While its ratings may not match that of “Keeping up with the Kardashians” or “Duck Dynasty,” Lenape District Television’s venture into the world of reality television continued with the second season of “We Teach.”
“We Teach” features educators from Seneca, Lenape, Cherokee and Shawnee high schools. The series follows teachers throughout their day with a focus on what it takes mentally, physically and emotionally to engage and captivate students in the classroom, on stage or on the field and prepare them for success beyond high school.
“The idea started when someone challenged former LRHSD superintendent Emily Capella that teachers don’t actually work all that hard,” LDTV staff member Becky Potter said. “She wanted to show people just how much work a teacher is responsible for every day. In addition to teaching the curriculum, teachers also serve as coaches, advisors and mentors for numerous after-school and extra-curricular activities.”
The series takes a new approach to reality TV by spotlighting an educational environment that hopefully encourages students to grow and learn as well as push them toward excellence. “We Teach” hopes to give viewers an inside look at what it takes to be a teacher who positively impacts the lives of today’s students.
“The technicians ride in the cars with the teachers in the morning on their way to work,” Potter said. “They have discussions with the teachers about what they are thinking and how they think the day is going to go. They are with them as they teach all day until they return home at night.”
The show is filmed by LDTV staff and sponsored by Metlife Resources-John A. Costello, a certified financial planner. The program highlights teachers from a variety of departments so different curriculums and challenges can be featured.
“Half of a teacher’s day makes up an episode. That’s how much content there is. It’s our only programming that students aren’t able to participate in as they would need to be out of class literally all day,” Potter said.
LDTV first began broadcasting in 1992, allowing students to learn television production techniques and assist in the production of district programs. LDTV also offers LRHSD students the opportunity to broadcast sports, awards ceremonies, graduations and other events with the use of a mobile production truck. The production truck is a fully functional, professional-level production studio that has covered various events around the district and the state.
“We certainly didn’t have anything like that when I was in high school,” Potter said with a laugh. “The opportunities for students to learn are incredible. We get so many nice emails after they graduate saying how much further along they are than other students at the college level because of their time with LDTV.”
To see when “We Teach” is airing, visit the community page of the LRHSD website. Episodes can also be seen or downloaded anytime from the “We Teach” page on iTunes or viewed on the LDTV YouTube channel.
LDTV is the educational access channel of the Lenape Regional High School District and has potential viewership in communities throughout Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. It can be viewed on Comcast channel 19 and Verizon FiOS channel 21, as well as online at www.lrhsd.org/LDTV.
