Stag Symposium

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 18. Publication date 5/4/26Mike G. Jones joins the podcast to talk about his journey to DeMatha from Oklahoma, from TCU, from overseas, from the NBA, from st. Stephens St. Agnes. The discipline of the many and the one, teaching team concepts, and evaluating players and teams are all part of a coach’s job.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 17. Publication date 4/20/26Rich Blorstad ‘10 joins the podcast to talk about his work in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Math–and crew. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 16. Publication date 4/6/26Mike and Dan look back at 50 episodes of Stag Symposium over 3 years. They use a series of questions that ask, “What was the best thing? What was the most surprising or interesting thing? "And what did you work hardest at–or what was the hardest part of the job?” The discussion ranges across teaching, Stoicism, family, and gratitude.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 15. Publication date 3/23/26Michael Johnson ‘80 joins Mike and Dan to talk about his work at DeMatha as “the campus architect.” Mike has designed the Trinitarian Heritage Plaza, The Cross Center, the cafeteria expansion, the Hanley Science Wing, and he is responsible for the refurbishment of St. John de Matha Hall. You will enjoy his stories about the process of how he thinks, about the role of DeMatha in his life, and about how he forced a compromise between Virginia Tech’s Bill Dooley and the chair of the architecture department by making himself (in his mother’s words) “invaluable to both.”Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 14. Publication date 3/9/26Pete Strickland ‘75 and current DeMatha Way Teacher and English Department member joins Mike and Dan to talk about his journey in teaching and coaching. In particular, Pete is interested in the intersection of teaching, parenting, coaching and on the nature of performance (he acts in local theater productions).Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 13. Publication date 2/23/26The snow and ice and other obligations interrupted Stag Symposium’s opportunity to interview a guest. This episode Mike and Dan talk a bit about poetry and the movies and what Mike is teaching.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 12. Publication date 2/9/26Sarah Stockton, joined DeMatha as a mid-year replacement and has never looked back. Her expertise in managing special projects (DeMatha Leadership Institute, Sophomore Conversations, relationship mapping, and more) have had an enormous impact on the school. Sarah brings her sense of service and her awareness of what parents are going through (Sarah’s son in a junior) to her work in ways that benefit everyone.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 11. Publication date 1/26/26Maureen Ritz, Director of Counseling and Guidance, is the Symposium guest. Her near quarter-century of service to DeMatha has seen her lead several safe-school initiatives, counsel hundreds of students, help numerous families, and teach Psychology. A highly respected clinician and diagnostician, Maureen brings a kind of dual expertise that is exceptionally rare in the field of school counseling.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 10. Publication date 1/12/26Mike and Dan look back at the past semester and look forward to the new. Books and movies get discussed.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 9. Publication date 12/29/2025Stag Symposium’s guest is Dave DiLuigi ‘88, former Chair of the Board of Trustees.  Dave is Head of US Markets for Wilmington Trust. He joined M&T Bank in 1992, which acquired Wilmington Trust in 2011. During his more than three decades with the institution, Dave has served as the regional president for the Greater Washington/Central Virginia and Greater Baltimore regions of Wilmington Trust and led M&T’s commercial banking operations in the Washington, DC and Northern Virginia marketplace, which includes the Government Contracting practice. He also managed retail branches, directed the bank’s retirement plan sales team, and worked on integration related projects for some of M&T’s acquisitions.Dave holds an MBA from The American University (Washington, DC), a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from Mount Saint Mary’s University (Emmitsburg, MD), and completed an executive leadership program at Columbia University. Dave serves as Treasurer of the board of trustees at Mt. St. Mary’s University; is a member of the advisory board for the institution’s Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business; is chairman of the board at Catholic Charities (Archdiocese of Washington, DC); and is a member of the nominating committee at DeMatha Catholic High School. Formerly, Dave chaired the board of directors at DeMatha Catholic High School; was a board member at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington; served on the advisory board for the Honors College at George Mason University; and as a board member for Sport Changes Life.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 8. Publication date 12/15/2025Stag Symposium’s guest is Robert Reeser, senior at DeMatha.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 7. Publication date 12/1/2025Stag Symposium’s guest is Gordon Johnson, senior at DeMatha.