WOSU Classroom Impact Award Winner Announced
Recognizing Exemplary Teaching During National Teacher Appreciation Week
COLUMBUS, OHIO, MAY 8, 2020 – WOSU Classroom proudly names Keith Leonard, a teacher at The Wellington School, its 2020 Classroom Impact Award recipient. Leonard was recognized for his student podcast experience.
“Over the last couple of years my students and I have attempted to utilize podcasting as a way to make our English classroom more engaging,” said Leonard, who teaches grades 11–12. “I have no background in radio, but I’ve been shocked at how well my students have taken to the audio medium. They’ve created complex, well-produced audio pieces – two of which were national finalists in last year’s NPR Student Podcast Challenge.”
Leonard learned the basics of podcasting from the pros at WOSU Public Media when he brought his students to the Student Podcasting Experience course offered through WOSU Classroom. Leonard said that with large projects like podcasts, his students are more engaged. “They have fun applying audio technology to their writing. Bringing audio projects into my classroom has reinvigorated not only my students, but also my love of teaching.”
“WOSU Classroom is ideally positioned to provide these kinds of real-world, hands-on learning experiences,” said Amy Palermo, chief content director, WOSU Classroom. “Because we are part of WOSU Public Media, we have media industry expertise, tools and technology resources, and access to WOSU’s NPR reporters, broadcast producers and engineers.”
The annual WOSU Classroom Impact Award recognizes a passionate educator who displays a commitment to lifelong learning. With more than a dozen entries this year, the Classroom Impact Awards highlight the variety of ways educators directly translate their professional learning through WOSU Classroom’s programs into their own teaching. From the podcast experience to digital wellness to using tech to promote a love of learning, educators who embrace a mindset of lifelong learning continue to explore creative and innovative teaching methods and achieve better student outcomes.
About WOSU Classroom
WOSU Classroom, a part of WOSU Public Media, offers a wide variety of in-person and online professional learning opportunities suitable for educators of all grade levels and subject areas. Courses are offered for educators wishing to extend their knowledge and experience with technology integration. Learn more at wosu.org/classroom. As thousands of children across the state transitioned to at-home learning this spring, WOSU Classroom facilitated access to the very best in educational programming and resources. For a wealth of free resources to help parents and teachers with online learning, visit wosu.org/classroom/learningathome.
About WOSU Public Media
The mission of WOSU Public Media is to engage, inform and inspire our diverse community. An NPR and PBS affiliate, WOSU is a noncommercial multimedia organization serving over two million citizens in Central Ohio through broadcast, digital, programming, events and education experiences. A licensee of The Ohio State University, member-supported WOSU Public Media moves its headquarters and studios to the new 15+HIGH District on campus in 2021. Learn more at wosu.org.
CONTACT:
Amy Tillinghast
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
2400 Olentangy River Road | Columbus, OH 43210
614-688-2166 | amy.tillinghast@wosu.org