Saint Agnes School Podcast

003: Fr. Paul Baker

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

In this conversation recorded earlier this school year, Fr. Paul Baker shares his vocation story, the ways in which Saint Agnes properly implements the Second Vatican Council, and details his love for trivia--in particular, the show Jeopardy.
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Founded in 1888, Saint Agnes School is an award-winning and nationally recognized co-ed, Preschool-12th grade school located in the heart of St. Paul, Minnesota. To learn more, visit our website (link below) or contact us at 651-925-8700.

WEBSITE:
www.saintagnesschool.org

SOCIAL:
https://www.facebook.com/SaintAgnesSchool
https://www.instagram.com/saintagnesschool

002: Mr. David Gockowski

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Our new Lower School Director, Mr. David Gockowski, shares what a Classical, Liberal Arts education looks like in a Lower School setting, the duties and responsibilities of teachers as supreme artists, and what makes the Saint Agnes approach to education unique in the Catholic school landscape.

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Founded in 1888, Saint Agnes School is an award-winning and nationally recognized co-ed, Preschool-12th grade school located in the heart of St. Paul, Minnesota. To learn more, visit our website (link below) or contact us at 651-925-8700.

WEBSITE:
www.saintagnesschool.org

SOCIAL:
https://www.facebook.com/SaintAgnesSchool
https://www.instagram.com/saintagnesschool

001: Sr. Maria Canisius, O.P.

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Sr. Maria Canisius, O.P. sits down for a conversation, featuring topics ranging from a discussion of her vocation story, to what her daily life looks like as a Dominican Sister of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist here at Saint Agnes School, to why it's important to encourage our children to read.

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Founded in 1888, Saint Agnes School is an award-winning and nationally recognized co-ed, Preschool-12th grade school located in the heart of St. Paul, Minnesota. To learn more, visit our website (link below) or contact us at 651-925-8700.

WEBSITE:
www.saintagnesschool.org

SOCIAL:
https://www.facebook.com/SaintAgnesSchool
https://www.instagram.com/saintagnesschool

Episode 21: Educational Neuroscience & the Liberal Arts: Brain-based Learning Strategies

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:02:32 -0500

In this episode of the Saint Agnes Podcast Series, Host Michael Adkins takes listeners on a brief tour of educational neuroscience and its relevance for liberal arts classical education. This episode contains 5 parts: Part I offers an intro to educational neuroscience (2:16-6:24); Part II reveals how modern science of the brain affirms the classical liberal arts model (6:25-10:53); Part III is a fascinating interview with our Guidance Counselor Mrs. Jolene Schmitz on how to support our students with brain-based strategies (10:54-20:42); Part IV offers an overview of the brain lessons I taught in my Latin classes (20:42-23:39); Part V is an overview of data and feedback from a student survey I administered after the lessons - you'll also hear directly from students! (23:40-32:04); The episode ends with a brief recap and offer of resources (32:05-33:18). For more brain-based learning/teaching information contact: madkins@saintagnesschool.org The text referenced was "Research Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning" by Judy Willis & Malana Willis (2020).

Episode 20: Divine Mercy Passion Play 2021

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 19:19:33 -0400

Saint Agnes School is proud to share with everyone the 2021 Divine Mercy Passion Play performed by our 6th grade students. The narration and character voices were recorded on site under the direction of Mrs. Claire Bona over the past several weeks. Our students worked very hard and are proud to present to the Saint Agnes community the final production, assembled by Mrs. Bona, author of the original script. Normally, this annual event would have been performed during Holy Week for parents, teachers, and fellow students in the beautiful Helene Houle Auditorium. While it is not, sadly, the live performance with all our 6th graders, we hope that this recording inspires everyone to contemplate God's unfathomable Divine Mercy during the Triduum and Easter season! "Jesus, I trust in you!"

Cultural Literacy - Reason #7 Pt. I (Why the Liberal Arts?)

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 09:56:21 -0400

Part I of our investigation of Cultural Literacy features Dr. Anika Prather, professor of Classics at Howard University and founder of Living Water School, who will help us explore the importance of cultural literacy as Americans, as Christians, and as people of goodwill from various diverse backgrounds. In addition, Dr. Prather, a proud African American educator, wife, and mother of three, will evaluate current trends that threaten to "cancel" the Western Canon of the Great Books, and she will underscore the importance of a traditional Liberal Arts education. Part II will feature Dr. Dave Deavel from the University of St. Thomas.

Read Dr. Prather's beautiful 3-part reflection entitled "Classic Learning in Black History" at the Classic Learning Test (CLT) Blog: https://blog.cltexam.com/classic-learning-in-black-history-part-i/

The Importance of Teaching History - Reason #6 (Why the Liberal Arts?)

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 16:23:18 -0400

Sr. Teresa Christi and Mrs. Lori Dumas, faculty at Saint Agnes School, discuss the importance of teaching History (as opposed to "Social Studies") as well as aspects of our philosophical and pedagogical approaches to this critical subject.

