Boys Education Series
A podcast by University School designed for parents & educators who are raising, teaching, & inspiring boys.
Episodes
Thursday May 23, 2024
Approaching Language Learning for Boys
Thursday May 23, 2024
Thursday May 23, 2024
Studies have shown a significant decrease in language learning in the United States. This trend is counter to the known value of learning a second language and exploring its related culture. University School Director of the Upper School Krystopher Perry discusses the opportunities for adolescent boys who find a love of language.
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Risky Business: Boys and Online Gambling
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
In this episode, Lisa Ulery, Director of Technology and Libraries at University School shares advice on navigating the dangers of online gambling for teenage boys.
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Guiding Toward Good
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Lower School Director Mrs. Lisa Cummings provides valuable insights for raising compassionate, responsible, and resilient individuals.
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Carving a Path Through Stress and Anxiety
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
In this episode, Head of School Mr. Patrick Gallagher discusses practical strategies and valuable insights to help young men navigate stress and anxiety.
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
When to Quit
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
In the latest episode of the Boys Education Series, Associate Head of School and Interim Director of College Counseling, Mrs. Jen Beros, shares advice on how to decide between encouraging perseverance and recognizing when it's time to embrace change.
Friday Apr 14, 2023
Permission to Feel
Friday Apr 14, 2023
Friday Apr 14, 2023
From sports and music to art and science, there is no shortage of activities for children to try. But how do we know when to encourage participation, and how do we help them balance it all? In this episode, University School Jr. K - Grade 8 Enrichment Specialist Mr. Jeff Pierce shares how to support your son in embracing new experiences.
Monday Mar 06, 2023
An Organized Young Boy and Other Unicorns
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Organization skills play an important role in becoming a successful student and, ultimately, adult. Encouraging these habits early with your son can help him to be prepared for anything that might come his way. In this episode, Gail Ross, Third Grade Team Leader at University School, offers advice on how parents can start small for big results.
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Parenting the High-Level Athlete
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Competitive sports in middle and high school can be difficult for parents to navigate. You want to push your son to excel, but it is also important to know when and how to take more of a backseat approach. In this episode, Jon Bridge, Middle School and Varsity Squash Coach and Assistant Head of School for Advancement at University School, offers advice on how parents can best set their son up for success.
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Gifting Tech with Success
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Having the latest and greatest tech gadget is often a big deal for boys. With that comes many questions for parents who are considering these devices for their sons.
In this episode, Lisa Ulery, Director of Technology and Library Services at University School provides parents with some guidance on managing this important decision.
Friday Oct 28, 2022
Foundations for Emotional Intelligence
Friday Oct 28, 2022
Friday Oct 28, 2022
Gaining emotional intelligence is a lifelong endeavor, but there are methods that we can practice to help our children understand their feelings.
In this edition of the Boys Education Series, University School Jr. K - 8 School Psychologist and Student Services Department Chair, Erica Evert, shares six ways to help nurture emotional intelligence in your child.
Thursday Sep 29, 2022
3 Ways to Embrace Kindness
Thursday Sep 29, 2022
Thursday Sep 29, 2022
Being kind is a skill that we can teach and practice with our children–just like sports, language, or math. University School Jr. K-8 School Counselor, Leslie Muha, shares three ways to practice kindness daily.
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
The Leader You Want Your Son to Be
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
A reflection for parents and teachers on the book 'We the Leader' by Dr. Jeffrey Spahn and how its lessons can be related to raising young leaders.
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
Orienting Ambition for a Meaningful Life
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
It can be difficult to find the right balance of ambitious aspirations and attainable goals for our children.
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Navigating a First Love
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Laying the groundwork early with the framework for healthy relationships can help guide your son through the challenging relationships yet to come in his life. In this episode, University School One Love Foundation faculty advisor, Lisa Ulery, shares the best methods to help support your son in developing healthy relationships.
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Simple Moments in Which Boys Thrive
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Narrow perceptions of masculinity and male identity can prevent adolescent boys from confidence in sharing who they are and how they feel. Director of the Center for the Education of Boys and Head Football Coach University School, Mr. Ben Malbasa, shares his experience fostering an environment where boys can be their authentic selves.
