At ACS Athens, the Optimal Learning Program (OLP) is built on a simple but powerful belief: every child learns differently. Coordinator Evi Evloyia who leads the OLP, brings that message to life every day with her team of specialists, teachers, and administrators. “Every brain is unique,” she says—and everything they do stems from that idea. In a d…

Welcome to this special episode of “Owlcast,” where we spotlight a powerful journey of empathy and inclusion led by ACS Athens middle school students. What began with a Disability Awareness Day in December—featuring Paralympic sports, guide dogs, and inspiring speakers—grew into a transformative, three-phase project with real-world impact. Students…

In today's President’s edition, hosted by Dr. Peggy Pelonis, we talk about the cutting edge of science, education, and innovation. Dr. Pelonis welcomes a very special guest: Dr. Meenakshi Wadhwa, a celebrated astrophysicist, planetary scientist, and educator whose work has deepened our understanding of the solar system and our place within it. The …

If you missed, now you can listen to it! The 80th Anniversary Gala of ACS Athens was an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration, reflection, and celebration, held at the iconic and festively lit Grand Bretagne Hotel in central Athens, on Valentine’s Day. After opening remarks from President Dr. Peggy Pelonis, Board of Trustees Chair Pascal Ap…

In this special alumni edition of Owlcast, we welcome Pandora Bethea, a distinguished alumna of ACS Athens and a celebrated author and poet. Reflecting on her years at ACS during a time of cultural and historical significance, Pandora shares how her experiences at the school and the guidance of inspiring teachers like Mrs. Priles fueled her passion…

Welcome to a special Art & Literature edition of the Owlcast, with virtual sights and sounds from the vibrant 1st Annual ACS Athens Artists & Authors Spotlight, aptly titled "Introspective Dialogues: A Journey Through Visual and Literary Narratives." The Spotlight was organized by the Office of Development and the ACS Athens Global Alumni community…

Welcome to a special episode of Owlcast, where we embark on a journey through the rich and transformative history of the American Community Schools of Athens, or as we all know it for the past 20 years, ACS Athens. Over the past 80 years, ACS Athens has evolved from a modest education institution serving the children of British military personnel i…

In this episode of Owlcast, we explore the inspiring journey of the Intersection Club, a dynamic group of IB DP students and their teacher-advisors who brought their groundbreaking project to the IB Global Conference in Budapest, Hungary. Under the conference theme “Inspiring Learners, Realizing Potential,” their presentation, “Empowering Minds: Ho…

In this episode of Owlcast, we welcome Anna Sugarman and Chris Perakis, two distinguished experts in inclusive learning and differentiated instruction. Their visit to ACS Athens this past week has been transformative, featuring workshops, classroom observations, and meaningful conversations with educators. Anna, an authority in gifted and talented …

In this episode, we welcome Catherine Papin, Marketing Officer of the Global Engagement Office from Griffith College in Ireland, who joins us in discussing the unique advantages of studying at her university. Catherine shares insights on the college’s multicultural environment, its strong industry connections, and the benefits it offers students po…

Today’s Owlcast explores how Science studies are important for students to choose, not only as a career but also as a driver for positive change in the lives of our youth and the world they’ll build. We are happy to introduce Dr. Allison Schwier, Deputy Director of the U.S. State Department’s Office of Science and Technology and Adviser to the U.S.…

This episode of Owlcast "President's Edition" features a discussion on the importance of Social, Emotional, and Ethical (SEE) learning in schools. President Pelonis' guests are Ryder Delaloye of Emory University and Michael Wolper of Verita School (and ACS Athens Alum), who share their insights and experiences in implementing SEE learning. Delaloye…

Welcome to a special episode of Owlcast "College" Edition! We’re thrilled to have Roberta Geraci, Senior Recruiting Officer from Imperial College London, in the studio today. Whether you're a high school student thinking about your next steps or just curious about what it takes to get into top universities, this episode is packed with insights. Rob…

Welcome to this week’s 100th episode of Owlcast, where we sit down with the new members of our school's leadership, Dr. Harry Leonardatos, Principal of the Academy, and Dr. Matina Stergiopoulos, Assistant Principal of the Middle School. Both have made the bold move from leadership roles in New York to join our international school in Greece, bringi…

The premiere episode of the fourth season of the Owlcast welcomes today Dr. Peggy Pelonis, President of ACS Athens, as we are underway in an exciting and monumental year—our 80th anniversary celebration. As the entire school community reflects on eight decades of academic excellence, community impact, and global leadership, today’s conversation foc…

The last Owlcast of the season proudly hosts Dr. Nancy Snow, a Fulbright Professor of Public Diplomacy at Panteion University, a Visiting Scholar at the Institute of International Relations (IDIS), and the Lead Author of "Propaganda and Persuasion," now in its 8th edition with Sage. Her expertise in intercultural communications, peace and conflict …

