EP120 Charles Aldridge, AV Teacher of Tiger Vision, Texas High School – TV Matters
Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, a moment to appreciate the people and experiences that have shaped our lives. For Charles Aldridge, audio-video teacher at Texas High School’s NHSTV, this Thanksgiving is extraordinary. Close to the holiday, he received the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award for 2024 from the Student Television Network (STN). For Charles, it was the culmination of 24 years teaching young broadcasters and filmmakers. His story, from electronics engineer to award-winning educator, is captured in this episode of TV Matters.
A Serendipitous Career Path:
Aldridge’s journey to teaching wasn’t a straight line. He initially pursued a career in electronics engineering. After several years in manufacturing, a friend suggested he try teaching. “I was totally, said, huh, what?” he recalls. He took a job teaching electronics classes, a decision that would unexpectedly lead him to his true calling – teaching broadcast. When the school decided to build an AV program, Aldridge’s technical background and prior AV experience, including working with then-pastor Mike Huckabee, made him the natural choice. Thus, Razorback TV was born, marking the beginning of his remarkable teaching career. “It’s, you know, I’m doing something really fun, something I love to do. And at the same time teaching it, that experience became real and it became a love that I just, you I don’t go to work in the mornings. I go and have fun. Most of the time, that’s the way it is,” Aldridge reflects.
Building a Broadcast Powerhouse: Tiger Vision
After a few successful years with Razorback TV, Aldridge moved to Texas High School, taking over the existing Tiger Vision program and elevating it to new heights. The program, which allows students to earn dual credit with Texarkana College and even pursue an associate’s degree, offers a comprehensive curriculum in audio-video production. Students learn everything from basic camera operation to advanced filmmaking and broadcast journalism. Tiger Vision has been producing a daily live announcement show for over two decades, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience in a real-world broadcast environment.
But Aldridge’s vision extended beyond the studio walls. He and his students built a live production truck from a repurposed ambulance. “We took an ambulance that we did a video production for our local ambulance company and traded, you know, trade for an ambulance and we converted it over to a video production truck,” he explains. This truck has become a revenue-generating machine, allowing students to work paid productions for local events and organizations, further enhancing their practical skills. “There were a few years right before COVID where we were making well over $20,000 a year in doing productions with our truck. And the students get paid,” Aldridge proudly states.
Image of the truck https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fZB8iemWIpzDE-TPDJcM70LyZZO6FIlW/view?usp=drive_link
Tiger Vision Pay-Per-View:
The scope of Tiger Vision’s productions is impressive. From local concerts featuring artists like Neil McCoy and The Spinners to live streaming high school football games to even producing pay-per-view MMA events, Aldridge’s students gain experience in a wide range of broadcast scenarios. “We’ve done a few productions for a local MMA fights company, Pay Per View, and did a few for them. And now it’s huge, that company’s huge,” he shares. The live football game streams, in partnership with Texture Canter Game Day, regularly garner over 30,000 views, showcasing the program’s reach and impact.
A Founding Force at STN:
Aldridge’s influence extends beyond his high school classroom. He is a founding member of the Student Television Network (STN), an organization that has become a vital resource for student filmmakers across the country. He recalls the early days of STN, born from a conversation with Dave Davis and other teachers at a Journalism Education Association (JEA) conference. “That, to me, that was the birth of STN. And Dave Davis was the lead,” he recounts. From humble beginnings, STN has grown into a major force in student media, providing opportunities for students to connect, compete, and showcase their work. Aldridge and his students have played a significant role in STN’s productions over the years. “We’ve stepped up every year. We took it from, we started bringing in the moving lights and tried to turn it as much into an Oscars style ceremony as possible,” he describes.
A Philosophy of Empowerment:
Aldridge’s teaching philosophy is rooted in empowerment. He believes in giving students the space to learn and grow without too much teacher interference, providing guidance and support when needed, but ultimately allowing them to take ownership of their work. “A good teacher is one who becomes progressively unnecessary,” a quote from Thomas Carruthers that Aldridge embraces, reflects his belief in fostering independence and self-reliance in his students. He describes his hands-off approach in the advanced classes, where students take the lead on productions, coming to him for critiques and guidance. “And most of the time, it’s go back and fix this, this, and this. And when they can get to the point where there’s no fixes, then, you know, hey, they got it. Their eyes light up. And I’m really, really proud when that happens with my students,” he says.
The Ultimate Reward:
For Aldridge, the greatest reward is seeing his students succeed in the field. He shares a recent example of a former student who landed a job at a local ABC affiliate after graduating with a degree in broadcast journalism. “And I’m like, yes, she’s a… needed to do her internship, but they actually hired her on the spot. So I’m very proud of that. And students like that that I’ve seen go out and work in the field, that’s my reward,” he says. His passion for teaching and his commitment to his students are evident in every aspect of his work. The STN Teacher of the Year Award is a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary contributions to media education. It’s a testament to the transformative power of a dedicated teacher who has inspired countless students to pursue their dreams and make their mark on the world.
Resources Mentioned:
- Student Television Network (STN): https://www.studenttelevision.org/
- Texarkana College: https://www.texarkanacollege.edu/
- Texture Canter Game Day: (Search on Facebook and YouTube as dedicated pages may change.)
- Journalism Education Association (JEA): https://jea.org/
- EditMentor: https://editmentor.com/
