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What if students learned not just to think outside the box—but to remake the box in their own original ways? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, we are in conversation with Joe McDonald—Director of Digital Engagement and Strategy, Filmmaking Teacher, and Theater Operations Director—to explore how engineering, film, and theater intersect in powerful ways at JCHS. From corporate boardrooms to the stage and behind the camera, Joe shares how his diverse professional experiences have shaped his belief that education should never fit into neat categories. Together, we’ll unpack how creative problem-solving, attention to detail, and scaffolded independence help students move beyond guardrails and thrive, especially in situations where there’s no clear roadmap. It’s a conversation about courage, craft, and cultivating the kind of critical and original thinking that lasts long after high school.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

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What does it take to say yes to a school that doesn’t yet exist—no campus, no students, just an idea and a leap of faith? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, we sit down with JCHS co-founder Noah Alper to revisit the risks, relationships, and convictions that shaped the school’s earliest days. Noah reflects on why pluralism, academic excellence, and deep human connection were essential from the start—and why Jewish identity as a choice still matters more than ever. Twenty-five years later, he looks at JCHS not just as a successful institution, but as a living expression of a big-tent vision that continues to shape leaders and community.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

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What if the most important thing school taught you was how YOUR brain works? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, we sit down with Ellen Castillo, Co-Dean of Learning Support at JCHS, to talk about how a neurodivergent-affirming school culture helps students feel comfortable talking about how they learn. Ms. Castillo shares how JCHS normalizes neurodiversity through open conversations, student panels, and relationships built on trust—so no one feels like they have to hide who they are. We’ll break down what it really looks like to support different kinds of learners, including twice-exceptional students, by focusing on strengths instead of “what’s wrong.” Ms. Castillo explains how understanding your learning style and advocating for yourself in high school can set you up for life well beyond the classroom.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

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What if one of the most important classes a ninth grader takes isn’t about grades at all—but about learning how to live well? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, we are in conversation withJCHS school counselor Julie Beck to explore how health, wellness, and life skills are intentionally woven into the ninth grade Fresh Sem experience. Julie shares how conversations about sleep, mental health, technology, relationships, and communication plant seeds that continue to grow throughout a student’s high school years. Ms. Beck talks about what it means to normalize vulnerability, build trust between teens and adults, and help young people develop the self-awareness and resilience they need—both in school and beyond.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

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How can we foster the kind of curiosity and thoughtful connection that will help inspire the next generation of informed and hopeful citizens of the planet? In this episode, we sit down with JCHS Biology and Environmental Science teacher Amy Dean to explore how meaningful science education helps students see the world differently. From assessing backyard redwood trees to collecting real data in coastal tide pools, Ms. Dean shares how hands-on learning transforms abstract environmental issues into deeply personal understanding. We talk about environmental literacy, systems thinking, and how students learn to wrestle with complex, real-world challenges without easy answers.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

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What does it really mean for students to feel seen, heard, and empowered at school? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, we sit down with the JCHS Knesset executive team, Assaf Brajtman '26, Elijah Isaacson '26, Ilan Kalika '26, and Manny Stern '26, to explore how student leadership shapes belonging, voice, and community. From standing on stage at Hakhel to quietly advocating behind the scenes, these leaders share how they take positive risks, model empathy, and create space for every student to speak up. They share stories of positive risk-taking, advocacy, and the small traditions that carry big meaning. Along the way, they reflect on friendship, mentorship, and what it means to lead as “students first.” It’s an honest look at how belonging is built—one voice at a time.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

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How do you build a school culture where students feel both deeply cared for and boldly challenged to grow? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, we sit down with Roni Ben-David, Director of Social Justice and Inclusion at JCHS, to explore how the Jewish value of kavod habriyot—honoring human dignity—shapes classroom culture, student voice, and community life. Roni shares how restorative justice, constructive disagreement, and authentic feedback create pathways for trust, accountability, and belonging. Together, we unpack what it really means to prepare students to live and lead in a diverse, complex world.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

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What if the most important career skill you’ll ever need isn’t something you can study from a textbook? In this episode, alumn Ethan Finestone '20 reflects on how filmmaking projects, multi-grade athletics, and student government at JCHS shaped his confidence, adaptability, and self-advocacy long before college or the AI industry were on his radar. He shares how the personalized relationships and academic rigor at JCHS gave him an unexpected advantage at a 35,000 student public university like Michigan. Ethan explains about how a small school can prepare students for a world—and a job market—that’s changing faster than anyone can predict.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.