The media hallway may notice a familiar face behind the cameras this year, Mr. Edward Droutsas, previously a long-term substitute, is now the school’s new broadcast teacher. Known for an energetic teaching style and a passion for student creativity, said he is excited to help students learn production skills and tell the stories that matter most around campus.
“I’m honored that they gave me the opportunity to be the teacher of the broadcasting class. It’s a subject that I have a lot of experience in and that I like to teach, and I guess pass on the knowledge that I have to students,” Mr. Droutsas said.
Since 2022, students in the broadcast program have seen four different teachers and substitutes including Mr. Droutsas, direct the program. The uncertainty had students wondering when they would gain some stability.
“We finally have the support that we’ve needed. It’s been pretty hard… everything’s a lot smoother and we have more access to what we have available to us with an actual feature in the class,” sophomore, Robert Cardenas said.
With the same enthusiasm that fuels his teaching, Mr. Droutsas, for some “Mr. Ed,” paints a clearer picture of what happens behind the camera every day at El Paso High.
“The broadcast journalism, what we do is create visual media for the school, we conduct interviews and other kinds of like news content for the school. It differs from yearbook and newspaper and that the content is mostly video and photo, and it’s produced on a daily or weekly basis,” he said.
Even with challenges like finding a teacher, Mr. Ed still has plans to keep the students well aware of what goes on campus.
“With a class I want it to be really the go-to source for daily or like, weekly live coverage of events and, like, what happens here at El Paso High School. I want other people who see the account or the videos and photos we produce and really have pride for the school and also to inspire the students to participate and engage more with the schools,” Mr. Ed said.
His students agree that his experience and his on-hand teaching style is a great fit for broadcasting.
“He has a lot of experience with photography and cameras and videography. I think he’s a great fit for the class and as a teacher for us. He gets along with students very well,” Cardenas said.
Finding that sense of comfort, being with the students and the class. Mr. Ed’s students believe he is the goat of broadcasting.
“He’s really chill like if you’re done with your work, he can still have a regular conversation with you and he’s funny, so he is not a very intimidating teacher which helps students get their work done faster,” sophomore Mia Zamora said.
