Welcome to this episode of Affton Unplugged! In this engaging conversation, Superintendent Travis Bracht sits down with Dr. George Calhoun, the new principal of Affton High School. Dr. Calhoun shares his personal interests, professional journey, and his vision for the school year ahead. Discover Dr. Calhoun's passion for sports, his love for trying…

Welcome to the latest episode of Affton Unplugged, a podcast by the Affton School District that highlights the people and stories that make the district great. Join Superintendent Travis Bracht as he sits down with the inspiring members of the Affton Parents Club (APC). In this episode, we meet Emily Grozdanic, Rachel Cusic, and Jen Wilhelm, who sh…

Welcome to Affton Unplugged, a podcast by the Affton School District that highlights the people and stories that make the district great. I'm your host, Superintendent Travis Bracht, and in the Affton School District, education is the most important thing we do. In this episode, we talk with graduates from the class of 2024 as they share their favo…

Welcome to a special episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast where we take you back in time and relive the class of 2024 graduation ceremony. In this episode, we revisit the exhilarating speeches of prominent speakers including the Acting Principal, Dr. Jason Buck, two distinguished student speakers, and Superintendent, Dr. Travis Bracht. Get ready…

Welcome to Affton Unplugged, the podcast that takes you into the heart of the Affton School District by highlighting the individuals and narratives that form this remarkable learning community. For our latest episode, we turn our attention to National Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, devoting the entirety of this special edition to appreciating a…

Join our newest episode of 'Affton Unplugged' with Superintendent Travis Bracht, set in the vibrant educational environment of Gotsch Intermediate School. Discover how the Affton School District is bridging the gap between staff and students, brought into the limelight through inspiring hidden tales from the heart of their scholastic ecosystem. Exp…

Welcome to the latest episode of Affton Unplugged, where we delve into the heart of Affton School District by spotlighting its individuals and their accomplishments. In this episode, we focus on the acclaimed Rogers Middle School Basketball Team, and their extraordinary undefeated season. Our host, Superintendent Travis Bracht, invites you to enjoy…

Welcome to this special episode of Affton Unplugged, where Superintendent Travis Bracht sits down with two retiring educators from Mesnier Primary School in the Affton School District - Cheryl Ladd and Janet Peistrup. Each of them has worked extensively in shaping the growth and learning of numerous students throughout their teaching careers. In th…

In this thought-provoking episode of Affton Unplugged, host Travis Bracht takes an insider's tour of the preparations for Affton High School's highly-anticipated spring musical, Into the Woods. This behind-the-scenes look peels back the curtain, revealing the passion, hard work, and commitment Affton's young thespians put into bringing their charac…

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast, brought to you by the Affton School District. This episode offers an in-depth exploration of the transformative Youth Leadership Program at Affton High School. Join us alongside Mr. Lewis, the program sponsor, and several participating students who share their insights and exper…

Join Affton Unplugged in an interesting episode where Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews Dr. Brian Esselman, an accomplished high school teacher in the Affton School District. Unfold the inspiring journey of Dr. Esselman as he depicts his passion for teaching, recount his experiences in the district, and sheds light on his academic achievement…

Welcome to an episode of Affton Unplugged dedicated to presenting the transformative work of the Mentoring Matters Club at Affton High School. Our guests, Mary Beth Merlo and Gina Stewart, tell their inspirational stories of setting up the initiative, aiming to promote social skills, foster friendships, and create an inclusive atmosphere for all st…

Welcome to another episode of Affton Unplugged, our enlightening podcast by the Afton School District. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the lives and experiences shaping our district's atmosphere. Join us as Superintendent Travis Bracht gives a comprehensive tour of the Affton Early Childhood Center, offering a deep dive into the pivotal ed…

Join us this week on Affton Unplugged, a family-oriented podcast that celebrates the remarkable stories and individuals of the Affton School District. This special episode offers you an inside look into the world of school social workers and social emotional learning (SEL) interventionists, spotlighting their crucial roles and contributions. This w…

