Middle School Walk & Talk: Recent Episodes
Association for Middle Level Education
A podcast series offering heart, hope, and health to members of our middle school communities. Hosts Phyllis Fagell and Joe Mazza model wellness as they walk and talk while recording each episode. Listeners are encouraged to take a walk, too, as they listen to discussions on self-care, student well-being, school culture, and more. Middle School Walk and Talk is designed to support the concepts found in the book, The Successful Middle School: This We Believe, and is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. For more information, visit www.amle.org.
In this episode of Middle School Walk & Talk, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire welcome Jen Cort, a seasoned educator, administrator, counselor, and incoming head of school, to discuss fostering healthy school communities amid societal polarization. Cort emphasizes the importance of grounding classroom and school practices in a clear, actionable mission to guide conversations and set boundaries for disagreements. She offers practical strategies, such as co-constructing agreements with students to anticipate and address mistakes, particularly those involving identity-based harm, to build trust and accountability. Cort advises teachers to listen actively without rushing to fix issues, underscoring the need for grace, reflection, and a commitment to a school’s mission to create inclusive, supportive environments.
You can find Jen's book, Help Us Begin: HUB Strategies and Mindsets for Meaningful Conversations with Kids, Especially When You are Challenged by the Topic, in the AMLE Store.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of Middle School Walk and Talk, hosts Jessica McGuire and Phyllis Fagell sit down with middle level education expert Jack Berckemeyer to discuss the evolving behaviors of young adolescents. Jack shares insights from his AMLE article on the "8 New Characteristics of Middle School Kids," highlighting trends like increased boldness, diminished respect for authority, and a tendency to debate everything.
Together they explore how these shifts, influenced by the pandemic and broader cultural changes, challenge educators to reestablish boundaries and expectations. Jack offers practical strategies, such as setting non-negotiables through teaming and using refusal-to-work forms to foster accountability, encouraging educators to guide students toward ownership and growth while adapting to their changing developmental needs.
Check out the AMLE Store to find Jack's book Successful Middle School Teaming and his newest publication for AMLE, Embracing the Change: Middle School 101 for Families.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this back-to-school episode of Middle School Walk & Talk, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire share their reflections and strategies for starting the 2025 school year with intentionality. They discuss the importance of self-awareness for educators, recognizing personal triggers, and aligning actions with a school’s mission to create a supportive community for students and parents.
Emphasizing the KISS principle (“Keep It Simple, Stupid”), Jessica highlights the need to streamline systems and expectations to reduce overwhelm, while Phyllis underscores the value of understanding middle schoolers’ developmental needs and fostering empathy with parents. The hosts also explore the unique energy of middle schoolers, drawing from Jessica’s experiences as a principal and parent, to inspire educators to build trust and connection. The episode offers practical insights for educators and parents to navigate the new school year with clarity and compassion.
ICYMI: Listeners can now explore AMLE's recently launched website for middle school parents, MiddleSchool.org and its accompanying parent brochure.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of the Middle School Walk & Talk podcast, AMLE CEO Stephanie Simpson guest hosts a vibrant conversation with five finalists from the 2025 Middle School Student Sound Off Contest, exploring what it’s like to be a middle schooler today. These young people offer authentic insights into the challenges and joys of navigating adolescence in 2025. Tune in to hear their perspectives on social dynamics, academic pressures, and personal growth, and view all their submissions at amle.org/soundoff.
Special thank you to our student guests Tessa Galen, Luisa Diaz-Hill, Annie Johnson, Olivia Childs, and Sanya Singh.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this final episode of the school year, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire reflect on key themes from the school year, sharing insights from their experiences in Washington, DC, and Wyoming. They discuss the universal challenges of middle schoolers, the importance of team approaches to complex issues like school avoidance, and the value of clear communication with families to build trust. With spring break underway and pollen in the air, they also explore how routines and collegial support can ease end-of-year anxieties for educators and students alike.
