New CM Podcast Studio Gives Students a Voice
Canon-McMillan High School is creating opportunities for student creativity and career readiness with the relaunch of its new podcast studio.
The studio will be integrated into the school ' s CMTV broadcasting program and will provide students with handson experience in podcast production, interviewing, audio editing, content creation and digital storytelling.
For Stefanie Nesser, who teaches theater, broadcasting, public speaking and stagecraft at the high school, the podcast studio represents years of growth in the District’ s broadcasting program and a commitment to
expanding creative opportunities that support the development of the whole child. Studio inspiration began several years ago when students launched a podcast called“ Let ' s Talk Canon-Mac”. Although the podcast eventually became inactive after its student leaders graduated, Nesser never forgot its potential.
" When one of the students graduated, he told me, ' You can ' t let this die,'" Nesser said. " I promised him we would keep it going, and when I began developing a new curriculum for our broadcasting class, podcasting felt like the perfect addition."
The new studio will allow students to produce podcasts centered on school events, athletics, student life and interviews with guests from both inside and outside the District. Students will be responsible for developing ideas, conducting interviews, operating equipment and producing finished episodes.
According to Nesser, podcasting creates opportunities for a wide range of students, including those who may not be interested in appearing on camera but still want to participate in media production.
" I have students who love writing, students who enjoy interviewing people, students who are interested in sound design and students who simply enjoy the technical side of production," she said. " Podcasting gives all of those students a place to contribute."
Nesser hopes the platform will strengthen connections between the school District and the broader Canon- McMillan community.
" This is an opportunity that is so cross-curricular," Nesser said. " Everyone involved in the District can be a part of this in some way. It doesn ' t happen very often that a project can bring together so many different people, and that ' s what makes it special."
One unique aspect of the project is the collaboration already taking place across departments. Students involved in the CMHS music program will help create the podcast ' s official theme music, while broadcasting students will oversee production and content creation. The studio itself also features a custom mural created by Canon- McMillan student Jillian Wadding.
As podcasting continues to grow as a communication and media platform, Nesser believes the studio will help students build valuable skills while giving them a voice.
" What’ s exciting is that this reaches everyone,” she said.“ Students can develop valuable communication skills, and listeners can tune in on their drive, stay informed about what’ s happening in our schools and community, and hear about the incredible things our District is accomplishing.” anon-Mac CANON-MAC SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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