ACS Athens Owlcast

In the latest Owlcast episode, we sit down with members of the organizing team and visionary panelists of the ACS Athens Career Day 2026 on Maritime industry—Katerina Stathopoulou, Daniel Tadros, and Lydia Skampavia—to reflect on a day that may have redefined the horizon for over 400 ACS Athens students. From the high-tech reality of modern vessels as "traveling data centers" to the sobering fact that shipping sustains 90% of global life, our guests share their personal reflections on the "maritime spark" they witnessed in the classroom. This discussion revisits the value of an international education, the myth of the "single career path," and why the maritime industry is a safe harbor for every talent, ultimately urging the next generation to cultivate their own "street smarts" and find their way to the bridge.

What does it mean to leave a legacy before you’ve even graduated? For the students of the ACS Athens Global Alumni Student Team, it’s about much more than just titles or bullet points on a résumé. It’s about the quiet magic of building bridges.  Mainly composed of juniors from the Class of 2027, these students aren't just volunteers; they are the heart of our community. Between the heavy demands of IB exams and late-night study sessions, they choose to give their time back to the school they love. Whether they are organizing a glamorous gala, leading a campus tour for a graduate returning after forty years, or simply selling pizza to fund a peer’s scholarship, their "why" is simple: they believe that once you’re part of ACS Athens, you’re part of a family for life. In this week’s Owlcast, co-hosted by Alumni Outreach Coordinator Lydia Skampavia, we sit down with six of these remarkable young leaders: Sotoris, Amaryllis, Michael, Oskar, Katerina, and Daphne. Join us as we explore the passion, the "why," and the shared purpose that drives them to serve the global ACS Athens community.

This week, we dive into the inspiring world of action research, performance, and conscious citizenship at ACS Athens. Join us as Dr. Evan Syropoulos and Ms. Sofia Thanopoulou share how a decade of creative collaboration has shaped their work—from classroom innovations to international conferences and a new performance now running in Athens. Discover how empathy, dialogue, and reflective teaching come together to form the unique Inquiry & Performance Learning Model (IPLM), and get a sneak peek into what’s coming at this year’s Colloquium—a true celebration of learning across our community. Be inspired by the passion, purpose, and vision behind the educators guiding our students toward global consciousness, and learn how and why: The Colloquium is a “celebration of learning”—a public showcase of years of action research, reflective practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The IPLM (Inquiry & Performance Learning Model) blends performance, Socratic dialogue, and reflective processes to cultivate empathy and conscious citizenship in students. Collaboration is central: teachers across departments contribute ideas, feedback, and perspectives that continually reshape the research and classroom projects. Action research is fluid and iterative, with plans constantly evolving as teachers respond to student energy, new insights, and emerging directions in their work.

JUST DROPPED! This week on Owlcast, student host Margarita Vryoni and Economics faculty Ms. Dadidou welcome a powerhouse panel of ACS Athens alumni who returned to mentor the senior class!  At the 4th Annual ACS Athens Global Alumni Insights Session, we hear our alums' bold advice on navigating life after graduation, finding your passion, embracing failure, and making courageous choices. Their message? Believe in yourself! Use your time wisely! Your ACS Athens community always has your back! Tune in and get inspired by the energy, honesty, and global spirit of our alumni community!

Welcome to Owlcast, where stories take flight! Today’s episode brings a special guest back home — literally. Children’s author John Danakas returned to ACS Athens, the very school where he once studied as a young student in grades 4 and 5, to meet today’s third and fourth graders. His visit sparked laughter, curiosity, and memories as he shared stories from his books — and from his own childhood walking the same halls. “It was emotional,” he said, recalling his bus rides to school decades ago. For Danakas, meeting his readers face-to-face was more than a visit; it was a joyful full-circle moment. In this conversation we are joined by Early Childhood Coordinator Sophia Moros, where John takes us behind the scenes of his writing — how sports, friendship, and identity weave their way into his stories. Whether it’s a soccer field showdown or a diner in a small town, his characters face challenges that mirror real life: learning to belong, to be recognized, and to discover who they are. He reminded us that every child’s story matters — and that even the smallest details, like a student describing a summer trip, can reveal the heart of a future writer. His books, from Curveball to Lizzy’s Soccer Showdown, celebrate teamwork, courage, and the thrill of discovery.

Welcome back to Owlcast! We’re opening our fifth season with a very special guest—the President of ACS Athens—who joins us to reflect on the milestones shaping this academic year. From the school’s 80th anniversary to the second Colloquium of the Sustaining Excellence accreditation journey, we explore how tradition and innovation converge to shape a vision for the future. In this episode, we explore what it means to honor legacy while embracing change—through global citizenship, responsible AI learning, and a holistic approach to education that prepares students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. It’s an inspiring conversation that sets the tone for a year of growth, reflection, and discovery at ACS Athens.

What happens when former ACS Athens students return to their alma mater — not just to look back, but to light the way forward? In this special episode of Owlcast, we bring together a dynamic group of ACS Athens alumni for a candid, heartfelt conversation with today’s students. From facing the unknown after graduation to navigating unexpected career turns, our guests share the real, unfiltered stories behind their professional and personal journeys. Spoiler: the path to purpose isn’t always straight — and that’s what makes it powerful. As they reflect on their time at ACS Athens and their participation in this year's Alumni Insights session, these alumni offer more than advice — they offer perspective, connection, and a reassuring sense that it’s okay not to have all the answers. Whether you're dreaming big, doubting yourself, or just curious about what life looks like beyond high school, this episode is a must-listen. It’s authentic, funny, at times emotional — and full of wisdom you won’t find in any textbook.

In this Owlcast episode, we host Dr. Peter Papageorgiou—ACS Athens Class of ’93—whose path from a passionate IB student to a pioneering medical consultant and entrepreneur unfolds in unexpected ways. With stories of senior skip days in Mykonos and Theory of Knowledge reflections that later shaped his pitch for multi-million-dollar research grants, Peter’s journey is anything but ordinary. Dr. Papageorgiou talks about his groundbreaking research on blood pressure regulation, the realities of medical entrepreneurship, and how collaboration, creativity, and resilience define success in the business of healthcare. But his story goes further—beyond the lab and boardroom—to initiatives in civil discourse, policy debate, and global alumni engagement.

Welcome to Owlcast! Today, we host Christian Talbot, Chief Executive Officer of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Christian is someone who understands schools not just from the outside, but from within—through the lens of vision, mission, and impact. As the head of one of the most respected accreditation bodies for American and international schools, his work shapes how institutions like ACS Athens define, evaluate, and continuously improve themselves. Today’s conversation goes beyond protocol and paperwork—it’s about values, trust, and the power of intentional education. We begin by exploring the mission of MSA and why accreditation is not simply a regulatory obligation but a cornerstone for a school’s credibility, growth, and long-term sustainability.

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 diverse school environment like ACS Athens, students come from different countries, speak different languages at home, and have varied academic backgrounds. To meet their learning needs, the OLP takes a thoughtful, personalized approach. It starts with getting to know each student well. As Ms. Evloyia explains, a lot of time is dedicated inside and outside the classroom, observing students academically and socially. These insights are turned into learning profiles that guide every teacher who works with the child.