Middle School Walk & Talk

In this episode of Middle School Walk and Talk , co-hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire chat with Dr. Rashad Anderson, professor at Metropolitan State University and leader of the Call Me Mr. Teacher Leadership Program, discussing how intentional teacher preparation, mentoring, and a focus on student strengths can transform school culture. He explores the challenges facing Black male students...

In this episode of Middle School Walk and Talk , hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire chat with Rising Star Presenter Adam Whitaker about how artificial intelligence can support culturally grounded instruction in the middle grades. Whitaker explains why effective AI use begins with strong pedagogy and deep knowledge of students’ identities, interests, and experiences. He shares practical strat...

In this episode of Middle School Walk and Talk , AMLE speaks with counselor, educator, and author Emily Kircher Morris about what it truly means to create neurodiversity affirming schools. Kircher Morris clarifies common misconceptions about neurodivergence, explains how strengths-based accommodations benefit all learners, and shares practical strategies for fostering belonging, supporting executi...

In this episode of Middle School Walk and Talk , co-hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire chat with educator and author Connie Hamilton, known to many as the questioning guru, about how effective questioning can transform middle school learning. Hamilton explains how small shifts in teacher practice, from increasing wait time to softening prompts and listening more deeply to student reasoning,...

In this episode of Middle School Walk and Talk, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire speak with Glenn Whitman, a history teacher and director of the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland. They discuss the school’s 18-year focus on the science of learning, covering key concepts like neuroplasticity, belonging, executive functioning, and the...

In this episode of Middle School Walk & Talk, Vernicca Wynter, educational leader and leadership wellness expert, shares practical strategies for creating supportive, engaging school environments. She discusses ways educators can boost student well-being, promote emotional regulation, and lead with intentionality, all while staying connected to their own “why.” Wynter offers actionable tips fo...

In this very special episode of Middle School Walk & Talk, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire sit down with Brody Cunningham, a ninth grader from Georgia and the 2025 winner of AMLE’s Middle School Student Sound Off Contest. Brody reflects on what it means to “find your voice between the echoes” of middle school, sharing how supportive teachers, open communication, and self-discovery hel...

In this episode of Middle School Walk & Talk, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire chat with Braydon Giles, Head of Middle School at St. John’s Anglican College in Brisbane, Australia, and Vice Chair of Adolescent Success, AMLE’s Australian affiliate. Giles shares insights from a multi-year research partnership exploring one provocative question: Do schools kill curiosity? He also provides...

In this episode of Middle School Walk & Talk , co-hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire chat with Julie Lammers, president and CEO of Britebound formerly, American Student Assistance, about why the middle grades are a critical window for career exploration. Lammers shares practical strategies for helping young adolescents understand their strengths, interests, and values—without pressuring...

In this inspiring Middle School Walk & Talk episode, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire chat with educator and author Chris Balme, founder of Millennium School and Hakuba International School. Balme shares how understanding adolescent development—and viewing puberty as the ultimate “hero’s journey”—can transform the middle school experience from something to survive into something to cel...

Artificial intelligence is changing education, but how can it enhance learning without replacing the human touch? In this episode of Middle School Walk & Talk , Jordan Mroziak, educator, researcher, and AI literacy consultant, explores how AI can foster creativity, curiosity, and community in the classroom. From using AI as a sandbox for student experimentation to supporting teachers without s...

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 b...

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...

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.  Emp...

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...

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....

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...

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, Bri...

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 sc...

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...

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...

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" a...

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 build...

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 t...

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 fundamen...