Affton Unplugged

111. Choosing Affton: Elementary Edition

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.

110. The Rhythm of Respect: A Decade of Ballroom at Gotsch

On this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights staff from both Gotsch Intermediate School and Dance Moves STL. The participants describe a decade-long partnership that brings a ballroom dancing curriculum to fifth-grade students to foster social development and confidence. 
 
Beyond learning physical choreography from various cultures, students practice mutual respect and teamwork by rotating partners and performing in front of their peers. Educators emphasize how the program helps children overcome social anxiety and step outside their comfort zones in a safe environment. 
 
The conversation highlights the inclusive nature of the initiative, noting that students of all abilities participate in final competitions. The episode illustrates how the program transforms apprehensive students into poised performers through the dedicated support of teachers and professional artists.

109. Building Bridges: Connecting Home, School & Community

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.

108. Affton 2027: The CSIP Deep Dive

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.

107. Beyond the Badge: Meet Affton's SROs

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.

106. Bridgebuilders & Advocates: Inside the World of Affton School Counselors

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.

105. The Next Generation of Diplomats: RMS Model UN

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.

104. RMS Creative Connections: Art, Leadership, & Belonging

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.

103. Small Voices, Big Impact: Leading With Kindness

This episode of Affton Unplugged podcast features Superintendent Travis Bracht discussing Unity Day with students and staff from Gotsch Intermediate School. The conversation highlights how this annual event promotes kindness, inclusion, and acceptance through creative projects like posters and videos.
Three fifth-grade students were specifically honored by the Special School District of St. Louis County for a winning video that showcased daily challenges to foster a welcoming environment. The school further celebrated the theme "Unity Every Day" by creating a massive paper chain representing the entire student body and spelling out the word "unity" with their bodies for a photograph.
The participants explain how these leadership roles allowed them to inspire the broader community and reach other schools within the district. This episode emphasizes the importance of student-led initiatives in building a safe and supportive educational atmosphere.

102. Returning to Give Thanks: The AEF Alumni Luncheon

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights an annual event hosted by the Affton Education Foundation, an organization that has provided over half a million dollars in college scholarships since 2005.
During a special luncheon, scholarship recipients return to share how these financial awards have helped them pursue diverse academic paths, ranging from business and nursing to marine science and criminal justice. Former students, spanning graduation years from 2020 to 2025, provide updates on their progress at various universities and discuss their future career goals.
The gathering serves as a way for the foundation's board of directors to see the tangible impact of their support on the lives of local graduates. It also serves as a celebration of academic achievement and the Affton Education Foundations investment in the next generation of professionals.