Welcome to our latest episode of Affton Unplugged, taking you behind the scenes at Rogers Middle School's drama club—the creative hub behind some truly intriguing theatrical productions. Join our superintendent Travis Bracht as he engages in heartfelt conversations with the inspiring drama teacher, Mr. Joe Murphy, and some exceptionally talented st…

Celebrating the unsung heroes within our school district, this episode of Affton Unplugged focuses on our dedicated school resource officers. Hosted by Superintendent Travis Bracht, we delve into the lives of Officer Bryan Felts of Affton High School, and Officer John Whitmore of Rogers Middle School. We learn about their service in the school dist…

Welcome to this thrilling episode of the Affton Unplugged Podcast! Join Superintendent Travis Brach with our two special guests, Jane Bohn and Hannah Dreas, as we celebrate National School Counseling Week through an exploration of the significant roles school counselors play within the Affton School District. In this episode, Jane from Affton High …

Join Affton School District Superintendent Dr. Travis Bracht for an insightful episode of the Affton Unplugged Podcast, where he sits down with Dr. Jake Lohse, the Principal of South Technical High School. They discuss South Techs unique approach towards education, emphasizing real-world skills and student passion, with first-hand accounts from thr…

This episode takes you on a fascinating tour of South Technical High School as five juniors from Affton High School discuss the academic programs shaping their future in Cosmetology, Pharmacy Science, Construction Innovations, Networking and Robotics. Hear firsthand the extraordinary learning experiences students are engaged in - each unique to the…

In this episode you will hear how classroom teachers can use artificial intelligence (AI) to support their teaching and learning expertise. You will also learn about the types of things ChatGPT is better at than others and how to effectively use this specific AI system. Zack Wangler, 8th Grade Science Teacher at Rogers Middle School, and Adam Jasin…

In this episode you will learn about the APEX Learning Center within Affton High School. You will hear from current students taking online enrichment and in-person career exploration courses as well as a 2020 graduate that found their future occupation by tapping into what APEX has to offer. APEX stands for Academic Personalization and Experiential…

The Affton High School Boys Soccer team had a phenomenal season that culminated in setting the single-season wins record and a District Championship. In this episode you will hear from Coach Brian Mesplay, Affton High School Teacher, and six of the seniors on the team. Listen to them share their most memorable moments from the season and other indi…

In this episode you will hear from Affton School District alumni who returned this year as new teachers to the district. Listen to them recount fond memories from when they were students and how welcoming their colleagues have been since returning as teachers. The respect and appreciation they have for their teachers and the Affton community is cle…

This episode features four Affton High School seniors that participate in the St. Louis CAPS program. CAPS stands for Centers for Advanced Professional Studies and the program allows juniors and seniors to test-driving their future in high-skill, high-demand professions. These AHS students participate in the STL CAPS engineering, health care and bu…

In this episode you will hear about how Affton High School students are making connections in our community with senior community residents at The Village at Mackenzie Place. If residents need technical support with their smartphone or just someone to play a game with, AHS students are there to volunteer. The Village at Mackenzie Place is across th…

In this episode you will learn how Mesnier Primary School put research into motion by implementing a motor lab and mentoring program for students in grades K-2. Listen to students talk about what they enjoy about the motor lab and spending time with their mentor. You will also meet a few of the central office team members who serve as mentors. Dr. …

In this episode you will hear from four students that serve as editors of the Affton High School Yearbook and their faculty sponsor Mr. Don Henning. Listen to them describe how they capture the stories behind the students. If it's happening at AHS, you can bet the yearbook staff is there to capture the memories in the making.…

In this episode you will get to hear from two students at Rogers Middle School talk about their unique experiences beyond the school house walls. Maria Turner will tell us about Skeet & Trap Shooting while Olivia Snow talks about Roller Derby. Mr. Dan McCarthy is an 8th grade social studies teacher who has both students in class and guest hosts the…