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 6. Publication date 11/17/2025Stag Symposium’s guest is Dafydd Evans, former soccer coach and business teacher at DeMatha. Daf discusses his career and the impact that DeMatha had on him. He shares great stories about his teams and assistant coaches and the importance of building trust and community. Daf talks about the National Championship team and the way that coaches adapt their strategy to certain players while retaining a particular philosophical outlook.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 5. Publication date 11/03/2025Stag Symposium’s guest is Jim Turk, Director of Vocal Music. Jim talks teaching, music, his journey to DeMatha and shares some of his favorite stories. Jim also talks about his The Ohio State University experience and his composition of DeMatha’s school song. He might teach Mike and Dan to sing. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 4. Publication date 10/20/2025Stag Symposium talks with Mingming Hao about her journey to DeMatha and her love of the Chinese language and culture. She explains how she arranged a trip to China for students this past summer and why she is excited to be teaching a History of China class for those not studying the language. Mingming is DeMatha’s Novice Teacher of the Year and will receive her award at the High School Principals Professional Development Day on Friday, October 24. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year of teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 3. Publication date 10/06/2025Stag Symposium talks with Brendan Shea about his three different times at DeMatha and his journey from student to teacher to admissions director. Brendan tells how he first invented a House System for his classes and he talks about what he learned from other charisms when he worked for the Xaverian brothers in Boston and the Christian Brothers at St. John’s where he was the English Department Chair.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 2. Publication date 09/23/2025Stag Symposium talks with Fr. Albert about his three different times at DeMatha and the history and mission of the Trinitarians. He tells us what he misses most as he transitioned to President and what he likes best about being President.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 3, Episode 1. Publication date 09/09/2025Stag Symposium looks back at the summer events and discusses academic plans for the year and podcast plans. Mike makes a bold promise to have Fr. Albert on! Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76. 

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 2, Episode 21. Publication date 6/30/2025Stag Symposium wrap up of season 2, summer plans, and ideas for next year.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.Stag Symposium ([email protected])

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 2, Episode 20. Publication date 6/16/2025Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is senior Dr. Michael Gatti. Mike Gatti began at DeMatha as a private teacher in percussion and then was hired 23 years ago. His expertise allows us to have two percussion ensembles and to give much more individual attention to the percussionists in all of the other bands. Mike talks about his work as a teacher and a working musician and he tells us about how he came to his calling in music. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.Stag Symposium ([email protected])

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 2, Episode 19. Publication date 6/2/2025Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Distinguished Alum, currently professor at Baylor, Dr. Thomas Hibbs ‘78. Dr. Hibbs is the author of 8 books. He is the J. Newton Rayzor Sr. Professor of Philosophy and Dean Emeritus at Baylor University. We talk with Tom about his career at DeMatha, his academic interests and his interest in popular culture and what it is like teaching a class on friendship with his wife.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 18. Publication date 5/19/2025Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is faculty member and fellow alum Martin Hager. Marty’s family has deep roots in DeMatha: his mom worked in the library for years, his three sons graduated from DeMatha, and his brothers did too. Marty has taught virtually everything in the Science Department curriculum and his work with the Ecology Club and the Recycling Club has been instrumental in making DeMatha a “greener” space. A podcast of several hours couldn’t completely account for his influence at DeMatha. Marty will be retiring at the end of the school year–and he will be missed.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 2, Episode 17. Publication date 5/5/2025Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is senior Jackson Ross. Jackson shares his introduction to DeMatha, his experiences in class and in sports, and the things he will take with him to Randolph-Macon. Jackson’s tenure as the Student Government President has been marked by collegiality, school spirit and pride, expanded events, and the introduction of freshmen into leadership roles. We get to hear a bit about Jackson’s plans for the future.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 2, Episode 16. Publication date 4/21/2025Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Scott Sicko. Scott’s work at DeMatha in the classroom has been notable for its range. He has expertly directed students through AP US Government, AP Comparative Government, Psychology, US History (on different levels), and a highly sought after elective, The History of Terrorism and Extremism. The latter he offered to his colleagues as a Cerfroid Summer Seminar and it was a terrific experience for all. Scott is in his second stint at DeMatha and in his 7th year total and while he remains devoted to the classroom he has recently accepted a much larger role in Student Life. His work with the SGA and across all of the clubs and organizations is designed to privilege brotherhood and thereby fulfill the mission and improve the student experience.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.Stag Symposium ([email protected])

