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.

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. 

Emphasizing the KISS principle (“Keep It Simple, Stupid”), Jessica highlights the need to streamline systems and expectations to reduce overwhelm, while Phyllis underscores the value of understanding middle schoolers’ developmental needs and fostering empathy with parents. The hosts also explore the unique energy of middle schoolers, drawing from Jessica’s experiences as a principal and parent, to inspire educators to build trust and connection. The episode offers practical insights for educators and parents to navigate the new school year with clarity and compassion.

ICYMI: Listeners can now explore AMLE's recently launched website for middle school parents, MiddleSchool.org and its accompanying parent brochure. 

Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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 social dynamics, academic pressures, and personal growth, and view all their submissions at amle.org/soundoff.

Special thank you to our student guests Tessa Galen, Luisa Diaz-Hill, Annie Johnson, Olivia Childs, and Sanya Singh.

Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.

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. With spring break underway and pollen in the air, they also explore how routines and collegial support can ease end-of-year anxieties for educators and students alike.

Happy Summer! Middle School Walk & Talk will return this fall.

Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.