TMI Episcopal Panthercast

Episode 6: Padrecast 3, Writing Curriculum and Kairos Ministry

In Padrecast #3, Fr. Scott talks about the 18th Annual Alumni Modified Sporting Clay Shoot, highlighting the success of raising over $8,000 for the TMI Alumni Association Scholarship and thanking our event sponsors:

• Briones Engineering
• Don Elliott ‘63
• Wayo Canales ‘91 and Susanna Madrigal
• Ruben Calderon
• Dorado Development
• Drash Contracting, LTC
• Ernest Brown ‘80

We also talked about the Kairos Prison Ministry cookie-baking event that was led by Science Teacher Sherry Lim this past weekend. The Kairos ministry is a redemptive program that addresses the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women, youth, and their families. Their program is a redemptive one that incorporates curriculum designed to build and encourage pro-social character and behavior. Learn more at www.kairostexas.org

We then focused on some academic happenings in the Middle School, starting with the new writing curriculum–The Lucy Calkins Units of Study. This is a workshop curriculum focused in argument, information, and narrative writing and has been the leading writing curriculum for the last 30 years.

Darci Tucker will also be visiting the 7th and 8th grade classes on September 28; parents are also invited to attend the programs (details below) she’ll be presenting that day. Darci Tucker is a storyteller who is nationally known for her portrayals of women from American history and performs in schools and at festivals around the nation.

• September 28, 2018 (presentations will be in All Saints Chapel):
  8:00am–Darci Tucker will be present her original, one-woman play "Revolutionary Women" about the Revolutionary War for all 8th-grade students and parents.
  12:15pm–Darci will present "Jane Long, Mother of Texas" for all 7th-grade students and parents.

All parents are invited to the first general meeting of the Family Association:

• September 18, 2018
  8:30am at the Pryor House (Fr. Scott’s house on campus)

Parents are also invited to the second annual Headmaster’s Social:

• September 26, 2018
  6pm-8pm at The Dominion Clubhouse
  RSVP at www.tmi-sa.org/social

As we wrap this episode up, Fr. Scott shares his highlight moment of the last couple weeks, some words of wisdom, and also shares with us how he was called to ministry. We’ll start introducing a fun get-to-know-you question from our listeners to Fr. Scott as a way to get to know our TMI Headmaster even better! If you want to ask a question, email us at padrecast@tmi-sa.org

As a reminder, you can watch our chapel programs on our TMI Youtube Channel at www.tmi-sa.org/youtube

 

Episode 5: Senior Chapel Talks by Hasan Ehsan and Warren Gignac

This podcast features our first two Senior Chapel Talks of the 2018-2019 school year by Hasan Ehsan and Warren Gignac, TMI Class of 2019.

In the first #SeniorChapelTalk of the school year, Cadet Battalion Commander Hasan Ehsan asked the community to look beyond the numbers and words that characterize people and discover the narratives that show our complexities and similarities. A simple phrase–such as refugee or special needs–is not enough to define the human experience. When we recognize that others have been where we are, have faced the same emotions, and struggled with their own challenges, we become more connected and compassionate toward each other. “Every single human being–like you–is a conglomeration of diverse experiences, emotions, and decisions who deserves your respect, support, and understanding.”

In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Warren Gignac spoke about moments of transcendence. He shared his ultimate moment of transcendence when he and his partner won the prestigious LDZ Attorney Trials after a week at the youth legislative session of the National Hispanic Institute. He used this moment to describe the feeling of being on top of the word, overjoyed and unable to stop smiling. These are the moments, he said, that lift us above the hustle and bustle of everyday life and they can be as simple as listening to music or playing a sport. It is anything that makes you forget your stress and lets you live in the moment. He encouraged everyone to find their own ways of creating transcendent moments to increase quality of life, improve mental health and feel more fulfilled. When life was difficult, Warren was always told to, “stop, take a deep breath, and collect myself so that I could keep going.” Speaking directly to the TMI community, he said, “For us, moments of transcendence offer that same deep breath from the toughest assignment of all–life.”

Episode 4: EJ Neese '10, Houston's Lacrosse Entrepreneur

EJ Neese, Class of 2010 and Director of Lacrosse at SportStar Athletics, joined me for this Panthercast episode to talk about his journey after graduating from TMI and how he was able to turn his passion for lacrosse into a career.

EJ shared how his love for lacrosse developed from an early age. While he was at TMI he was named to the All District Team three times, to the All State Team twice, and was named the 2009 Player of the Year. He went on to play college lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts and then at Texas Tech University. After graduating, he started coaching and developed the NeesePole, which eventually led to his position at SportStar Athletics to design and create training tools for lacrosse and other sports. We discussed the NeesePole; his chinstrap, which is now used by every NFL team; and a couple of new items currently in development at SportStar Athletics.

