Beyond Hello

Episode 10 - Sophie Lau

Outgoing Senior School Head, Sophie Lau, takes us through her professional journey from first-year teacher to Head of School. We learn about her inspiration for teaching, her motivation for leading, some of her favorite moments, and the legacy she leaves at Shady Side alongside the vision for strong leadership ahead. It takes great strength to re-learn how to walk at age 49, lead a school especially during these difficult times, keep all of the balls in the air while maintaining a sense of humor, but this is Sophie. Shady Side Academy's loss is Lincoln School's gain.

Show notes:

Song: Girl on Fire, Alicia Keys

Book: The Nickel Boys, Colson Whitehead

Actionnable personal challenge: we must be proactive in our anti-racist work and hold each other accountable to make it happen. NOW is the time!

Episode 9 - Gil Schneider

Gil Schneider has served as Shady Side Academy's Chief Financial Officer for the past seven years following a successful career in the corporate world with both Seagrams and Heinz. At the precipice of his retirement, Gil shares his wisdom, his perspectives, and wonderful stories of his journey and his past. While working in a role that is primarily about financial oversight, for Gil, it's all about the people and it's clear that he has touched the lives of many. 

Show notes

Food - Chocolate

Song: The Battle Song from Patton, A Long and Winding Road by The Beatles

Book - The Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, by Daniel Okrent

 

Episode 8 - Shelbey Hetler

Shelbey Hetler is the Catering Manager at Shady Side Academy. Through our food service provider, Metz, Shelbey is an integral member of the Shady Side community flawlessly pulling off events large and small as well as the day-to-day food needs of kids and adults at the senior school and all four SSA campuses. When Shelbey talks about her favorite teacher, she shares that she was the kind of person who always made you feel like you were at home, just as Shelbey does each day at SSA. Her warmth and smile along with her professionalism and attention to detail make our school community better. 

Show notes:

Favorite food: Tiramisu in Rome

Music: Cher

Book: Silent Patient, Alex Michaelides

Actionnable challenge: Go Green; stay mindful about waste and litter and recycling and all the elements that will help sustain our planet

Episode 7 - Brandon Klinge

Brandon Klinge is currently the Head Custodian at the Junior School. Coming to SSA seven years ago on a whim, Brandon was immediately struck by the warmth of the community. Working on all four campuses in various capacities, Brandon has gone out of his way to help people. From the faculty trying to collect teaching resources during COVID to the young children at the junior school who recruit Brandon for their recess activities, he is a valued treasure in this community. While he is often behind the scenes in his work, this conversation reveals just how important his impact is on so many people.

Episode 6 - Tami Fire

Tami Fire is the music and theater arts teacher at Shady Side Academy Country Day School. She joined the faculty of Fox Chapel's Country Day School 17 years ago following teaching opera to school children. Going Beyond Hello with Tami takes us through wonderful adventures in music, community, and a true love for instilling confidence and helping young people to build their identity through the arts. 

 

Show notes:

Song: Joy to the World, Isaac Watts

Book: Habakkuk from The Old Testament

Actionnable Challenge: Assume Best Intentions 

 

Episode 5 - Paul Ejzak

Paul Ejzak returned to his alma mater, Shady Side Academy, as an English teacher in 1997. The passion that was ignited in his years as a student for literature have stayed with him through today. He is a longtime runner and cross country coach, he has lived in the dorms on campus, and has been doing his part in getting future generations as excited about literature and understanding the world through literature as he is. Going Beyond Hello with Paul Ejzak helps us to uncover the lesser-known parts - his bowling, his favorites, and what he has changed his mind about in the recent past. Paul's challenge for us all, to cherish the every day, is a motto that he exemplifies each day with his optimism and zest for life.

Show notes:

2 important poems - Tinturn Abby by William Wadsworth, Walt Whitman, The Commonplace

Book: the Unbearable Likeness of Being

Song: StarWars opening theme

Episode 4 - Karen DiFiore

This conversation with Karen DiFiore is further evidence that she is the fittest, most fun, creative and dynamic gym teacher we are lucky enough to know. But she is so much more than a teacher of physical education. What began as a long-term substitute position turned into the best accident to ever happen to both Karen and Shady Side. Listen to this episode to hear about her adventures as a trail runner, her history as a runner, and so many other delightful surprises about her story.

Episode 3 - Claire Logsdon

Claire Logsdon joined the Shady Side Academy community this school year as the Dean of Studies. She was drawn to this role for the opportunity to build relationships with faculty and students. This conversation captures gems and stories from Ms. Logsdon including her journey from pre-med to teaching, the power of technology, sewing her own clothes, living in Pittsburgh for the first time, and so much more!

Episode 2 - Amy Nixon

Episode 2 - 

Amy Nixon, Head of Shady Side Academy’s middle school, shares stories with us about her 17 years in that role, the year that she spent as SSA’s interim president, raising 3 boys of her own, mentors, goals, gardening, and so much more.

Episode 1 - Dave Szlachetka

We are so pleased to introduce Episode 1 of this podast! Our first guest on the show is Dave Szlachetka. What began as a part-time coaching gig has turned into a 28 year career at Shady Side Academy. He has served in various roles at the school and his passion for teaching and students is evident in everything he does.