Mainly composed of juniors from the Class of 2027, these students aren't just volunteers; they are the heart of our community. Between the heavy demands of IB exams and late-night study sessions, they choose to give their time back to the school they love. Whether they are organizing a glamorous gala, leading a campus tour for a graduate returning after forty years, or simply selling pizza to fund a peer’s scholarship, their "why" is simple: they believe that once you’re part of ACS Athens, you’re part of a family for life.

In this week’s Owlcast, co-hosted by Alumni Outreach Coordinator Lydia Skampavia, we sit down with six of these remarkable young leaders: Sotoris, Amaryllis, Michael, Oskar, Katerina, and Daphne. Join us as we explore the passion, the "why," and the shared purpose that drives them to serve the global ACS Athens community.

Discover how empathy, dialogue, and reflective teaching come together to form the unique Inquiry & Performance Learning Model (IPLM), and get a sneak peek into what’s coming at this year’s Colloquium—a true celebration of learning across our community.

Be inspired by the passion, purpose, and vision behind the educators guiding our students toward global consciousness, and learn how and why:

• The Colloquium is a “celebration of learning”—a public showcase of years of action research, reflective practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• The IPLM (Inquiry & Performance Learning Model) blends performance, Socratic dialogue, and reflective processes to cultivate empathy and conscious citizenship in students.
• Collaboration is central: teachers across departments contribute ideas, feedback, and perspectives that continually reshape the research and classroom projects.
• Action research is fluid and iterative, with plans constantly evolving as teachers respond to student energy, new insights, and emerging directions in their work.

At the 4th Annual ACS Athens Global Alumni Insights Session, we hear our alums' bold advice on navigating life after graduation, finding your passion, embracing failure, and making courageous choices. Their message?
Believe in yourself! Use your time wisely! Your ACS Athens community always has your back!

Tune in and get inspired by the energy, honesty, and global spirit of our alumni community!

In this conversation we are joined by Early Childhood Coordinator Sophia Moros, where John takes us behind the scenes of his writing — how sports, friendship, and identity weave their way into his stories. Whether it’s a soccer field showdown or a diner in a small town, his characters face challenges that mirror real life: learning to belong, to be recognized, and to discover who they are. He reminded us that every child’s story matters — and that even the smallest details, like a student describing a summer trip, can reveal the heart of a future writer. His books, from Curveball to Lizzy’s Soccer Showdown, celebrate teamwork, courage, and the thrill of discovery.

In this episode, we explore what it means to honor legacy while embracing change—through global citizenship, responsible AI learning, and a holistic approach to education that prepares students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. It’s an inspiring conversation that sets the tone for a year of growth, reflection, and discovery at ACS Athens.

As they reflect on their time at ACS Athens and their participation in this year's Alumni Insights session, these alumni offer more than advice — they offer perspective, connection, and a reassuring sense that it’s okay not to have all the answers. Whether you're dreaming big, doubting yourself, or just curious about what life looks like beyond high school, this episode is a must-listen. It’s authentic, funny, at times emotional — and full of wisdom you won’t find in any textbook.

In a diverse school environment like ACS Athens, students come from different countries, speak different languages at home, and have varied academic backgrounds. To meet their learning needs, the OLP takes a thoughtful, personalized approach. It starts with getting to know each student well. As Ms. Evloyia explains, a lot of time is dedicated inside and outside the classroom, observing students academically and socially. These insights are turned into learning profiles that guide every teacher who works with the child.

• Growing Curiosity: Dr. Wadhwa’s scientific journey began with a sense of wonder in the foothills of the Himalayas, proving that innate curiosity can spark a lifelong passion for discovery.
• Planetary Science Exploration: Her transition from geology to researching meteorites and isotopes highlights how interconnected scientific fields can shed light on the formation and evolution of our solar system.
• Antarctic Adventures: Hunting for meteorites in the harsh conditions of Antarctica underscores the thrill of fieldwork and the vital collaboration needed to uncover rare cosmic treasures.
• Mars Sample Return Mission: As the Principal Scientist, Dr. Wadhwa plays a pivotal role in one of NASA’s most ambitious endeavors—collecting and returning Martian rocks to Earth for deeper study.
• Championing Diversity: From mentoring future scientists to advocating for broader representation in STEM, Dr. Wadhwa emphasizes the power of opportunity and the importance of engaging all voices in scientific research.

...and much more!

The 80th Anniversary Gala of ACS Athens was an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration, reflection, and celebration, held at the iconic and festively lit Grand Bretagne Hotel in central Athens, on Valentine’s Day. After opening remarks from President Dr. Peggy Pelonis, Board of Trustees Chair Pascal Apostolides, and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Maria Olson, the spotlight turned to alumni who have made a global impact.

Award-winning filmmaker Alexander Payne delivered a powerful message on nurturing creativity, while NASA astronaut Dr. Scott Parazynski reflected on how ACS teachers helped him believe in himself—lessons that took him from the basketball court to space. Honorees Charles Eliot (’74), George Petropoulos (’97), and Hollywood producer Mark Wolper shared their heartfelt gratitude for how ACS Athens shaped their journeys, from pioneering software development to leading humanitarian missions and producing award-winning films. The night closed with a deep sense of camaraderie and pride, as generations of ACS alumni came together to honor the school’s enduring legacy—one that will continue to inspire and uplift future global leaders for decades to come.

As ACS Athens celebrates its 80th anniversary, Pandora’s reflections serve as a heartfelt reminder of the enduring relevance of art and literature in education and community life. Through her words, she inspires students to embrace their unique voices and explore their creativity, reinforcing that the written word remains one of humanity’s most powerful tools. Join us as we delve into her journey, the influence of her alma mater, and her message for the next generation of writers and artists.

Although an audio piece cannot possibly do justice to a highly visual event, it is always a good exercise of our imagination when we listen to the creators themselves trying to make their works audible. So let’s picture the ACS Athens campus in the cold December evening at the opening of the Spotlight. Students playing music on guitar and the grand piano, classical music in the background, and the air of creativity inviting guests who gather to celebrate the creative talents within the community. The exhibition space buzzes with excitement, walls adorned with a kaleidoscope of artworks, each piece telling its own unique story.

Today, we are excited to talk to Paul Cabaniss, from his home in Dallas, Texas, a beloved elementary school teacher who devoted more than two decades to ACS Athens starting in the mid-1960s. He shares vivid memories of the close-knit community and vibrant traditions that defined the school during his tenure. So, let’s open the pages of the ACS Athens History Book with Paul Cabaniss.

Anna and Chris discuss the vital role of student voice, mental wellness, and empathetic teaching in shaping a responsive learning community. They also talk about the future of education, exploring how tools like AI can enhance learning for neurodiverse students. This insightful episode underscores their shared belief in the transformative power of inclusive education and their commitment to advancing it globally.

Catherine Papin also highlights the support systems Griffith has in place to help international students adapt to life abroad, from open-door policies within the International Office to the college’s welcoming campus culture. She shares stories that reflect Griffith’s dedication to personalized education, noting the legacy of its founder, Dermot Hegarty, whose vision has created a nurturing environment for students over the past 50 years. This episode provides valuable insights into how Griffith College supports students in shaping successful futures while fostering a sense of belonging and personal growth. Annie Angelides from the Center for Student Success of ACS Athens is also joining us in the studio today! 

Delaloye emphasizes the mission of SEE learning to develop compassion, emotional intelligence, and ethical thinking in students. He highlights the positive impact of positive relationships on well-being and life satisfaction. Wolper discusses his motivation for starting Verita International School, driven by the growing stress and anxiety among teenagers. Both guests explore the challenges schools face in addressing students' emotional well-being, including the rising rates of stress, anxiety, and violence. They emphasize the importance of building resilience and emotional regulation. The episode concludes by touching on the influence of social media and technology on young minds and the potential role of SEE learning in helping students navigate these pressures.

In this episode, we explore the value of taking risks and embracing the unknown. Roberta’s journey took her from Sicily to Rome, Sweden, and eventually London, with every opportunity—from nonprofit work to evening jobs—building toward her current role at one of the world’s top science and technology universities. She emphasizes the importance of personal growth by stepping outside your comfort zone and forming lasting friendships by trying new things with people you’ve just met. We also dive into practical tips on choosing a university, discussing how rankings aren’t everything and the importance of finding a place that fits your values and fosters real-world collaboration. Plus, we touch on AI’s evolving role in higher education and how it’s shaping both student experiences and staff efficiency. Tune in for invaluable advice on navigating college life and making informed decisions about your future!

Welcome to this week’s 100th episode of Owlcast, where we sit down with the new members of our school's leadership, Dr. Harry Leonardatos, Principal of the Academy, and Dr. Matina Stergiopoulos, Assistant Principal of the Middle School. Both have made the bold move from leadership roles in New York to join our international school in Greece, bringing with them a wealth of experience from both public and private schools. In this episode, we discuss their decision-making process, the excitement of moving to a familiar yet new international environment, and how they coaxed their families with the thought of more beach time and new adventures.

We also explore their thoughts on balancing tradition with innovation—whether it’s maintaining strong academic foundations or embracing change. Dr. Leonardatos and Dr. Stergiopoulos share their views on leading with kindness and understanding each student’s unique background, as well as the value of giving students space to be creative. As we look ahead, they touch on the role of AI in education and how it could be a game-changer in the learning process, helping students and teachers alike navigate the future of education with resilience and innovation.