Saturday Feb 27, 2021
Raising Responsible Boys
Saturday Feb 27, 2021
Saturday Feb 27, 2021
Teaching responsibility is similar to teaching a skill in physical education. Both skills need to be broken down into separate steps and practiced before children are able to master it.
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
Disciplining Through Dialogue
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
Studies have shown that schools that utilize restorative practices see an improvement in classroom behavior. These same methods can be used at home to improve behavior and foster better parent-child relationships.
Sunday Oct 25, 2020
Helping Boys Find Truth Online
Sunday Oct 25, 2020
Sunday Oct 25, 2020
In a time when teens turn to social media for both entertainment and as a news source, it is more important than ever for them to be able to decipher fact from fiction.
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Writing from Scratch: Why Boys Need to Generate Their Own Writing Ideas
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Encouraging boys to develop original writing ideas promotes imagination, creative thinking, observational skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose.
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Adapting To A New Normal
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Though there is much about this school year that is different, parents and teachers can work together to foster a sense of calm and resilience amid the uncertainties of starting school.
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Creating Normalcy for Boys Amid Uncertainty
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
It is an interesting predicament when a school that is built on strong relationships between teachers and students is swept into remote teaching and learning. In this episode, University School’s Associate Head of School & Director of College Counseling, Jen Beros, shares how both teachers and parents can work to keep boys connected in mind and heart with their school.
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
Success Beyond the Score
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
Sports can play an important role in the development of many boys. Apart from the physical and social benefits, there is also a tremendous amount of value to be gained in the leadership, empathy and resilience. In this episode, University School Director of Athletics Jr.K-12, Sean McDonnell, offers some of the enduring lessons of athletic competition.
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Digital Detox
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Screen time and 24-hour connectedness can take a toll on the social-emotional well-being of boys. As parents, we need to create clear expectations while providing a good example. In this episode, Lisa Ulery, Director of Technology and Libraries at University School gives parents some methods for cutting through the virtual clutter.
Monday Jan 06, 2020
Four Keys to Cultivating Character
Monday Jan 06, 2020
Monday Jan 06, 2020
The sciences, math, English, history, language, athletics, the arts–these areas all play an integral part in boys' education. But what we are ultimately striving for is for them to grow into good men. In this episode, Head of School at University School, Patrick Gallagher, provides some foundational support on character development for boys.
Friday Dec 13, 2019
Ingredients for Successfully Communicating with Boys
Friday Dec 13, 2019
Friday Dec 13, 2019
Given that regular and open communication with our sons is essential, how do we encourage our sons to communicate openly with us? In this episode, University School’s Director the Upper School, Dr. William Daughtrey shares how presence and trust can help establish those lines of communication.
Sunday Nov 03, 2019
Education for an Unpredictable World
Sunday Nov 03, 2019
Sunday Nov 03, 2019
Preparing our boys for a future of uncertainty can be an intimidating thought for parents and educators. In this episode, University School’s Academic Dean Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, Dr. William O’Neil suggests an evolved liberal arts education to shape confident, resilient, and dynamic young men.
Sunday Oct 13, 2019
Mapping the Path to Global Citizenship
Sunday Oct 13, 2019
Sunday Oct 13, 2019
It is no secret that the world is at our boys’ fingertips and as parents, we want to help our children understand what it means to be a global citizen.
Friday Aug 23, 2019
Control His Anxiety Before It Controls Him
Friday Aug 23, 2019
Friday Aug 23, 2019
From first days of school to college applications, anxiety comes at boys at every stage of their growth. In this episode, we will hear from Lisa Ulery, Director of Technology and Libraries at University School as she provides strategies to help you and your son deal with the inevitabilities of life.
Thursday Jun 20, 2019
Don‘t Let Summer Pass You By
Thursday Jun 20, 2019
Thursday Jun 20, 2019
Summer is here, but not for long. In this episode, we will hear from Dr. Sarah Spannagel, Clinical Psychologist at University Hospital and University School as she explores how we can make sure that our family is ready for when we put away the swimsuits and pull out school books.
Monday May 20, 2019
The Benefits of Coding for All
Monday May 20, 2019
Monday May 20, 2019
The Benefits of Coding for All by University School
Friday Apr 05, 2019
From Allowance to Autonomy: Why Chores Matter
Friday Apr 05, 2019
Friday Apr 05, 2019
Chores are, by definition, routine and typically unpleasant. No one relishes doing these activities and they have suffered witty lashings by insightful social commentators such as Mark Twain. Piquant observations aside, regular chores like taking out the trash, washing the dishes, and cleaning are essential to the development of the minds of young people.
