Amplified: The Chesapeake Public Schools Podcast

As he prepares for retirement, Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton joins us for a special conversation reflecting on his time leading Chesapeake Public Schools and the journey that brought him back home to serve the community that helped shape him. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Cotton has guided the division through historic challenges and significant growth, always grounded in a simple but powerful miss...

Graduation season moves fast, and the real pressure isn’t just finals and ceremonies, it’s the question every senior hears on repeat: “So what’s next?” We bring you three Chesapeake Public Schools students who answer that question with clarity, pride, and very different plans, all tied together by one big idea: the best next step is the one you prepare for on purpose. We start with the district’s...

The fastest way to change a classroom isn’t a new program, it’s a new workflow. We sit down with educator, author, and TEDx speaker Dr. Catlin Tucker to unpack what helped her go from early-career burnout to designing learning that feels engaging for students and sustainable for teachers. We talk student-led learning in plain terms: teachers stay essential, but students do more of the thinking, ta...

The first squeak, the first harmony, the first moment a student realizes they belong—those are the beats that drive this conversation. We open the curtain on Chesapeake’s K-12 music pathway with Supervisor of Music Orion Burke and Deep Creek Middle School chorus director Taylor Mercier, exploring how early access, strong culture, and fresh opportunities turn curiosity into confidence and technique...

A quiet walk can carry a lot of history. We bring together Dr. Ella Ward—longtime educator, school board alum, and current Chesapeake City Council member—and Principal Wade Sloan of Portlock Primary to explore how a one-room schoolhouse on Benefit Road still shapes how our students learn, hope, and lead today. Dr. Ward traces a lifetime of service that began with a simple neighborhood need and gre...

Indian River High School Junior, Adrian Langaster, opens the door. What follows is a vivid journey through Indian River High School’s heartbeat, where legacy, leadership, and everyday acts of care turn a campus into a family. We sit down with Principal Naomi Dunbar and former Principal James L. Fry to explore how continuity shapes culture, why the RISE motto matters, and what it takes to hire teac...

A four-room schoolhouse, a city that didn’t yet exist, and a community that turned colors and customs into a living legacy. This is the story of Great Bridge High through the voices of those who shaped it and those carrying it forward. We kick off Hall Pass to History with a second-generation Wildcat who paints the school’s early origins and traditions, then sit down with retired principal Bob Rob...

Holiday sparkle can hide tough realities. We open with lighthearted talk about candy and collards, then dig into how families in Chesapeake get real help fast—food, clothing, health access, school registration, and even job connections—through the tight partnership between our Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team and Nischelle Buffalow’s all-volunteer Buffalow Family & Friends. You’ll a...

We sit down with Dr. Fallon Graham to unpack how our school calendar gets built, why Labor Day timing matters, and how state rules, summer projects, and family needs all fit into one plan. We share the two-year proposal and invite our community to weigh in with informed feedback. • late Labor Day and its ripple effects • 180 days, 990 hours, and high school seat time • four-by-four block benefits...

Our Superintendent, Dr. Jared Cotton, shares his excitement for the new school year, even after 34 years in education! In this conversation, he dives into the district’s Empower 2030 strategic plan, developed through collaboration with students, teachers, and the community. The plan highlights student mental health, innovative learning, and school improvements. Dr. Cotton also discusses the new Sm...

Three extraordinary student-athletes share their journeys of balancing high-level competitive sports with academic excellence. Sophie Rambo (track), Caleb Neal (wrestling), and Jaden Dabbs (football) discuss what it takes to succeed in both arenas while maintaining focus and determination. • Sophie Rambo from Grassfield High has won nine state titles in track and placed second at New Balance Natio...

Our 20th episode pulls back the curtain on the powerful community partnerships that help us excel. We're joined by DeShonna Brown (Chesapeake Council PTA President), Chris Crouch (Educational Foundation Chair), and Sean Murphy (Foundation Board Member and Grassfield alumnus) for a candid conversation about supporting our schools. Whether you're a parent wondering how to get involved, a b...

