We’re excited to announce that Season 2 of our Educator Conversations series is officially underway! To start things off, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Matt Hinkel, a Digital Media teacher and eSports coach at Northwest High School. Matt is in his seventh year of teaching and has created a thriving broadcast and digital media program that engages and impacts over 40 students each year.
In our conversation, Matt shared valuable insights for broadcasting and digital media teachers, especially those who are just starting or looking to grow their programs. His advice? Don’t be afraid to borrow ideas from others, collaborate, and start small! Even a simple production is better than not producing anything. After all, student productions are about learning, and they don’t need to be perfect right from the start.
3 Tips for Starting a Digital Media Program
Collaborate with Others: "Borrow and steal" from other teachers and schools. Learn from what others are doing and build from there.
Start Somewhere: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but getting started is the most important step. Don’t let perfection hold you back.
Embrace the Process: Student productions are a learning experience, and it’s okay if they’re not perfect. It’s about growth and improvement, not perfection.
Building Communication and Confidence Through Broadcasting
Matt also discussed the impact his program has had on students' personal and professional development. Whether students are working behind the scenes or in front of the camera, they are constantly improving their communication skills.
From conducting interviews to collaborating with peers, broadcasting forces students to engage in meaningful communication that prepares them for the real world.
He’s seen firsthand how content creation builds confidence and pride in his students. Broadcasting gives them an opportunity to showcase their work, which leads to a stronger sense of accomplishment and ownership.
Preparing Students for the Future Workforce
One of the most exciting aspects of Matt’s program is how closely it mirrors real-world practices. His students are using the same tools and technologies that colleges and businesses use, making them better prepared for the digital workforce.
From creating video content to managing live broadcasts, his students are developing skills that are in high demand in today’s job market.
Striv Education’s Impact
Matt couldn’t help but give a shoutout to Striv Education! He mentioned how our resources and support have been invaluable in helping him and other teachers bring their creative ideas to life. Whether it's brainstorming new projects, collaborating on content, or providing opportunities for students at state events, we’re proud to partner with educators like Matt to help them grow their programs.
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We’re thrilled to continue bringing you inspiring educator stories like Matt’s. Stay tuned for more episodes of Educator Conversations this season, where we’ll dive into more tips, strategies, and success stories from classrooms across the country!
Watch the full episode now and get ready to take your digital media program to the next level!