Don Stephens

The year was 2017. After 22 years as a film and video entrepreneur in downtown Oklahoma City, it was time for a change and I was actively seeking a way to give back to my community. That summer, I received a providential phone call from a high school friend working as a counselor at Southeast High School. She told me that SEHS had a long history of teaching video production and that the teacher who had built the program had just retired. I was intrigued. Like many in the general public, I had been following the national discussion about public education and wondered if this might be a chance to make a positive impact in the lives of the next generation. I applied, had a great conversation with Principal Mylissa Hall, and was offered a position via alternative certification. After several lengthy discussions with family members, trusted colleagues and clients with a background in education, I decided to accept the position as a CareerTech teacher.

Nearly four years on, I find it very rewarding to be able to give these learners their first exposure to the film and television industries and watch as their media literacy and creativity blossom through group projects. We document all the major events on campus, livestream sporting events and poetry competitions, provide content for digital signage, and have even produced a few short films. I now coordinate our Academy of Information Technology and co-sponsor our campus chapter of the Technology Student Association. Southeast is a fantastic place to work, and OKCPS is a wonderful district for a second career.