School safety is paramount and in this episode, we delve into the innovative strategies that we employ to ensure the well-being of our students. We highlight key initiatives like the Raptor Alert system and student ID badges that help in monitoring attendance and security. During our discussion, educators share their experiences and emphasize the importance of forming strong relationships with stu...

On the latest episode, we celebrate Virginia Principals Appreciation Week by speaking with three dedicated school leaders who share their experiences, challenges, and strategies for fostering positive school environments. Their insights emphasize the importance of relationship-building, community engagement, and resilience in education, revealing how they support both students and staff. Send us F...

Launched in the fall of 2024, the Power of the Peake is our new Employee Recognition Program and this episode shines a light on the program and our first award recipients in the areas of SUPPORT, TEACH, and LEAD. Listen today as they share their story and why they are the Power of the Peake! October Power of the Peake Recipients: SUPPORT : Van Gholston (Western Branch Primary Custodian) TEACH : La...

Explore how technology is transforming education with Maria Kainz, a first-year English teacher at Oscar Smith High, and Andrew LeClair, a technology innovation coach from Hickory Middle. Together, they discuss the opportunities and challenges of incorporating AI into classrooms, offering insights on how it can enhance personalized learning and prepare students for a tech-driven world. This episod...

In our latest podcast episode, Dr. Jeffrey Faust, our Chief Technology Innovation Officer, explores how we are starting to incorporate artificial intelligence in our schools. He shares AI’s practical applications, addressing how it helps streamline teacher workloads, while also touching on critical considerations such as data privacy and the ethical implications of AI in learning environments. Lis...

Today, we sit down with Matt Graham and Chris Vail to unpack Chesapeake Public Schools' "Away for the Day" cell phone policy, aligned with Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 33. You'll hear firsthand accounts from Principal Jeff Johnson, teacher Corey Perillo, and senior Katelynn Diehl from Great Bridge High School. They share their unique experiences, challenges faced, a...

Get ready for an enlightening conversation with Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton as he shares the extensive preparations that pave the way for a smooth and successful new school year. He also provides invaluable tips for parents, teachers, and students to start the year off right. Listen today on your favorite podcast platforms and visit cpschools.com/amplified to learn more about the podcast! Send...

Relive the excitement of your senior year! This episode captures the spirit and determination of our graduates. One senior from each of the high schools joined the podcast sharing their memorable moments and future endeavors,  offering advice for future high school students, and sending heartfelt shout-outs to those who helped them along their way. Congratulations to the entire Class of 2024! Than...

Our teachers are world-class educators who inspire, engage, and empower all learners to achieve their highest potential! There is no competition...our teachers take the gold! It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and in this episode, we are joined by our Chesapeake Teacher of the Year, Alyssa May! Alyssa is a second-grade teacher at Butts Road Primary and she shares her incredible story with us. It...

Discover the profound impact of Chesapeake Public Schools' collaboration with military-connected students, as Laura Lerf, Family and Community Engagement Specialist, and Captain Matt Frauenzimmer the Commanding Officer from NSA Hampton Roads join us. Together, they share their experiences and the specialized resources designed to ease the challenges faced by nearly a quarter of our student bo...

Safety within our schools takes center stage as we sit down with Penny Schultz, Assistant Director of Safety and Security, and Matt Hamel, Commonwealth's Attorney, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the strategies and dedication driving the local School Safety Task Force. Discover how collaborative efforts across city departments are keeping our schools safe. As Schultz and Hamel detail the s...

🎙 🎧 In this episode, Christine Sperelakis-Babb, Coordinator of College Readiness from Chesapeake Public Schools, and Holly Desteli of Tidewater Community College guide us through a better understanding of the dual enrollment program in Chesapeake Public Schools. They share how dual enrollment not only accelerates academic achievement but also paints a clearer path for students stepping into highe...

Imagine a future where every student has the tools and opportunities to carve out a successful career path – it's happening right now in the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE). February's CTE Month shines a light on the experiences offered to our students. Dr. Lori Martin, Supervisor of CTE,  joins us to discuss the "Take a Peake Job Shadowing Day" which plays a pivo...