Nobles U

Episode 13: Talya Sokoll and Emily Tragert

This episode features an interview with Talya Sokoll and Emily Tragert, co-directors of the Putnam Library at Nobles. Talya and Emily speak about the opportunities and challenges of leading a library, the recent uptick in book bans among schools in the US, and the impact of generative AI on libraries today, among other topics. 

Episode 12: David Roane

This episode features an interview with David Roane, a distinguished member of the Visual Arts department at Nobles for over two decades. David speaks about his academic and professional experiences prior to Nobles, his perspective on the value of the visual arts, and the challenging racial equity work confronting independent schools, among other topics. 

Episode 11: Alden Mauck

This episode features an interview with Alden Mauck, a member of the English department at Nobles for over two decades and a recipient of the Vernon L. Greene Prize for Faculty Excellence. Alden speaks about his own high school experience, his perspective on the evolution of Nobles over time, and the challenges confronting Nobles as it looks toward the future, among other topics.

Episode 10: Sue Kemalian

This episode features an interview with Sue Kemalian, head of the Math Department and recipient of the 2023 Vernon L. Greene Prize for Faculty Excellence. Sue speaks about the evolution of math instruction over time, the qualities that characterize effective math teachers, and how generative AI has impacted the math curriculum, among other topics. 

Episode 9: Alex Gallagher

This episode features an interview with Alex Gallagher, Athletic Director and a member of the History department. Alex speaks about the similarities between teaching and coaching, how to create a strong culture in the classroom or on a team, and his reflections on his time as a student at Nobles, among other topics. 

Episode 8: Heather O’Neill

This episode features an interview with Heather O'Neill, Director of Academic Support at Nobles. Heather speaks about teaching practices that benefit students with learning accommodations, common misperceptions of students with Learning Profiles, research on neurodiversity, and her professional life before Nobles, among other topics. 

Episode 7: Dick Baker

This episode features an interview with Dick Baker, former Head of School and renowned English teacher. Dick speaks about his 53 years at Nobles, offering his perspective on his tenure as Head of School, his beliefs about what qualities define an excellent teacher, and his approach to forming lasting relationships with students, among other topics. 

Episode 6: Colette Finley

This episode features an interview with Colette Finley, Assistant Head of the Middle School and a member of the Math department at Nobles. Colette speaks about the advantages of working with middle school students, the opportunities and challenges in her leadership role, and the qualities that characterize effective Math educators, among other topics.