Dr. Snow's discussion with ACS Athens President Dr. Peggy Pelonis, among many other topics, includes the evolving landscape of storytelling, particularly within academia. Professor Snow sheds light on the growing shift towards digital media platforms, driven by the need for speed and the diverse range of mediums and audiences now accessible.

Professor Snow also discusses her role as a communication catalyst at both state and local levels. Her work promotes mutual understanding and encourages curiosity as a vehicle for promoting diversity. She argues that diversity acts as a change agent, benefiting both professional growth and personal development. Her insights into how curiosity can drive engagement and learning are particularly timely in today's rapidly changing world.

Listen as we explore these themes and more with Professor Nancy Snow, celebrating a season of insightful discussions and looking forward to future explorations in public diplomacy and global communication.

In today’s episode of Owlcast, Tom emphasizes the significance of serving a school community with a global perspective and the unparalleled benefits of a robust alumni network. We discuss the qualities essential for graduates to succeed, emphasizing the power of storytelling in the media industry. Tom's insights into the human element of communication highlight how genuine connection and empathy are key to impactful storytelling. Additionally, he shares his personal reflections on what it means to be recognized with multiple Emmy Awards, offering a glimpse into the personal fulfillment that comes with such achievements.

Furthermore, Tom talks about the crucial need for media literacy in today's information-rich society, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining fairness and balance as a journalist. He urges our community and its graduates to "check their excuses at the door" if they wish to excel and addresses the significant role of parents in guiding their children's interactions with artificial intelligence. Through his words, Tom aims to inspire a new generation of graduates to embrace their potential, uphold integrity, and commit to lifelong learning.

In our conversation, Alex shares how being introduced to new technologies with fresh, inquisitive eyes during his high school years sparked a lifelong passion for innovation. He recounts his fond memories at ACS Athens, where his curiosity was nurtured from a young age, and how these formative years were instrumental in shaping his academic and professional trajectory.

Alex reflects on the profound impact of group and project-based learning at ACS Athens, a learning style that proved invaluable as he transitioned to college. He shares his insights on embedding AI and digital literacies into K-12 education to prepare students for a future where technology plays a pivotal role. However, he also cautions against the dangers of biases in AI, as these systems often learn from historical data.

Together, we explore the dual-edged sword of retooling the workforce with AI-enabled practices—the opportunities it presents and the potential pitfalls if not handled thoughtfully. Alex firmly believes the future belongs to those who understand and harness new technologies. He emphasizes the importance of approaching college with an open mind, ready to embrace new cultures and experiences, and explains how early internships can provide crucial real-world experience and set the stage for a successful career.

Finally, Alex reflects on his time at ACS Athens and shares the three words that encapsulate his experience at the school. Stay tuned for a thought-provoking discussion with Alex Stelea, a true testament to the power of curiosity, education, and technological foresight.

We are talking with the 5th grade students members of the Club. They talk about how their volunteering efforts could extend beyond their local community. They share their experiences as they initiate and got involved in school projects related to homelessness, basic human needs like safety, access to food and healthcare.

Co-hosting with us are Penelope Dimitroula and Katherine Bibidaki, 5th grade and 3rd Grade teachers respectively and Honor Code facilitators.

We discuss fascinating topics, including the continuous learning model and the ethos of education. We explore how information sense-making, knowledge sharing, and collaboration can create a dynamic and engaging educational environment. We also talk about the DIKA model (Data, Information, Knowledge, Action) and how organizing data and metadata can help bring sense to educational systems and drive meaningful action. Lisa sheds light on managing and transferring knowledge within K12 school environments and how analyzing failure can be a key to learning and growth.

Furthermore, we explore the human right of open access to education, the significance of UNESCO’s Recommendation for Open Educational Resources, and the impact of open education as a movement.

ACS Athens has been collaborating with other schools in these events, as they broaden students' perspectives and expose them to diverse viewpoints and ideas. This interaction encourages a sense of community and cooperation among students from different backgrounds, promoting cultural exchange and understanding. Additionally, it creates opportunities for networking and building relationships that can be beneficial for future academic and career endeavors. Such collaborations also add an element of healthy competition, motivating students to strive for excellence and push the boundaries of their knowledge and presentation skills. Overall, a TED-Ed club that participates in inter-school events is a powerful platform for student growth and development.

One such school that ACS Athens has partnered with is the  De Ring School in the city of Leuven, located close to Brussels in Belgium. The students of the TED club of this school visited us a few weeks ago, and came to the studio, where we found them eager to talk about their individual presentations. Their interaction with our own TED club was truly inspiring.

With us today is one of the ACS Athens TED advisors, Stavi Dimas.

Through advisory classes and a supportive school environment, students are encouraged to express their uncertainties and develop self-awareness. We’ll hear stories of how involvement in diverse activities has helped students build confidence and realize that their career paths are not set in stone.

In today's episode, we have with us Anna Makris, Danai Papaioannou and Christelle Mattar, from the ACS Athens Center for Student Success. They talk with a dynamic group of students who attended both the 2024 Career Day and the UK University Fair and share their experience, their expectations and plans for the future. 

In a world increasingly affected by robots and AI, it's easy to lose sight of the real question: it's not the tool, but the user, that matters most. Dive into the ethical questions surrounding AI and robots, as we strive to raise awareness through informed education. And let's not forget the power of peer-to-peer teaching, whether it's through the Sewing for a Purpose club or the groundbreaking Can-Sat project.

So, get ready to immerse yourself in the world of immersive learning, where traditional education tools meet cutting-edge VR technology.

Our guests today: Carla Tanas, Dr. Natalie Mitchell, Katerina Apostolaki, Aristotelis Thymianos & Andreas Nikolopoulos

Today, we dive into the intricacies of diplomatic relations between the United States and Greece, spanning from the tumultuous years of the 1940s to the dynamic landscape of the 2020s.

Our guest today is Richard L. Jackson, who offers a unique perspective on this topic, challenging conventional narratives and shedding light on lesser-known angles.

Join us as we attempt to unravel the threads of history, diplomacy, and humanitarianism with our esteemed guest, offering a fresh perspective on the enduring ties between the United States and Greece.

Today, we’re visiting the 2024 IB Art Exhibit, which took place in the lobby of the ACS Athens Theater as it does every year. This year, there were so many themes, so much observation of our world, and so much reflection on modern life and its challenges.

Welcome to the captivating world of art, where the canvases are imbued with a plethora of emotions, themes, and experiences. The exhibition featuring works by International Baccalaureate students serves as a kaleidoscope of human existence, diving into the depths of the psyche and the intricacies of modern society.

View the image gallery of the exhibit here

Joining us are the brilliant minds behind some truly innovative concepts that emerged from last year's ACS Athens Open. From the hydroponic green wall to gamified learning platforms, these students are redefining what it means to think creatively and boldly.

Their journey in the Owlcast today navigates them through the challenge of finding connections between seemingly dissimilar projects and trading places. They're also gearing up to deliver the ultimate elevator pitch to investors.

We will explore the multifaceted benefits of NHS membership, from the academic recognition it bestows to the opportunities for service and leadership that it provides. We will also talk about the ways in which NHS induction shapes students’ character, fostering a commitment to excellence, integrity, and community involvement that extends through their high school years into college and beyond.

Joining us today are NHS Advisors, Dr. Elina Prodromidi, Science Division Chair, and Ms. Matina Katsiyianni, Mathematics Academy Faculty.

Joining Dr. Pelonis, are Cheryl Brown, Founder and Executive Director of the International School Counselor Association, and Brooke Fezler, Founder and Associate Executive Director of ISCA. This podcast was recorded as The Annual Conference of the International School Counselor Association was being held in Athens, March 7-9, where the focus was "Keeping Our Students Safe" through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB). This theme shaped the in-person 2 1/2 day event, offering workshops, keynote talks, panel discussions and workshops from counselors and leaders in the field centered around DEIJB principles.

Listen as we unpack the importance surrounding the function of K-12 counselors and advisors and envision a future where every student thrives.

Announcer: Tom Alexopoulos

Students read poems expressing the anxiety and the pride, the misgivings and the hope, the trauma and the promise. They talk about the swag, the cultural spice that distinguishes the African American experience, while they try to tackle the danger of portraying the single-story racial monoliths in some media depictions.

Today we explore the many dimensions of the Black History Month celebration, one of the monthly cultural heritage and awareness celebrations at ACS Athens. Through our discussion, it becomes evident that true learning only happens when we embrace our differences and strive for deeper and more meaningful understanding of each other.

Our co-host today is Helen Seretis, Writing Studio Specialist at the Learning Commons of ACS Athens!

Through their stories, we aim to inspire and empower listeners to embrace the enriching opportunities MUN offers, fostering a generation of global citizens equipped to tackle the challenges of our interconnected world. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration with these remarkable students who have dared to make a difference on the global stage.

This episode is Co-hosted by: Angela Chamosfakidis, THIMUN Team Advisor, and Academy Faculty

Today the Owlcast is all about Art, the most interesting and creative and original art there is! The artists are 3rd, 4th and 5th-grade students, who are now exploring the elements of Art and their imagination is as pure as the primary colors and their creativity is still boundless. Sir Ken Robinson, a world renowned visionary on children’s education, was fond of saying creativity is as important in education as literacy. Art classes, especially in Elementary School have consistently proven that students need art as much as they need literacy, as they need friends and as they need attention. The lack of Art is detrimental to their learning process - and this has been documented by many scholars through the years.