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 15. Publication date 4/7/2025Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Erin Bright. Erin’s primary work for the past 14 years has been in Campus Ministry where she has done exemplary work with our service program and various drives as well as supporting retreats and liturgies and faith opportunities for students and adults alike. She has taught Theology and AP Government. A graduate of Mount St. Mary’s and then Notre Dame’s ACE (Alliance for Catholic Education) Program, Erin worked in a variety of different schools before coming to DeMatha. She is married to Andrew Bright, ‘03, DeMatha’s College Counselor.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 2, Episode 14. Publication date 3/24/2025Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Jamie O’Connor who is in his 20th year at DeMatha.  Jamie’s relationship goes back much further though as he was a student, musician, athlete. He taught Spanish for 14 years and has been Associate Dean of Students for 6; he works and helps plan retreats, has coached soccer, football, and crew, and had two sons attend DeMatha–and he has moderated trips including to Spain in 2024. He is not only a Swiss army knife of an employee, he is a bridge guy or glue guy connecting different parts of the community with insight, wisdom and a healthy dose of humor.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 2, Episode 13. Publication date 3/10/2025Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Michael Boxley ‘25.  Michael is a current senior and this is the first time we have interviewed a student. We discuss how Michael got to DeMatha, what some of his formative experiences have been, and where he goes from here. Both Mike Ptomey and Dan have had Michael in class where his willingness to confront and wrestle with ideas and to fight against groupthink has been notable.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 2, Episode 12. Publication date 2/24/2025Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Mark Jefferson ‘87.  Mark joins Mike and Dan to talk about his varied career as a laborer, teacher, divinity student, lawyer, and administrator. Mark is one of those remarkable “bridge” people who connects with others and connects people to each other. He has been instrumental in helping DeMatha’s summer Civil Rights trip. Though you can’t see it on the podcast, Mark was completely decked out in DeMatha regalia for this, our first remote interview. This is a slightly longer episode–hope you enjoy it.Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 10. Publication date 2/3/2025 Stag Symposium visits with Andrew Eck (‘11) for a far-reaching discussion on integrating the variety of roles one can play in a high school such as DeMatha. Andrew has taught different levels of English, moderated Chorus, assisted with the drama program, lent his beautiful singing voice to numerous occasions, attended numerous service trips, and worked in admissions and transportation. He will be pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 10. Publication date 1/20/2025 Stag Symposium spends this episode with Mike and Dan talking about books they are reading, movies they are watching, and reflecting on what they are learning from colleagues and texts–and how that shows up in their teaching. Lots of shout outs to stoicism and a request to listeners that if they know a movie that deals with theological or moral issues that you think might belong in a faculty summer seminar–please send them to us. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 9. Publication date 1/6/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Kelly Lama. Kelly joins Mike and Dan to talk about his career teaching and coaching at DeMatha. Kelly has chaired the Mathematics department for many years and he worked in the Dean of Students Office with Tom Burke. He is a recipient of the Collins-Wootten Chair of Teaching Excellence and has received numerous other awards for teaching. His mentorship of young teachers is a particular gift to the school. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 8. Publication date 12/16/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Charlie Kenny ‘68.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 7. Publication date 12/2/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Fr. James. Join us as Fr. James reflects on the influences in his life and his time at DeMatha. While he has spent 28 years in ministry to the school, he has seen so many developments since he joined the faculty in 1975.