Middle School Walk & Talk

Association for Middle Level Education
  • 4.2(18개의 평가)
  • 교육
  • 월 2회 업데이트

A podcast series offering heart, hope, and health to members of our middle school communities. Hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire 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.

  1. 9월 30일

    Dust Off the Mission: Building Trust and Accountability in Middle Schools with Guest Jen Cort

    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.

    29분

  2. 8월 26일

    Mess Up, Own Up, Rise Up: Navigating the New Middle Schooler with Guest Jack Berckemeyer

    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.

    26분

  3. 7월 29일

    Keep It Simple Stupid: Intentionality and Empathy for the New School Year

    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.

    29분

  4. 6월 10일

    Why Don't We Just Ask Them? A Conversation about the Modern Middle School Experience with Real Middle School Students

    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.

    24분

  5. 5월 19일

    "Start with the End in Mind" - The 2024-2025 Year in Review

    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.

    21분

  6. 4월 28일

    Not Just a Piece of Them, The Whole of Them with guest Kwame Sarfo-Mensah

    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.

    36분

  7. 4월 7일

    Ditching "Divide and Conquer": A Refreshing Blueprint for Middle School Leadership with Guests Bryan Rickert and Katie Laird

    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.

    27분

  8. 4월 1일

    Avoiding Firefighter Syndrome with Guest Darrin Peppard

    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.

    20분
모두 보기(61개)

평가 및 리뷰

4.2
최고 5점
18개의 평가

소개

A podcast series offering heart, hope, and health to members of our middle school communities. Hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire 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.

정보

  • 제작진
    Association for Middle Level Education
  • 방송 연도
    2020년 - 2025년
  • 에피소드
    61
  • 등급
    전체 연령 사용가
  • 저작권
    © 2025 Middle School Walk & Talk
  • 웹사이트 보기
    Middle School Walk & Talk

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