Today, we attempt to capture this creativity, artistic insight and spirit of the the recent Elementary Arts Exhibition held in the lobby area of our Theater that served as the gallery for our community. Students with their classes visited the exhibit and we engaged in discussions as to what they see, and how this creative process affects them on a personal level.

Talking about Art on a podcast is not the most efficient, but through the children’s eyes, hopefully you will get the idea. Listen to some of the most original and surprising points of view, as well as those of their art teachers, Farida El Gazzar, Kleoni Manousaki, and Arts Division chair Sophia Soseilos. A few parents and alums also offer their “critique.”

Let's get colorful!

Since 1945, ACS Athens has served tens of thousands of families seeking the American education experience, and since 1975, the International Diploma option. It’s not just its location in Athens, Greece, the epicenter of Western culture and humanism. The school’s community and global appeal have formed a unique personality sought after by international and domestic families drawn to it because of this community feeling and variety of options. The Admissions office of ACS Athens is the face of the school for the new families crossing its gates, and today we are happy to host them in the Owlcast. With us today is Frances Tottas, Assistant Director of Enrolment Management for over a decade, and Dr. Jenny Grigoropoulou, the Admissions & Outreach Counselor and newest colleague who joined the Admissions team in 2023.

Through their stories, we aim to inspire and empower listeners to embrace the enriching opportunities MUN offers, fostering a generation of global citizens equipped to tackle the challenges of our interconnected world. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration with these remarkable students who have dared to make a difference on the global stage.

Co-hosting: Evelyn Pittas, THIMUN Team Advisor, Vice Principal of the Academy

Throughout their tenure, both guests have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of institutional development, from its crucial role in enhancing educational resources to its profound impact on student experiences. Their combined expertise offers unique perspectives on navigating the challenges and seizing the opportunities inherent in fundraising for educational institutions. From cultivating donor relationships to leveraging alumni networks, our guests exemplify the collaborative spirit and unwavering dedication required to take ACS Athens forward.

The ceremony marked the formal dedication of the Steve Medeiros Book Collection, a valuable literary repository generously donated by the family of Steve Medeiros. Attendees, including retiree teachers, alumni, and current staff, convened to honor the enduring influence of Medeiros' commitment to education.

Steve Medeiros, who passed away in 2019, donated his book collection to his beloved ACS Athens, and it is now hosted at the Sabbagh Library of the Learning Commons.

Dr. Kanellopoulos reflects on his preparation to join ACS Athens at a time when students from Greek schools were able to join the ACS Athens Academy, when enrolment had begun to rebound after a period of decline. He shares memories, describes the transition to his College studies while earning scholarships,  and talks about the preparation for his current career as an academic in Higher Education. His advice to the future graduates will resonate with many of them, at a time of uncertainty and need for hope, focus and perseverance.

Every year, we try to define and evaluate the community's level of effort, and one metric, of course, is the success of our students being admitted to their college of choice.

In today’s Students and College edition of the Owlcast, we are happy to have a talented group of students, each one from a diverse background and with different goals. Their common thread is that they have all secured admission to their college of choice with distinctions and scholarships.

Two of their counselors also join us to discuss this process and shed some light on the sometimes obscure college application process that they had to guide the students through.

Maria Laiou, Academy Counselor, and Stelios Kalogridakis, Middle school and Academy Counselor, are with us today along with Aggeliki Ziaka, who’s admitted at the University of San Francisco, Lydia Chatira, who’s admitted at Harvard University, Danielle Rohan, who is admitted at Emerson University in King’s College, and Eva Karagkou, who is admitted among other schools at Northeastern University, London, University of Arts in London and Illinois Institute of Technology.

With our guests today we discuss:

• It’s all a matter of decisions, even if you can’t make one yet
• How do you combine the passion for baking with that of artificial intelligence
• Being the sounding board for students expressing their intentions for their future
• The challenge of balancing athletics and extracurriculars with academic excellence
• The risk of pursuing college scholarships while being an academy scholarship recipient
• Managing expectations and advising future graduates,
• …and in the end, it’s all about finding and following your passion

This episode contains accounts of violence against minors and women, trafficking and human suffering. Parental discretion is advised.

•••••••••••••

Our guest today is a parent of our school, an attorney who handles cases of domestic violence against minors, persons with special needs, victims of trafficking, refugees, and abused and neglected women and children. Elena Glegle is working with children sheltered in several governmental and non-governmental organizations, representing them in court, working with psychologists and social service teams, as well as with the children themselves. She’s been involved in drafting new legislation about the status of refugees and the new legislation about foreign citizens in Greece. Elena Glegle was nominated in 2005 for the Transparency International Integrity Awards and the Yale Worlds Fellows Program in 2006.

Today, we are also joined by Lydia Skampavia, our Alumni Engagement and Development Officer, who introduced us to Elena Glegle, saying that what she has to say is mind-changing and eye-opening.

Our guests in the Owlcast today, will be involved directly with this project and stopped by our studio to discuss more details under their individual perspectives: Professor Ioannis Kalaitzidis, PhD., Associate Professor of Cognition and Education, Deree - The American College of Greece; Sarah Kaldelli, Coordinator of ACS Athens Optimal Learning program; Evi Evloyias, Educator and Project Manager for ACS Athens; and Professor Joan Kang Shin, Ph.D., from the College of Education and Human Development of George Mason University.

Later, we are joined by Kristin Roberts, Counselor for Public Affairs of the U.S. Embassy Athens, who is a passionate and relentless advocate for inclusivity and diversity in education and has been spearheading the efforts of the U.S. Embassy supporting the Inclusivity in Education project. Ms. Roberts is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fulbright Foundation in Greece and sits on the Board of the Foreign Service Families with Disabilities Alliance.

With Kentrell and Sophia today we discuss:

• All about being different
• Bridging the gap between the deaf and the hearing
• Teaching Sign language to the Early Childhood students
• Misconceptions about communicating with the hearing impaired
• Pivoting in the classroom to meet the needs of students with differences
• The crucial importance of early intervention

.... and much more!

Stay with us as we attempt to break into the virtual realm of the Metaverse. With Costantino Roselli today we discuss:

• Experiencing the reality of metaverse
• Defining the new reality and how much of our reality is real
• What would make Leonardo Da Vinci furious
• The “source” of the metaverse
• Did the Beatles invent teenagers?
• The importance of asking What if vs. How to

... and much more!

Our guest today is Kathleen Naglee, an award-winning global leader in education for innovative and inclusive practices. She’s the Head of the International School of Helsinki and a Commissioner for NEASC. She’s also a fellow podcaster with a show named Unhinged Collaboration.

With Kathleen, today we discuss:

• Why are we still going to school
• How relevant are the foundations of education if they are still based on highly traditional centuries-old thoughts and practices
• Exploring the new spaces that are being created in education
• The education paradigm of Finland, where students of all ages have a voice and choice
• Inclusivity and learning differences
• The emergence of AI in education - the case of chatGPT as a tool and not as a crutch
• Cheating through the internet as it’s morphing into cheating through AI
• Meet the challenges with curiosity
• The correct way to prompt AI

If you missed the 2023 Gala and Alumni Awards event last Saturday,  this is your chance to listen to what transpired. Hosted at the iconic Grande Bretagne Hotel located at the center of Athens, this year’s Gala marked the 78th anniversary of the founding of ACS Athens. A celebration of the spirit of the school, the coming together of its entire body, students, parents, teachers and administrators, joined by ACS Alumni, reminded everyone what a colorful, diverse and strong this community has been forged to be through the years.

Today’s Owlcast hosts Writing Studio coordinator Helen Seretis and Maria Marcella Orego Tamayo, along with a group of the Hispanic Heritage month students. They all discuss their experience of the cultural journey they went through, talking about cultural understanding and empathy, finding common grounds through their differences and expecting the unexpected.

Here's what they discuss:

• Machine Learning and the limitations of Transferability of Knowledge
• How far are we from Artificial General Intelligence
• The challenge of setting intelligent goals about artificial intelligence 
• Will Homo sapiens be followed by higher intelligence beings?
• The role of the MIT media lab in developing new technologies
• Democratising access to technology

...And much more

With Mr. Embrock, today we discuss: 

• All about bad dad jokes, liquorice, and Starburst…;
• Preparing for the trip overseas - opportunities and challenges for a Middle School principal;
• The value of authenticity in the leadership style;
• The process of empowering student learning through authentic teaching material;
• Differentiation in regards to the faculty;
• Where can you find Mr. Embrock?;
• Fostering a greater sense of community in a Community School;
• The combination lock symbolism;
• and... Making music with a 5-gallon bucket and two spoons.

Rosalind Wiseman is an internationally renowned author and educator on children, teens, parenting, bullying, social justice, and ethical leadership. She was invited to talk to the ACS Athens' students and faculty, on issues that touch upon the growing pains facing families, the tough discussions when emotional trauma is evident and the dynamics of family and friends, especially in the era of social media and self awareness and empowerment.