Throughout our conversation, EJ reflected on his time at TMI and shared how his education and experiences guided him to where he is today. He shared advice for young students who might be interested in a similar career field, what inspires him, and some final thoughts for our graduating seniors.

Follow on social:
Instagram @coach.neese and @sportstargear
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sportstargear/
Twitter https://twitter.com/SportStarGear

Episode 3: Padrecast 2, Community Reads Guest Author

In this episode, The Rev. Scott Brown, TMI Headmaster, shares his thoughts and reflections on Convocation Day and the senior retreat to Mo Ranch; we talk about the guest author visit by Sandra Uwiringiyimana and discuss her presentation and impact that she made on our students; and we highlight some upcoming events.

Classroom Night, September 5, 6:00pm-8:10pm
Parents are invited to arrive between 5:30pm-6:00pm to pick up their child’s schedule. There will be a short program in the chapel starting at 6:00pm and at 6:10pm, parents will have the opportunity to rotate through their child’s classes and meet their teachers.

Annual Alumni Clay Shoot, September 7, Registration starts at 12pm
(Note: I said September 11 in the podcast, but I meant to say September 7; the event is Friday!)
This event is open to the entire TMI community–alumni, parents, students, families, friends of TMI. Proceeds benefit the Alumni Association endowed scholarship and registration info can be found at www.tmialumni.org/skeet

For parents and students who are looking for ways to get involved in the community or earn service hours, the Booster Club is looking for volunteers. Contact Booster Club President Jeff Kahl if you are interested in volunteering at the PitStop after school (parents) or would like to earn service hours for working concessions and the gate at the volleyball games (students). Also, a new Panther Crew from the Booster Club is forming and is a dads-only group for parents who want to help set up and tear down the new inflatable panther tunnel and enjoy on-field access during the game.

Finally, if you’re having trouble accessing your MyKidsSpending.com account for making purchases at TMI’s Café 18, please reach out to me, the TMI Technology Department, or email support@mykidsspending.com

Episode 2: Rob Friedrich, Science Department Chair

TMI Science Department Chair, Rob Friedrich, and I sat down for this Panthercast episode to dive deep into his passion for science, teaching, and the upcoming research expedition to Dominica. Starting his 19th year teaching at TMI, Rob shared his journey through school and how he stumbled into becoming a teacher. Sharing a number of anecdotes and opening up about his own struggles with math during school, he gives insight and encouragement to students who may be facing similar challenges.

We talk about the formalized effort to integrate classes across the different subjects and how TMI strives to develop the whole person, teaching students to be leaders in their communities and good people. The integration of classes helps students to achieve mastery in their subjects by learning how to speak across domains, knowing how to communicate effectively, and having the ability to draw upon a variety of skills and experiences. This year the chemistry classes will be working with the art department on a variety of projects using painting and photography while music will be integrated into the physics classes.

Rob also talks in depth about the summer research expedition open to students next year. Students will be traveling to Dominica to work with researchers in the field for two weeks to assist with collecting data. They’ll be spending a week in the rainforest and a week in the coral reef learning various research techniques.

Dominica Information: https://www.tmi-sa.org/page/campus-life/student-trips#Dominica
Operation Wallacea: https://www.opwall.com/about-opwall/

Finally, be sure to listen until the very end to find out what inspires him to teach, his most memorable moment at TMI, and something most people don’t know about him!

Episode 1: Padrecast 1, Back to School

In our very first Panthercast podcast, we talk with TMI Headmaster, The Rev. Scott Brown, for the first “Padrecast” episode.

We’ll be releasing the Panthercast/Padrecast episdodes every Thursday, alternating weeks between the Padrecast with Fr. Scott and regular Panthercast episodes that will feature either a TMI faculty member or alumni. You’ll have a chance to get to know our faculty on a deeper level and hear how TMI influenced and supported our alumni in their journey to success.

This summer saw a lot of renovation and changes as our facilities team helped to transform some of the familiar spaces on campus into new, collaborative community spaces. Fr. Scott talks about the renovations in the gym, updates in the Ayres Hall lobby, the transformation in the Jones Library (where the podcast studio is also located), the opening of Café 18, and updates in the Alkek Refectory and Harthan Family Dining Room (formerly known as the PDR).

As faculty and staff prepare for the arrival of students next week, Fr. Scott joined the faculty at their off-campus inservice retreat at Camp Capers, an outreach of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. He shared the part of their ministry that TMI is also called upon to do: nurturing an environment and community that is crazy about kids, curious about their lives, and fostering a culture of love.

As most people in our community know, last school year’s theme was “We belong to each other,” Fr. Scott also introduced this year’s theme of “Respect the dignity of every human being.”

We introduce some of our new/returning faculty and highlight some of the upcoming events at TMI, starting with the New Family Orientation this Saturday.

Be sure to listen until the end to hear Fr. Scott’s inspiration and words of wisdom from the week.

If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Send your feedback or show ideas to webmaster@tmi-sa.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.