Teacher Feature March 2026: Erika Quick
Erika Quick teaches Broadcast Journalism and New Media at Cody High School in Wyoming. She first joined CHS in 2014 and quickly built CHS Wired into a nationally recognized program, earning multiple JEA/NSPA Pacemakers and NATAS Northwest Student Production Awards. In 2021, Erika stepped away to focus on family and run her own marketing company. Her passion for teaching, however, drew her back when the right opportunity arose. She loves helping students find their voices, grow in confidence, and tackle real community issues through journalism. In recognition of her work with CHS Wired, she was named JEA’s Distinguished Broadcast Adviser in 2018.
Discover Erika’s favorite tools, pro tips, and why exactly she returned to the classroom in the Q&A below.
How long have you been using StoryMaker resources? 8 years.
What are your favorite StoryMaker lessons? I discovered PBS News Student Reporting Lab (SRL) in 2018 while looking for more resources and opportunities for my students. I remember filling out a form and wondering if it was even legit—but when Victor reached out and shared a Google Drive full of curriculum, we jumped right in. I truly love SRL; it has brought so much to my classroom and created incredible opportunities for both my students and me.
My favorite prompt is Power in Numbers, which let my students highlight how their classmates were advocating and using their voices. This was especially impactful during two back-to-back 2nd Amendment protests at our high school—both of which were featured with SRL. I also love lessons like Art of an Interview, Level Up Tutorials, What is Newsworthy?, and the MediaWise A.I. Unlocked series, which I’ve shared with other teachers in my district.
What’s a media-making tool or resource you can’t live without? About five years ago, I switched from Canon to Sony cameras, and I absolutely love my Sony A7R5. But what I really nerd out over (and might be slightly obsessed with) is how much I miss the analog days. I spend a lot of weekends at garage sales and thrift shops hunting for old cameras, and I’m looking at bringing film developing back into the classroom. I’ve pretty much got everything I need for a darkroom, and it’s so fun to share that hands-on, old-school side of photography alongside new technology. Funny enough, I still have the Sony VX1000 I used back in high school when I was in CHS Wired, and we keep it in the classroom. I love showing students how it worked compared to the cameras they use now. On the flip side of analog, I’ve been diving into augmented reality and 360 photography and I’ve got a few project ideas in the works for next year to highlight Cody’s culture, history and local art. I guess you could say I nerd out on both ends of the spectrum…old school and new tech alike.
After spending some time doing commercial work, you’ve returned to teaching. What brought you back to the classroom? I stepped away from teaching for a while to do some commercial work, which was a great experience and gave me a fresh perspective on the industry. What drew me back to the classroom was the chance to work with students again and help them tell their stories through journalism and film. Guiding their creativity, watching them grow, and sharing my passion for media with the next generation is incredibly rewarding.
Living and teaching in Wyoming, it sometimes feels like we’re cut off from the broader world. Our local news organizations are small, and there aren’t many journalists who know the communities deeply. I think it’s important to help students learn how to advocate, tell the stories of their towns, and navigate news and information responsibly. With so many cuts and threats to public media in the state, I hope to inspire students to consider careers in journalism, so our small towns continue to have people who understand their communities and can tell their stories.
What’s your advice for teachers and educators just getting started on StoryMaker? Explore it! Use the filters to find exactly what you need, and if you don’t see something, ask for help on the SRL Community Commons. Or, if you have a great lesson, share it there too. StoryMaker is an incredible resource, and stepping back into the classroom with it has helped me restructure my class and find my groove again. I also love that I can save or bookmark assignments and access them easily later.
Links to student work: CHS Wired on Vimeo, CHS Wired on YouTube, CHS Wired on Instagram, CHS Wired on Facebook
What’s a dream story you’d like to report on or a person you’d like to interview? Wyoming is full of amazing stories, especially when it comes to its wildlife, history and outdoors. Watching my husband work as a large carnivore biologist has shown me the dedication required to manage species like grizzlies, wolves, and mountain lions. For my dream project, I’d love to follow his work more closely—highlighting the people behind the science: the research, tracking, habitat planning, and the tough decisions involved in balancing wildlife and our communities.
What are you currently listening to? I’m a big NPR fan. Podcasts like NPR Now are my go-to, but lately I’ve been diving into Throughline. I also love TED Radio Hour, especially episodes like the one with Adam Aleksic on how the creator economy is shaping online conversation.
When it comes to music, I’m all over the place. I recently dug up a box of my old CDs and mixes, and I’ve been jamming to high school and college favorites like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Kings of Leon, Ben Folds, and MGMT—mixed with 90s/2000s rap like Mase and Lauryn Hill.
You can reach out to Erika directly to learn more about how she’s adapted StoryMaker in her classes. Email her at: erikaquick@park6.org or join her at our upcoming TRL Chat to talk all things media-making in the classroom, in real time on 3/31, 7 pm Eastern. RSVP here.
TRL Chats are short, live conversations with educators swapping stories, strategies, and sparks from their classrooms in the SRL Community Commons. Join us!