Rosalind Wiseman was joined at the studio by Elliott, Lincoln and Marios, three Academy students. Together we discussed:

• Connecting with young people in their language and communication modes
• The benefit of not sugarcoating a different opinion
• How does a community come together by creating a co-agreement
• The efforts of schools to strengthen students’ emotional intelligence
• Realizing the diverse ways young people develop resilience through learning
• The right ways for parents to engage in an argument with their children
• and, all about Mean Girls - the movie that was inspired by Rosalind Wiseman book Queen bees and wannabes. Mean Girl tropes and world politics

Chris Snyder, class of '77, visited us recently and had the opportunity to see the campus, and the classrooms and talk to students, some of whom are here with us today. The wisdom from his years in school and his exciting life are good starting points for a discussion that spans his school life, his travels, his career choices, and the challenges he faced as he built his livelihood. How timely this discussion is as we prepare for the upcoming grand Celebration of ACS Athens in November, the 2023 Gala in Athens, where two notable graduates will receive the ACS Athens Alumni Award for their achievements in their life and career and their continuous support to the school. Stay with us as Chris Snyder lays out his path in life, and listen to how many common points this path has with the path of this generation of high schoolers, as they listen to his story and try to outline their own goals after high school.

Our co-host today is Lydia Skampavia, from the office of Alumni Relations and the ACS Athens Global team, and an ACS Athens Alumna herself.

As every year, the inaugural episode of the season hosts the president of the school, who sets the tone for the year and outlines her vision. This will be the 5th year that Dr. Peggy Pelonis leads ACS Athens.

With Dr Pelonis, today we discuss:

• Moments from the past year that had an impact on the life of the students
• Students developing their personal leadership philosophy and observing leadership in action - The Summer Leadership Course
• The 2023 Gala: Developing the ACS Athens Global Alumni network and the celebration of the achievements of our community
• How do you draw out, develop from within - the meaning of the word Education
• Why academic excellence is not enough for success - the need for students to develop psychological muscle and resiliency
• Developing a purpose and internal locus of control through social engagement and community service
• A fundamental question to new students and their family: do you know who we are - The importance of the mission of the school
• Going to the next level and the significance of an evolving vision
• Leading an educational institution - the successes, the challenges and the personal growth

An accomplished leader with impressive experience in strategic planning, workplace practices that support and promote people from under-represented groups, and developing curriculum that prepares students for success in the global workspace, Robertson came to Widener in 2022 from SUNY Geneseo, where she was provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, and a professor of history.

With Dr. Robertson today, we discuss:

• Facing the key challenges of higher education as a new University President
• The documented loss of learning due to COVID
• Capitalizing on the skills gained from online learning to help students go forward in higher education
• The student Growth-mindset as a prerequisite for success at Widener University but also the willingness to take risks and fail
• Understanding and leveraging AI in higher education for the benefit of the students and faculty
• AND, Continuing the legacy of collaboration between ACS Athens and Widener University

Class of 2023 is the first group of students that began their high school journey during the first COVID lockdown in the 2019-2020 academic year. All of them must still remember their first online classes in 9th grade, and I am sure that the experience will also be with them throughout their lives. However, all of the students of the Class of 2023 we are talking with today feel that this experience was another life lesson: resiliency, understanding, self-reflection, and supporting each other. The graduates of 2023 are becoming the latest addition to the long and diverse body of the ACS Athens Global alumni, who prepare for their academic career in higher education, their business and entrepreneurial ventures, their trip to the world, and wherever this road leads them. The Owlcast welcomes two groups of graduates who talk about the realization that high school is over and the anticipation of what lies ahead.

From Ideas Worth Sharing, the motto of TED, came TED-Ed, a global network of over 650,000 teachers. TED-Ed has grown from an idea worth spreading into an award-winning education platform that serves millions of teachers and students worldwide every week.

Many schools worldwide, including ACS Athens, organise and inspire student participation in TED-Ed activities and competitions. ACS Athens has for many years encouraged innovation through personal inspiration and achievement. Students have chosen subjects that excite and inspire them, and this year was no different.

Today we have two of the students of this year’s TED-Ed club, who participated in presentations in Perugia, Italy, along with their advisors, Christina Rocha and Stavi Dimas. Today's discussion brings up the topics of their diverse talks, which explored AI in one presentation and Folk Music in the other, along with why they chose the topic that speaks to their passion.

With our TED-Ed'ers today, we discuss:

• The TED-ed Clubs of ACS Athens
• The value of presenting in front of an audience
• Choosing a topic to present that speaks to your passion
• The interactive process of providing feedback to the ideas that will evolve into a presentation
• Conditioning the use of AI tools in the classroom as an optimal constructive and creative way to learn
• Understanding the purpose of AI, starting with the early ages, and
• Folk music and its role in expressing social and political issues

Last year, we had our first opportunity to discuss with our guest today the impact of AI and science on education. Today, Dr Antonis Karampelas, Science and Technology faculty at ACS Athens, talks more in-depth about this topic, and we attempt to answer more profound questions. And the timeliness of this discussion is very telling of the speed at which things change. We had this talk earlier in 2023, and it became inevitable that we realise today how things have changed since that discussion.

Today, with Dr Karampelas, we discuss:

• AI and large language models, such as ChatGPT
• Predicting rather than constructing content
• The Importance of AI in Science and Technology Curriculum
• How to use AI without giving up our thinking skills
• The possible faulty effect of AI due to cultural and social biases and the human factor
• and much more...

Much of today's school practices originate in the Victorian era classroom, and many of the mentalities are deeply ingrained in many schools of the Western world. Mentalities include memorization and recitation, rigid curriculum, standardization, and limited access to accommodations for learning or other differences. These mentalities can make innovation very hard to foster and implement, while switching to new models is particularly cumbersome.

On March 2023, ACS Athens hosted the International Conference on Inclusion organized by the Educational Collaborative for International Schools. One of the keynotes at the conference was Daniel Sobel, the founder and lead consultant for Inclusion Expert - a training and support company working in education. With a background in educational psychology, psychotherapy and as an assistant headteacher, he has experience across the whole spectrum of inclusion. His presentation at the Theater of ACS Athens touched many sensitive chords as he talked to peer educators as much about the topic of his expertise as also about his own experience through the education system.

With Daniel Sobel today, we discuss:

• The inherent problems of the summative assessment mentality in education, which evaluates student learning, knowledge, proficiency, or success at the conclusion of an instructional period;
• The sense of failure teachers and students experience by the lack of training on inclusion;
• Creating a culture that values diversity;
• The evolving idea of inclusion;
• The difference between being trustworthy but conservative vs. being wacky and innovative;
• The best way to reach inclusive practices in the classroom that encourages engagement and participation;
• And much more...

The first-panel discussion delved into the skills needed in an AI-driven professional environment from various perspectives. Today in the Owlcast, we are talking to Alkistis Kyriakopoulou, a panelist representing the shipping industry. A young and driven engineer with a degree from the University of Cambridge, Alkistis is the Chief of Staff at Deep Sea Technologies, a leading AI company in Shipping. Her unique perspective at the panel discussion last March, along with her expertise in AI tools, brought many interesting points to the forefront. With Alkistis Kyriakopoulou today we discuss:

• The problem-solving skills and mindset needed to be successful in the shipping industry
• the need for role models to encourage women to get into engineering
• The challenge of reskilling and adaptability as AI emerges in the business world
• The transparency and accessibility to the core of operations that can be provided by AI
• Using case study-type interviews and exercises when hiring to determine the ability of new employees to learn
• The right questions to ask when deciding on a career path, and the role of internships - and
• The need for learning to unlearn vs the cumulative process of learning

 Parents have always been a tremendous pool of talent and knowledge, as they come from all walks of life, nationalities and career paths. Today's Parent edition of the Owlcast hosts one of our parents, Constantin Tzembelicos, an engaged and creative entrepreneur in several industry sectors, including the aviation industry, finance, retail fashion, beverage, and real estate. He is running several start-up companies of his own but continues to be in executive positions within his decades-long career in the aviation industry. Mr Tzembelicos graduated as a Mechanical Engineer in Toronto, Canada, and applied his technical engineering skills as an aerodynamicist, stress engineer, and structural repair engineer before moving into the airline industry. Constantin is now the founder of several new startup companies in fashion accessories and jewellery designing, and beverage manufacturing, and most recently he heads a startup incubator. He also maintains organic roles in firms related to investment advisory, aerospace representation and business aviation consultancy.

With Constantin Tzembelicos, today we discuss:

• All about opportunities - a point of view coming from an entrepreneur

• Managing the project by seeking the talent instead of being the talent

• The art of empowering the members of your team and the dangers of micromanaging

• The boring and the exciting things that make you find your passion

• Learning how to learn at the university

• Seeking knowledge by doing the hard staff 

• Education as an experience that offers a toolkit for life

• The inflection point of the AI emergence

• Appetite to learn, an important asset in the job marketplace

• The need for talented people willing to unlearn and be trained -- and,

• The Elysian project - A business incubator with a flair to innovate inspire and create

Multiple participations to MUN competitions offer unique experiences to the students, some of which are exposed to the issues of discussion and debate for the first time. As they all agree, participation in the MUN teams is a valuable experience as it provides an opportunity to develop essential skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, research, and negotiation. By researching and debating complex global issues, students can gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and become more informed and engaged global citizens.