Happy Summer! Middle School Walk & Talk will return this fall.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of the Middle School Walk & Talk podcast, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire welcome Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, a seasoned educator and consultant, to discuss his new book, Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom. Kwame shares insights from his work with Identity Talk Consulting, which focuses on culturally responsive teaching and anti-bias practices in K-12 schools. The conversation delves into addressing identity-based harm in middle schools, offering practical strategies like "calling in" for restorative dialogue and engaging families to foster inclusive environments, all informed by Kwame’s global perspective from living in Sierra Leone.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of the Middle School Walk and Talk podcast, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire sit down with Brian Rickert and Katie Laird, a dynamic principal + assistant principal duo from Trumbull, Connecticut, who share their innovative approach to collaborative leadership in a bustling middle school of 800 students. Unlike traditional models that divide tasks between administrators, Brian and Katie emphasize a "better together" philosophy, working side-by-side to enhance outcomes for students and staff while building a culture of shared ownership and trust. They dive into tangible successes—like passing a referendum for a new school building and slashing chronic absenteeism by nearly 50%—and offer practical advice for educators looking to shift toward a more unified leadership style, proving that teamwork at the top can ripple through an entire school community.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of Middle School Walk and Talk, hosts Jessica McGuire and Phyllis Fagell sit down with Darrin Peppard, a former middle school teacher, principal, and superintendent turned leadership coach, who shares his unexpected journey into middle school education and his passion for its unique magic. Darren reflects on how education has shifted post-pandemic, offering practical advice for school leaders on staying curious, empowering others (including avoiding micromanaging), and finding joy in their work. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with nostalgia, leadership insights, and a reminder to pause and reflect on the lasting impact educators have on students’ lives.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of the Middle School Walk and Talk Podcast, hosts Jessica McGuire and Phyllis Fagell are joined by Clay Cook, the Chief Development Officer of Character Strong. Clay shares his extensive background in education and his work with Character Strong, an organization focused on providing educators with low-burden, high-impact resources to support social-emotional learning and behavioral growth in students. They dive into the power of mental models—how our beliefs as educators shape our effectiveness—and explore practical strategies for creating a positive school culture. Clay also offers valuable advice on how teachers can reframe their mindset to overcome challenges and better support their students' development.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of the Middle School Walk & Talk Podcast, hosts Jessica McGuire and Phyllis Fagell chat with Gabrielle "Gabby" Ferguson, winner of the 2024 Middle School Student Sound Off Contest, and Kristen Engle, a veteran 7th grade language arts teacher from Rockwood South Middle School in Missouri. Gabby shares her insights on the purpose of middle school, tackling its emotional, social, and physical challenges, while Kristin, recently honored as Middle Level Educator of the Year, offers wisdom on fostering student connections and resilience. Together, they explore the unique struggles of middle schoolers, the power of empathy, and how skills gained in high school can reframe past experiences, offering valuable perspectives for educators and students alike.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
Katie Powell joins hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire for this episode of Middle School Walk & Talk. Katie, AMLE Director of Middle Grades Programs and author of Boredom Busters and Frustration Busters, shares insights on how educators can combat student disengagement and manage classroom frustrations. She discusses practical strategies from her books, like the "Junk Drawer" activity for engaging students and the importance of managing teacher stress to maintain a learning-focused classroom. Katie also emphasizes the critical need for educators to form supportive networks, advocating for becoming an "archipelago" rather than an "island" in the sometimes isolating world of teaching.
