In the second episode of the fourth season, Dawn talks to Kendra James about her recent book Admissions: A Memoir of Surviving Boarding School. James shares a bit of her experience as the first Black American legacy student at a prestigious New England boarding school and how her time there shaped her work later in independent school admissions offices. They discuss respectability politics, the Black @ social media movement, the writing process as a powerful tool of reflection, and the imperative for independent schools to actively and intentionally build inclusive school-wide systems and cultures.

In the first episode of our new season, Dawn talks with Maggie Doyne, cofounder of the BlinkNow Foundation and Kopila Valley Children’s Home and School in Surkhet, Nepal, about her new memoir Between the Mountain and the Sky. They discuss ideas about motherhood and creating family, the power of grief and hope, the strength and tremendous potential of community, and the ongoing work we are all engaged in to make the world better for children.

In this episode, Dawn speaks with beloved and long time Blue School educator, Val Duval. Val runs all of Blue School’s K-8 physical arts programming, coaches our basketball, volleyball and soccer teams and many afterschool classes. Val shares stories of his work with children and how physical education can be an opportunity for creating connection and trust (and some very exciting family news!).

This week, Dawn continues her conversation with Laura Sedlock, Blue School’s Director of Pre-primary Programs, and Rachel Lowdermilk, Blue School Pre-primary Teacher. Together they demystify the idea of “materials” and “materials work” for young children, explain how provocation can engage children’s natural curiosity, and share ways that parents can support autonomy at home and as we transition closer to normal.

In our Season 3 Premiere, Dawn Williams speaks with Laura Sedlock, Blue School's Director of Pre-primary Programs, and Rachel Lowdermilk, a Blue School Pre-primary Teacher. Laura and Rachel reflect on their experience consulting with Sesame Street over the past year and the story of how an inquiry in Rachel's 3s class inspired an upcoming episode. They share their deep belief in children, their capabilities for problem solving, and the power in their resilience and tenacity. Laura and Rachel also explore the role documentation and reflection can play in pre-primary classrooms, and ways families can use it at home.

In our Season Two finale, Noah’s sincerity, thoughtfulness and honesty provide a glimpse into the grounding leader he will be. Prioritizing connection, joy and a sense of belonging in this transition, Noah offers a sense of hope and relief for Blue School’s future during and beyond COVID times. Noah’s commitment to social justice and equity work focuses on creating spaces for learning and growth inside and out of the classroom, building a full community approach to this important work. Join us in welcoming Noah Reinhardt as Blue School’s next Head of School. This is only the beginning.

In this episode, Dawn Williams speaks to Laura Camien, Blue School’s Director of Advancement. Laura is a creativity coach, Broadway producer, playwright, screenwriter, and cohost of The Spark File podcast. Laura and Dawn discuss creativity during this time, self-compassion, and finding your ‘spark.’

In this episode, Dawn Williams speaks with middle grade author Jessie Janowitz about her book The Doughnut Fix. The Doughnut Fix tells the story of a twelve year old and his family who suddenly move from New York City to upstate New York and how finding your passion can empower children through tough times. Jessie shares her inspiration writing the book, how it might support families going through changes now, and the joy of families reading and sharing stories together.

In this episode Dawn Williams speaks with Blue School’s kindergarten innovators including, Tu Harris, Director of the Primary Division, Amalia Velazquez and Laurie Seligman, our lead kindergarten teachers. They discuss what makes a kindergartener’s experience magical. We learn how the balance of academics, identity and play blend together to form the foundations of this quintessential year in a child's life.

PBS Kids for Parents describe V is for Voting as a, "playful, though powerful book,” that “engages little readers in the tenants of democracy and activism through rhyming text and colorful works of art." In this episode, Dawn Williams speaks with author, editor and Blue School parent Kate Farrell. They discuss Kate’s new picture book and how it can provoke conversations with children about history, democracy, and civic participation. Kate shares her writing experience and process, and offers ideas for how families with children of all ages can get involved.

In this episode, Dawn Williams speaks with Blue School’s Director of Admissions, Genevieve Little. Genevieve shares what the Blue School admissions process looks like, how children are involved in the admissions process, tips for combating Zoom fatigue during assessments, and what excites her about doing this work.

In this episode, Dawn Williams speaks with one of Blue School’s founding Middle School teachers, Corey Pickering, who has centered social justice, self and social awareness, and community engagement into the pedagogy of the Middle School curriculum and culture. Corey shares the intention and foundation of Blue School’s Integrated Studies program, a co-taught and fully cohesive science and history course. She reflects on the necessity of challenging common narratives, and why we must examine who, and what, has been left out.

In this episode, Dawn speaks with Meredith Lorber, Blue School’s Director of Middle School Teaching and Learning. Meredith started as Blue School's Math Specialist and continues to work closely with teachers across grades. Meredith shares her experience developing the math program at Blue School, ideas for creating a positive math culture and mindset, and helpful tools for parents to approach this work with their children.

We’re excited to launch Season Two of On Balance with guest Rebecca Skinner, Blue School’s Interim Head of School. Rebecca shares her favorite back to school memories, her first impressions of Blue School, and hopes for our community during this transition period. Rebecca was the Founding Head of the International School of Brooklyn and was most recently a member of the team that launched The Dwight School in Dubai.

In our Season One Finale, Dawn Williams speaks with Blue School Advisory Board member Dr. Lawrence J. Cohen. Larry shares tools and suggestions for how to parent, play, and foster autonomy through the uncertainty created by COVID-19. Larry is a licensed psychologist specializing in children's play, play therapy, and the author of parenting books including: Playful Parenting, The Opposite of Worry and The Art of Roughhousing.

In this episode, Dawn Williams speaks with Blue School educator Rob Gilson. Rob has been a teacher for the past 20 years and has spent the past 5 years building and teaching Blue School's STEAM programs. Rob shares ideas for families to bring the hands-on work (and fun) of the STEAM lab home this summer and invites everyone to participate in a design challenge.

In this episode, Dawn Williams speaks with Randall de Sève, picture book author and beloved Blue School educator and administrator. Randall’s books include the New York Times bestseller Toy Boat, The Duchess of Whimsy, Mathilda and the Orange Balloon, Peanut and Fifi Have a Ball, A Fire Truck Named Red, and Zola’s Elephant. Randall shares some of her process for writing picture books, the joy she gets imagining the children and adults who will read them, and some of her favorite titles from other authors.

In this episode Dawn Williams speaks with Dr. Daniel Siegel, Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute. Dan shares wisdom from his recent book, The Power of Showing Up, along with specific ways his research can support parents with the challenges they are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to his work at the Mindsight Institute, Dan is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, and Founding Co-Director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. A beloved Blue School Advisory Board member and thought-partner, Dan has been a part of Blue School since its inception.

Dawn Williams speaks with Caroline Welch, co-founder and CEO of the Mindsight Institute, and author of The Gift Of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women. Caroline shares techniques for cultivating presence, a new way to frame our thinking about stress, and other strategies for living mindfully. A longtime friend of Blue School, Caroline’s research and recommendations are especially helpful now.

This week Dawn Williams speaks with Laura Winnick, Blue School Librarian and Middle School faculty member. Laura shares some of the books she couldn't put down, and even re-read during this time at home. She also offers recommendations for adults and middle schoolers to add to their summer reading list. Have a pencil nearby for all of Laura's recommendations!