In this episode you will hear from members of the Affton High School eSports Team and meet eSports Moderator and AHS Teacher Mr. Brandon Lewis. The AHS eSports Team recently completed an undefeated season with a perfect record of 7-0. The students discuss how their interest in gaming brought them together as a team and recount some of the most memo…

In this episode you will learn about the Parents As Teachers program in the Affton School District and hear from Parent Educators Amber Peroutka and Mandi Murdick as well as Dr. Amber Sinamon, Director of Early Learning. Parents As Teachers is a free program for families with children birth to pre-kindergarten that offers home visits, group meeting…

In this episode you will meet Affton High School Senior Trey White and hear about how his Eagle Scout project is making a difference for special education students in St. Louis County. You will also hear from Trey's mother, Kim White, and how her role as a special education teacher with Special School District of St. Louis County helped inspire his…

In this episode you will learn about the Affton Education Foundation (AEF) and how they provide support and funding for college scholarships, college visits, and teacher grants. You will also meet the AEF President Angela Sykora and AEF Board Liaison Judy Rethwisch. Established in 2005, AEF was formed to raise funds for projects beyond the scope or…

In this episode you will learn about the Young Writers Club at Gotsch Intermediate School where students in grades 3-5 create stories that culminate in being published authors. You will hear from Darby, Joe, and Maya as they talk about the stories they created last school year when they were in 5th grade. You will also get to meet Fifth Grade Teach…

In this episode you will get to hear from the current Affton School District Teacher of the Year, Karen Karsten. She provides some wise lessons from the classroom that reinforce how the small interactions teachers have with students on a daily basis can truly transform their future. Karen is a reading specialist with Special School District of St. …

In this episode we highlight the benefits of students getting involved with athletics and activities that help make the District #Afftonstrong. We discuss the important role that parents, teachers, coaches and sponsors play in making extracurricular activities a positive experience for everyone involved. You will also get a chance to hear from Afft…

In this episode we highlight how the Affton School District amplifies student voice. You will hear from Affton High School students who get input from their peers on ways to improve the climate and culture of the school and then work with staff members to make a noticeable difference. You won't want to miss their advice on how to build trust with s…

In this episode we highlight some of the opportunities the district offers to support our students being ready for their future. From college visits and application assistance to alumni panels and career fairs to college credit and industry recognized credentials, there is something for everyone. Hear from Dr. Jason Buck, Director of College & Care…

In this episode we talk about amplifying the Affton story through communication. You will hear from the Affton School District Director of Communications Erica Chandler, APR. Erica will discuss how people can connect through small moments that happen inside and outside the classroom that show who we are. She also provides examples of how people can…

In this episode students across the Affton School District will tell you what they enjoyed about the first week of school. The first segment includes a conversation with three Seniors at Affton High School who were featured on the front page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as they enjoyed the Class of 2024 Senior Sunrise on the morning of the first …

In this episode you will get to meet Mr. Dan McCarthy, teacher at Rogers Middle School, and Carl Wagers, student at Affton High School. They will recount the details of their story that has been shared over 200,000 times on social media and you won't want to miss hearing about it. It is a great example of student-teacher relationships that occur wi…

In this episode we highlight the Affton Parents Club (APC) and welcome the APC President Emily Grozdanic who is an Affton graduate with 3 children in the district. APC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and functions as the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) for the district. APC is dedicated to A - advocating for teachers, staff, and families, P - promoting …

The Affton School District was honored to host Justine Froelker as the keynote speaker for their opening week staff assembly and professional development day. In this episode Justine will highlight what she shared with the Affton staff based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. Justine is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 20 years of …

Part 3 of 3 on artificial intelligence with Adam Jasinski, Director of Technology for the Affton School District. This episode discusses the future of AI in education along with trends and predictions.By tbracht

Part 2 of 3 on artificial intelligence with Adam Jasinski, Director of Technology for the Affton School District. This episode discusses current AI utilization in education.By tbracht

Part 1 of 3 on artificial intelligence with Adam Jasinski, Director of Technology for the Affton School District. This episode discusses AI basics and terminologies such as types of AI, AI around us and how AI works.By tbracht