This episode was recorded at AMLE24: The 51st Annual Conference for Middle Level Education.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
Hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire sit down with Don Parker, a seasoned educator and former principal. Don shares his journey from a PE teacher in Chicago to a pivotal figure in educational leadership. He discusses how understanding the root causes of student actions can revolutionize classroom dynamics, particularly in environments with high trauma, and offers invaluable insights into building empathy, managing behavior, and the importance of patience and relationship-building.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
Hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire are joined by Molly Mee, Dara Yin, and Thaisan Nguon of Street Cred Education Consultants. The guests share their personal stories of overcoming educational and personal challenges, including dropping out and gang involvement, highlighting the critical need for educators to understand the impact of trauma on students. They discuss how their nonprofit aims to bring authentic experiences into professional development for teachers, focusing on strategies to build trust and community in schools to prevent students from falling through the cracks. This episode was recorded at the AMLE24 Annual Conference.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
Hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire talk all things school culture and leadership with award-winning principal and best-selling author Jimmy Casas. Jimmy shares his journey from a disillusioned principal to a culture advocate, discussing how educators can lose their way and the importance of self-reflection and mentorship in regaining purpose. He emphasizes that culture in schools is fundamentally about behavior, critiquing the common pitfalls which can lead to burnout and hinder capacity building. Throughout the conversation, he highlights the behaviors leaders can model to foster a supportive, collaborative school environment.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
Join hosts Jessica McGuire and Phyllis Fagell as they chat with Sandy Cameli, a seasoned middle level educator and author of Successful Middle School Student Voice, about the nuances of fostering young adolescent student voice. Sandy shares insights from the book, including defining student voice beyond verbal expression, discussing how to implement student voice strategies like the "3-2-1" reflection method, and highlighting success stories that emphasize the importance of empowering middle schoolers to lead and express themselves in unique and impactful ways.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of Middle School Walk and Talk, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire converse with practitioner researcher Brooklyn Raney about the crucial role of trusted adults in schools. Raney discusses her work on how to ensure every student has an advocate, emphasizing the importance of accessibility, boundaries, and genuine care. She shares practical advice on how educators can leverage their strengths to connect with students, using memorable anecdotes like the "clapping contest" to illustrate the impact of clear expectations. Raney's insights reveal how even brief, authentic interactions can significantly influence a student's life, advocating for environments that foster presence, play, and possibility.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of Middle School Walk and Talk, Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire sit down with Patrick Green, a former middle school teacher turned digital wellness expert, to discuss the challenges of managing technology in schools and at home. Patrick shares insights on how to help students balance their online and offline lives, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries, especially around sleep. He explores how educators and parents can foster healthy digital habits and also touches on school policies around phone use and how to help students navigate the distractions of social media while still embracing the positive aspects of technology.
Thank you to Avanti for sponsoring this episode. Avanti offers wellness videos to support teachers with simple, effective strategies to keep you energized, focused and healthy throughout the school year. Visit myavanti.com/fitandwell for a free trial.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
In this episode of "Middle School Walk and Talk," hosts Phyllis Fagel and Jessica McGuire dive into the heart of middle school life through the voices of today's students. Featuring finalists from AMLE's Student Sound Off contest, the episode explores the challenges and triumphs of being a middle schooler in 2024, from navigating social media misunderstandings to balancing academic pressures with personal interests. Through poetry, art, and personal narratives, these young voices offer insights into their world, providing educators and parents with a clearer understanding of the middle school experience.
Thank you to Avanti for sponsoring this episode. Avanti offers wellness videos to support teachers with simple, effective strategies to keep you energized, focused and healthy throughout the school year. Visit myavanti.com/fitandwell for a free trial.
Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.
Cryptocurrency... digital banking... online scams... How can we prepare kids to be financially empowered in a constantly changing world? Khalia Murray, Education Partnership Specialist, and Kevin Mechenbier, Content Manager for Financial Education at EVERFI, join Phyllis and Jessica to explore what financial literacy can and should look like in the middle grades. When is the right time to introduce these concepts? How do we make them relevant to students? What skills should they possess regardless of how personal finance evolves in the future? How can we help students align their financial choices with their own values? Walk and talk with us as we dive into all this and more.
