Rogers That! Podcast
At Rogers Park Middle School, our sixth-grade students in the SEVEN Project-Based Learning program run a fully student-produced podcast called Rogers That!. The students research guests, develop their own interview questions, and host conversations that connect them with inspiring leaders in our school, city, and beyond. To date, they have recorded 120 episodes.
Recently, the students had the honor of interviewing Dr. Jesse M. Bernal, who visited Brian Betesh’s sixth-grade class to take part in the podcast. This visit was especially meaningful because Brian Betesh—who leads the SEVEN program—is both a proud WestConn alumnus and the Connecticut Teacher of the Year. His journey and leadership show students what is possible when they work hard, stay curious, and stay connected to their community.
Later this year, students will build on these experiences by participating in a virtual career fair, where all Rogers Park students can explore the career paths and success stories highlighted through the podcast.