Highlands High School is one of seven high schools across the country selected to participate in a first-time program to explore ways to bring animation into the classroom.
Created by Terry Thoren, CEO of Wonder Media Studios and onetime producer of “Rugrats,” the Teacher Academy for Animation in California hosted 12 educators this summer to learn more about Story Time, which is literacy-based technology focused on writing, creativity and collaboration. The program is expected to help students learn teamwork, communication and problem-solving.
“It was quite possibly one of the most meaningful and inspiring professional development experiences of my career,” said Michael Zeiler, co-chair of the district’s music department.
He will lead ninth graders, through the freshman seminar program, in creating an original animated TV series that features real-life high school situations, music and storytelling.
Christine Wagner, who coordinates the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports lessons, will use the same tools to develop lessons that promote positive school culture.
“We are always looking for ways to give our students a genuine voice in shaping the school culture,” Wagner said.
“Through this partnership with Wonder Media, they will now have the unique opportunity to literally bring their visions and voices to life through animation, which is incredibly exciting.”
Teens will be educated on six topics:
• Animation with purpose — students bring to life stories that inspire and empower.
• Student mental health and wellness — encouraging self-expression, empathy and emotional resilience.
• Creativity and storytelling — students explore their voices, imaginations and perspectives through storytelling.
• Collaboration and leadership — working together to develop confidence, communication and leadership skills.
• Workforce and career readiness — students gain exposure to real-world skills in animation, media production, technology and project management.
• Project-based learning — hands-on projects allow students to connect classroom learning with real-life applications and impact.
Thoren, CEO of Wonder Media Studios, has a long career in animation, with work connected to “The Simpsons,” “Rugrats” and “Rocket Power,” among others.
He has used his career to support mental health awareness, particularly for students. Through the Story Maker platform, Thoren partners with schools to help students create original animated films to help teens realize the power of creativity and teamwork.
He has worked with Highlands previously. In April, the district was among nine schools from across the region chosen by Wonder Media to help script and score an animated film, “Finding Alice in Wonderland,” that focused on mental health issues, inclusion and resilience.
That project was supported by The Grable Foundation.
Other schools included Franklin Regional, Quaker Valley and Seneca Valley. The movie premiered at Woodland Hills High School and is available on YouTube.
Long-term goals include fostering a partnership between the district and Wonder Media, using the Story Maker platform as an innovative way to engage freshmen with career and workforce standards and expanding the creation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports lessons that provide opportunities for high school students to serve as mentors.
That’s something Wagner is especially excited about.
“It will be such a meaningful learning experience for them to develop their own leadership skills as well as take on the responsibility of helping younger students bring their own ideas to life,” she said.
Zeiler said the program could lead to additional curriculum at the high school.
“Fingers crossed, we’ll use the experiences and curriculum developed through this partnership as a foundation for two future additional film/animation production elective courses: one being Wonder Media animation and the other being film and sound production,” Zeiler said.
“We are providing students with meaningful experiences that extend beyond the classroom.”