From the latest TikTok trends causing chaos and the increasing push to limit cell phones in middle schools, to continuing rates of chronic absenteeism, Phyllis and Jessica are back and they’re talking all the trends they’re seeing as we head back to school for the 2024-2025 year. They also discuss innovative approaches schools are taking to improve kids’ engagement in school and how to use all the data available to schools to better support school staff and understand root causes. They dig into starting middle school advisory programs off on the right foot, including how to support teachers who are new to or unsure of how to lead an advisory group. Finally, that share how they’re planning to strengthen systems and routine processes as the year gets underway.
Whether or not you've begun to explore the capabilities of AI, your students certainly have. How can educators help students leverage AI to deepen their learning, instead of just using it as a shortcut? Megan Vosk, Joe Pizzo, Dustin Purdy, and Marri Bayour, middle grades educators and members of AMLE's Teacher Leaders Committee, stop by the podcast to talk emerging trends and why AI represents both a practical and philosophical issue teachers can no longer ignore.
What does it mean for a student to have an academic identity? Miriam Plotinsky, author of Writing their Future Selves and Teach More, Hover Less, stops by the podcast to talk how teachers can value kids brains as well as their identities as people. Phyllis, Jessica, and Miriam dig into a range of topics, including how to celebrate mistakes as pathways to learning, how to help students break down stereotypes about themselves, the best professional development for teachers, and why being afraid of AI is not a good strategy.
What’s it like being a middle schooler today? 8th grader Laila Hayes and 9th grader Gabriela Berrios Ortiz dropped by the podcast to dispel what they believe are common myths about middle schoolers, the traits of their most effective teachers, and the social challenges and pressures they face today.
Episode Notes: This podcast was recorded during the AMLE50 50th Anniversary Annual Conference in November, 2023. AMLE is grateful to Walker Mill Middle School and The Siena School for supporting Laila and Gabriela’s participation in this episode.
As Executive Director of the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, representing school HR professionals, Kelly Coash-Johnson heard frequently about the impacts of the educator shortage, but noticed more finger pointing than solution generating. As a result, AASPA collaborated with organizations and stakeholders across education to convene the first National Educator Shortage Summit to identify the underlying causes of the shortage and what could tangibly be done to combat it. She joins the podcast to talk about their key findings and how this work specifically impacts middle level educators.
Episode Notes: This podcast was recorded during the AMLE50 50th Anniversary Annual Conference in November, 2023. AMLE is also a partner of the National Educator Shortage Summit
Dr. Anitra Warrior, psychologist and owner of Morningstar Counseling, stops by the podcast to talk about youth mental health and getting back to the basics of adolescent development. Dr. Warrior specializes in Native youth mental health and offers insights and practical language and tips educators can use to support Native students and their families through culturally affirming practices.
Middle school is the perfect time to introduce career exploration opportunities to kids. They're developmentally tuned to think about their future and investigate their interests. But, too often, kids start to self-select based on what they perceive they’re good at or what they’ve already been exposed to. Jean Eddy, author of Crisis-Proofing Today’s Learners, is on a mission to help reimagine career education to prepare kids for tomorrow's world. She stopped by the podcast to dispel the myths we tell children about what success looks like, how to prepare them to compete in a changing world, and the false dichotomy of “college or no college.”
Believe it or not…schools have a leg up on mighty social media when it comes to engaging kids, especially tweens. While so much of the affirmation kids receive online is artificial and fake, schools can create true belonging and spaces where they can become their best selves. Laurie Barron, superintendent and author of Middle School: A Place to Belong and Become, joins co-hosts Phyllis and Jessica to talk about the foundational concepts of belonging, how to help students feel affirmed and welcomed at school, and the most brilliant use of 60 seconds she’s ever observed in a classroom.
From riding roller coasters to rafting down the Colorado River, AMLE Educator of the Year Autumn Rivera is always finding ways to integrate the community as a source of learning for her 6th grade science students. She stopped by the Walk & Talk Podcast to talk about her approach to engaging middle schoolers, tackling the challenges of rural education, and why now is the time for teachers to take risks and try new things.
