Joy In Learning, The Harley School's Podcast

Dr. Smith on Play, Purpose, and the Harley Lower School Experience

Why is play so critical for young learners, and why are so many schools leaving it behind? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Head of Lower School Dr. Smith as we break down the developmental power of unstructured play and outdoor discovery. Learn how The Harley School protects child-centered curiosity and seamlessly integrates play across the curriculum to raise confident, resilient, and independent thinkers.

"A community grows one seed at a time."

 

Middle School English students recently brought the book Seedfolks to life! Under the guidance of Mrs. Leary, students planted a dedicated garden in the Harley MicroFarm, bridging the gap between the written word and the natural world.

 

By researching seeds that matched their characters' backgrounds, students created a living map of the story. At Harley, we don't just study literature; we cultivate it.

What does it look like when biology leaps off the page and into the MakerSpace? Join 7/8 Grade Science teacher Carli Rivers as she discusses one of Harley’s Middle School projects: building 10-foot-tall oversized plant and animal cells.

 

Instead of just labeling a diagram, Carli’s students took to the MakerSpace to engineer life-sized models. Working in pairs to tackle specific parts of a cell, students had to collaborate, problem-solve, and build.

 

In this video, Carli shares:

• Why the process of building is as vital as the biological facts themselves.
• How the MakerSpace became an extension of the science lab.
• The impact of scale: Why exploring a 10-foot cell creates a memory that lasts longer than a textbook chapter.

In this episode, we sit down with Head of School Dr. Ryan Kimmet to tackle a growing crisis in modern education: the disappearance of play. While many schools view play as a luxury for the early years, The Harley School treats it as a critical engine for learning from Nursery through Grade 12.

Dr. Kimmet dives into the science and strategy behind "protecting the sandbox." We discuss:

• Why Harley maintains Middle School recess when most schools phase it out.
• How "playful" physics labs lead to deeper conceptual understanding than traditional lectures.
• How a culture of play builds the "competitive edge" Harley graduates need for the future of work.
• The psychological link between unstructured time and navigating the "growing pains" of adolescence.

Join us for a deep dive into why "seat time" isn't the same as "learning time," and how protecting the art of play creates students who aren't just high achievers, but creative thinkers ready to iterate and innovate.

Beyond the Lens: The Storyteller Behind Harley’s Biggest Moments

What does it mean to capture the "heart" of Harley? Our multimedia specialist, Art Rothfuss, shares his decade-long journey and the powerful philosophy that guides his work.

• Hear why he believes in treating every student with deep respect.
• Get a peek inside his unique project documenting the life-changing Harley Hospice Program—a class unlike any other in the world.

Read Art's full story on fostering connections, authentic storytelling, and finding the moments that define our community!

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Kimmet, The Harley School's Head of School, on Fostering a Culture of Innovation and Creativity in Education, where we discuss those non-negotiable elements—from embracing "failing forward" to utilizing technology—required to cultivate essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills in today's students. Hear specific examples of innovative practices and explore our vision for how Harley School can define its educational experience to meet the demands of the future workforce.

Join us for an insightful discussion with Dr. Kimmet, Harley's Head of School, on The Importance of Independent Education in Rochester, where we explore the unique contributions and critical value proposition of schools like Harley within the region's diverse ecosystem.

Join the creators of the musical song cycle "The BFF Notebook" for a discussion about their show and creative process. This warm and musical show is a look back at the shared childhood of two lifelong friends, Bridget and Amy.

 

The BFF Notebook, a journal where the friends wrote down their thoughts and dreams, serves as a unique record of their most formative years. This show unpacks a friendship built on a lifetime of shared moments, some spoken and some only written. It's a story of two girls who, destined to "make something" together, were creating just that all along.

The show, presented by the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival and The Harley School, will take place at The Harley School on September 20th at 4 pm and 7 pm. Tickets are $12 and are available at the door.

An interview with The Harley School's new Head of School, Dr. Ryan Kimmet '95. The school's first alumni to take the helm.

Reporting from Minnesota today, Melissa Spiess '95 has an extensive background in using music as a way to heal people. Her two-decade-plus career includes founding Living Spirit Therapy, which specializes in neurologic music therapy services. Join us as we dive into her career, common misconceptions around music therapy, and what her specialized services do for people of all backgrounds.