CARLSBAD UNIFIED CONNECTIONS
November 12, 2022
STAFF SPOTLIGHT:
Doug Green - Carlsbad High School Broadcast Journalism Teacher
Doug Green: 2016 California Teacher of the Year; 2021 Student Television Network (STN) Teacher of the Year; and creator and cultivator of two nationally acclaimed Broadcast Journalism programs at Carlsbad Unified:
- CHSTV, Carlsbad High School’s daily live news show, has garnered many prestigious STN Awards of Excellence, being named “Best in the Nation” 16 times. And, under Mr. Green’s direction, Carlsbad High students have won four Pacemaker Awards (the Pulitzer Prize of student journalism) and 19 Student Emmys.
- VMSTV, Valley Middle School’s program, has won twelve STN Awards of Excellence, and is celebrating its 22nd season of producing live broadcasts that feature school and community news. VMSTV has received the State of California's Golden Bell Award and has won multiple IViE (Innovative Video in Education) Awards. The class is a national model for middle school broadcast journalism, and is now a CTE Pathway.
Mr. Green is retiring this month after 32 years of teaching in Carlsbad Unified. With 23 years overseeing CHSTV, racking up over 4,000 live broadcasts and impacting nearly three thousand young people, he is a CUSD celebrity.
Mr. Green began his Carlsbad Unified career as an English teacher at Valley Middle School, and then moved to Aviara Oaks Middle School when it opened in 1998. Already intrigued by the possibilities of integrating new digital media into classroom teaching, he found that his students were fascinated with appearing on a blue screen as Anne Frank or other characters from literature. He soon proposed a middle-school broadcasting class – and the rest was CUSD history. By 2002 he had begun to build the high school program, splitting his day between Carlsbad High and Valley Middle School.
Today all CHSTV students learn every aspect of broadcast journalism in a state-of-the-art facility as they put together a daily student-run live show – editing, producing, directing, anchoring, reporting live or on tape, and operating cameras and sophisticated digital equipment such as satellite feeds and special effects. Every day is different, and the quality of their experience is stellar. Alumni students often report that their college programs were only “a lateral move” compared with the range and depth of the CHSTV classes. Mr. Green’s middle schoolers produce a monthly show, as they also learn all areas of production and reporting. A significant percentage of the middle school students continue on to join the high school program.
Mr. Green has always taught his students to seek the truth, to get out of their comfort zones, and to honor the role and responsibility of journalism. He says that his students are always eager to rise to the occasion and to pursue excellence.
Doug Green has sent students off to the top journalism programs in the country: Columbia, Missouri, Syracuse, Arizona State, USC, and many others. His former students can be found on-the-air or behind the scenes in media markets nationwide, working for major networks and video companies – one even produced a Super Bowl commercial.
Another of Mr. Green’s former students, Gary Koopsen – Creative Director of Drive Studios, a premier video production agency – recently spoke to CHSTV students. He said, “I don't think I would have my career if it wasn't for Mr. Green, who stayed after school and taught me linear editing with the SVHS decks, and then non-linear editing/live production with the Trinity system. I can’t thank him enough for all the hard work he has put in over the years to teach so many students the amazing art of broadcasting.”
One of the founders of the STN, Mr. Green served as long-time president and helped to put on annual national competitions that attract thousands of future broadcasters. Over 3,000 students will be competing in Long Beach this spring. After retirement he will continue to work with STN in an advisory capacity.
Mr. Green also created, produced, and co-wrote an impactful, award-winning film on the Holocaust, called We Must Remember. Sixteen CHS students interviewed Holocaust survivors and undertook research at the film library at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. They travelled to Germany and Poland to experience concentration camps, and discussed the impact of the Holocaust with sixteen students from a German high school. The CHS students used the videos from this research to create a powerful and insightful film that told the story of the Holocaust from the perspectives of the survivors and the students, three generations later.
Above all, Doug Green impacted the lives and careers of his students.