The group's advisor in this episode is Angela Chamosfakidi, Social Studies Faculty in the Academy. So let's see what the second group of students have to say about:

• Joining MUN to travel, to learn the country of your ancestry, or just for the fun of the dress code
• Understanding the true nature of the United Nations and the difficulty of reaching a consensus
• The political and diplomatic workings needed to pass a resolution
• The bias factor of every side
• Lessons learned from being an advocate of an issue
• Getting over the fear of growing up and becoming confident from making mistakes - And,
• The value of being open-minded and a good listener

ACS Athens encourages students to participate in  MUN teams who participate in competitions around the country and the world. Admittedly by students and faculty advisors, it is a valuable experience as it provides an opportunity to develop important skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, research, and negotiation. By researching and debating complex global issues, students can gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and become more informed and engaged global citizens. Confidence, leadership skills, and new friendships are the main benefits. Of course, it's a great addition to a college application, as it demonstrates a student's interest in global issues and their ability to engage in meaningful debate and discussion.

So what is the common link between Kazakhstan, Angola, Amnesty International,  Sudan and Mauritius? In this first episode of a 2-part series on MUN, we are talking to 4 academy students and their advisor, Academy Vice Principal Evelyn Pittas, about their participation in MUN.

Let's see what the students had to say about:

• baseline knowledge of a country, and going in-depth on the issues of concern
• Doing research on issues and non-issues for a country
• Preparing for the experience of debate, presenting, and researching through regular school material
• Getting to know a country through being an advocate for its issues of concern
• The value of supporting views that go against one's own
• How being a good listener makes someone a good advocate
• Reflecting on why someone would join the MUN

At ACS Athens, one of the ways we promote inclusivity is through the Optimal Learning Program. The philosophy of a learning support program is not unique among American schools but the OLP has evolved into a hotbed of innovation in learning methodologies, collaborations, and research, that ultimately prepare students to become independent of the services and maximize learning outcomes by capitalizing on their individual needs, interests, and abilities.

Today's guest has been an ACS Athens educator and special education expert for 18 years and heads the program that offers the teaching and learning tools and methodologies that enable all students to learn.
Sarah Kaldelli is the Optimal Learning Program Coordinator, an advocate of inclusivity and child safety, continuing a long tradition of supporting students at their own pace and in their own way.

With Sarah Kaldelli, today we discuss:

1. Educational Tourism and empathy for international students;
2. Early Childhood and Elementary Education: blurring the borders;
3. What is Optimal Learning;
4. The use of AI tech tools in special ed;
5. Psychoeducational testing, IEP's, and other customizations in student learning;
6. The inclusion model in Education - expanding the frontiers and the intentional deviation from the norms,
   and;
7. From under-diagnosing to compensating for learning differences.

Happiness is the topic he has been exploring for many years, through books, TED talks, presentations, webinars, seminars and classes. His visit this year to our campus included a talk about Happiness with our students and faculty in the Theater.

Today's extraordinary - in content and length - Owlcast is co-hosted by President Pelonis, who as a psychologist and psychotherapist herself provides interesting perspectives in our discussion.

With Dr. Pelonis and Dr. Zillmer, today we discuss:

• Compassion and gratitude - the appropriate and fitting sentiments everyone should feel grappling with disasters
• Studying happiness through the moments of grief and mourning
• When global is fashionable - The Advantage of disadvantage of being foreign
• The Value of international diversity
• Giving is getting - Building the resilience
• The role of the conscientious leader - how personal happiness plays a role in leading an organization
• Plan B's, understanding the why's, the Roman God Janus and other new year resolutions

With Dr. Grigoropoulou, today we discuss:  

• Why someone with love of the language choose to teach it as a second one

• Teaching language to someone who faces much bigger challenges than learning English

• Trust, as the key to learning

• Approaching and convincing parents who are apprehensive about the idea of learning in a different language

• Thinking or dreaming in English as a sign of language proficiency

• The role of the environment in helping students open up to learning

• Lesson planning on the spot: The effective spontaneity of learning

• AND Utilising AI in the classroom: The benefits for the language learners

With Jori Krulder today, we discuss:

• The idea of safety and the need for students to feel emotionally and physically safe to learn;
• The effect of COVID on the learning process of children;
• How can teacher's understanding of social-emotional learning help students overcome the effects of a crisis;
• The role of teachers as they connect with students even outside their subject matter;
• Motivating students by tapping into their emotions;
• Being intentional and explicit when teaching in a socially emotional way;
• Teaching Poetry - outside your interpretation;
• and, When students take the lead in learning, every day is an experiment where there’s no failure.

Tim Ananiadis was born and raised in Greece and studied Business Administration at Ryerson University in Toronto. He moved to the US, where he started his career in the hospitality industry. As General Manager, he held positions in the USA at the Hyatt Regency in Pittsburgh, Coral Gables and Miami. In 1999 he joined Hyatt International as the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki in Greece and the Grand Hyatt Mumbai. In 2003 he joined Starwood Hotels and Resorts, returning to Greece as General Manager/ Managing Director of the Hotel Grande Bretagne until 2020. From 2006 until 2017, he was Area Manager for Greece, Turkey, Cyprus & the Balkans, overseeing the Starwood-affiliated hotels. Currently, he divides his activities between the U.S. and Greece.

Tim Ananiadis has been a member of the Board of Trustees of ACS Athens since almost his arrival to the school, and last year he was elected as the Chairman of the Board.

Mr Ananiadis talked to us from his home in Florida. Here's some of the things we discuss with him:

• The process of transitioning between international schools
• The evolution of ACS Athens in the last 20 years
• The role of in-school support in the learning process of students as they develop academically and socially
• The role of parents in the school life
• How a school community is shaped by the more or less transient nature of its families
• Evolving by looking more towards the future than in the past
• The inspiration and significance of the position of the Chairman of the Board
• AI and the future of education, from the governance perspective

Another interesting topic we attempt to tackle is the merit and importance of Language Arts, especially when students cultivate conscious citizenship through learning the language. Bobby Zervas is also very involved with the student council and discusses the politics and leadership issues facing students that attempt to become leaders, all at the same time when the entire school focuses on meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

With Mark Wolper, today we discuss:

• Returning to the school where your favorite memories are when you got in trouble;
• The difference between American and international schools;
• Embracing, not fearing, the new trends in media production;
• Getting students excited about AI in creative sciences;
• The importance of integration of general education with Media literacy;
• The competitive nature of show business.

...and much more!

• Offering opportunities to work on student behavior - a big incentive for someone to join a school
• The tutoring school mentality and how it can be avoided
• The learning opportunities of consequences for mistakes students make towards character education
• Receiving the Areté Award for environmental activities
• The recycling program of ACS ATHENS - its mission and vision and how it affects the life on campus
• ...and much more!
  

Each year, ACS Athens Middle School celebrates UN DAY, giving more significance to its multinational identity and global character. With students from more than 60 countries, the school is a hotbed of continuous dialogue and thoughtful debate on all issues of academic, cultural and historical significance that are presented through its programs. This year is another opportunity for students, faculty and administration to reflect on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which are adopted schoolwide by encouraging everyone to actively support one or more of these goals, individually and collectively.

Today with us is a group of Middle School student leaders who reflect on this year’s UN DAY that was marked this past November. They discuss the UN Day’s activities, the lessons from this day and their individual and collective conclusions. With their Advisor, Vicky Akrivou, students discuss:

• Nourishing Peace - this year’s UN DAY theme, as observed through the eyes of Middle Schoolers;
• From small-level actions to the larger scale - Identifying the needs of the world and actions to meet them;
• Student Challenging advisors on UN Sustainable Development Goals;
• The digital escape room challenge - learning serious concepts in a fun Way;
• Finding solutions by looking at the negative side of things;
• Focusing on solutions within social studies topics;
• What’s an SDG elevator speech; students choose their favorite Goal;
• The lifeline or Milestone of 2030;
• Thinking Globally but Acting Locally.

Today we talk with Hercules Lianos, Academy Teacher of Media Literacy. Stay with us as we discuss:

• Reflecting on today’s complicated media landscape
• The lack of trust in the news of young people and their resulting cynicism
• Discussion and debate in the classroom about the news
• What does it mean to be media literate today?
• Objectivity and purpose of reporting the news
• Targetting a specific news audience - the Fox News example
• The effect of opinion leaders in the impact of information flow

Sports have always been Babis Mamas' passion, and alongside working and studying, he competed at the U18 and U21 Greek Track & Field team for Long and Triple Jump, and at a later age, he was introduced to Volleyball. Volleyball also became a career as he coached professionally at teams in Athens (Panathinaikos, Panionios) and later in the UK. This year, Mr. Mamas is the Assistant Director of Athletics of ACS Athens, with additional responsibilities in student life.

Today with Babis Mamas, we discuss:

• Experiencing athletics through different school systems
• The value of competition in character building and in someone’s learning journey
• Growing by getting out of the comfort zone
• The business management side of sports management
• Sports management as a career choice
• ...and much more!

12 years ago, the community of ACS Athens initiated the annual Areté Awards in order to recognize students, faculty and parents who promote Civic Responsibility through Conscious Citizenship, aiming to improve life and living on the planet. As a community that comes together to address the needs of others, we strive to promote civic responsibility and to model it for our students. And since Areté in English means virtue, our community members are always challenged to uphold a particular moral excellence, showing high ethical standards in their own life, the life of their family and their entire community.

In the second part, today, Amalia Zavacopoulou speaks with the parent recipient of the 2022 Areté Award for Civic Responsibility, Debbie Richards Perakis, also a member of the ACS Athens PTO, and with the Faculty Recipient of the Award, Antigoni Karnesioti Simantira.

Every year individuals are nominated for their “activities or deeds” that meet the Areté Award Criteria, which include evidences for embodying the spirit of areté and civic responsibility, demonstrating extraordinary initiative to serve others, modeling service at ACS Athens and/or in the local community, inspiring others to become involved and striving socially and ethically as healthy, responsible members of the community.