Too often, the middle grades get lumped in with elementary or high school instead of being recognized as its own, unique entity. Even worse, middle grades leadership can be seen as just a stepping stone to high school leadership, instead of requiring a unique and equivalent skill set as well as a deep knowledge of young adolescent development. Kevin Armstrong, president-elect of the National Association of Elementary School Principals and middle school principal, joins Phyllis and Jessica to talk about the importance of differentiating for the middle level and his hopes and aspirations for his presidential term.
Leveraging their diverse backgrounds in speech pathology, bilingual education, elementary and secondary teaching, and more, Persida and Bill Himmele are on a mission to empower educators to engage every student. They join co-hosts Phyllis and Jessica to talk about barriers and solutions to middle school disengagement and how to build trust between teacher and student – and administrator and teacher.
Just by the very nature of young adolescents, middle school should be a fun place! But it seems we’ve lost some of that joy in our schools. Dr. Daryl Williams, former Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools and current Professor of Practice at Morgan State University, sits down with Phyllis and Jessica to talk about how school leaders can help bring that professional satisfaction back into our buildings.
Co-hosts Phyllis and Jessica are joined by some very special guests, the authors of the highly anticipated book, This is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained. And boy do we dig into puberty in this exciting episode!
The most jaw-dropping fact about modern-day growing up is how much earlier it begins. Today’s kids enter puberty an average of two years younger than their parents did. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear about kids riding their first wave of hormonal surges three, four, or even five years sooner than the people raising them.
The second most stunning fact is how much longer this whole process lasts. Thanks to its mood swings and painfully awkward physical shifts, puberty as a stage of life tends to be equal parts feared and dreaded by educators and parents. At least, reason would dictate, by starting earlier it must progress faster, expediting everyone through this phase. Right? Actually, no. Rather than speeding up, the time line of puberty has stretched like taffy.
So what can educators do with this information? How can they support kids and parents through this challenging time? Vanessa and Cara share some practical tips that will leave you feeling less cringy about this pivotal time in students lives.
In this first episode of the new season, Phyllis Fagell and her new co-host, Principal Jessica McGuire, talk 2023 back to school trends. Electric scooters, sleep schedules, and anxious tweens, oh my!
News flash! Kids make mistakes. So how do we adequately address the behavior while creating space for learning and growing? Phyllis and Joe are joined by Jen Cort, author of Help Us Begin: HUB strategies and mindsets for meaningful conversations with kids, especially when you are challenged by the topic. Jen offers some practical tips on how to effectively communicate with adolescents in ways that lead to more productive outcomes. She also shares advice on how to make the most of middle school advisory time.
How is empathy related to kids’ likelihood to engage in cyberbullying? How can we teach kids resiliency when they face mean behaviors online and in real life? What skills can we teach kids to help them have more positive online experiences? Phyllis and Joe talk with celebrated author and cyberbullying expert Dr. Sameer Hinduja about how to equip kids with an action plan for their online lives.
Phyllis and Joe use spring break to catch up on current events. They talk about kids’ reactions to recent incidents of gun violence in schools and how the proliferation of hate speech online is impacting student mental health. The co-hosts discuss how to help kids build resiliency and learn to deal with the challenges of adolescent social life. On a lighter note, a karaoke machine makes an appearance and the duo preview some exciting upcoming episodes.
Teacher wellness has become the latest buzz word as schools continue to struggle to recruit and retain enough educators to meet community needs. It turns out, encouraging the adoption of yoga classes isn’t quite enough. But there are meaningful things schools and districts can do to support their staff – and their students – both physically and emotionally. Rick Wormeli joined Joe Mazza and Phyllis Fagell to talk about some of these strategies and figuring out, at our core, what do we truly believe as educators.
