Introducing Teacher Reporting Labs, a new podcast for teachers, by teachers

Teacher Reporting Labs, a new three-episode pilot podcast created by teachers, for teachers from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, launches April 12, 2024.

Hosted by longtime SRL teachers Mike Conrad of Royal Oak High School and Michael Kaufman of the Frederick V Pankow Center in Michigan, each episode pairs two educators from different areas of the country for conversations about the challenges they face as teachers, their experiences in the classroom, their triumphs, and the impact of their engagement with public media and amplifying student voices.

“It’s been truly incredible to witness this podcast come to life,” says Emily Dobkin, SRL Community Manager. “From its inception last summer, it’s been 100% community-sourced. Our entire SRL educator community was invited and contributed episode topics and thought-provoking questions around each theme. I think this collective effort really reflects the diverse and dynamic perspectives within our educational community.”

The Teacher Reporting Labs audio trailer is out now, and episodes will drop on April 12, April 19, and April 26. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

Episode 1: Beyond the Curriculum

Teaching is an art that extends far beyond the boundaries of a lesson plan. Join us as we explore the often-overlooked aspects of education that engage young minds beyond the prescribed syllabus. Featured educators in this episode:

  • Krista McKim, Journalism and English Teacher at Rockville High School | Rockville, MD
  • Dr. Sequoyah Wharton, Digital film, Broadcast Journalism and Visual Arts teacher at Brentwood High School | Brentwood, NY  

Episode 2: Strategies for creating an inclusive classroom environment

Explore how educators ensure every student feels welcomed, seen, safe, and valued. Tune in to discover strategies, messaging, and actions that promote a sense of belonging for all students. Featured educators in this episode:

  • Cynthia Booker, Digital Video Production teacher | Cleveland Heights High School, Cleveland OH
  • Trina Moore, AV Teacher at Rouse High School | Leander, Texas

Episode 3: Educator mental health and well being

How do you take care so that you can better support your students? In this episode, we’ll hear from teachers and uncover practical tips for self-care and maintaining work-life boundaries in the demanding field of teaching. Featured educators in this episode:

  • Miriam Townsend, teacher of Multimedia, Business Survey, Web Design at McKinley Classical and Leadership Academy | St. Louis, MO
  • Nancy Frazier, teacher of Broadcast Journalism, Art, Yearbook, Python Coding at Tierra Del Sol Continuation High School | Bakersfield, CA
  • Special Guest: Dr. Melanie Schwartz, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist and the owner of Viewpoint Psychology and Wellness in Commerce Township, MI

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About Student Reporting Labs

Student Reporting Labs (SRL) is a national youth journalism program and public media initiative of PBS NewsHour and WETA that trains teenagers across the country to produce stories that highlight the achievements, challenges, and reality of today’s young people. SRL creates transformative educational experiences through video journalism that inspire students to find their voice and engage in their communities. Since 2009, SRL youth media producers have helped students place over 100 video news reports on PBS NewsHour’s nightly broadcast and more on local media outlets and reach 3,000 educators through its free learning platform StoryMaker. Visit www.studentreportinglabs.org and www.story-maker.org to learn more.

About PBS NewsHour

PBS NewsHour is a production of NewsHour Productions LLC, a wholly-owned non-profit subsidiary of WETA Washington, DC. Major corporate funding is provided by BNSF, Consumer Cellular, Fidelity, Johnson & Johnson, and Raymond James, with additional support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Kendeda Fund, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the National Science Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Skoll Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Friends of the NewsHour and others. More information on PBS NewsHour is available at www.pbs.org/newshour. You can watch and find NewsHour on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NewsHour Productions also produces PBS News Weekend and Washington Week.

About WETA

Founded in 1961, the Washington Educational Telecommunications Association (WETA) is the leading public broadcasting station in the nation’s capital, serving Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia with educational, cultural, news and public affairs programs and services. WETA hosts the production of PBS NewsHour, a classical music radio station, and programming that focuses on the United Kingdom. Learn more at https://weta.org.