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.