Who is school for? When we talk about redesigning school...what are we really talking about? Phyllis and Joe chat with Cornelius Minor and Kass Minor, New York City educators and authors, whose work focuses on how to create fully inclusive learning experiences for kids.
What would happen if we treated students...like real human beings? Phyllis and Joe and joined by Nathan Maynard, co-author of Hacking School Discipline, and Dr. Belinda George, who gained international notoriety for her "tucked in Tuesdays," who both share how their own experiences as youths shaped their thinking around positive discipline and the use of restorative practices in schools.
We want to teach our middle schoolers important social skills, including how to be kind. But what does that really look like in practice? Houston Kraft joins Phyllis and Joe talk about practical ways to infuse compassion into the schools we serve and our daily personal routines.
In this episode, Phyllis and Joe are joined by Todd Brist, principal of Watertown Middle School in South Dakota and author of AMLE's forthcoming book Successful Middle School Advisory to talk all things advisory. Why should schools have them? What should they accomplish? And how do you convince reluctant teachers its worth the time?
This episode was recorded LIVE at the AMLE22 Annual Conference.
Recording LIVE from the #AMLE22 Annual Conference, Phyllis and Joe are back! In this first episode of the season, they talk with the middle schoolers and educator sponsors whose project on saving the bee population won the grand prize in the 2022 Solve Together Digital Career Exploration Challenge. The team talks about the importance of student choice and exploration in the middle grades, and some of the skills kids will naturally develop when you integrate these key concepts.
Thank you to students Michael Snono Thomas Esposito and from Franklin Avenue Middle School in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey for representing Team Passion Project, as well as their teacher Alyssa McAloney and instructional coach Gina Aiello. To learn more about the Solve Together contest visit https://asasolvetogether.org/
Middle schoolers are undergoing an incredibly important and significant developmental phase meaning...they're going to make mistakes from time to time. Phyllis and Joe talk about helping kids come back from mistakes and creating school structures that support students learning from them. They also talk about staff burnout and what administrators and teachers can do to boost morale as the school year ends and recharge over the summer. Finally, they talk about proactive strategies to cultivate a collaborative school community as we think about the year to come. Phyllis and Joe close out this season of Middle School Walk and Talk by invited listeners to join them in Orlando or San Diego for AMLE's Institute for Middle Level Leadership. Learn more: amle.org/leadership
Phyllis and Joe are joined by Jae Lee, a principal in Maryland. Jae shares his own experience as an English learning middle school student whose family had recently immigrant to the United States, and how that informs his approach now as an administrator to creating capacity for empathy within his school community. Jae works from the assumption that all students want to be liked and want to learn and shares practical approaches he’s found successful in meeting students where they’re at and with what they need.
Phyllis and Joe are joined by educational psychologist and best-selling author Michele Borba to talk building agency and resiliency with middle schoolers. They share a wealth of simple, easy-to-implement strategies to support students struggling socially and emotionally amid another challenging school year. Michele also offers insights on how educators can partner with parents to amplify the results for kids.
Special guest Brooklyn Raney joins Joe and Phyllis for this episode to talk about One Trusted Adult, a movement to ensure that every young person has an accessible, boundaried, and caring trusted adult. They discuss why this concept is so important in the middle grades and share resources and strategies to help educators and parents build strong connections and healthy boundaries with middle schoolers.
Omicron…finding joy at school despite disrupted learning…social media challenges…Phyllis and Joe asked students about some of the challenges schools face right now. As usual, middle school students had a lot of insightful things to say about how educators can best support them, and vise versa.
Joe and Phyllis are joined by special guest Ned Johnson as they discuss how to use our understanding of young adolescents' development to help drive intrinsic motivation, develop executive functioning skills, and promote positive behavior.
Ned Johnson is the founder of PrepMatters, a tutoring and educational advising company in Washington, DC, and the co-author with Dr. William Stixrud of What Do You Say? How To Talk With Kids To Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home, The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives, and of Conquering the SAT: How Parents Can Help Teens Overcome the Pressure and Succeed.
