Affton Unplugged

Welcome to Affton Unplugged, the podcast that celebrates the people and stories making the Affton School District great. In this episode, Superintendent Travis Bracht sits down with Brian Boehm, the new Activities Director at Affton High School. Brian, an Affton alum, shares his journey from student to teacher, and now to Activities Director. He reflects on his long-standing connection with the di...

Welcome to this edition of Affton Unplugged! In this episode, we spotlight the beloved Senior Sunrise tradition at Affton High School, marking the first day of the 2024-25 school year. Join us as we hear from members of the senior class about their hopes and aspirations for their final year. From athletics and activities to courses and career readiness programs to community service and mentoring,...

Welcome to this episode of Affton Unplugged! In this engaging conversation, Superintendent Travis Bracht sits down with Dr. George Calhoun, the new principal of Affton High School. Dr. Calhoun shares his personal interests, professional journey, and his vision for the school year ahead. Discover Dr. Calhoun's passion for sports, his love for trying new restaurants, and his unique Instagram blog, G...

Welcome to the latest episode of Affton Unplugged, a podcast by the Affton School District that highlights the people and stories that make the district great. Join Superintendent Travis Bracht as he sits down with the inspiring members of the Affton Parents Club (APC). In this episode, we meet Emily Grozdanic, Rachel Cusic, and Jen Wilhelm, who share the mission of the APC, upcoming events, and t...

Welcome to Affton Unplugged, a podcast by the Affton School District that highlights the people and stories that make the district great. I'm your host, Superintendent Travis Bracht, and in the Affton School District, education is the most important thing we do. In this episode, we talk with graduates from the class of 2024 as they share their favorite moments from their senior year and offer valu...

Welcome to a special episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast where we take you back in time and relive the class of 2024 graduation ceremony. In this episode, we revisit the exhilarating speeches of prominent speakers including the Acting Principal, Dr. Jason Buck, two distinguished student speakers, and Superintendent, Dr. Travis Bracht. Get ready to experience the overwhelming power of Superinte...

Welcome to Affton Unplugged, the podcast that takes you into the heart of the Affton School District by highlighting the individuals and narratives that form this remarkable learning community. For our latest episode, we turn our attention to National Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, devoting the entirety of this special edition to appreciating and recognizing the excellent work of our teach...

Join our newest episode of 'Affton Unplugged' with Superintendent Travis Bracht, set in the vibrant educational environment of Gotsch Intermediate School. Discover how the Affton School District is bridging the gap between staff and students, brought into the limelight through inspiring hidden tales from the heart of their scholastic ecosystem. Explore the thoughtful journey and diverse experience...

Welcome to the latest episode of Affton Unplugged, where we delve into the heart of Affton School District by spotlighting its individuals and their accomplishments. In this episode, we focus on the acclaimed Rogers Middle School Basketball Team, and their extraordinary undefeated season. Our host, Superintendent Travis Bracht, invites you to enjoy the stories of our young champions and their dedi...

Welcome to this special episode of Affton Unplugged, where Superintendent Travis Bracht sits down with two retiring educators from Mesnier Primary School in the Affton School District - Cheryl Ladd and Janet Peistrup. Each of them has worked extensively in shaping the growth and learning of numerous students throughout their teaching careers. In the first part, Cheryl takes us through her journey...

In this thought-provoking episode of Affton Unplugged, host Travis Bracht takes an insider's tour of the preparations for Affton High School's highly-anticipated spring musical, Into the Woods. This behind-the-scenes look peels back the curtain, revealing the passion, hard work, and commitment Affton's young thespians put into bringing their characters to life. Sylas Hampton and Mary Cooper, cast...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast, brought to you by the Affton School District. This episode offers an in-depth exploration of the transformative Youth Leadership Program at Affton High School. Join us alongside Mr. Lewis, the program sponsor, and several participating students who share their insights and experiences. Delve into the workings of this extraordin...

