Send us a text What does it really mean to study the humanities in a world driven by data, speed, and technology? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Dr. Camilo Jaramillo, Dean of Humanities at JCHS, explores how literature, history, and art help students make sense of themselves and the world they live in. From mock trials and creative projects to deep dives into the ideas that have shaped society, Dr. Jaramillo reveals how JCHS students learn to think critically, communicate powerfully, a...
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Send us a text What does it really mean to study the humanities in a world driven by data, speed, and technology? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Dr. Camilo Jaramillo, Dean of Humanities at JCHS, explores how literature, history, and art help students make sense of themselves and the world they live in. From mock trials and creative projects to deep dives into the ideas that have shaped society, Dr. Jaramillo reveals how JCHS students learn to think critically, communicate powerfully, a...
Send us a text What does it really mean to study the humanities in a world driven by data, speed, and technology? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Dr. Camilo Jaramillo, Dean of Humanities at JCHS, explores how literature, history, and art help students make sense of themselves and the world they live in. From mock trials and creative projects to deep dives into the ideas that have shaped society, Dr. Jaramillo reveals how JCHS students learn to think critically, communicate powerfully, a...
Send us a text What if grades reflected only what students truly learned—not compliance or point-chasing? In this episode, Michael Brody, Assistant Head of School at JCHS, shares the school’s “Grading for Learning” philosophy, which prioritizes mastery over noise like attendance penalties or extra credit. He explains how policies like retakes and rewrites encourage intellectual risk-taking, while AP courses focus on authentic, college-level learning rather than test prep. Michael offers insig...
Send us a text How do you teach young people to navigate one of the most polarizing topics of our time in a productive healthy, and thoughtful way? In this conversation, JCHS alum and Director of Jewish and Student Life, Adi Alouf, shares the story behind the school’s weekly “Lunch and Learn” series, launched after October 7, 2023. She explains why cultivating humility, curiosity, and engagement with complexity is so important. From weekly Lunch and Learn conversations to the life-chang...
Send us a text What if reading Torah could make us more humble, responsible, and courageous? In this episode, Dean of Jewish Studies Tamar Rabinowitz explains how slowing down, listening deeply, and engaging multiple voices in dialogue can shape a person’s character as much as their intellect. Her teaching emphasizes humility, responsibility, and moral courage—qualities urgently needed in a world of quick takes and easy answers. Reading List: From Consumption to Production: Equipping Students...
How does the tension between structure and freedom allow for creativity to thrive? In this episode, Dean of Visual & Performing Arts Jennifer Sturgill explains her philosophy of teaching art as an exploration of open-mindedness. She illustrates this approach through a “notan” paper-cutting project, showing how structure, freedom, and attention to detail combine to spark creativity and confidence. Episode launch date: September 30 To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Fo...
We are in conversation with Dean of College and Gap-year Advising, Lauren Cook. A 30-year veteran of College Admissions, Ms. Cook has worked on both sides of the process, as a college admissions officer for Mount Holyoke College and as a college counselor for students at JCHS. She is the former president of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling and also a member of the Fiske Guide to Colleges Counselor Advisory Group. Ms. Cook is much sought-after as an expert—she’s appeare...
In this episode, we’re talking with Rabbi Howard Jacoby Ruben, the Head of School at JCHS, who shares how a culture of courageous questioning, deep learning, and joyful belonging shapes everything from classroom discussions to community life. We’ll explore how the approach to learning at JCHS allows students to do more…. be more… as they enter into centuries-old conversations, wrestle with justice, and grow into original thinkers ready to engage the world with empathy and purpose. ...
Send us a text What does it really mean to study the humanities in a world driven by data, speed, and technology? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Dr. Camilo Jaramillo, Dean of Humanities at JCHS, explores how literature, history, and art help students make sense of themselves and the world they live in. From mock trials and creative projects to deep dives into the ideas that have shaped society, Dr. Jaramillo reveals how JCHS students learn to think critically, communicate powerfully, a...