Delta Variant...devious licks...quarantines, mask policies, and more school closings...a school year that we thought might bring a return to normalcy has instead presented new challenges for school communities. In this episode, Joe and Phyllis set out to normalize the feelings of stress and burnout being felt by educators around the world and talk about strategies they're using to address it in their own lives.
What do students have to say about how good they're feeling about school - and overall? How can we foster a sense of belonging for all students in our schools? Phillis and Joe chat with Phillip Marcus, Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Wellness at Chappaqua Central School District. The results of their student voice survey showed some surprising trends that have informed their culture building moving forward.
As we head back to school, Phyllis and Joe are back! Joined by special guest Annie Murphy Paul, they discuss how to empower students to employ their bodies, spaces, and relationships in the service of intelligent thought and learning. Annie offers a few lessons we all can learn to take better advantage of the world outside our brains to improve the way we think and help our brains reach their full potential. Annie is the author of The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain.
In the last episode of the season, Phyllis and Joe celebrate the end of an unprecedented school year. They talk about how they're wrapping up at their respective schools, reflections on the past nine months, and plans to recharge for the coming school year.
Phyllis and Joe enjoy the nice weather as they talk about a range of topics, including:
- Strategies for effectively transitioning middle schoolers into the summer after this unprecedented year of schooling
- What are students show us on the surface versus how they're really feeling, and how to support them wholly
- The impact of burnout and how to finish the year with strength and resiliency
Special guest Katie Hurley, author of No More Mean Girls, joins Phyllis and Joe as they talk about how to support students who are struggling socially during this year of constant change.
For students still learning fully virtually, and those with anxiety about returning to the classroom, how can we ease the transition back to in-person school? Phyllis and Joe walk while they talk strategies to help these students effectively return to the classroom.
Middle school students are hungry to know what's happening in the world around them. Amid the recent violence targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S., educators continue to grapple with how to talk about race with students and families. In this episode, Phyllis and Joe discuss the imperative nature of addressing these issues with students and provide strategies educators can employ to have effective conversations centered around empathy.
Jessica Lahey, best-selling author of The Gift of Failure, joins Joe and Phyllis as they talk strategies to connect with and engage middle grades students to promote their healthy development. Jessica shares insights from her newest book, The Addiction Inoculation, to help educators understand the roots of substance abuse, identify who is most at risk for addiction, and be empowered with practical steps for prevention.
Teachers are being vaccinated around the country! This exciting development hopefully points to the return of some pre-COVID normalcy. But we know that the challenges still loom large as we tackle the emotional, physical, and psychological toll the pandemic has taken on ourselves, our students, and our school communities. In this episode, Joe and Phyllis talk about their own vaccine experiences and how to support our colleagues and our own wellness as we approach the one year mark since school buildings first closed.
This was not a normal school week. Educators face the immense challenge of supporting your students as they grapple with yesterday’s riots, even as we collectively continue to endure a school year filled with stress and trauma. We know this will not be easy, as you attempt to process an event with students that many of us are still trying to make sense of ourselves. Phyllis and Joe discuss the events of this past week and share their approaches for supporting students and their school communities.
Students are facing incredible uncertainty and social disruption this school year. Some may be missing friends and experiencing the fear of missing out while learning remotely. Others who were still adjusting back into in-person learning are returning to virtual setting in the midst of rising cases. Students’ sense of loneliness or lack of control can have serious deleterious effects on their social and emotional wellbeing and mental health. Joe and Phyllis talk about these challenges and strategies they’ve employed to help students and faculty identify and manage these emotions.
During a divisive election, it can be challenging to approach this and other political topics with students. Hosts Joe Mazza and Phyllis Fagell discuss strategies to help students process this event, digest information effectively, and develop media literacy skills.