When Student Voices Make You Think

Tonight, many of my students were honored at the 2019 DIGICOM Film Festival, a regional festival designed to celebrate the work of students across the Coachella Valley. Sponsored by DIGICOM Learning, this festival has become somewhat of a right of passage for my students.  Having entered it's 12th year, my kiddos walk into my classroom with the idea that they will have opportunities to tell their stories, and part of that opportunity is the film festival.  I think it's important that my student don't necessarily create with the festival in mind, however. Rather, they see it as a platform from which they can share their reality.

​This year, I am particularly proud of a few of my kiddos for talking about tough issues. The topics include open borders, bisexuality, and miscarriage. I'm proud of how much my students have grown and how healing it has been for them to create. If anyone ever doubts whether it's worth it to take time for digital storytelling, I hope they spend some time on my YouTube channel, listening carefully to the years of students who have authored compelling work for everyone to see. Middle school students have important things to say. I hope we're all listening.