I am Michael Jackson, the 54 year old high school teacher in Oakland, CA. I teach media through English, history, and broadcasting classes at the new Media Academy High School. I am also the director of the Media Academy, formerly Fremont High in Oakland, CA. I am happily married with three grown children and have heard every Michael Jackson joke ever told.

The Media Academy continues to provide college preparation and industry training in newspaper, magazine, radio and television. This year I will wear even more hats than the previous 20 years. I will teach many classes and act as director and vice-principal/lead teacher when principal Ben Schmookler is off campus. I will be testing coordinator and the curriculum leader in using media tools in all content subjects.

For the long term academic preparation of a school taking in 256 new students, I decided to give up teaching radio broadcasting to concentrate on history classes. Our student journalists have to know their history and take researching the truth more seriously. The professional models often display a crass commercialism that defies all of the precepts taught in college.

.Last year, we had success with student videos so, I will continue to produce student videos. Oakland Unified School District went belly up and has been taken over by the State. We hope to produce a video yearbook since we won't have a yearbook otherwise. We don't have a yearbook class so that should be wild and interesting. No pain no gain. (I like such phrases.) My classes will also contribute content for Tiger Radio and our website, www.media-academy.net.