In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht has a conversation with South Technical High School Principal, Dr. Jacob Lohse, and three juniors from Affton High School pursuing career paths in construction, culinary arts and cosmetology. The discussion highlights the unique hands-on learning environment at South Tech, where students from across St. Louis County gain industry-specific skills in over 20 different fields.

Dr. Lohse emphasizes that the school utilizes expert instructors from the workforce and professional-grade equipment to ensure a seamless transition into future careers. The participating students share personal stories about their favorite projects and the meaningful social connections they have built with peers who share their professional passions.

The episode highlights the amazing opportunities available to Affton High School students in partnership with South Tech to explore alternative educational opportunities that focus on practical application and trade certification.

On this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews new secondary educators at Rogers Middle School and Afton High School. These professionals come from diverse backgrounds, including military service, student teaching residencies, and previous experience in other districts or charter schools.

During the segments, the teachers discuss their specific subject areas and reflect on the professional paths that led them to the district. A consistent theme throughout the conversations is the strong sense of community and collaborative support provided by colleagues and families.

The educators emphasize how these interpersonal connections and the welcoming environment have positively impacted their first year in the district. Overall, the episode highlights successful integration of new staff members into the Afton School District’s educational mission.

On this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews a diverse group of new elementary educators at Mesnier Primary School and Gotsch Intermediate School. The participants include first-year teachers, career changers from corporate and service industries, and experienced specialists in art, counseling, and English Language Learning.

Each guest reflects on their prior professional backgrounds and the specific paths that led them to join the district. A central theme across the interviews is the strong sense of community and the supportive administrative environment found within the schools.

Teachers consistently highlight the welcoming atmosphere, unique student diversity, and collaborative team spirits as their favorite aspects of working in Afton. The discussion serves as an introduction to the new staff while reinforcing the district's commitment to prioritizing education through personal connections.

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews school social workers Jessica Crawford and Kortney Wood to celebrate National School Social Worker Week March 2-6.

The guests describe their professional backgrounds and explain how their roles serve as a vital bridge between the home, the community, and the classroom. They outline the diverse services they provide, including crisis intervention, mental health support, and connecting families with essential resources like food and housing.

The discussion highlights prevalent challenges students face today, such as chronic absenteeism and anxiety, while also sharing heartwarming success stories from within the district. The conversation emphasizes a holistic approach to education that prioritizes a child's emotional and social well-being alongside their academic progress.

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast features the NotebookLM AI co-host duo taking a deep dive into the Affton School District 2022-27 Strategic Plan Roadmap.

The Affton School District Strategic Plan functions as a comprehensive roadmap designed to guide the community toward specific educational milestones between 2022 and 2027. Referred to as a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) in Missouri, this document outlines the district’s foundational mission, vision, and core values while establishing concrete goals for the future.

The framework was built through extensive collaboration with students, parents, and staff to ensure the strategy reflects the needs of all stakeholders. Organized into four distinct pillars, the plan incorporates One-Year Plans and a District Scorecard to maintain flexibility and high levels of accountability.

The district commits to a process of continuous improvement and regular performance evaluation. Ultimately, this plan serves as a vital tool for meeting state accreditation standards while ensuring every student is prepared for future success.

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast, Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews three school resource officers to celebrate their contributions in honor of National SRO Day.

The conversation features Officer Ashley Meyer, who discusses her transition from community outreach to early childhood and elementary education, and Officer Bryan Felts, a Navy veteran who serves the local high school. Additionally, Officer John Whitmore reflects on his seventeen-year tenure at the middle school and the meaningful professional relationships he has built.

Each guest shares their personal motivations for entering law enforcement, such as a desire to help others or find a sense of purpose. The officers also describe their hobbies and family lives, offering a humanizing look at the individuals tasked with maintaining campus safety. Ultimately, the episode highlights the strong bond between these officers and the Affton community they protect.

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights National School Counseling Week. Superintendent Travis Bracht sits down with school counselors from across the district as they introduce themselves, explain why they became counselors, and share what they love about supporting students.

From elementary social-skills lessons to middle- and high-school transition planning and college readiness, the episode highlights counselors’ behind-the-scenes work advocating for students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. These experts act as advocates and bridgebuilders, managing academic paths, crisis intervention, and social skills to support the whole child.

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast features a discussion led by Superintendent Travis Bracht regarding the Model United Nations program at Rogers Middle School. Teacher Laura Hubbard explains how the curriculum, established in 2019, teaches students about global diplomacy, sustainable development goals, and international policy.

Several eighth-grade students share their experiences researching real-world crises, such as poverty in Venezuela and hurricane relief in Jamaica, while representing the specific values of their assigned countries. The group highlights a unique General Assembly hosted by the school, where they collaborated with peers from another local middle school to negotiate resolutions.

Ultimately, the participants emphasize how the program builds essential 21st-century skills like empathy, public speaking, and collaborative problem-solving. Through these academic simulations, students develop a deeper connection to current events and gain a better understanding of their potential to impact the world.

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews members of the Rogers Middle School Art Club. Led by teacher Katie Rice, the club has seen rapid growth and has integrated student leadership roles to help the club and it's members thrive.

Students share how the club provides a supportive environment to refine their skills and enter various art competitions. The episode highlights significant achievements, including students becoming published artists through national contests and winning awards in local district-wide events.

The episode emphasizes the strong community bonds and creative opportunities fostered through after-school programs. It also serves as an important reminder about how important it is to get students connected to extracurricular activities.