The Echo Podcast

Aarush Srivastava ’27 sits down with Ms. Kenya Waltower, a school counselor at SAS Puxi, to discuss her role at the school, her background, and what she does to support students throughout their high school experience. They talk about the different ways counselors connect with students, the challenges students face, and how Ms. Waltower helps students navigate both their academic and personal lives. This episode gives listeners an inside look at the work of a school counselor and the person behind the role. We hope you enjoy the conversation, and stay tuned for what’s coming next!

Aarush Srivastava '27 sits down with Mr. Vaughan, the new SAS Puxi Principal, to discuss who he is, his background, personal interests, and some of the goals he has for himself and the school moving forward. This episode gives listeners an inside look at the newest addition to the staff at Shanghai American School. We hope you enjoy the conversation, and stay tuned for what's coming next!

Aarush Srivastava'27 sits down with Ms. Baptista, the new IB Diploma Coordinator at SAS PX, for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from her personal life to the ins and outs of the IB Diploma and its benefits. This episode features valuable advice straight from the coordinator herself—especially helpful for students on the fence about which program to choose. We hope you enjoy this episode, and stay tuned for what’s coming next!

Aarush Srivastava '27 talks to Dr. Rosemary Yuen, a veteran high school math teacher at SAS. They discuss Dr. Yuen's background, her life story, and broader topics like mathematics and AI in the fields of science. Dr. Yuen shares valuable advice from her 32 years at Shanghai American School, and as it is her last year, she leaves us with some encouraging words. We hope you enjoy it, and stay tuned for the next episodes!

Aarush Srivastava '27 has an amazing conversation with Mr. McMillan, our high school technology coach, about a wide array of topics, including the correct and ethical use of AI as a tool, technological advancements in educational systems, and Mr. McMillan's background and past pursuits in life. This episode is filled with loads of fun personal stories and valuable advice that go beyond the technological lens. We hope you enjoy it, and stay tuned for the next episodes!

Aarush Srivastava ’27 sits down with Mr. Caskie, the high school principal, to trace his journey from math teacher to school leader. Along the way, he shares hard-earned advice, reflections on leadership, and insights gained from years on both sides of the classroom. We hope you enjoy it, and stay tuned for the next episodes!

Mentored by Jinwook (James) Chang 26'

Aarush Srivastava '27 interviews Mr.Ogle on this episode of Staff Room about the incredible power of language. He walks us through his personal journey learning new languages, explains how language shapes the way we see culture and the world, and even weighs in on modern linguistic trends—from Gen-Z slang to the role of gendered words. We hope you enjoy it.

Mentored by Jinwook (James) Chang 26'

Jinwook (James) Chang ’26 and James Liu ’26 interview College Counselor Mr. Colt in this introductory episode to kick off the College Mythbusting series. In this episode, you’ll hear Mr. Colt break down common worries around standardized testing, GPA, superscoring, and admissions statistics, offering clarity on what truly matters—and what students can stop stressing about. Thanks for tuning in!

Jinwook (James) Chang ’26 interviews Lucas Li ’25, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society president, executive officer of the Art of Problem Solving club, and one of our most recent alumni. In this episode, you’ll hear how Lucas fell in love with math, balanced academics with leadership, and shares his advice for students pursuing STEM at SAS and beyond. Thanks for tuning in!

Inspired by the book shares surrounding criminology in our school’s AP English Language and Composition class, I accidentally discovered an old debate. From B. F. Skinner’s deterministic ideologies to Immanuel Kant’s free will arguments, we began to dig into the two main arguments in the human nature of crime. Today, we will delve into one of the oldest philosophical debates: Are criminals products of their environment, or morally accountable agents?