The Class of 2024 Academy Commencement Speaker was none other than the distinguished Tom Mustin, a veteran in the world of broadcast journalism and proud ACS Athens Alum. With a celebrated career spanning over two decades in television news, Tom has navigated the rigorous demands of the industry, emerging as a highly respected storyteller and commu…

Alex Stelea, a distinguished alum from the Class of 2012 is with us today. Alex's journey is a fascinating exploration of technology, education, and the ever-evolving landscape of the digital age. In our conversation, Alex shares how being introduced to new technologies with fresh, inquisitive eyes during his high school years sparked a lifelong pa…

The Honor Code Club of ACS Athens is more than just a student-led group; it's an inspiring initiative that encourages children to make a difference in their communities. The club's mission revolves around doing the right thing even when no one is watching, a principle that these students have taken to heart. Throughout the episode, they share stori…

Today we are excited to have an incredibly inspiring guest joining us, Dr. Lisa Petrides. Lisa is the founder of the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME), and she brings a wealth of experience and insight into how knowledge management can revolutionize teaching and learning. We discuss fascinating topics, including t…

Today’s Owlcast is all about TED-Ed, the program that provides free, customizable activities for educators to support their students in identifying, developing, and sharing their ideas with each other and the world. ACS Athens has been collaborating with other schools in these events, as they broaden students' perspectives and expose them to divers…

Today we are joined by ACS Athens counselors from the Center for Student Success and students who earlier this spring attended an inspiring career day, featuring alumni mentors and also visited a vibrant college fair showcasing universities from the UK. Through advisory classes and a supportive school environment, students are encouraged to express…

In this episode of the Owlcast, we are joined by an inspired and motivated group of educators who operate in the heart of emerging dynamics and shifting paradigms, guided by the Institute's North Star: preparing students today for the needs of the world tomorrow. In a world increasingly affected by robots and AI, it's easy to lose sight of the real…

On this second episode of the Owlcast President’s edition with ACS Athens President Dr. Peggy Pelonis, we have a very special guest: A distinguished American diplomat who has lived in Greece for many years, serving the U.S. diplomatic corps but also education from top leadership positions. Today, we dive into the intricacies of diplomatic relations…

It’s one thing to visit and enjoy an art exhibition, seeing the artwork and the installations, and it’s quite another to listen to it. The artists sometimes are apprehensive about describing their art to an audience rather than a viewer, but when they start, a whole different world comes alive. The inner artist craves to speak out, on top of the vi…

This week is the ACS Athens Open edition, where student entrepreneurs and dreamers of new ideas come together to think out of the box and shape the future! Joining us are the brilliant minds behind some truly innovative concepts that emerged from last year's ACS Athens Open. From the hydroponic green wall to gamified learning platforms, these stude…

Today’s episode is about belonging to the NHS, the National Honor Society and the merits of being inducted into this prestigious organization. We are joined by two faculty advisors who have dedicated their energy and time to guiding students in joining and being active in NHS, as well as a remarkable high school senior who not only exemplifies the …

Welcome to the first episode of the Owlcast, President’s Edition, with Dr. Peggy Pelonis, President of ACS Athens. In this episode, we unbundle and explore the vital role of K-12 counselors and advisors in our education system. We are exploring the multifaceted importance of these professionals in ensuring our children's safety, well-being, and hol…

Today's Owlcast is an audio journey through the celebration of Black History Month in ACS Athens. A group of students and their club advisors talk about the essence of humanity, as they explore the rich tapestry of perspectives, experiences, and cultures that make up our world over a series of activities and creating artifacts through the Month of …

This is the last part of our two-episode series on Model United Nations, and specifically the THIMUN team 2024. The second group of this year's team, discuss and reflect on their experience and the global issues as young international students. In our conversation, we explore the diverse benefits that students derive from participating in THIMUN. O…

There is no such thing as white background. Today the Owlcast is all about Art, the most interesting and creative and original art there is! The artists are 3rd, 4th and 5th-grade students, who are now exploring the elements of Art and their imagination is as pure as the primary colors and their creativity is still boundless. Sir Ken Robinson, a wo…

The road to the world of international education passes through the school’s admissions office, whose primary mission is to inspire and guide families in making the right choice for their children. It’s not an easy decision, as there are so many options, depending on the family's educational goal. Since 1945, ACS Athens has served tens of thousands…

As ACS Athens fosters the UN Sustainable Development Goals mindset, it’s always exciting and refreshing to see global issues through the eyes of young international students. In our conversation, we explore the diverse benefits that students derive from participating in THIMUN. Our guests will highlight the invaluable experiences gained through eng…

