Cultivating Excellence Podcast

How do we support bright, capable students without pushing them into burnout?In this episode of Cultivating Excellence, Susan Holzman, Director of Academic Support at Bullis School, shares her thoughts on today’s high-achieving and exceptional students. Susan explains how the idea of the “smart kid” has changed over time. Today’s exceptional learners are often creative, curious, entrepreneurial, and deeply capable, but many also struggle with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, executive functioning, perfectionism, or other learning differences. She explains why strong schools must offer both challenge and support, especially for students whose abilities vary across different areas.Susan also speaks candidly about the pressure many high-achieving students face. She highlights the dangers of overscheduling, chronic sleep deprivation, perfectionism, and multitasking, and she emphasizes that success should not come at the cost of joy, health, or emotional well-being. The conversation also explores how parents can set healthier boundaries, when to seek outside support such as executive functioning coaching or therapy, and why foundational skills still matter even for highly advanced learners. Tune in as Susan shares practical wisdom for helping gifted and twice-exceptional students thrive with both rigor and balance.Resources:Follow and connect with Susan Holzman on LinkedIn.Learn more about the Bullis School on their LinkedIn and website.Visit the Learning Support at Bullis here.Listen as Susan speaks about Universal Design for Learning this summer at the Independent School Management's Summer Institute here.

Boys thrive when schools design for movement, establish clear routines, and build character without pushing kids past their limits.In this episode, Tara Montague, Assistant Head of Langdon School, explains how boy-friendly learning environments promote academic success, healthier behavior, and stronger long-term development from elementary through high school. She discusses why boys benefit from structured schedules, built-in outlets for movement, flexible classroom setups, and repeated directions to support focus and learning. The conversation highlights the importance of recess, daily physical activity, athletics, nutrition, and consistent routines, as well as the role of executive functioning support in middle school. Tara also explores leadership, ethics, healthy masculinity, parent-school partnership, advocacy across settings, and how phone-free campuses strengthen student connection while helping schools challenge students without breaking them.Tune in and learn how to help boys build resilience, character, and lasting motivation in today’s high-pressure world.Resources:Connect with and follow Tara Montague on LinkedIn.Follow Landon School on LinkedIn and visit their website. Check out Dr. John Ratey’s book, Spark, and Richard V. Reeves’ book, Of Boys And Men.

When learning environments are designed to match how the brain actually works, students who learn differently can thrive.In this episode, Dr. Bob Lane, Director of Admissions, explains how learning differences are often misunderstood as deficits rather than natural variations in how brains process information. He discusses why reading and writing are not innate skills and must be taught through explicit, systematic, evidence-based instruction, particularly for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and executive functioning differences. The conversation explores how Orton-Gillingham–based multisensory instruction and small-group diagnostic teaching support skill development, and why writing must be taught intentionally rather than assumed. Dr. Lane also examines the limits of accommodations, emphasizing the need to build foundational skills first, and highlights how emotional safety, belonging, and strong relationships free cognitive bandwidth and foster authentic confidence through real success.Tune in and learn how the right environment can transform learning differences into strengths.Resources:Connect with and follow Dr. Bob Lane on LinkedIn.Follow Lab School of Washington on LinkedIn.Visit the school website to learn more about Lab’s mission, programs, and approach to supporting students who learn differentlyInterested in applying? Complete an inquiry on this page and register for one of the upcoming Admissions Info Sessions on this page“Sold a Story” Podcast by Emily HanfordA deep dive into how reading instruction shifted from evidence-based practices to ideology-driven approaches and the impact on studentshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sold-a-story/id1649580473Dr. Rick Lavoie’s FAT City: How Difficult Can This Be?A powerful video for educators that simulates what it feels like to have learning disabilitieshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9NfoGiLKdAThe Reservoir GroupExpert services in occupational therapy, psychological services (including testing), and speech and language therapyLearn more here about The Lab’s summer programs and learning opportunities

Raising kind, confident, and prepared kids has never felt more urgent.In this episode of the Cultivating Excellence podcast, Danny Vogelman, Head of School at the Washington Episcopal School in Bethesda, Maryland, discusses the importance of intentionally educating the whole child in a post-pandemic world. He shares why kindness must be directly taught and modeled with the same care as academics, starting with the adults who shape school culture. Danny explains how confidence grows through emotionally safe environments that encourage developmentally appropriate risk-taking and resilience. He also highlights how a balanced approach to academic rigor, real-world experiences, and non-academic elements, such as recess, executive functioning, and joyful learning, prepares students for life beyond the classroom.Tune in to learn how schools can help students thrive, not just academically, but as whole individuals. Resources:Connect with and follow Danny Vogelman on LinkedIn.Follow Washington Episcopal School in Bethesda, Maryland, on LinkedIn and visit their website.