"Mr. Green inspires students to think creatively, solve problems, and be prepared for their futures,” says Ashley Crawford, K-12 Pathway Coordinator. “As a former student of Mr. Green and a current CUSD teacher, I can truly say that he goes above and beyond in the experiences he provides for students. His passion for journalism changes lives for the better."
So what’s next for Doug Green? In his early years, he lived and worked in the UK and was employed as a social worker in a small city just west of London. Now he looks forward to returning to the UK after the holidays to work with underserved youth in Cardiff, Wales, teaching them the art of digital storytelling and filmmaking. He plans to use satellite technology to create a sister program with CHSTV, so students can work and grow together.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
Nathaniel Watts, Carlsbad High School Super-Achiever
“Nate Watts is an incredible young man,” writes Carlsbad High School principal Julie Redfield.
And she is correct. Not only did he receive the highest possible score (5) on his spring AP English Language and Composition exam, but he was one of only 22 students in the world to earn every point possible on the exam. Nate is a well-rounded student, a member of the top-ranked CHS Speech and Debate team, the first baseman for the varsity baseball team, a CUSD Champion, a National Merit Semifinalist, and a member of the Student-Superintendent Advisory Committee. And, in his free time, he works for Congressman Mike Levin. He does it all with a friendly smile and an outgoing, calm demeanor.
On Mondays and Fridays Nate has baseball practice. On Tuesdays he takes a class at MiraCosta College. Wednesdays are reserved for debate. If Saturday and Sunday are debate weekends, he focuses on preparing for his individual debates. But, when he has down time in-between, he organizes his week, studies for exams, and tries to decompress. He also enjoys his job as a canvasser for the congressman. “It’s the best work environment,” he states. “Some doors are harder to knock on than others, and sometimes people are a little rude, but I’m passionate about the things my boss stands for, especially in the area of global warming and the effects of climate change in our country.”
How does he manage it all? With so many responsibilities to juggle, Nate finds that some days are easier than others. He recognizes the need to plan ahead, communicate well, and ask for help when needed. When his schedule is hectic, he works to minimize the impact on his family, planning forward and not waiting till the last moment.
Especially this year, with college applications due and fall baseball thrown into the mix, Nate has his share of stress. “Stress management has become a big part of my life,” he reports. “My parent's expectations are that I always try my best, but I tend to put pressure on myself. If I’m feeling stressed I: (1) Sleep it off; (2) Go lift weights or play baseball; (3)Talk it through with a friend.”
Nate credits his mom with being his safety net–teaching him organization skills such as time management, setting priorities, and multitasking– and assisting him academically. He appreciates his father for teaching him how to write. And he thanks his AP English teacher, Lisa Harris, for preparing him for the exam.
“My dream is to go to a college with good political science and international relations programs, and then maybe go to law school,” he says. He looks forward to a career that focuses on protecting our nation and the world from the effects of the climate crisis.
“All I can do is have a good attitude and try my best,” said Nate. “And to remember that it doesn't cost anything to be kind, and to try to make the world a better place.”
Thank You, School Psychologists!
Last week was National School Psychology Week, and we want to recognize and thank the amazing team of school psychologists serving students in Carlsbad Unified School District.
School psychologists play a huge role in creating safe learning environments for all students. By helping students to work through challenges, they strengthen students’ foundation for learning.
Mental and emotional wellness open doors to academic success. Thank you to our twenty school psychologists -- some part-time, some full-time -- serving all students ages 3-22 in our district. We see you, and we appreciate you!
A few of our favorite Instagram posts
Stay Connected with ParentSquare
Please download the ParentSquare app to stay updated on all of the news and announcements from your school throughout the year. Click here to learn more on our website.
Download the iOS App - Apple Store
Download the Android App - Google Play Store
Carlsbad Unified School District
Email: cusd@carlsbadusd.net
Website: https://www.carlsbadusd.k12.ca.us
Location: 6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA, USA
Phone: 760-331-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/CarlsbadUnifiedSchools
Twitter: @CarlsbadUSD