In today's episode, we have invited two remarkable colleagues who have dedicated their careers to education, supporting the school's operation, character, and spirit, and are now spearheading the improvement and development efforts of ACS Athens. Joining us are Chris Perakis, a retired educator with decades of experience within the school community…

Today's Owlcast is an account of the dedication ceremony on January 19, when the ACS Athens community came together to commemorate the posthumous contribution of the late Steve Medeiros, an esteemed educator and administrator whose literary fervor shaped the academic tapestry of our institution. The ceremony marked the formal dedication of the Stev…

Our guest is Dr. Konstantinos Kanellopoulos, Class of 2010, who visited our studio recently to share with us his story before, during and after ACS Athens. An educator himself, Konstantinos has traveled extensively following his passion for education and declares his dedication to continue working with the Youth. With studies in Political Science, …

Every year, we look forward to the graduating class college placement, as if to peer through our community achievements that validate the very existence of the high school, academic, athletic, extracurricular and other programs. Every year, we try to define and evaluate the community's level of effort, and one metric, of course, is the success of o…

••••••••••••• This episode contains accounts of violence against minors and women, trafficking and human suffering. Parental discretion is advised. ••••••••••••• Our guest today is a parent of our school, an attorney who handles cases of domestic violence against minors, persons with special needs, victims of trafficking, refugees, and abused and n…

The Inclusivity in Education project, as it was recently initiated by Deree - The American College of Greece, ACS Athens and George Mason University, will be calling on experts to be actively involved as practitioners and researchers, as they attempt to address the challenges of inclusion, highlighting the importance of a mindset shift. Our guests …

In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Kentrell Martin, an advocate for accessible education and communication, join us. Kentrell recently profoundly impacted the learning community at ACS Athens through his engaging sessions with Early Childhood students and teachers, focusing on the transformative power of sign language. As an expert in the …

Today’s guest in the Owlcast is metaverse expert and futurist Costantino Roselli, who pokes us with quite provocative topics as what is reality and what is imagined. He combines elements nobody sees, and raises brand identities you had never thought were there. He is the founder & CEO of the Branding & Digital Agency, Weird Authentic People, co-fou…

Today’s guest was one of the keynote speakers at the recent EduTech Europe conference in Amsterdam. Her speech was titled “The limits of knowing: uncertain futures for education,” and those of us who expected one more presentation with slides were pleasantly surprised, as she did not need a slide deck to pass her message through. Our guest today is…

Welcome to the 2023 Gala Edition of the Owlcast! If you missed the 2023 Gala and Alumni Awards event last Saturday, this is your chance to listen to what transpired. Hosted at the iconic Grande Bretagne Hotel located at the center of Athens, this year’s Gala marked the 78th anniversary of the founding of ACS Athens. A celebration of the spirit of t…

Celebrating different cultures in an international school setting, especially during dedicated Heritage Months, is a powerful way to foster inclusivity and appreciation for the rich tapestry of backgrounds that make up the student body. During Hispanic Heritage Month, which typically spans from September 15th to October 15th, students have the oppo…

Today's episode is a student edition Owlcast on AI and Machine Learning. Academy student Adrianos Botsios discusses artificial intelligence and machine learning with a world expert and pioneer of the field, Michalis Bletsas of the MIT media lab. A truly remarkable conversation that attempts to unbundle some common and not so common perceptions abou…

The new Middle School Principal this year, Mike Embrock, talks to us about his transition from a rural U.S. middle school to an American International school in Europe. With Mr. Embrock, today we discuss: All about bad dad jokes, liquorice, and Starburst…; Preparing for the trip overseas - opportunities and challenges for a Middle School principal;…

"Dignity builds strength and character. Dignity builds self-worth... Our Collective well-being depends on grounding our thoughts and actions in the power of dignity to transform our lives". These the words of Rosalind Wiseman, author, speaker, and guest of ACS Athens who visited our campus a few days ago. Her book Queen Bees and Wannabes inspired t…

We are always happy to welcome our alums whenever they visit our campus, but we are particularly excited when we have visitors who know how the school was in the 80s and 70s or even earlier. Chris Snyder, class of '77, visited us recently and had the opportunity to see the campus, and the classrooms and talk to students, some of whom are here with …

Today's show is about being resilient to.... a no-show. Usually, there's a carefully prepared discussion, with a pre-arranged guest, over a topic that has been carefully selected for an intentional result. Today's show is the exact opposite. Sometimes an ad-lib dialogue proves to be more interesting and the result more entertaining. Michael Januzzi…

Welcome to the new season of the Owlcast, the official podcast of ACS Athens. The new 2023-24 academic year is under way, and everyone in the international community of the school returned, or came for the first time, to experience a unique model of education, which, as our guest fittingly says, is designed to lead our student to grow and develop a…