The Old School

Apr 14 2024 1
The Old School Podcast artwork

Dr. Steven Bourgeois and Mr. Ross Miller lead an informal discussion between a current and a former teacher on topics that challenge "best practices" in contemporary education. In keeping with Neil Postman (1979), we support the conserving function of education: “Its aim at all times is to make visible the prevailing biases of a culture and then, by employing whatever philosophies of education are available, to oppose them.”

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Episode 82: On the Ins and Outs of School Funding

Apr 14 2024 53 mins  
Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back the esteemed Dr. Rick Westfall to discuss how state and federal governments help or don't in the local government's pursuit of a good education. The trio also discuss if there should be changes in how the three levels of government impact or influence the education process.If you would enjoy a more detailed look at some of the issues mentio

Episode 81: On Profanity

Mar 27 2024 50 mins  
Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller step away from their typical Algonquinian conversation to look at and discuss profanity. Not only the changes that has taken place on how and where it is used but its utility as well. The two hosts place profanity within the general context of things that are changing the culture, particularly in comparison to what life and societal standards were like

Episode 80: On Fine Arts Education with Brian Ketcham

Mar 10 2024 54 mins  
Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome theater teacher extraordinaire Brian Ketcham to the podcast to discuss his pathway from history, also known as the backbone of American education, to theater. The hosts also delve into the many joys and challenges Mr. Ketcham's job entails. As with the other guests, the gentlemen also discuss the possibility of future conversations and topics.Do

Episode 79: On German Soccer (With a Correction in the Notes)

Feb 25 2024 55 mins  
Once more calling in from Germany, Mr. Miller relays to Dr. Bourgeois the excitement as well as the political and economic tension of a soccer game with Borussia Dortmund creates.Correction: In the episode, I characterized the protest as being about a breaking from the 50+1 policy that German clubs are suppose to have and the unwanted presence of corporations at the club level. Thi

Episode 78: On School Culture with Dr. Alex Fingers

Feb 12 2024 54 mins  
Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back Dr. Alex Fingers to talk about the challenges, benefits and the methodology of building a great school culture. If you are interested in the other characteristics that go into a great school, check out our book on the challenges of the American education system as well as our proposed solutions with The Center Cannot Hold: A Critical Look a

Episode 77: On Educational Architecture with Dr. Rick Westfall

Jan 27 2024 46 mins  
After a short but less than enthusiastic revisit of sandwiches, Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome former Superintendent Dr. Rick Westfall to discuss his new role in advising architectural firms on the building and designing of schools and how educational concerns factor into the buildings in which our students hope to excel. We also touch on what could be discussed on future epi

Episode 76: On Work

Jan 13 2024 50 mins  
Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller dive into the cultural and social origins and impact of work in the United States, occasionally comparing it to other countries. The hosts also delve into the therapeutic qualities of work as experienced over the course of their careers.We have written a book on the characteristics of the American education system as well as the problems, complete with

Episode 75: On Classical and Jazz Music

Dec 24 2023 61 mins  
Mr. Miller takes advantage of the classically and jazz trained pianist in the room to ask Dr. Bourgeois questions on how the two styles are different, how listening to them are different and the qualities of each.

Episode 74: On Learning from Coaches with Dr. Alex Fingers

Dec 10 2023 49 mins  
Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller are joined by Dr. Alex Fingers about the motivational and teaching styles that can help teachers in relating to and connecting with their students. After this high brow discussion, we are subjected to an elegy for the PAC 12 and the future of Dr. Bourgeois' childhood heroes in the brave new college football world.If you are facing the end of the college

Episode 73: On the Impact of Technology on Sports

Nov 25 2023 60 mins  
Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller bemoan recent changes in our favorite sports and the lurking influence and impact of technology on our national pastimes. If you'd also like to see our thoughts on the technological impact on our education system, as well as other problems we identify as critical, check out our book The Center Cannot Hold: A Critical Look at Contemporary Education.