11/16/2024
A Champion for the Youth of Memphis, Tennessee.
Marshonn S. Calvin, Sr. hails from Kankakee, Illinois, and proudly graduated from Kankakee High School in 1993. In 1998, he obtained his degree in Mass Communications/Broadcast Journalism from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
During his college years, Mr. Calvin embarked on his radio and television career at WURC 88.1 FM (Rust College Public Radio Station) and RCTV-2 (Rust College Public Television Station) from 1993 to 1998.
He became a Broadcasting Teacher in 2003 and became a licensed Professional in 2008 by The University of Memphis and The Tennessee State Department of Education of Career and Technical Education where he has helped students go to college and the military working with the media.
https://wreg.com/news/educator-of-the-week/marshonn-calvin-of-memphis-east-t-stem-academy-is-this-weeks-tennessee-lottery-educator-of-the-week/
Marshonn Calvin of Memphis East T-Stem Academy is this week’s Tennessee Lottery Educator of the Week
Marshonn Calvin of Memphis East T-Stem Academy is this week’s Tennessee Lottery Educator of the Week. Mr. Calvin has provided real-life opportunities while teaching audio and visual instruction.
Marshonn Calvin is a dedicated educator and the Program Director for audio-video production at Memphis East T-STEM High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He is making a significant impact in the world of youth broadcast journalism development. His passion for empowering young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is evident in the school's video program, Mustang TV.
Marshonn's exceptional work has been recognized by the Tennessee Association of Career and Technical Education (TACTE), which awarded him the post-secondary Professional of the Year award. His students' media projects have also received attention, with the school's Mustang TV program winning multiple People's Telly Awards.
Calvin's involvement with the NAACP ACT-SO for Filmmaking has also been instrumental in the program's success. As the division chair for filmmaking, he has guided his students to multiple first-, second-and third-place finishes in the competition. "When I see those kids that come in class, whether they be white or black or whatever they may be, it's my job to try to help and cater to every student that comes through that door," Calvin says. His commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment is a cornerstone of his teaching philosophy.
Building a Foundation for Success
Marshonn's journey to becoming a mentor and educator is inspiring. Growing up in a single-parent household in Kankakee, Illinois, he understands the challenges many of his students face. There are struggles at home, or there may be behavioral or emotional issues that can't be worked through in the classroom alone.
Marshonn understands that when students are shown the potential for a brighter future, they will put in the necessary effort. His mother, Joyce, and his grandparents, Alfred and Ruthie, ensured that he attended Rust College to create a better future for himself. Now, Marshonn has 30 years of experience in the broadcast industry. This includes an internship at NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and work at local news stations, such as WMC Action News 5, where he spent ten years before transitioning into education.
Overcoming Challenges and Inspiring Change.
One of the most striking aspects of Calvin’s work is his commitment to serving students from underserved communities. By providing them with opportunities to learn about film, television, and journalism, he is guiding students to new possibilities in their lives. “A lot of it has to do with them not having fathers in the home or not having a two-parent household, or not having that support system at home,” Calvin reflects. “When they come to your classroom, you may be their last hope.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v8tqtezhs7PciqmMOk5TrcJW978mWSs2/view?usp=drive_link
” His determination to be a positive influence in his students’ lives is evident in every aspect of his work. Calvin’s dedication to his students is evident in his willingness to go the extra mile. When he first started at East High School, the program lacked resources. Undeterred, he brought in his cameras and green screens for the students to work with. This determination paid off. As the program grew, a local news station, ABC24, donated its on-air news set to the school. Mr. Calvin’s students went from having almost nothing to a piece of fully professional news set
https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/education/east-high-school-new-tv-studio-old-abc24-memphis-set/522-90f17119-9c96-426c-8f56-f5ecd8658be2 #:~:text=School%20in%20Memphis.-,The%20new%20Mustang%20TV%20studio%20made%20its%20debut%20Tuesday%20morning,%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20student%20Cash%20Ward.
What's old is new again: East High unveils new TV studio (and it might look familiar).
The new Mustang TV studio made its debut Tuesday morning, and it features the former ABC24 news set, which we donated to the school.
A Model for Other Educators
"Marshonn’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that one dedicated educator can have on building a broadcast program and on the lives of young people. His approach to teaching, which emphasizes mentorship, real-world experience, and community engagement, is a model that other educators can emulate. “I love not just telling them and making empty promises.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rI2o77a_s_yQvArr_HGK4a_0voxlpv8C/view?usp=drive_link
I love capitalizing on what we’re doing,” Calvin shares. His focus on action and results is inspiring and has had a profound impact on his students. By creating opportunities for students to tell their own stories, Calvin is not only empowering individuals but also fostering a sense of community and belonging. His work is a testament to the belief that every young person deserves opportunity."
https://editmentor.com/blog/marshonn-calvins-impact-on-memphis-youth/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tv-matters/id1713650261?i=1000663282686
EP114 Marshonn Calvin, AV Production Program Director at East High School in Memphis, Tennessee.
Today’s episode is the first in a two-part conversation with two vastly different schools in Tennesee, each with award-winning Broadcast programs and teachers.
podcasts.apple.com
An added note: Although he’s grateful for his amazing career, he’s most grateful and blessed for being the husband of Tamela Woods-Calvin for the last 25 years and a father of three wonderful children, oldest son Marshonn Calvin, Jr. (25 years old Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student at Middle Tennessee State University), daughter Micah Calvin (22 years old Sports Management Senior Student at Middle Tennessee State University) and youngest son Matthew Calvin (10 years old is a 5th Grader) in The Memphis Shelby County School District).
His favorite quote is: An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of their individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
-Dr. Martin Luther King,
Article By: Misha Tenenbaum CEO of EditMentor
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