Affton Unplugged

101. Leading by Example: Voices from the RMS Mentoring Program

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights the Rogers Middle School Mentoring Program that is coordinated in partnership with Mesnier Primary School. This episode features the RMS Social-Emotional Learning Interventionist, Lena Mahurin, and several sixth- through eighth-grade student mentors who participate in the program.
The discussion centers on the benefits and activities of the mentoring program. For example, the program pairs middle schoolers with primary students in grades K-2 for activities such as scavenger hunts, board games and reading. The overall goal of the mentoring program is to build relationships and foster positive role models.
The participants share details about how the program works, its origin, and their favorite memories and experiences as mentors, including an upcoming plan to have the younger students visit the middle school. Overall, the podcast highlights this cross-grade initiative within the Affton School District that truly embodies #OneAffton.

100. Winning Arguments, Building Bonds: Affton Speech & Debate

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights the Affton High School Speech and Debate Team. The episode features interviews with the two faculty sponsors—Ms. Rice and Mrs. Bayha—and five student participants who share their experiences and competition results.
The sponsors explain that the speech side involves competitive acting with pieces like poetry and humorous interpretations, while the debate side follows a rigorous format on predetermined national topics, requiring extensive research and rebuttal preparation. Students discuss their individual events, the dedication required for preparation, and the strong sense of community and family they have found within the team.

99. Key To Service: How Affton's Key Club Doubled Down On Community Impact

On this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights the Affton High School Key Club by having a conversation with the faculty sponsor and four student officers. This episode focuses on the student-led organization, which is a community service group sponsored locally by Gravois Kiwanis.
The student officers describe recent activities, including their participation in the Key Leader Weekend leadership training, which helped them develop personal leadership skills and strategies for recruiting new members. They note that the club's membership has successfully doubled in size compared to the previous year, participating in local efforts like campus clean-up, food drives, and volunteering at Oakland House.
Ultimately, the sponsor and students stress that the club is a fun, accessible, and rewarding experience that allows students to make a tangible impact on the community. 

98. Beyond the Grades: The Impact of Affton's National Honor Society

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights the National Honor Society (NHS) program at Affton High School. The episode features interviews with the NHS co-sponsors, Dr. Brian Esselman and Laurie Free, who discuss the organization's mission as a student-run service group built upon the pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
Three Affton High School students share their experiences and the positive impact NHS has on both students and the community. The students discuss their involvement in service projects like the "Field of Flags" and explain the application and induction process. The overall discussion highlights the dedication and leadership skills developed by students through the organization's activities.

97. The Road to National Recognition: MPS School Counseling Program

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights the nationally recognized school counseling program at Mesnier Primary School. School Counselors Megan Smith and Hannah Dreas explain how the state and national certification process serves as a crucial "checkup" for their program's effectiveness.
The counselors describe the year-long application process, which involves demonstrating that their work aligns with best practices and is informed by student data. They specifically highlight successful interventions that led to a significant drop in discipline referrals and a reduction in high-risk internalizing behaviors among students. They also discuss program goals, advisory council meetings and classroom lessons like Kelso's Choice conflict resolution curriculum.
Finally, the counselors emphasize the strong support system from staff and the community that contributes to the program's success. You won't want to miss hearing about the amazing work that goes into shaping the success of all students at Mesnier Primary School.

96. It's a Madhouse: RMS Drama Club 2025

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights the Rogers Middle School Drama Club’s upcoming production. The episode features an interview with Mr. Joe Murphy, the drama club sponsor and high school teacher, and four students who discuss their roles and involvement in the club.
The central topic of the discussion is their fall show, "It's a Mad House," a mystery about a wealthy novelist's dysfunctional family hunting for an $84 million inheritance hidden in a mansion. They cover production details, the challenges of memorizing lines and staging, and the overall positive community of the drama club, which involves a large group of around 78 cast and crew members. The show dates are December 11-13 at Rogers Middle School beginning at 7:30 PM.
 

95. AHS Curtain Call: Peter and the Starcatcher

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights the upcoming fall production at Affton High School - Peter & the Starcatcher. You will hear from four students—David (Student Director), Cora (Orphan), Anthony (Peter Pan), and Hana (Stage Manager)—involved in the play. The show is scheduled for November 21st and 22nd at 7:30 PM in the Judith Rethwisch Auditorium.
The students discuss their specific roles, the unique challenges of the production, and their overwhelming appreciation for the sense of family and community they find within the theater program. They share personal stories and memories, highlighting how theater has helped them grow and form strong connections with their peers, before concluding with a final plug for the show.

94. Honoring Our Principals: Educational Journeys in Affton

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht celebrates National School Principal Month by featuring the principals from the Affton School District. The segment includes interviews with five principals—Dr. Sinamon (Early Childhood Center & PAT), Dr. Been (Mesnier Primary School), Dr. Powers (Gotsch Intermediate School), Dr. Griffin (Rogers Middle School), and Dr. Calhoun (Affton High School).
Each school leader shares details about their educational journeys, career paths, and personal backgrounds. These conversations cover their undergraduate and advanced degrees, influential activities from their youth and college years, previous positions in education, and how they came to serve the Affton community. The episode offers listeners a look into the professional and personal lives of the district's school leaders.

93. Amplifying Voices: Why You Need a Podcast

Superintendent Travis Bracht records from the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) Conference in Kansas City, interviewing school board members and superintendents about what makes their districts special and how podcasts can amplify those voices.
Guests share favorite memories and district highlights — from community support and student achievement to well-being initiatives and award-winning arts and athletics — illustrating why storytelling matters for every school.

92. Behind the Scenes: Affton’s SEL Interventionists Changing Student Lives

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht focuses on the district's social emotional learning (SEL) interventionists. The episode introduces four interventionists—Dan Ludwig at Affton High School, Lena Mahurin at Rogers Middle School, Molly Browning at Gotsch Intermediate School, and Paige Carter at Mesnier Primary School—who share their diverse professional backgrounds and personal lives.
The conversation then transitions into discussing how the SEL program has evolved since 2016 when it first emerged as a strategic focus area. The interventionists support students and staff across various grade levels with curriculum implementation, emotional regulation, and problem-solving through initiatives like the Second Step and Zones of Regulation programs.
Each interventionist describes their specific roles and programming, such as small groups, crisis intervention, and mentorship, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across departments and buildings to foster a strong school culture and sense of belonging. The episode concludes with the interventionists sharing favorite memories and stories illustrating the positive impact of their work on students.