Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1316347
I K E A L L E D U C A T O R S dealing with a new way of teaching and learning, Doug Green has been forced to create work-arounds to accommodate pandem- ic-related constraints. For the broadcast journalism teacher, that means reinventing how his middle and high school students produce their broadcasts, source their stories, conduct their interviews, col- laborate with each other, and so on. In th e days following th e C OVID-19 shutdown of schools in March, Green and his students nimbly adapted to the new world and continued to cover important stories in their communities with aplomb — all remotely. " They highlighted students who were making extraordinary contributions during quarantine, students who remained in the essential workforce, community members rallying to provide food assistance. And they told lighter stories — how-to segments with cooking, craft- ing tips," says Green, a member of Carlsbad Unified Teachers Association and a 2016 California Teacher of the Year. "I have never been prouder of these young journalists and how they worked tirelessly to keep our students and families connected to their schools, teachers, administrators." e kids are still at it. Green's day begins with a student-pro- duced, professional-grade live broadcast at Carlsbad High School. Then he moves to Valley Middle School to teach and help students produce a weekly broad- cast. (Broadcast journalism is a grade 7-12 career pathway.) Both school broadcasts were named "Best in the Nation" last year — Carlsbad High's program for the 13th time, and Valley Middle's ninth such honor. In December his high school students won their third Pacemaker Award (called the Pulitzer Prize of student journalism). Gre en brou g ht l e ss on s l earn ed l a st spring to thi s year 's di stance learning classes. Students are focused on "what's next?" topics such as the reopening of Legoland (a major employer of Carlsbad High students), resumption of school athletics, in-person student cohorts and after-school clubs, parent rallies for and against students returning to school, and more. While the actual mechanics of his teachings may not be "While nothing compares to the pre- COVID way, we are finding ways to produce meaningful, relevant broadcasts in spite of the challenges." A Backstage Pass to Life Doug Green's broadcast journalism students learn real-world lessons L Three days after schools closed in March, Green's high school students produced a nationally aired PSA on social distancing. 48 cta.org Teaching & Learning