Stephen Murray on Knowing Every Boy, Being There, and a Life in Leadership | Season 2, Ep 38

Stephen Murray on Knowing Every Boy, Being There, and a Life in Leadership | Season 2, Ep 38

In Episode 38 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Mr. Stephen Murray, the seventh headmaster of University School, namesake of the Murray House, and current Head of School at The Lawrenceville School. Mr. Murray reflects on his journey from growing up as the fourth of six kids in northern New Jersey to becoming a lifelong educator, shaped by the public-school teachers who inspired him and by parents who modeled humility, kindness, and integrity. He shares the moment a teaching internship at Williams convinced him to dedicate his life to the classroom, his transformative year teaching immigrant students in a Paris suburb, and his early days at Deerfield, where a single late-night conversation with a struggling student taught him the lasting power of simply being a steady, reliable presence. From stepping into administration almost by accident to becoming a head of school for the first time at US, Mr. Murray opens up about following a beloved long-tenured leader, managing a two-campus school through "the art of being seen," and what made the brotherhood and closeness of US so special. He discusses what it meant to have a house named in his honor, his philosophy that great teaching is fundamentally about love and trust, and how schools should think across thirty-year horizons about what to preserve and what to let change in an age of AI. Looking back on thirty-five years in independent schools, Mr. Murray reflects on watching colleagues like Mr. Gallagher rise to lead the schools he once loved, what still gets him out of bed each morning, and the deeply human relationships that, more than any building or title, define his "why." Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

Mrs. Lori Baris on Personal Responsibility, Being Known and Loved, and Eighteen Years of Caring | Season 2, Ep 37

In Episode 37 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Mrs. Lori Baris, the beloved longtime third-grade teacher at University School who spent eighteen years on the lower-school campus and still returns regularly as a substitute. Mrs. Baris takes us back to growing up in a freer, unscheduled Cleveland of the 1950s and '60s, riding the Rapid downtown to Indians games and playing outside until the porch light came on. She shares the quiet, profound influence of the fourth-grade teacher who took her under her wing the year she lost her mother, a kindness that shaped her entire understanding of what a teacher can be. She also traces her path from Cleveland Heights High and four generations of Ohio State Buckeyes to her first nervous days in the classroom, when a perceptive first-grader saw right through her and taught her to think on her feet. From the mentors who freed her to take risks to the colleagues who pulled her out of her comfort zone and into the woods at Camp Whitewood, Mrs. Baris opens up about the traditions that make US feel like a place where you are truly known and loved: the handshakes, the private third-grade wing, and the sweet treats given freely each morning and "earned" again with a story when students come back to visit. She reflects on teaching math from her dining room table during COVID, the loss of her father that helped her know it was time to step back and be present for her grandchildren, and why she keeps showing up for four-year-olds who wave at her through the library window. Looking back on a life in the classroom, Mrs. Baris shares her hope of fostering kindness in the next generation, the deep and lasting way teachers hold onto their students, and the relationships that, more than any lesson plan, define her "why." Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

Mr. Peter Sweeney on Code, Career Pivots, and the Age of AI | Season 2, Ep 36

In Episode 36 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Mr. Peter Sweeney, University School upper school math and computer science teacher, founder of the US Robotics Team, and longtime veteran of both the tech industry and education. Mr. Sweeney reflects on his journey from a 12-year-old teaching himself to code on an Apple IIe in Belgium to a decade in corporate tech, sharing how an early love of making things and solving puzzles shaped a career he never originally planned. He opens up about the meaningful pivot that led him away from a successful consulting career toward teaching, and how a search for purpose and a passion for helping others ultimately guided that choice. From his first nervous morning in front of a classroom to building University School's robotics program from nothing into one of the strongest in the state, Mr. Sweeney discusses what real education looks like, why he treasures traditions like the Sherman Speaking Prize, and how he approaches teaching computer science as a craft of problem-solving and creativity. He also dives deep into the rise of artificial intelligence, offering a candid, thoughtful take on how AI should be integrated into learning, the risks it poses to critical thinking and the future, and the difference between today's language models and a true AGI. Looking back on his path, Mr. Sweeney reflects on what he hopes students remember about him and the "why" behind his work, one centered on curiosity, service, and the belief that knowledge is a wealth no one can ever take away. Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

Deacon Nelson on Baseball, Leadership, and Staying Consistent | Season 2, Ep 35

In Episode 35 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Deacon Nelson, University School McKinley House prefect, baseball captain, and Auburn commit. Deacon reflects on his journey from a young athlete shaped by family and a deep love for the game to becoming a leader of a rising baseball program at US. He shares what drew him to the school, from the meaningful relationships between students and teachers to the strong sense of brotherhood he experienced on his shadow day, and how those early moments helped him feel at home and build lasting connections within the community. From committing to Virginia as a freshman to navigating a coaching change and ultimately finding the right fit at Auburn, Deacon opens up about handling attention, expectations, and pressure while staying grounded in consistency and preparation. He discusses his growth as a leader through baseball, his role as a house prefect, and his involvement in Focus, highlighting the importance of faith, humility, and connection. Looking ahead, Deacon reflects on his personal growth, what he will miss most about US, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind, one centered on leadership, character, and making a positive impact on others. Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

Ms. Konrad, Mr. Kneisel, and Dr. Laux on Learning, Growth, and Real-World Skills | Season 2, Ep 34

In this Special Annual Fund Live Episode of The Late Start Show, we bring something a little different to the table, three conversations, three perspectives, and one shared purpose. In front of a live audience of students, parents, faculty, and alumni, we sit down with Ms. Kimberly Konrad, kindergarten lead teacher and longtime elementary educator, Mr. Keith Kneisel, middle school math teacher and soccer coach, and Dr. Sarah Laux, science department chairperson and outdoor projects advisor at University School. Each guest represents a different stage of the student experience, but all are united by a deep commitment to teaching, mentorship, and building meaningful relationships with boys. From Ms. Konrad’s journey from public school education into the Lower School and her passion for creating a “circle of care,” to Mr. Kneisel’s unconventional path into teaching and his mission to make middle school both engaging and human, to Dr. Laux’s evolution from wildlife biologist to educator shaping real world scientific inquiry, this episode highlights the people behind the mission. Throughout the episode is a powerful reminder of what makes University School special, and how the Annual Fund helps make experiences like this possible. The conversation moves through early childhood education, the challenges and opportunities of middle school, and the power of experiential learning in science. Ms. Konrad reflects on the importance of play with purpose, relationship building, and helping young boys develop emotional awareness and confidence from their very first days of school. Mr. Kneisel shares how he breaks down the intimidation of math, balances structure with personality, and connects with students both in and out of the classroom, even through something as simple as a growing stack of Mountain Dew cans. Dr. Laux dives into the impact of hands on research, the value of asking real questions without clear answers, and why getting students outside, whether on Lake Kilroy or in the woods, is essential to developing curiosity. Across all three conversations, a common theme emerges, great teaching is not just about content, it is about connection. Each educator opens up about their “why,” revealing that at the center of their work is a desire to make students feel seen, supported, and inspired. This live episode serves as both a celebration of those educators and a reflection of the community that makes it all possible. Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.