Amalia Zavacopoulou, member of the Areté Awards Committee and Division chair for social Studies at ACS Athens, spoke to the 2022 Arete Award Recipients for civic responsibility.

In this week's first part of the Areté Awards Owlcast, Ms. Zavacopoulou talks with the three student recipients.

Over 100 educators from schools around the world learned how the ACS Athens model of a student-to-student approach to learning could be applied to a variety of contexts and classes, and the response was one of overwhelming enthusiasm, leaving many with ideas of how to start similar programs or practices at their schools. Both Ms. Tokatlidou and Mr. McGowan have talked about the excitement of their discussions, the new relationships that were created, and the new ideas acquired that can enhance the education of our students.

In today's Owlcast, we discuss

• The obvious and necessary need for differentiation used at the Youth-to-Youth program
• How can one school’s initiative serve as a springboard for others to develop experiential learning
• The transformation of students when they act as teachers
• The youth-to-youth program as a model of supporting underprivileged youth
• And much more!

Today, our guest is Dr. Stephen Soanes, Student Recruitment Officer of Warwick University. Representing one of the top 10 ranked UK schools, Dr. Soanes talks about why students choose to study at Warwick U. in field like Business Management, Economics, and Media, Film and Creative Writing.  He holds a BA, a Master and a Ph.D. in History from Warwick University, and he has represented the school since 2014. With Dr. Soanes today we discuss:

• Representing a university that is not set in stone… quite literally - making it easier to create new spaces
• Dissecting the university rankings with a forensic eye
• Hosting the largest student-led economic summit in Europe
• Studying in a university with open options
• Getting involved in undergraduate research
• Going above and beyond: it’s When you know that a student is a perfect candidate for the university
• Getting involved with student life, clubs, and sports
• The importance of taking the initiative to seek support as a freshman
• Offering 250 scholarships for EU students: the positive side effect of Brexit  
• Dr. Soanes’ 2 pieces of advice to hopeful applicants

Useful Links: 

https://warwick.ac.uk/ 

https://russellgroup.ac.uk/about/our-universities/ 

https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/iatl/reinvention/

https://www.warwickeconomicssummit.com/

Today we’re talking with Ms. Sophia Thanopoulou,  Drama Faculty of our Academy, and Dr. Evangelos Syropoulos,  English Language Faculty in the Academy and Division Chair of Language and Literature of ACS Athens.     

With Dr. Syropoulos and Ms. Thanopoulou today, we discuss:

• Oedipus and AI: exploring the limits and dangers of knowledge;
• Theater and the civic experience in the context of the community of the time;
• Revisiting the Ancient Greek way of thinking as a shield against modern existential threats;
• The impact on the students of having to co-create an Ancient Greek theater production;
• Conscious Citizenship through theater;
• The difference between trans-humanism and post-humanism;
• The Socratic seminar way of creating knowledge through free and open discussion.

She has offered her services voluntarily to the Youth to Youth Program at ACS Athens. She has also presented a workshop on mindfulness strategies to use in the physical education classroom at the ECIS Physical Education Conference in Barcelona.

With Efi Karatopouzi today we discuss:

• Spreading the seeds of Wellness in the children
• Physical education as a unifying force among international students
• Approaching students in the spectrum through Physical Education
• Controlling emotions as a goal of cognitive therapy based on mindfulness
• PE during the COVID years
• Using Wellness keys to unlock a better life
• The creativity needed to do meaningful PE online
• Playing the search and rescue game as a way to increase involvement in the school’s vision

Jan has been Chair of the Council of Europe’s Disciplinary Board since 2015 and acts as the Council of Europe Internet Governance Coordinator since 2018.

Onalytica, a marketing software platform, in July 2019 included Jan among the Top 100 influencers on the regulation of new technologies.

Let's listen to what Adrianos Botsios and Jan Kleijssen talk about:

• The need for AI regulation in the EU
• The impact of utilising AI in the judicial system
• When AI gets it wrong, lives can be lost : the Dutch welfare case
• The importance of competent human oversight
• Why the new Committee on Artificial Intelligence of the Council of Europe s so important
• The opportunities and dangers of life in the Metaverse
• The role of education as a key to the responsible use of AI

• The creativity and freedom to pursue your own interests as a tool to grow;
• Trying to escape the traditional stodgy way of entering college through project-based learning;
• IB extended essay as preparation for the college essay material;
• The importance of keeping an open itinerary for activities outside assignments during school;
• Keeping an open mind towards careers, even when already in college;
• Not just study hard - Study Smart and The importance of keeping a balance between study and social life;
• Reflecting on the War in Ukraine, seeking a glimpse of optimism and the need for young people to step up in their respective fields;
• Navigating the difficult landscape as the Secretary for External Affairs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

In the new season of the Owlcast, we will bring to you more faculty and student stories from the Life @ ACS Athens, but also stories from Colleges visiting our campus every year, parent stories, and much more!

We kick off this year’s Owlcast with the President of ACS Athens, Dr. Peggy Pelonis, who steers the school through the post-COVID era, that is full of the teachings of online learning, community building and meaningful engagement benefitting everyone  

With Dr. Pelonis, we discuss:

• this year’s vision for the school
• her Friday reflection note to the community
• how can a 2nd grader be inspired to be a Conscious Global Citizen
• and of course, who is the Hero in the story of ACS Athens

The Graduating Class of 2022 is by now a part of the ACS Athens annals, an integral page of the school's 77 year-long proud history in American and international education. Each year, students and their teachers, parents and extended family, along with the entire community of ACS Athens celebrate not just the completion of a circle that for some is as long as 14 years, for others maybe one or two years, but also to signify the landmark in the life of so many adolescents breaking through to adulthood as they enter college life, and are able for the first time to provide advice to their younger peers, as until today they were on the receiving end of that advice.

In a 3-part series about the Class of 2022, we are talking to 7 unique individuals, 7 graduates with remarkably different backgrounds, different school experiences and plans for the future. Unique personalities and approaches to life are evident through this candid, unscripted discussion.

In part 1 of the series, here's Daphne and Yi-Rui, who joined the school at different ages and with different expectations.

The Graduating Class of 2022 is by now a part of the ACS Athens annals, an integral page of the school's 77 year-long proud history in American and international education. Each year, students and their teachers, parents and extended family, along with the entire community of ACS Athens celebrate not just the completion of a circle that for some is as long as 14 years, for others maybe one or two years, but also to signify the landmark in the life of so many adolescents breaking through to adulthood as they enter college life, and are able for the first time to provide advice to their younger peers, as until today they were on the receiving end of that advice.

In a 3-part series about the Class of 2022, we are talking to 7 unique individuals, 7 graduates with remarkably different backgrounds, different school experiences and plans for the future. Unique personalities and approaches to life are evident through this candid, unscripted discussion.

This is the 2nd part of a 3-part series about the Class of 2022, as we are talking to 7 recent graduates of ACS Athens, who through their different backgrounds, and experiences reveal their unique perspective to their life as they join the Alumni community of the school.

In part 2 of the series, we welcome Emilynn and Ali.

The Graduating Class of 2022 is by now a part of the ACS Athens annals, an integral page of the school's 77 year-long proud history in American and international education. Each year, students and their teachers, parents and extended family, along with the entire community of ACS Athens celebrate not just the completion of a circle that for some is as long as 14 years, for others maybe one or two years, but also to signify the landmark in the life of so many adolescents breaking through to adulthood as they enter college life, and are able for the first time to provide advice to their younger peers, as until today they were on the receiving end of that advice.

In a 3-part series about the Class of 2022, we are talking to 7 unique individuals, 7 graduates with remarkably different backgrounds, different school experiences and plans for the future. Unique personalities and approaches to life are evident through this candid, unscripted discussion.

This is the 3rd and final part of our series on the Class of 2022, as we are talking to 7 recent graduates of ACS Athens. All graduates represent the power of ethnic and cultural diversity that is evident throughout the school, and how, through their different backgrounds, and experiences, these ACS Athens graduates have developed a a unique perspective and way of thinking as the move towards College life.  

In part 3 of the series, we have with us Ann-Marie, Tomasso and William

TOK students of the International Baccalaureate Diploma program must consider them and attempt to answer through their work. These are questions that philosophers are pondering for centuries, with every era giving different answers. We are talking about higher level thinking. And what a better way to learn than to understand and create knowledge from thinking about what is knowledge.

IB students of ACS Athens gathered this year to present their TOK question and their findings at their annual exhibition of Theory of Knowledge that was held at the Theatre lobby. We were there to see and hear from some of them.

11th grader James Lane is our guest today.

With James today we discuss:

• What happens when Art runs in the family;
• Expressing the metamorphosis from destruction to resurrection;
• Making art while being a full-time student;
• From coolness to an existential need;
• Being bestowed or endowed with a talent for art;
• Getting opportunities to explore Art through the school art program.

