Episodes

Sept. 1, 2022

Season 5, Episode 3: The Cole Cast, Volume 2, Featuring Cole Stuchko

The first day of school presents challenges to all high school students, but especially to the newest members of the school community. To get the instant reaction to the first day of the 2022-23 school year for the Class of …

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Aug. 3, 2022

Season 5, Episode 2: Welcome Beth Guarriello, New Emmaus HS Principal

New school years often bring change, but the 2022-2023 school year begins with a new principal leading Emmaus High School. Beth Guarriello, previously the principal at Southern Lehigh HS and Saucon Valley HS, will look to cre...

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July 21, 2022

Season 5, Episode 1: The Cole Cast, Volume 1 featuring Cole Stuchko

Welcome to Season 5 of the 9th Grade Experience! In the summer kickoff of new episodes to gear up for the 2022-2023 school year and new season, the podcast is debuting a new feature: a regular interview segment with my …

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June 11, 2022

Season 4, Episode 27: School's Out For Summer - A Look Back for the C…

The last day of school always brings mixed emotions. Mostly it is relief, for the students and the teachers, on the completion of another year. There is also opportunity for reflection by the members of the Class of 2025 on …

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May 1, 2022

Season 4, Episode 26: What Can I Do After High School? Lessons from t…

As the 9th grade year is quickly coming to an end, it is only natural to think about what is ahead ... A relaxing summer? A first job? A fun vacation? College, trade school, military service, or an apprenticeship program? …

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March 31, 2022

Season 4, Episode 25: #EHSCareerMonth - Jackie Bassett, Class of 2018…

We close out #EHSCareerMonth with a focus on Emmaus High School Class of 2018 graduate Jackie Bassett. She is the Founder and CEO of FD Market, which is a “a sustainable goods shop and zero-waste refillery. We're on a mission...

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March 22, 2022

Season 4, Episode 24: #EHSCareerMonth w/ Bob Rotruck, Radio Announcer…

As part of the #EHSCareerMonth series, we talked to Bob Rotruck, the radio announcer for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, a minor league hockey team based in Allentown that plays in the American Hockey League (AHL). In addition to...

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March 22, 2022

Season 4, Episode 23: #EHSCareerMonth w/ Amy Keller, Creative Directo…

As part of the #EHSCareerMonth series, we talked to Amy Keller, who is the Creative Director for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, a minor league hockey team based in Allentown that plays in the American Hockey League (AHL). She co...

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March 8, 2022

Season 4, Episode 22: EHS Shave for the Brave Honored Kid Sam Mackara…

We are privileged to share the story of one of this year’s EHS Shave for the Brave “Honored Kids,” current EHS freshman Sam Mackaravitz. At the time of the recording, Sam is two years cancer free in his battle with …

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Feb. 28, 2022

Season 4, Episode 21: #EHSCareerMonth2022

Where will your path lead? Emmaus High School Counselor Mrs. Grim gives us all the important information to assist students, staff and parents on the road to answering that question as we kick off March Career Month. She ass...

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Feb. 17, 2022

Season 4, Episode 20: EPSD Mental Health Symposium 2022

While many of us hope the pandemic is beginning to finally come toward a resolution, the focus and attention on student mental health will not easily go away, as students will continue to face the challenges of the world aro...

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Feb. 13, 2022

Season 4, Episode 19: The Future of the 9th Grade Experience at the P…

This episode is a wrap-up for the 9th Grade Experience Podcast’s appearance at the Pennsylvania Education Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C) in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on Monday, February 7, 2022. Excerpts featured on thi...

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Feb. 7, 2022

Season 4, Episode 18: Jimmy Casas - Culturize: Every Student, Every D…

Special thanks to Pennsylvania Education Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C) Day 1 Keynote Speaker Jimmy Casas for taking time after his sessions on Monday, February 7, 2022, to chat with the 9th Grade Experience Podcast ...

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Feb. 3, 2022

Season 4, Episode 17: Linus Sandin and Garrett Metcalf of the Lehigh …

To help promote the upcoming Emmaus High School Night at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on February 19, 2022, this episode features two members of the team talking about their unique 9th grade experiences while chasing the dream ...

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Jan. 17, 2022

Season 4, Episode 16: Branch, The Therapy Dog

On this episode we spotlight everyone's favorite Emmaus High School "freshman," Branch, the Therapy Dog. Branch has been present in hallways and classrooms since the beginning of the school year, offering students another lay...

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Jan. 12, 2022

Season 4, Episode 15: A First Welcome to the Class of 2026

Welcome Emmaus High School Class of 2026! Though we haven’t had our first major snow of the school year, thoughts are slowly beginning to turn to fall and the arrival of the next group of freshmen who will roam the …

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Dec. 23, 2021

Season 4, Episode 14: Student Spotlight with EHS Field Hockey Players…

It’s normal for high school varsity athletes to put pressure on themself. Being a freshman on a varsity team only magnifies that intensity. Now, think about the expectations of being a first-year member of the nationally-rank...

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Dec. 10, 2021

Season 4, Episode 13: Reflection from Pre-Service Teacher Kayla Canni…

During the course of the fall semester, Kayla Canning, a senior, pre-service teacher from Cedar Crest College, shadowed me in the classroom, which was one of my first experiences with.a pre-service teacher. On today's episode...

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Nov. 23, 2021

Season 4, Episode 12: Attitude of Gratitude 2021

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it's a great time to look back and reflect on the many positives in our lives for the third annual Attitude of Gratitude special episode. Over 50 members, and one four-legged friend, o...

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Nov. 12, 2021

Season 4, Episode 11: Global Citizens Club

With over 2,800 students, Emmaus High School is a community of learners from many different cultural backgrounds. The focus of the Global Citizens Club is to assist students in learning about and becoming actively engaged in ...

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Nov. 4, 2021

Season 4, Episode 10: Student Spotlight - Will Buck

When entering 9th grade, some students choose to ease into this transitional time to get their feet under them by limiting their activities and focusing on school. Will Buck is not one of those students. He is currently parti...

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Oct. 25, 2021

Season 4, Episode 9: Pennsylvania Council of Teacher of English Langu…

This recording is from a roundtable discussion during a session at the 2021 Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts Conference held October 22, 2021 in Harrisburg, Pa. This was a wide-ranging conversatio...

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Oct. 8, 2021

Season 4, Episode 8: Preparing for Homecoming and Taking Chances

It's time to get ready for Homecoming on this week's episode! It is hard to believe that we have just finished our 6th week of school and reached the halfway point of the first marking period. Listen in for strategies …

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Sept. 24, 2021

Season 4, Episode 7: The Counseling Suite with Mrs. Demchak and Mr. M…

It has been a month of great adjustments for the members of Emmaus High School's Class of 2025. In addition to the normal growing pains of entering high school, they have confronted a new block schedule, continued health and ...

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