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 6. Publication date 11/18/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Bill McGregor. Bill McGregor has spent 45 years at DeMatha and his impact on generations of students, athletes, and colleagues is immeasurable. Bill talks about Buck Offutt, Morgan Wootten, and John Moylan and what he learned from them. His passion for teaching and his deeply-held faith in education to improve the trajectory of a young person’s life comes through in every story and reflection. Bill also relates a great story of how he got into teaching accidentally. His real strengths as a teacher and coach come from his intentionality. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated many different clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 5. Publication date 11/4/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Angela Woods. Angela is in her 3rd year teaching math at DeMatha. She has taught for 11 years all together and she tells us about her experiences teaching hard-to-reach students and the importance of faith and spirituality to getting her into teaching. Mike and Dan both get a chance to learn about “Beyblade”--a club that Angela moderates–and the importance of co-curriculars to student development. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 4. Publication date 10/21/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Paul Davies. Paul’s 27 years at DeMatha have seen him teach every level of Spanish. He served for many years as moderator of the National Honor Society and has coordinated and directed at least 15 trips abroad. His expertise at the language is such that he has been called upon to settle a disputed point between two native speakers. Paul reflects on the importance of travel, on creating and noticing your surroundings, and on learning from colleagues.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 3. Publication date 10/7/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Homer Twigg. Homer has served DeMatha as a Theology teacher at all levels but his specialty is teaching Ethics to juniors. Homer has a deep knowledge of hip-hop that students are often shocked to discover–and then he uses that in class. He has a particular fascination with technology and artificial intelligence and some of his most challenging units with his students are on this topic. We spend time talking about Dante’s Purgatory and the way Homer uses that in class and the projects that the text has inspired. Homer moderates the exceptionally active Chess Club and runs a Chess Camp each summer. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 2. Publication date 9/23/2024 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Sam Haller. Sam has served DeMatha brilliantly as a teacher at all levels from below-grade readers to Advanced Placement students. He has coached freshman football, directed our new teacher orientation program, chaired the English department, coordinated our strategic plan, and he serves as Assistant Principal. Sam is now a DeMatha parent and is in his 20th year here; he is currently a graduate student at Harvard. Sam joins us to talk about travel, how he thinks about working with teachers, and what kinds of things he looks forward to in the next few years. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 1. Publication date 9/9/2024 The new season of Stag Symposium opens with an interview with Neal Murphy whose 40 year career at DeMatha has seen him teach thousands of students in math, coach hundreds more in basketball, and work with dozens of students in the computer center. Neal’s influence as a colleague is incalculable and he shares ideas about influences on him, the ways to reach reluctant learners, and how he came to be at DeMatha. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected])  Show Notes Season 1, Episode 14. Drop date 6/10/2024 The podcast wraps up its first season with Mike and Dan reflecting on through-lines that we saw in the range of guests. Some of those through lines include: passion, curiosity, a sense of mission, and humor. There is a sense of gratitude and wonder at the range of teaching and, in plans for next season, the hosts hope to interview people from across the spectrum of DeMatha life. The podcast takes a break for the summer and will return on September 9–coincidentally the anniversary of the school’s opening in 1946. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 13. Drop date 5/27/2024 Guest: Mr. William Clark is completing his 40th year at DeMatha and is stepping away from his duties as Assistant Principal which he has performed brilliantly for the past 27 years. He will be staying on to teach Advanced Placement French and to assist in all manner of things. Bill talks about his own desire to adopt more technology in the classroom, his vision of how the school works, and his own journey as an educator. Bill also tells us about a couple of favorite movies! Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 12. Drop date 5/13/2024 Guest: Fr. Damian Anuszewski is in his 5oth year at DeMatha. He has interacted with students and families as a teacher, a minister, a team chaplain, the Rector, the Emcee at numerous celebrations, the Department Chair and in countless other ways. Fr. D reflects on those who influenced him and how he sees the role of DeMatha in the lives of the young men he works with. We discuss humor and the need to keep growing as a teacher.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 11. Drop date 4/29/2024 Guest: Ms. Joan Phalen has worked miracles in her time in Academic Support. From her beginnings as a volunteer in the space that Patricia Guerrin created, Joan has helped countless students (and parents and colleagues) become better learners. With her wide-ranging knowledge across so many disciplines, Joan is able to assist students in every area–but none more important than helping them recognize their own growth and mastery.  