Today with Mr. Nelson we discuss:

• Academy Prom 2022 - Seeing students with their masks off for the first time in 2 years
• Creating engagement by Creating experiences for students
• Creating a community by connecting students to their own community
• More important than grades: finding a way to make a difference
• The need for teachers to constantly reinvent themselves and innovate within
• The case of the Combo Class as team taught course
• When the learning lingers
• What is The Truman Trial
• Collaborative Learning Communities and Professional Development

AND

• The final advice of the Principal to the Class of 2022

With Sophia Soseilos today we discuss:

• Confidence, imagination and patience - some of the life skills of Art education
• Navigating through this year’s mixed level K-12 arts exhibition
• The always incredible IB Art Exhibit
• Preparing the Portfolio in IB Art
• The importance of continuity in Art in K-12 education
• Making a life through art
• The wonder of immersive art
• Getting inspiration from everywhere
• Being analog in TV stage design

Students of the ACS Athens Middle School are being actively engaged by educating themselves on these abusive behaviors, by embracing each other and are encouraged to trust their peers and community in order to express their fears and insecurities. Adolescents are particularly prone to be victims or perpetrators of bullying, as they start their teenage years, exploring their personalities and forming groups of peers that reinforce - or shutter - their view of the world drawn by their families.

A remarkable group of middle schoolers participate every year in the Honor Code Club, taking initiatives to explore, support and facilitate the dialogue on the issues that matter to their peers. Issues that include cyberbullying.

Today with us is a group of such students, who are willing to talk about this sensitive issue and how they affect us. Brave testimonies of bullying as they experience it, bring this issue closer to home. Ms. Venie Gaki, English language instructor to students of other languages, is the Advisor of the Middle School Honor Code Club.

We have with us today the Principal of the Elementary School, Sophia Moros, who has been the driving force behind the transformation of the Elementary School of the past few years. In September her role changes, which she explains herself in our conversation.

With Sophia Moros, today we discuss:

• The Sights and sounds of an Early Childhood classroom

• The critical elements for children 3-7 years of age

• Identifying the critical skills needed by the students at different grade levels

• Transitioning from a state-side public school district to an international school abroad.

• Teaching with the potential in mind, not aptitude for a test

• The value of Reading - on a graduate level degree

• Leading the growing development of the Early Childhood program as it opens the gate to the Elementary School

• Innovation, adaptability and agility, - the effects of COVID in the Elementary school

• Celebrating the opening of the Early Childhood Playground. Sparking the imagination in the unstructured play time

To most of us, artificial intelligence is expressed through a robot-like object, that is programmed to perform certain tasks. To Adrianos Botsios, a 9th grader who in his spare time he designs humanoids and ponders on AI ethics, artificial intelligence is the future, but with a strict asterisk: it has to serve the common good and that can only happen if it is programmed ethically by us, humans.

With Adrianos Botsios today we discuss:

• Exploring the water cycle and understanding sustainability at a young age
• The Green Team of 3rd Grade
• The fourth Industrial Revolution and Artificial Intelligence
• Recognizing the use of AI in daily lives
• The AI Lab at ACS Athens, applying the theory
• Reimagining learning through artificial intelligence
• Our new friend, Niki
• The question of reaching Super Intelligence, and
• Ethical Considerations about the use of AI

Today's episode of the Owlcast is all about Music. Anna Mancl, Middle School and Academy Music Teacher, came to ACS Athens a year and a half ago, with her suitcases and her cello. A classically trained musician, she talks to us about her journey in life and through music.

With Ms. Mancl, today we discuss:

• Being the pioneer of the family in pursuing a music career
• Improvising at a young age and regulating emotions through music
• Tough choices - piano, cello, or voice?
• Transferring skills as a musician to those of a music teacher
• Motivating music students that believe they’re not talented enough
• Students discovering they can make music

Today with us is Dr. Maria Avgerinou, e-Learning consultant and one of the Managing Editors of the International Schools Journal, a publication of ACS Athens. With an academic career in online teaching and learning and a passion for Visual Literacy, Dr. Avgerinou has been a keystone in the long path of the school towards e-learning innovation.

With Dr. Avgerinou, today we discuss:  

• Online Teaching and Learning as necessary skills for someone starting a career in academia

• The practical and pedagogical reasons of the shift to online learning in K-12 education

• Being prepared to face online learning in higher education - the challenges and skills needed

• The trailblazers, the movers, and the settlers of the path to online learning

• The false assumption that blended learning has to do mostly with technology than pedagogy

• Students reacting to online teaching

• Being an online native user vs. an online learner

• The importance of time management in online learning

• Bridging K-12 with Higher Education - The i²Flex blended learning reference books

• How action research transforms the teaching and learning culture of a school

• Publishing the International Schools Journal

• A passion for visual literacy ... and architecture

With Dr. Crain, today we discuss:

• A strong background in communication as a tool to connect in academia
• How a song and dance skit can warm up the whole community to you as the new principal
• The multiple challenges of shifting age-groups in the middle of the pandemic
• Are adolescents everywhere pretty much the same?
• From covering the Beat in a media outlet to controlling the Beat in a school
• Media Literacy, Social Media and the youth in times of excessive yellow
• The fine line between guidance and restriction, when it comes to protecting children online
• Evaluation through empowering as a growth process, when it comes to the professional development of employees

In order for a school to provide such a non-traditional, outside-the-beaten path education experience, it needs to introduce new mentalities, especially at the Elementary school level. Teachers must be open to new mindsets and skill sets that are required to engage and inspire children that mature faster and faster.

With us today is Pinelopi Dimitroula, a 5th-grade teacher, who engages in the discussion of what this experience is currently in the ACS Athens Elementary. With an MBA degree from Pace University and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities from Touro University, New York, Ms. Dimitroula has a wide perspective on what Education should be about.

With Ms. Dimitroula, today we discuss:

• The increasing level of Student's maturity in the Elementary School
• Supporting the mental and socio-emotional state of children during learning in difficult times
• The transition to Middle School and a new reality
• Meeting students where they are at.... the true meaning of differentiation
• Helping students get rid of the "stigma" of accommodations
• Exposing children to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Involving faculty in Artificial Intelligence and Conscious Citizenship initiatives
• The future of education and the consideration of human interaction

This year, Mark McGowan joined ACS Athens as its new IB/AP Programs director. This is not his first time in Athens - he has served at another Athenian school before, but as most international educators, he has traveled around the world in the international school circuit, building expertise and global academic perspectives. He has held various leadership positions, including ToK Coordinator and Head of English at the International School of Brussels, and BTEC Coordinator at the JESS school in Dubai. In 2019, he obtained a Certificate of International School Leadership from the Principal’s Training Center in London. An avid reader, sports fan, and supporter of the arts, Mr. McGowan also enjoys traveling, swimming, cycling, and spending time with his family.

With Mark McGowan, we discuss:

• Creative writing while living in Greece
• The International Baccalaureate as an academic option and not as the only choice
• The IB as the door to high-level thinking and better college placement
• Is the current system of preparing students for college optimal and what is the alternative
• What is the value of certain keystone courses, like the Theory of Knowledge
• Connecting the dots of knowledge by engaging in provocative topics of discussion
• Preparing students to enjoy life, to think and feel
• The IB as a bridge between school systems
• The global discussion about the future of education and the trend towards project-based learning

Late last year, Dr. Photini Pazartzis, honored the community with her presence in order to speak to Middle School and Academy students about the United Nations and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Pazartzis is a Professor of International Law at the University of Athens and the Chair of the UN Human Rights Committee. She spoke about the foundation treaty of the UN, the three pillars, and specifically the Human Rights Committee in which she has been unanimously elected as Chair. Students were able to understand how the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are linked to the three pillars.

“How long have you worked in the UN?” “What made you want to work in the UN?”, “How can one begin to work in the UN?” were some of the questions that middle school students had the opportunity to ask Dr. Pazartzis, who told students that "ACS Athens is a small United Nations.”

“You are very lucky to be in this school," she said, "you have people from all over the world that are your friends and will remain your friends.”

With Dr. Photini Pazartzis today we discuss:

• From International Law to Human Rights: how does someone with academic credentials transition to civic leadership
• Human Rights as part of the relations between states
• How the response to the COVID pandemic affected the human rights of individuals
• Getting inspiration from the school environment for a future career
• Being optimistic about meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and cultivating conscious children around the issue
• Teaching a lesson by being a lesson

Welcome to today's episode of the Owlcast. We have with us Helen Seretis and Michael Januzzi who are in charge of the Writing Studio in the Learning Commons of ACS Athens. The Writing Studio is just one of the services available for students, along with the Math, Research and Media Studios in the Learning Commons, which sole purpose is to enhance the learning experience of the students, by providing support, guidance and necessary resources as the school community takes learning to the next level. Today with Ms. Seretis and Mr. Januzzi we discuss:

• The therapy couch of the writing studio
• Meta-strategies around writing and creative approaches
• The bad thoughts bunny, and why it's full
• Reaching out to the students
• How to motivate higher learners
• Handling over 2000 projects and assignments per semester
• Supporting students while setting boundaries
• Using creative writing as a way to express personal frustrations
• Using personal interests in order to learn a foreign language
• How to gamify EFL Language support
• Writing college essays in a personal and unique way - the case of the celery crunch
• Using hardship to grow, and
• The Capstone project: bringing the classroom into the real world

How does an optician, from adjusting frames ends up adjusting brains?

Why it's important to have a balanced literacy classroom?

The answers to these profound questions we attempt to find today with Sophia Tsinakis, Literacy Coordinator at ACS Athens. A native of Houston, Texas, Ms. Tsinakis holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology - with a minor in Art Therapy - from Lesley University in Cambridge Massachusetts. She has earned a Master's in Elementary Education and a K-12 English Language Learners endorsement at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.