Resilience in girls grows when adults set clear expectations, model boundaries, and allow them to struggle safely.In this episode, Kimberlie Hogan and Nicki Iadarola from Connelly School of the Holy Child discuss how cultural pressures, from constant digital access to achievement-driven environments, shape girls’ development and well-being in a post-pandemic world. They explain how real-time grades, virtual academics, and nonstop screen use heighten stress, fuel comparison, and erode delayed gratification, even as they offer new forms of accessibility. Kim and Nicki outline practical ways parents can set limits while supporting independence, along with the importance of understanding friendship dynamics and recognizing signs of harmful social behavior. They also highlight how schools can build resilience, self-advocacy, healthy habits, and strong character to support girls as they grow.Tune in and learn how to guide girls toward resilience, confidence, and well-being in an increasingly complex world!Resources:Connect with and follow Kimberlie Hogan on LinkedIn.Follow the Connelly School of the Holy Child on LinkedIn and visit their website.

Cathy Patterson, enrollment director and former speech-language pathologist, and Barry Davis, school leader and advocate for strengths-based education, discuss helping bright students with learning differences flourish. They cover seeing strengths first, small classes and strong relationships, evidence-based literacy like Orton-Gillingham, mindful practices to reduce anxiety, and enrichment opportunities that let students shine.

SC Nealy, LPC, CCMHC, ACS, NCC, MA, MA(Pronouns: they/she)With over 16 years in the mental health field, SC Nealy is a queer, gender fluid psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and group practice owner in Arlington, VA called LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative. SC operates a team of all gay and trans-identifying therapists with the focus of bringing clinicians with lived experiences to the queer community and their families. They also work locally and nationally to advocate for queer rights, accessible mental health care, and bringing more awareness to the needs of the queer community. Their upcoming book published by Bloomsbury Academics, Healing Sacred Wounds, focuses on giving folx a guide map for processing and exploring their experiences in religious or spiritual trauma. As a therapist, they specialize in religious trauma, lesbian and sapphic identities, sapphic and genderfluid-identifying couples counseling, mixed orientation marriages, transitioning genders within a relationship, complex-PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder, interpersonal process group therapy, and non-faith based premarital counseling. In their personal life, they are a parent to two children, happily partnered, and have written over 30+ romance novels for fun. Learn more at lgtbcounselingdmv.com.lgbtcounselingdmv.cominstagram.com/scnealyinstagram.com/lgbtcounselingdmvfacebook.com/lgbtcounselingdmvfacebook.com/booksbysarahrobinsonlinkedin.com/in/sarahnealy/

The Loper App homepage https://www.getloper.com/Eric and Sam are spotlighted as innovative Georgetown Alums https://alumni.georgetown.edu/alumni-spotlight-eric-menna-sfs18-sam-bernstein-c18-co-founders-of-loper/

In this conversation, Dr. Sarah Bennison discusses the Mattering Movement, which aims to combat feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, particularly among young people. She shares her experiences as an educator in underprivileged areas and highlights the importance of small acts of kindness and service learning in fostering connections and a sense of belonging. The discussion also touches on the pressures of achievement culture in education and the need for both students and teachers to feel valued and empowered. Dr. Bennison emphasizes the actionable nature of fostering mattering in educational settings and provides practical steps for parents and educators to create supportive environments.The Mattering Movement, which includes tools for parents and teachers https://www.thematteringmovement.com/Dr. Jonathan Kozol, author of the book that inspired so many of us idealistic young teachers, Savage Inequalities https://www.jonathankozol.com/ (a book every American should read!)Trinity School NYC Service Learning Program (designed by Sarah) https://www.trinityschoolnyc.org/our-programs/public-serviceCreating a Class: College Admissions and the Education of Elites by Dr. Mitchell Stevens (highly recommend!)To read more about the concept of 'thwarted belonging' as a risk factor, check out Dr. Tom Joiner's Why People Die By Suicide (this book is intense, so proceed with caution)The Pain of Social Rejection, Dr. Kipling Williams, the experiment that replicates being excluded from a game that suggests that social rejection activates the same neurological response as physical pain https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/04/rejectionBennison Gives https://www.bennisongives.com/ If you need to buy baby clothes for a great cause!The Mattering MovementThe Mattering Movement provides powerful tools to help parents, students, and teachers untangle self-worth from achievement: it is called mattering.The Mattering MovementHome | Jonathan KozolJonathan KozolPublic ServiceBennison

In this engaging discussion, special educator Lindsay Toms and ADHD advocate Deb Rosen delve into the significance of executive functioning in student success. They break down vital skills like planning, emotional regulation, and organization. Lindsay emphasizes how naming these skills can reframe issues like procrastination, while Deb highlights the challenges parents face in bridging learning gaps. They advocate for structured routines and curiosity to boost learning, and stress that explicit coaching can dramatically enhance a student’s ability to thrive academically.