Main Topics: Love and teaching, the importance of understanding our “elders”, progress vs performance in assessment. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 10. Drop date 4/15/2024 Guest: Mr. Shaka Dickerson ‘03 has had a rich and varied career in education. From DeMatha to Columbia and Howard and Vanderbilt with interests ranging from architecture to urban planning to history to leadership, Shaka thinks deeply about spaces and learning, about expectations and learning, about self-discipline and self-awareness. His work as Dean of Students has him intersect with kids who are vulnerable and fragile and in need of both support and correction. Main Topics: Leadership and pedagogy, the influence of adults, the experiences we bring to our teaching. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 9. Drop date 4/1/2024 Guest: Mr. Chris Hurst is in his 16th year teaching at DeMatha. Chris has taught almost all levels of math and his current assignments include two different AP courses: Calculus AB and Economics. In his career at DeMatha Chris has worked service trips with students and coached basketball. Chris was the producer of DeMatha’s “Year of Primes” in 2017 where he collaborated on 52 scripts, arranged filming, developed ideas, and hosted a culminating round table.  Main Topics: Math and the Liberal Arts; faith and prayer; building community. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 8. Drop date 3/18/2024 Guest: Mr. Tom Krawczewicz.  Main Topics: Tom Krawczewicz’ (‘81) career of more than 30 years teaching every level of English as well as every programming language offers a fascinating study of bridging disciplines. Tom’s Master’s degree from Full Sail University (first in his class!) has helped inform the way he brings Technology to the whole school. In addition to being a brilliant teacher, Tom has coached the swim team for 30 years and in his role with faculty formation he curates articles about education each week of the year and he leads the Professional Learning Community year of the formation cycle. Tom joins us to talk about humor and play, bridging disciplines, and teachers who make a difference. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 43nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 7. Drop date 3/4/2024 Guest: Mr. John McConnell. John has been teaching at DeMatha for 19 years and is co-chair of the English Department. He has led several Cerfroid Summer Seminars for professional development and participated in numerous others. His Film class and War Narrative class are always over-subscribed. John has coached soccer at DeMatha and has served as moderator of Mock Trial for many years. Main topics: John discusses developing his ideas about teaching during a tour of the Persian Gulf and at a prison in Wichita. He also taught creative writing at Wichita State. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 6. Drop date 2/19/2024 Guest: Ms. Caroline Tatnall. Caroline teaches in the Department of Sciences at DeMatha. Her assignments have included Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Marine Biology. She has been at DeMatha for two years and is a graduate of Clemson (undergraduate) and Notre Dame (graduate school). She was recognized by the Archdiocese of Washington as Novice Teacher of the Year this past October. Caroline put her minor is Spanish to good use by teaching two years in Madrid (and she also taught Precalculus at her former school in Alameda, California. She is originally from Olney and attended Blake High School. Caroline joins us to discuss the importance of landscape and granular school context, the importance of culture and setting, and much more. Main topics: Cultural contexts, play and chaos, the importance of expectations, and the building of community. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 5. Drop date 2/5/2024 Guest: Mr. Matthew Bickel, ‘95. Matt is the Director of Instrumental Music and the conductor of Sinfonia and Orchestral Music. He has been teaching for 18 years at DeMatha. His knowledge of music is remarkable and his passion for teaching is incandescent.  Main topics: Importance of relationships and praise; the nurturing of artists (and students); influential teachers; music–popular and classic. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) Show Notes Season 1, Episode 4. Drop date 1/22/2024 Guest: Mr. Vaughn Holsey. Vaughn’s career teaching art is deeply informed by his own art and by a varied background in athletics, academics, landscaping, mural-painting, and so much more. He has mentored many new teachers, nurtured young artists, and spoken at many retreats. This lively discussion focuses on significant books, the importance of humor in the classroom, and the value of great colleagues. Books referred to: Bible, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Walker Percy The Moviegoer.  Main topics: books that are important to us; the value and use of humor in the classroom; and importance of great colleagues and how they fuel growth. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 19th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching. Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 42nd year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.