The Recess-An Inside Look at the Auburn School District

In the year-end finale, Dr. Spicciati interviews three retiring teachers with more than 123 years of combined teaching experience! Hear from Auburn High teacher Tom Kaup, TAP teacher Audrey Adams and Lakeland Hills Elementary teacher Kim McKeough. All three share their plans for retirement, advice for new teachers and of course, their favorite recess activity!

In the final senior interview for the class of 2026, Dr. Spicciati talks with Landon Padur from Auburn Riverside. Hear about his journey through the ASD, advice to incoming 9th graders and how he plans to pursue his love of music.

In this episode Dr. Spicciati interview Auburn High graduating senior Bree Reed. Hear about her debate skills, plans for her future and how tetherball prepared her for volleyball!

In the 50th episode of The Recess, Dr. Spicciati interviews graduating senior Donivin Brooks. Hear about his leadership at West Auburn, plans for the future and advice for incoming 9th graders. #classof2026

In this episode, Dr. Spicciati interviews graduating senior Lauren Mattioli. Hear about her experiences in the ASD, advice for incoming 9th graders and of course, her favorite recess activity.  #classof2026

In this episode Dr. Spicciati interviews Konika Spicer, bus driver. Hear about her love of children, the challenge of trains and, of course, her favorite recess activities. 

In this episode, Dr. Spicciati talks with Gavin Lees, from the Department of Technology. Hear about Gavin's path from Scotland to the ASD, our technology levy and Gavin's candy story. 

In this episode, hear from Michaela Peringer, multilingual teacher at Willow Crest Elementary. Dr. Spicciati shares her Auburn story, the linguistic diversity of ASD students and of course, Ms. Peringer's favorite recess activities!

In this episode Dr. Spicciati interviews Ty Podeszwa, elementary PE teacher. Hear about his love for The Beatles, WSU and of course, his favorite recess activity.

In this episode, Dr. Spicciati interviews Priscilla Torres Rosas, 3rd grade teacher at Alpac Elementary. Hear about her journey in the ASD as a student, paraeducator and now teacher who still plays tetherball.

Dr. Spicciati interviews Auburn High teacher Chris Zawislak. Learn about some great CTE courses, the impact on student career choices and the rocking world of FIRST Robotics.

This episode Dr. Spicciati interviews Brenda Ellison, president of the Auburn Public Schools Foundation. Take a listen to the variety of ways the Foundation supports Auburn students, learn about opportunities to support their work and of course her favorite recess memory.

In this episode, Dr. Spicciati takes you backstage by talking with Carol Smetheram, managing director of the three ASD theaters. Hear about her favorite teacher, the MERGE art show and her love of double-dutch.

Take a listen as Dr. Spicciati interviews Sarah Berg, counselor from Mt. Baker Middle School. Hear about her favorite teacher, the challenges of middle school and spinning on the bars!

In this episode, we flip the script and Dr. Spicciati is the interviewee.  Hear about his journey to being superintendent, highlights of the great work going on in the ASD, learn about the upcoming election measures and hear about his favorite recess activity.

In this episode, Dr. Spicciati goes behind the scenes about school construction. Jeff Grose, executive director of capital projects, shares the process and history of Auburn's school buildings and shares his recess memories. 

In this episode, Dr. Spicciati interviews Nikki Clemons, Director of Early Learning. Explore the four different preschool options in the ASD, hear about Nikki's path to her role and fuzzy stickers.

In the first interview of the 25-26 school year, Dr. Spicciati talks with Rainier Middle School principal Dr. Joseph Williams III. Hear about his law school dilemma, "doing school" and of course, his favorite recess activity!

In the last episode for the 24-25 school year, Dr. Spicciati interviews Auburn Mountainview senior Brynn Erdmann. Hear about unified basketball, ASB and the excitement of graduation!

Dr. Spicciati interviews West Auburn principal Andrea Love. Learn what makes Auburn's alternative high school a great place and Ms. Love's memories of 4-square.

Dr. Spicciati interviews West Auburn graduating senior Sir Naomas Failautusi. Hear about his path to graduation, plans for next year and learn a little bit about rugby!

Dr. Spicciati interviews Auburn High senior Jeanne Tuia. Hear about her involvement in ASB, her commitment to helping others and her passoin for kickball and jumproping.

Dr. Spicciati inteviews Ryan Monsen, from Auburn Riverside's Class of 2025! Hear about Ryan's music path, his advice for being successful in high school and his love of basketball.

We try something new with this edition of The Recess. Dr. Spicciati interviews Paul McKenzie, principal at Pioneer Elementary about the Spanish-English dual language program launching this fall. This podcast is presented in English and Spanish, check it out!

Dr. Spicciati talks with Kyle Rees, jewelry teacher at Auburn Riverside, about his journey to being a jewelry teacher, hissing cockroaches and memories of box hockey.