Advertise on podcast: Middle School Walk & Talk

Get to know AMLE’s new CEO, Chris Woodside, in the latest episode of Middle School Walk & Talk. From his own formative middle school memories to his new role as a middle school parent, Chris shares what fuels his passion for this work and his vision for strengthening AMLE’s voice in advocacy and building partnerships. Tune in for a candid, foreward-looking conversation about AMLE’s role in bringing middle school communities together to support each other with a shared vision of success. Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

As a new school year begins, educators often feel pressure to do more, achieve more, and raise the bar once again. In this season premiere of Middle School Walk and Talk, hosts Phyllis Fagell and Jessica McGuire explore how educators can balance ambition with well-being, let go of guilt, and align their priorities with their current season of life. From avoiding the "achievement trap" to recognizing big, small, and invisible wins, the conversation offers practical strategies for sustaining joy and purpose throughout the year. You can listen to the episode or read a recap on the AMLE website. Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 and teachers, shares practical strategies for building high-impact mentoring programs, and emphasizes the mindset shift every educator can adopt: finding the good in every student. Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 strategies for designing relevant prompts, avoiding common pitfalls, and connecting classic texts to students’ real lives. The conversation offers an accessible, thought provoking look at how teachers can stretch themselves, embrace productive struggle, and use AI as a tool for more meaningful and culturally responsive learning.  Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 executive functioning, and disrupting rigid social patterns in the middle grades. Kircher Morris offers accessible, real world guidance to help every student feel accepted, understood, and able to contribute to their school community. Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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, can spark richer thinking and greater engagement. She also shares practical strategies that help students become confident question askers themselves. The conversation offers actionable insights any teacher can use to make questioning a powerful driver of learning in the middle grades.  Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 need for stronger reading instruction in middle and high school. Whitman shares practical classroom strategies and insights on how research can inform everyday teaching. Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 for teachers and administrators to cultivate thriving school cultures and combat burnout. Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 helped him navigate the challenges of adolescence. With honesty and insight, he offers educators a student’s perspective on belonging, engagement, and helping every young adolescent feel seen and heard. Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 insight into how his team has empowered students as co-researchers to redesign classroom spaces that spark engagement, belonging, and wonder. From defining curiosity in the middle years to transforming learning environments, this conversation offers practical inspiration for educators seeking to rekindle curiosity in their own classrooms. Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 them to choose a career path. She discusses Britebound’s partnership with AMLE on the Career Exploration in the Middle Grades Playbook, the growing importance of hands-on and community-focused experiences, and emerging trends such as AI readiness and students’ rising entrepreneurial spirit. The conversation highlights simple shifts educators and families can make to empower students to envision wide-open futures.  Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 celebrate. He discusses the power of advisory, the importance of seeing teachers as guides rather than instructors, and practical ways schools can help students feel seen, connected, and in charge of their own stories. Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 sacrificing human connection, Mroziak shares practical insights and a shared language for middle level educators navigating this new frontier.  Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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.

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.