While teaching in Nashville, Tenessee, she was a finalist for the Teacher of the Year, recognized as a Literacy Leader by the District Director of Literacy, was interviewed and observed by the National Public Radio program, Mind/Shift, and one of her guided reading lessons was filmed by the district as an example of exemplary reading instruction.

Sophia Tsinakis arrived at ACS Athens in 2018 and transitioned in her capacity as Literacy Coordinator in 2020, through which she facilitates the development of an ongoing collaborative literacy learning culture that aligns reading & writing curriculums.

With Ms. Tsinakis, today we discuss:

• The vision of Literacy in the Elementary School of the late Steve Medeiros
• Growing into innovation through professional development
• Building a balanced literacy classroom
• Being a mentor, collaborator and coach at the same time
• Life in the digital realm and how it affects learning
• The emerging trends in literacy: Teaching Poetry and Use of Graphic Novels
• Reading critically and making sense of online content
• Sustainable development goals and Literacy
• Balance in a teacher's personal life and how that affects teaching

The Dalai Lama has offered this call for peace and healing a few years ago, before the latest refugee crisis took hold of much of Europe but involves much of Asia, Africa, and Central America, the so-called developing world. In general, the Western developed world has been part of both the problem and the solution, in ways that are both frustrating but also hopeful. Hope is what the Home Project is investing in its effort to provide shelter, education, and integration opportunities to unaccompanied refugee minors, while at the same it is fighting intolerance, xenophobia, and racism. The HOME Project was founded in response to the call made by President Obama to the private sector to help in addressing the refugee crisis in 2016. Their mission is to help refugee children to safety and security, to overcome the trauma of violence and loss, to motivate reintegration and healing and empower new beginnings.

ACS Athens, through its effort to assist in this cause, has started the Youth-to-Youth educational and integration program in 2017, in collaboration with the Home Project. The program fosters meaningful educational experiences and promotes social integration addressing the educational and social needs of unaccompanied minors in Athens through a student-to-student partnership learning model. Volunteer students and teachers of the school provide the necessary environment for the young refugees so that they re-engage in a social and educational way, in a setting that allows friendships to grow, knowledge to be cultivated and personalities to heal.

With us today is Sofia Kouvelaki, Chief Executive Officer of The HOME Project. A young and energetic leader in a highly humanitarian cause, Ms. Kouvelaki represents what every young person should be striving to achieve: empathy, specialized but ethical knowledge, global mindset and dedication to a noble cause.

With Sofia Kouvelaki today we discuss:

• How university studies can steer someone towards humanitarian work
• The impact of working with refugees during the crisis in Greece
• Receiving a new unaccompanied child at the Home Project
• Why social integration is so important
• Providing shelter while preparing the next steps towards autonomy
• The asylum process labyrinth
• Showing, not telling, as a way to grow empathy to the local community
• The danger of talking about the weaponization of the refugee issue
• The Youth-To-Youth program, a collaboration between ACS Athens and the Home Project, as a model for breaking stereotypes and combat xenophobia

The values served by the school have been closely related to this inclusion for many many years. Since the early eighties, our guest today has offered her services to the cause of inclusion, the right to learn of every child, and assisting students with learning differences at a fundamental level.

Christianna Perakis Evloyas or Ms. Perakis as everyone has called her all these years before she retired in 2019, has left her mark not only to her students, who left the school to become successful members of society, but also to the way of thinking of every teacher and the entire educational philosophy of ACS Athens. Chris Perakis continues to be involved through our Diagnostic Learning Center, advising those who assess and evaluate students, not whether they can learn, but how they can learn in a better, more meaningful, and impactful way for their lives.

With Chris Perakis, we discuss:

• What is learning inclusion

• Learning Differences: What's in a term

• Developing lifetime friendships with your students

• The taboo of admitting a learning difference for your child

• How did 9 annual conferences change the way a community sees differentiation

• Can someone with learning differences be successful in life

• The role of the shadow teacher, and

• Teaching and life-long learning

With Ms. Laitinen we discuss:

• How does Following the diplomat's path through the countries develop a greater sense of empathy
• Making the world your home
• The portability of a career in education as a traveling family
• The Growth mindset, or learning through your mistakes
• Feeling uncomfortable is the feeling of learning
• Growing along with the students you're teaching
• Early Childhood Education as the foundation for learning
• The importance of Getting to know the school before applying as a way to develop the necessary trust
• The realization of becoming an international-minded student

With Nick Karambelas, today we discuss:

• The changing profile of ACS Athens from an almost exclusively American school to a totally international school
• Fond memories with dear friends
• The role of the houses as an American school tradition
• Intellectual curiosity as a key quality transitioning to colleges
• Having an analytical mindset as a law professional
• His passion for history and archeology
• The role of the Greek American Omogeneia in shaping the American nation
• The 1821 revolutionary war of independence through the eyes of Omogeneia
• His view of ACS Athens as a member of the Board of Trustees

Ms. Gianneskis has an MBA degree from Southern New Hampshire University, with specialization in sports marketing. She is also a member of the Corporate Responsibility Committee of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.

With Ms. Gianneskis, we discuss:

• Having difficult conversations with your children while cultivating their empathy
• Trust as a family contract as children live through COVID
• Parents responsibility to Learn what their children already know
• Wearing two hats, when it comes to being involved in school governance
• Students not Hiding behind the musts, as they consider their future
• Following your true calling
• How to highlight your work ethic in an interview
• Taking a step back when deciding on graduate or post-grad studies; and
• What makes a good communicator

Dr. Joleta Galozzi, our new Middle School Principal arrived this year from Aurora, Colorado, and shares with us some of the insight she has gained so far having joined the ACS Athens international community of educators.

Today With Dr. Galozzi, we discuss:

• How can British literature inspire the desire to travel
• The learning curve of managing learning on a new school
• The job of a principal as a life calling
• Causing Shifts in culture and bringing positive impacts
• Teachable Moments
• Helping students help themselves

We are living in the age of inescapable if not compulsory technological literacy, where skills and competencies are required material to students, where the future is now. The Technology and Science curriculum, the STEM or STEAM blend of courses, and the frame of mind based on Artificial Intelligence, are the fundamentals of 21st-century education.

Dr. Antonis Karampelas is a member of the Science and Technology Faculty of the ACS Athens Academy. He is the Artificial Intelligence Framework Coordinator, working with faculty to holistically integrate AI into the school’s curriculum. Dr. Karampelas is a co-author of more than 60 published articles and research contributions in the fields of education and astrophysics.

Today we discuss:

• Science Fiction and the vagueness of the future
• Enjoying looking at the stars without a telescope
• Preparing to conduct science experiments in space
• Robotics and appeal of STEM to young people
• Heisenberg and the principle of uncertainty
• The importance of AI and the 4th industrial revolution
• The emergence of Superintelligence
• Getting inspired to become a science teacher

• The star over the head of each student
• Destined for greatness
• What's the difference between a buddy and a friend
• Being uncommitted or undecided for college
• Parental concerns or doubts about their children's guidance
• Dreams that become expectations
• Living and operating within the golden triangle

Carla Tanas, ACS Athens Alumna class of 1999, has returned to ACS Athens as the Dean of The Institute. A citizen of the world with deep intercultural understanding and international experience, she has lived in 3 continents, the United States, the Middle East, and Europe. She declares her passion to be innovation and ecosystem building. Carla Tanas is part of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, a TEDx advocate and organizer, as well as a member of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security - Private Sector Mechanism and Youth Council Advisory. And, now she's innovating through the Institute of ACS Athens.

Steve is an ACS Athens Alum, who along with his brothers, came through ACS Athens in the late '70s and early '80s. His family's journey brought him to school until he finished 8th grade before he moved back to the US. He stopped by the campus a few days ago to reminisce and trace his path on the memory lane of those years, after leaving Athens in the early '80s.

Dr. Elina Prodromidis and Ms. Angela Chamosfakidis, one Biology Teacher and one Psychology Teacher, that attempt to create bridges and intersections between their two fields. Today, we discuss:

• Biopsychological Synapses beyond the classroom (and what that means)
• Focusing less on Assessment and more on creativity
• Learning and Research on what we Learn
• Gaining critical thinking skills to accept knowledge but not taking it as granted
• Helping students realize why they learn what they learn
• Being aware of each student's needs
• Offering the IB diploma as an option and not as a requirement to graduate
• IB holistic learning on the way to college
• Theory of Knowledge - Another course or shift to another mentality about learning
• The i²Flex teaching and learning hybrid model and its impact on the pandemic response
• The takeaways from two years hooked on technology
• Unsure about your calling? Biology or Psychology? Join the Club!

Our discussion with Dr. Crivellaro starts with the library, but expands to topics such as Information vs. Knowledge, Critical Thinking skills of the reader and why it's important to know why you read what you read, we even invited his personal favorite authors for dinner. And yes, History is his favorite subject - who would have thought!

• Teaching English as a Second Language
• How to achieve English language immersion in less than 3 years
• The zoning out and the cultural shock that foreign language students go through
• Translanguaging as a method to connect with the student
• Content-based approach to English language acquisition
• What's the difference between communicative and academic English
• Helping students through the stress, frustration and depression of learning a new language
• The idea of feeling at home while learning and using English at school

• What ignites the passion for learning?
• Leading a dynamic organization during the pandemic years.
• Students and families coping with the challenges of COVID.
• The Resilience of an entire community
• And her WHY for what she does.