
377. Boredom, Frustration and Task Avoidance Busters: Featuring Katie Powell
From Aspire to Lead by Joshua Stamper
April 18, 2026 · 32 min
About this episode
Joshua Stamper and Katie Powell discuss the challenges of student engagement in middle school and strategies to combat boredom and frustration.
What happens when students are not just disengaged, but quietly deciding school is too hard, too boring, or too risky to try? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Katie Powell, Director of Middle Level Programs for AMLE, to unpack the realities of middle school learning, the brain science behind engagement, and how teachers can better support students who struggle with boredom, frustration, and task avoidance. About Katie Powell Katie Powell is the Director for Middle Level Programs for AMLE and author of the books Boredom Busters and Frustration Busters. As part of her role with AMLE, Katie works closely with schools, districts, and affiliate organizations through the Successful Middle School book study, assessment, and Schools of Distinction programs as well as providing professional development and coaching on a variety of middle grades topics. Follow Katie Powell Website: teachbeyondthedesk.com Twitter (X): @beyond_the_desk Instagram: @teach_beyond_the_desk Linkedin: katiepowellbeyondthedesk/…
People in this episode
Host: Joshua Stamper
Guest: Katie Powell
Topics covered
- student engagement
- middle school learning
- boredom
- frustration
- task avoidance
- brain science
- teacher support
Keywords
- student engagement
- middle school
- boredom busters
- frustration busters
- task avoidance
- brain science
- teacher support
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: AMLE
Products: Boredom Busters, Frustration Busters
Books & works: Successful Middle School
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