Friday Feb 08, 2019
Boys and Friendships
Friday Feb 08, 2019
Friday Feb 08, 2019
It is no secret that boys and girls tend to approach their friendships differently. Seventh Grade Dean at University School, Brooke Littman understands how boys can develop healthy relationships with their peers that will last a lifetime. In this episode, Brooke shares with you the insight she has gathered in nearly twenty years as a teacher and administrator.
Tuesday Dec 18, 2018
Using Music to Inspire Boys
Tuesday Dec 18, 2018
Tuesday Dec 18, 2018
What captures young boys’ musical interests? How do boys learn that music making is so rewarding? Why is “learning through play” so valuable and does every boy really sing?
Boys in my classroom learn quickly that the music classroom is a place to have fun. Musicianship is developed while building skills through singing, playing instruments, speech, and movement.
Monday Oct 15, 2018
Safe Development of Young Athletes
Monday Oct 15, 2018
Monday Oct 15, 2018
Athletes want to be successful. They want to win and at times are willing to do whatever is necessary to make that a reality. We’ve seen the stories, watched the news, and stared at the images of athletes holding the championship trophies, celebrating the culmination of all the hard work they’ve put forth for that moment, the moment they’ve become champions.
Our media-savy children see these messages and, for many, it peaks their interest in athletics. As a parent, you may wonder how to support your young athlete.
Tuesday Aug 14, 2018
Making this Year the Best
Tuesday Aug 14, 2018
Tuesday Aug 14, 2018
It’s nearly the end of summer break, and as you seek structure and relief from the constant Fortnite, SnapChat, and Instagram rotation, you anxiously count down the days until the kids go back to school. Your kids, however, are dreading that day when it starts again.
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
Winning the Reading Battle
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
If you are like me, you can remember so vividly the first moments when your son started to memorize the letters of the alphabet. It seemed like absolute magic as he began to associate letters with sounds, and then string them together to create a word. I remember the pride on my son’s face when he finally got it. If your son felt such accomplishment and wonder in reading then, why is it a battle to get him to read now?
Monday Dec 18, 2017
Conquering the College Name Game
Monday Dec 18, 2017
Monday Dec 18, 2017
As a college counselor, I often hear from families whose sons are just beginning the college selection process who ask, “What schools should my child visit?” They will mention a certain location tied to an upcoming family trip, or perhaps a major that the student or parents have in mind and they would like to consider schools with strong programs in that field. I will suggest a range of schools, yet families generally choose to visit those with which they are familiar or which have the biggest brand names.
Monday Nov 20, 2017
Bailing Your Son out of Sleep Debt
Monday Nov 20, 2017
Monday Nov 20, 2017
Is your son sleeping through the night? What time does he go to bed? What is his bedtime routine? When is naptime? We are regularly bombarded with analysis of the sleep of our newborn babies and young children from our friends, family members, and pediatricians. Yet, we don’t give the same level of thought and care to this topic for our 8-year olds, 12-year olds, 14-year olds, and 17-year olds!
Thursday Oct 26, 2017
Losing Control: Boys & Video Games
Thursday Oct 26, 2017
Thursday Oct 26, 2017
Many weekends I have emerged triumphantly from under a pile of laundry or work emails and thought, “what an awesomely productive day!” But then, as the silence of the house starts to sink in, my stomach drops as I realize why I have been so productive. My kids had just spent the last four hours playing video games.
If you are like me, you may have found yourself cringing at the realization of how much your son plays video games and struggling to navigate how much time is appropriate for him to spend with a controller in hand.
Thursday Oct 12, 2017
The Case for Raising Your First Child Like Your Third
Thursday Oct 12, 2017
Thursday Oct 12, 2017
I am the father of three boys, and around the time my youngest was five, an interesting thought began to develop. My wife, Tracy, and I had started to notice that we were raising our third child very differently than our other two, ages twelve and fourteen at the time. We were much more relaxed in bringing up our third, as much of the intensity, fear, and questioning was gone.