Divine Mercy Passion Play - Holy Week 2020

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 13:52:26 -0400

Saint Agnes School is proud to share with everyone this audio drama, created with the script for the 6th Grade Divine Mercy Passion Play. This annual event would have been performed this Holy Week for parents, teachers, and fellow students in the beautiful Helene Houle Auditorium. With the acting support of the 1st grade and selected 5th Graders, our 6th grade students had already put many hours into memorizing their lines, roles, and blocking, and creating voice-over recordings for the performance. In honor of the 6th Grade and their hard work, and as a gift to everyone during this strange Holy Week in quarantine, Mrs. Claire Bona (6th grade teacher and Director of the Passion Play) and her immediate family produced this audio drama. The voice recordings were created with special guests Dr. Kathleen Kirsch and Ms. Sami Burr, fellow members of the Saint Agnes faculty. The original voice-over recordings of student actors have also been integrated in the drama; featuring the vocals of Kidus Dawit as Jesus, Lily Drayton as Saint Faustina, Anali Flores as Mother Mary, and Rafael West as Saint Peter. While it is not, sadly, the live performance with all our 6th graders, we hope this recording inspires everyone to contemplate God's unfathomable Divine Mercy during the Triduum and Easter season! "Jesus, I trust in you!"

The Art of Conversation: Socratic Discussion - Reason #5 (Why the Liberal Arts?)

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 13:41:52 -0500

Mrs. Leila Vance and Dr. Scott Pentecost talk about reading to learn, the art of asking good questions, and how to engage in great conversation.

Getting Sunday Right with Dr. Naughton

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 09:33:39 -0500

Feeling weary? Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a podcast you won't want to miss! Dr. Michael Naughton, Past Aggie Parent and Director of the Center for Catholic Studies, talks to our upper school students about the three habits of rest (silence, celebration, and charity) and why getting Sunday right is the pivotal turning point of our week.

A Novel Idea: Reading the Great Books - Reason #4 (Why the Liberal Arts?)

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:02:09 -0500

Mr. Ted Sexton and Ms. Sarah Ennis discuss the value of being well-read, how to create a family culture of reading, and the enduring legacy of the Great Books.

Meet the Parents: The Inside Scoop on Choosing a School & Reflections on Life at Saint Agnes

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 10:46:22 -0500

A panel of four Aggie parents offer candid reflection on how they made educational decisions for their children and what their experiences have been at Saint Agnes School.

Latin: The Myth, the Means, the Legend - Reason #3 (Why the Liberal Arts?)

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 09:53:32 -0500

Mr. Dan Berthiaume, Latin teacher, and Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics, discuss the enduring value of Latin (and debunk the myths that surround study of this language). Latinam amamus! #WeLoveLatin

A Message for Junior Parents with Mr. Karl Hendrickson

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:04:03 -0500

Assistant Headmaster Mr. Karl Hendrickson reflects on the unique aspects of junior year and how parents can support their students in the academics, post-high school planning, faith and family.

Just Breathe: A Word on Mental Health Strategies & Therapy

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 15:02:54 -0500

Allie Hutchins, from WildTree Psychotherapy, discusses everything from the power of deep breathing to what therapy is like during a high school convocation on Wednesday, November 20. Allie visited Saint Agnes as part of our House discussions for the month of November surrounding mental health.

Stress, Baby Tiger Cubs, & the Cure of Connection

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 10:31:27 -0500

Father James McConville, Parochial Vicar, reflects on finding constructive ways to manage stress during a high school convocation on Wednesday, November 13.

A Message for Freshmen Parents with Mr. Karl Hendrickson

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 11:03:43 -0500

Assistant Headmaster Mr. Karl Hendrickson reflects on the unique aspects of freshman year and how parents and Saint Agnes can work together for the academic, spiritual and social development of their children.

Why the Liberal Arts? "Virtue & Character Formation" with Mrs. Claire Bona (Reason #2)

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 13:48:37 -0500

"Are Catholic schools simply public schools with religion classes? If they are, that's a problem... The curriculum itself has to be filled through and through with the Catholic intellectual tradition; there has to be some purposeful formation in the virtues; and there has to be a rich sacramental life; and the subject areas need to be integrated together."

Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics, and Mrs. Claire Bona, Grade 6 Teacher, dive into the topic of virtue and how to form young people of great character.

Raising Virtuous Children in a Digital Age with Dr. Ray Guarendi

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 09:50:09 -0400

Saint Agnes School's Fall Lecture is proud to present Dr. Ray Guarendi (nationally-recognized speaker, author, and psychologist from Ave Maria Radio's "The Dr. Is In" and EWTN's "Living Right with Dr. Ray.") His reflection on the vocation of parenthood was delivered at Saint Agnes School on Monday, October 21.

In Honor of the Canonization of John Henry Newman

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 10:48:54 -0400

Mr. Dan Berthiaume, Latin teacher, offers a brief reflection on the newly canonized Cardinal John Henry Newman during a special high school convocation on Friday, October 11.

Why the Liberal Arts? "Formation for Future Learning" with Fr. Moriarty (Reason #1)

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:42:23 -0400

Why choose the liberal arts? Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics, and Fr. Mark Moriarty, Pastor and Superintendent, discuss the solid foundation liberal arts education builds to inspire and encourage lifelong learners.

12 Reasons to Choose a Liberal Arts / Classical Education with Mr. Adkins

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:48:11 -0400

Private vs. Public? Language immersion or STEM? With limitless options in education, why choose liberal arts or classical? Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics, illustrates 12 reasons why this type of education is forming well-rounded individuals prepared for college, life, and beyond.

Introduction to Email Communications with Mr. Hendrickson (HS Convocation 9/3/2019)

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 15:05:52 -0400

Training in professional competencies is just one way we are preparing our students for college, life, and beyond. In this excerpt from Convocation on Tuesday, September 3, Mr. Hendrickson introduces the launch of email addresses, Office 365, and Educate access for high school students.

Back to School with Dr. Ferdinandt

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:15:29 -0400

Happy First Day of School! Dr. Kevin Ferdinandt, Headmaster of Saint Agnes School, shares insights on a new academic year, including the 2019-20 House program theme and a reflection on 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.