathan Haidt's book,  The Anxious Generation , discuss the role technology plays in making many, especially the younger generations, more anxious than past ones and how they have seen the same in their students over the years. To discover the trends that have been seen in education that might have been partially responsible for the topic of the...

The hosts are joined by the Reverends Jason and Estee Valendy as the four discuss the state of the Christian church and the challenges it faces.  Want to be cool like Jason and Estee Valendy? Want the enjoyment of a good book that will change your life? Then check out our tome on the American education system, The Center Cannot Hold: A Critical Look at Contemporary Education , published by Ahart E...