EP 134: Alex Jones from Thompson High School

He has more TV and radio credits than most working journalists — and nine months ago, he walked into a high school classroom and had to learn how to take attendance for the first time. Alex Jones spent seven years at WBRC 6 News in Birmingham across eighteen different roles, acted on Disney XD at 13, and ran a college radio station as general manager before teaching a single class at Thompson High School. This conversation is about what none of that prepared him for — and why he already has the thing that takes most teachers a decade. **In this episode:** - Why Alex volunteered to present at a statewide conference in his first year of teaching (and why that instinct matters) - The "about me" strategy he ran week one — and why it paid off in November - What happened after his students' first show (the answer is not what you'd expect) - The promise he made to a kid who didn't believe he was good enough to lead - What "year two" actually means when year one is survival - The difference between knowing your industry and knowing your kids If you teach AV, broadcast, or media production — especially in your first five years — this one is for you. Teaching to the Test Pattern is a StreamSemester.com production. Subscribe for new episodes featuring teachers, stories, and the real work of building broadcast programs in K-12.