Thinking Out Loud with JCHS

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to make two hours onstage feel effortless? This week, we talk with Jamie Yuen-Shore, JCHS Theater Director, educator, and longtime Bay Area theater artist, about what happens behind the curtain—and why the magic of live theater depends on hard work, precision, collaboration, and trust. Ms. Jamie shares why she sees a musical as the ultimate team sport, how students grow into leadership through the rehearsal process, and why the most powerful lessons sometimes come from doing something over and over until you get it right. We also talk about the unique energy of live performance and what makes JCHS Theater such a deeply valued part of the school community.To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

Send us Fan MailWhat if the best way to learn something difficult is to stop looking for the right answer? John Hagen brings that question to his math, computer science, and robotics classrooms, where students are encouraged to puzzle through problems, experiment, collaborate, and discover that there can be more than one way forward. From a career in the early days of the internet to creating a fantasy football math curriculum and building JCHS’s robotics program, John has followed a willingness to explore what comes next. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, he argues that versatility, creativity, logical thinking, and the confidence to take on the unfamiliar may be among the most valuable things students can learn.To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

Send us Fan MailJCHS alumna Keira Gerstley ’25 reflects on how being truly known and supported helped her discover passions she never expected—from mathematics and physics to Jewish studies, leadership, and Model UN. Keira shares how JCHS challenged her to think across disciplines, engage openly with perspectives different from her own, and take intellectual and personal risks. Most importantly, she reflects on the vulnerability it takes to put yourself out there—and how having a community of teachers and peers cheering you on can make all the difference.To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

Send us Fan MailThinking Out Loud with JCHS will return on August 18 with Season 2! To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to balance a demanding dance schedule, academics, leadership, service, and still make time for friends? In this episode, graduating senior Ever Keegstra reflects on how four years at JCHS helped her grow from a nervous ninth grader into a confident young adult ready for her next chapter at UC Santa Barbara. Ever shares how meaningful relationships, strong routines, and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone shaped her high school experience. She offers an honest look at managing a packed schedule while staying engaged in the things she loves.To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when students are trusted to design their own learning and take it out into the real world? This week, we connect with JCHS librarian and Keystone director Robin Gluck to explore how the school’s signature senior project transforms curiosity into meaningful, real-world work. Through four key pillars—project management, communication, iteration, and community engagement—students learn to navigate challenges, connect with experts, and build something that extends well beyond the classroom. Gluck shares powerful stories of students who turn personal passions into impactful projects, created for authentic audiences. Find out why Keystone is more than a capstone—it’s a formative experience that builds confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills.To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when you find the place where you can truly just be yourself? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, senior Henry Barenbaum reflects on his decision to transfer to JCHS and how this welcoming, connected community helped him grow in confidence and authenticity. He shares an honest perspective on living with autism—highlighting both the challenges and the strengths that have shaped his identity and social growth. From speaking openly on student panels to designing a creative Keystone project around the “perfect burger,” Henry’s journey offers a thoughtful look at self-discovery, resilience, and the power of being fully yourself.To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

Send us Fan MailWhat if the moments that challenge you most are the ones that shape you most? In this episode, Bennett Taubman (JCHS’24, Dartmouth College ‘28) reflects on how stepping outside his comfort zone at JCHS—from theater to AP Comparative Government—sparked unexpected passions and shaped his path to Dartmouth. He shares how academic challenge, creative exploration, and learning to manage real struggle prepared him for both the freedom and responsibility of college life. Along the way, Bennett offers an honest look at growth: balancing ambition, building community, and discovering when to say no. It’s a thoughtful, energizing conversation about curiosity, resilience, and making the most of every opportunity.To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

Send us Fan MailWhat if the true measure of a school isn’t just academic excellence, but how deeply every student feels seen, challenged, and supported? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, we are talking with veteran educator and coach Aaron Pollock about the power of small classrooms, intentional differentiation, and a culture rooted in meeting each student “according to their way.” Mr. Pollock reflects on how JCHS’s strong sense of community—especially as a Jewish institution—creates both a safety net and a source of pride, particularly in the wake of the October 7 attacks. Drawing parallels between the classroom and the soccer field, he highlights how growth, patience, and shared responsibility allow students of all levels to develop into confident leaders.To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

Send us Fan MailWhat 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.