Join Affton Unplugged in an interesting episode where Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews Dr. Brian Esselman, an accomplished high school teacher in the Affton School District. Unfold the inspiring journey of Dr. Esselman as he depicts his passion for teaching, recount his experiences in the district, and sheds light on his academic achievements. Listen as he explains how attaining a National...

Welcome to an episode of Affton Unplugged dedicated to presenting the transformative work of the Mentoring Matters Club at Affton High School. Our guests, Mary Beth Merlo and Gina Stewart, tell their inspirational stories of setting up the initiative, aiming to promote social skills, foster friendships, and create an inclusive atmosphere for all students. Immerse yourself in a tale of dedication,...

Welcome to another episode of Affton Unplugged, our enlightening podcast by the Afton School District. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the lives and experiences shaping our district's atmosphere. Join us as Superintendent Travis Bracht gives a comprehensive tour of the Affton Early Childhood Center, offering a deep dive into the pivotal education hub for our three and four-year-olds and p...

Join us this week on Affton Unplugged, a family-oriented podcast that celebrates the remarkable stories and individuals of the Affton School District. This special episode offers you an inside look into the world of school social workers and social emotional learning (SEL) interventionists, spotlighting their crucial roles and contributions. This week's guests, Beckie Rainbolt and Greta Pitcher, a...

Welcome to our latest episode of Affton Unplugged, taking you behind the scenes at Rogers Middle School's drama club—the creative hub behind some truly intriguing theatrical productions. Join our superintendent Travis Bracht as he engages in heartfelt conversations with the inspiring drama teacher, Mr. Joe Murphy, and some exceptionally talented students. Unfolding his journey from an enthusiastic...

Celebrating the unsung heroes within our school district, this episode of Affton Unplugged focuses on our dedicated school resource officers. Hosted by Superintendent Travis Bracht, we delve into the lives of Officer Bryan Felts of Affton High School, and Officer John Whitmore of Rogers Middle School. We learn about their service in the school district, as well as their personal journeys that have...

Welcome to this thrilling episode of the Affton Unplugged Podcast! Join Superintendent Travis Brach with our two special guests, Jane Bohn and Hannah Dreas, as we celebrate National School Counseling Week through an exploration of the significant roles school counselors play within the Affton School District. In this episode, Jane from Affton High School and Hannah from Mesnier Primary School shar...

Join Affton School District Superintendent Dr. Travis Bracht for an insightful episode of the Affton Unplugged Podcast, where he sits down with Dr. Jake Lohse, the Principal of South Technical High School. They discuss South Techs unique approach towards education, emphasizing real-world skills and student passion, with first-hand accounts from three Affton High School Seniors who describe their l...

This episode takes you on a fascinating tour of South Technical High School as five juniors from Affton High School discuss the academic programs shaping their future in Cosmetology, Pharmacy Science, Construction Innovations,  Networking and Robotics. Hear firsthand the extraordinary learning experiences students are engaged in - each unique to their individual interests, supported by expert know...

In this episode you will hear how classroom teachers can use artificial intelligence (AI) to support their teaching and learning expertise. You will also learn about the types of things ChatGPT is better at than others and how to effectively use this specific AI system. Zack Wangler, 8th Grade Science Teacher at Rogers Middle School, and Adam Jasinski, Director of Technology in the Affton School D...

In this episode you will learn about the APEX Learning Center within Affton High School. You will hear from current students taking online enrichment and in-person career exploration courses as well as a 2020 graduate that found their future occupation by tapping into what APEX has to offer. APEX stands for Academic Personalization and Experiential Learning and handles everything from dropout prev...

The Affton High School Boys Soccer team had a phenomenal season that culminated in setting the single-season wins record and a District Championship. In this episode you will hear from Coach Brian Mesplay, Affton High School Teacher, and six of the seniors on the team. Listen to them share their most memorable moments from the season and other individual recognitions they received. At the beginnin...

In this episode you will hear from Affton School District alumni who returned this year as new teachers to the district. Listen to them recount fond memories from when they were students and how welcoming their colleagues have been since returning as teachers. The respect and appreciation they have for their teachers and the Affton community is clearly evident. We are so excited to welcome home ou...