Discover how a middle school teacher turned an under-resourced media classroom into Georgia’s most innovative student media program. Greg Walkup’s journey from small beginnings to leading a state-of-the-art studio exemplifies visionary education, resourcefulness, and community impact.

In this episode, you'll learn how strategic investments, strong leadership, and a passion for student success transformed Otwell Middle School into a hub for podcasting, film, and broadcasting—challenging the notion that you need expensive equipment to do great work. Greg shares the story behind Georgia’s only middle school whisper room, their student-led news network, and how they’re preparing kids for careers in media at any skill level.

We break down practical insights like building a sustainable media program, fostering authentic industry connections, and designing curriculum that ignites creativity. Greg and his team reveal how their collaborations with high school film programs, local GPB, and WSB radio bring real-world opportunities into the classroom—giving students experiences that inspire lifelong skills and passions.

This episode matters because it shows how intentional leadership, community partnerships, and a growth mindset can unlock students’ potential—even with limited resources. If you’re an educator, administrator, or innovative parent eager to inspire tomorrow’s creators, this conversation is packed with actionable ideas and bold vision to elevate your program.

Perfect for educators looking to start or scale a student media program, or anyone dreaming of transforming their school into a media hub—listen now to hear how to turn visions into reality and build a legacy that impacts generations.

Greg Walkup is the Media Technology Specialist at Otwell Middle School, known for his innovative approach and relentless dedication to student achievement through media education.

• The essential guardrails and monitoring features that keep AI use safe and responsible for K-12 students.
• How Magic School's tools—such as the Text ReWriter for professional communication and data analytics for instruction—are actively reducing teacher burnout and creating more time for meaningful student engagement.
• The value of differentiating and modifying lessons not just for struggling learners, but also for accelerating advanced students, all with seamless translation and support.

• Learning in Disguise: How Rick runs his class like a business (complete with production meetings) and finds a role for every student, whether they want to be on-camera talent, run the audio board, or build sets with dry ice.
• The Industry Gap: A realistic look at the Georgia film industry and why bridging the gap between high school and union jobs often requires that next step at places like Georgia Film Academy or Georgia Highlands.
• What’s Next: A sneak peek at Rick's new mentorship program, "Fame Noma," and the upcoming Podjam event in 2026.

• The Power of Coaching: Hear what it takes to be an effective coach, focusing on the crucial skills of listening, patience, and resilience when introducing new technologies and practices in the classroom.
• Embracing the Frontier: The team gets excited about their current focus areas, including the rapidly evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, and their meaningful work in Outdoor Education and STEM. Discover how they use these projects to foster student engagement, authentic technology use, and community connections.
• Equity and Growth: Learn about iTeach's commitment to equity, their national prominence goals, and their work in fostering critical, collective conversations around AI at events like the K-12 AI Symposium.