Amplified: The Chesapeake Public Schools Podcast

Full Circle with Superintendent Dr. Jared A. Cotton

As he prepares for retirement, Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton joins us for a special conversation reflecting on his time leading Chesapeake Public Schools and the journey that brought him back home to serve the community that helped shape him. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Cotton has guided the division through historic challenges and significant growth, always grounded in a simple but powerful mission: Inspire Hope. In this episode, he shares memories from his years in Chesapeake, reflects on the lessons learned while leading through the COVID-19 pandemic, and discusses the initiatives that have helped expand opportunities for students and support employees across the division. From strengthening career and technical education programs and advancing one-to-one technology access to launching innovative learning pathways and investing in staff, Dr. Cotton looks back on the accomplishments that have defined his leadership. He also shares some of the moments, people, and stories that have meant the most to him, along with his hopes for the future of Chesapeake Public Schools. Join us for a candid and heartfelt conversation as Dr. Cotton reflects on his legacy, celebrates the work of the Chesapeake community, and offers a final message before beginning his next chapter. Connect with us at cpschools.com/amplified. [https://cpschools.com/amplified]  And be sure to subscribe or follow us wherever you get your podcast.  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2223611/fan_mail/new] The Stories Behind Our Story

Senior Signing Day

Graduation season moves fast, and the real pressure isn’t just finals and ceremonies, it’s the question every senior hears on repeat: “So what’s next?” We bring you three Chesapeake Public Schools students who answer that question with clarity, pride, and very different plans, all tied together by one big idea: the best next step is the one you prepare for on purpose. We start with the district’s college and career readiness focus and the “three E’s” that guide planning after high school: enroll, enlist, or employment. Then you’ll hear from Myah Evans (Deep Creek High School) as she signs on to enlist in the U.S. Navy and breaks down what people often misunderstand about military service, including how education and career training can fit into the long game. She also shares how ROTC shaped her confidence and leadership.Next, Parker Sylvia (Western Branch High School) explains why he chose the Chesapeake Career Center, what it takes to earn an AWS welding certification, and how he turned hands-on learning into a job offer and a full-time career path with Collins Machine Works right after graduation. Finally, Sophie Rambo (Grassfield High School) talks through the recruiting journey, choosing the University of Georgia on an athletic scholarship for track, and what it means to give back through her New Balance partnership and a donation to her former middle school. If you’re a student, parent, or educator looking for practical guidance on life after high school, this conversation is packed with real-world perspective on sacrifice, mentorship, and momentum. Subscribe, share this with a senior in your life, and leave a review with the path you think more people should understand better. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2223611/fan_mail/new] The Stories Behind Our Story

Making the Shift

The fastest way to change a classroom isn’t a new program, it’s a new workflow. We sit down with educator, author, and TEDx speaker Dr. Catlin Tucker to unpack what helped her go from early-career burnout to designing learning that feels engaging for students and sustainable for teachers. We talk student-led learning in plain terms: teachers stay essential, but students do more of the thinking, talking, and meaning-making. Dr. Tucker explains why the best classrooms have a productive buzz, what she looks for when she walks into a “wow” room, and how teachers can scaffold collaboration and communication so students can work with real independence. If you’ve ever wondered how to get out from the front of the room without losing control, this conversation gets practical fast. You’ll also hear how blended learning and the station rotation model help teachers differentiate instruction and meet students where they are, plus how AI in education can cut planning time while improving rigor, scaffolds, and student choice. We even shift to the home side with better family prompts than “How was your day?” including high-low and a simple 3-2-1 reflection that gets kids talking about what they learned. If you care about classroom engagement, effective instructional design, and realistic ways to reduce teacher workload, press play. Subscribe, share this with a teacher or parent, and leave a review with the one small shift you want to try next. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2223611/fan_mail/new] The Stories Behind Our Story

From First Note to Full Ensemble

The first squeak, the first harmony, the first moment a student realizes they belong—those are the beats that drive this conversation. We open the curtain on Chesapeake’s K-12 music pathway with Supervisor of Music Orion Burke and Deep Creek Middle School chorus director Taylor Mercier, exploring how early access, strong culture, and fresh opportunities turn curiosity into confidence and technique into identity. From weekly elementary music through fifth grade strings and into robust middle and high school ensembles, we trace how a clear, intentional pathway invites every child to find their voice. Taylor shares what day one looks like with sixth graders—trust, bravery, and permission to crack—and how simple rituals build safety so students dare to sing out. Orion highlights the power of continuity and expectation: when ensembles are the norm, belonging flourishes, leadership grows, and students learn to love the long road of practice. We dig into pyramid concerts that put elementary, middle, and high school musicians on one stage, creating a living map of progress that inspires younger students and grounds older ones in purpose. We also spotlight innovation and access. New music production and recording classes at a lab school bring industry-standard tools—DAWs, microphones, and DJ gear—into the classroom, unlocking a path for creators who might not join band, chorus, or orchestra. Guitar courses expand entry points, and adaptive instruments ensure students with mobility or dexterity challenges can participate fully. Along the way, we reflect on why Chesapeake earned recognition as a Best Community for Music Education: passionate teachers, citywide support, and a culture that values excellence on stage as much as in the classroom and on the field. Whether you’re a parent who hears the first squeaks from the practice room or an alum who remembers the thrill of festival season, you’ll find practical ways to support young musicians: show up, treat rehearsals like practices, and celebrate the small wins that add up to artistry. Press play to hear how patience, perseverance, and community turn noise into music—and students into leaders. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a fellow music parent or educator, and leave a review to help more families find the show. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2223611/fan_mail/new] The Stories Behind Our Story

Local Voices & Continued Lessons

A quiet walk can carry a lot of history. We bring together Dr. Ella Ward—longtime educator, school board alum, and current Chesapeake City Council member—and Principal Wade Sloan of Portlock Primary to explore how a one-room schoolhouse on Benefit Road still shapes how our students learn, hope, and lead today. Dr. Ward traces a lifetime of service that began with a simple neighborhood need and grew into decades of educational leadership. Her memories of segregated classrooms, long walks to school, and scarce resources set the stage for the Cornland School’s powerful legacy. That small building, once heated by a potbelly stove and filled with seven grades under one teacher, launched students who became engineers, educators, and civic leaders. Hearing her connect policy, preservation, and personal grit turns history from a static display into an invitation to act. Principal Sloan shares how he brings that invitation into a school of five-to-eight-year-olds with sensitivity and intention. Portlock’s silent peace walk echoes Dr. King’s vision in kid-sized form, and daily bite‑size stories highlight Black innovators from the neighborhood as much as from textbooks. The throughline is identity: when children see local role models and hear tangible stories of perseverance, they claim pride in who they are and gratitude for what they have—buses, warm classrooms, and access previous generations were denied. We also point listeners to the Chesapeake African American Heritage Trail and the newly preserved Cornland School as living classrooms families can visit to keep the learning alive year-round. If you care about culturally responsive teaching, community history, and giving kids the tools to say “I can,” this conversation will stay with you. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who loves local history, and leave a review telling us the hometown story that shaped you. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2223611/fan_mail/new] The Stories Behind Our Story