KQED Youth Takeover week is April 21-25, 2025. Tune in live and visit the showcase at kqed.org/youthtakeover
Each spring, Bay Area youth take over KQED’s TV, radio and digital channels and have their say about the issues affecting their lives. Now in its 8th season, the KQED Youth Takeover features vibrant and thoughtful youth voices on podcasts and shows like Forum, Arts & Culture, Political Breakdown and Perspectives.
This week-long celebration of youth voice is possible because of a year-long Youth Takeover classroom program that brings KQED’s Youth Media team to Bay Area classrooms and those classrooms to KQED headquarters. NEW this season we are inviting 5 high schools to collaborate with a teacher colleague and share a field trip date expanding our impact at each school site.
Meet the 2024-25 Youth Takeover teachers and hear more about what motivates them about the program.
Leon Sykes |
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Edward Hill Edward Hill Jr. is a third-year teacher at Skyline High School in Oakland, California. Growing up in Berkeley in the early ’90s, he now lives in Oakland with his wife and two young children. Before Skyline, he spent a year at the Oakland Lacrosse Club and 15 years with Berkeley Unified as an instructional aide and program coordinator. A passionate lacrosse coach for over 20 years, Edward holds a BA in Liberal Studies from California State University, East Bay, and is completing his Master’s in History, focusing on the narratives of Black communities.
Michael Roe Michael Roe has taught English Literature Arts for eight years in Oakland and Richmond, working at Oakland High, John Henry High, and now Skyline High School. He is dedicated to empowering student voices through writing and digital media. Last year, his 11th graders thrived in the KQED Youth Takeover, benefiting from guest speakers and the chance to record their narratives. This year, he continues with the same students as they enter 12th grade, anticipating strong engagement. Additionally, he is excited to support over fifteen newcomer students in sharing their migration stories in the diverse Skyline community. |
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Ian Ross My name is Dr. Ian Ross, and I am a third year English Teacher at Tennyson High School. I previously taught at Chabot and Diablo Valley College, and received my Doctorate in English Literature in 2013 from UC Riverside, where I wrote my dissertation on media analysis in video games, graphic novels, and fan cultures.
Judith Okolie Multimedia teacher with thirty years of experience. I teach two levels of multimedia for the Community Multimedia Academy, a California Partnership and CTE Pathway program. I am proud to teach at Tennyson High School, a special place with wonderful students. |
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Mitzi Pérez-Caro Mitzi is an eighth-year teacher at Kennedy High and a lifelong resident of Richmond. She recently completed her Master’s in Journalism from UC Berkeley’s J School in May 2024. Passionate about inspiring her students to pursue careers in journalism, Mitzi has taught computer science throughout her teaching career and is now in her second year of leading the Journalism class. Dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, Mitzi collaborates with KQED and Richmond Pulse to create BIPOC student content, aiming to combat the news desert in Richmond, CA. Check out their work on Instagram, TikTok, and their website @khs_dailyeagle |
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Kinnereth Winegarner Kinnereth is an avid traveler who has settled in Napa, CA, with her family of five, including her three busy daughters. She teaches high school Spanish at all levels and has experience in teacher credentialing and mentoring. Passionate about education, Kinnereth is dedicated to helping all students become confident learners. In her free time, you can find her at the local playground or enjoying a good book!
Miriam Kaufman Miriam has been teaching in the Napa Valley for over 15 years, and currently teaches Ethnic Studies, American Literature and Modern Literature at New Technology High School. She is excited to partner with KQED and learn alongside her students as they discover their authentic voices and engage in the world of broadcasting! |
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Joseph Alter Joseph Alter teaches at Hilltop High School in the San Francisco Unified School District, where he focuses on empowering teen mothers. He is passionate about helping his students share their voices to provide perspective on their lives and advocate for the issues that matter to them. |
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E. Michael Chelsky Mr. Chelsky joined Independence High School in 2019 and has taught throughout the Bay Area, including Vallejo High School, where he was named Certificated Staff Member of the Year. With a background in broadcasting, he worked in operations for PBS Silicon Valley, TechTV, Current TV, NBC Telemundo, and Univision. He is passionate about creating student-centered partnerships with organizations that provide greater opportunities in mass media, collaborating with programs like PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, KQED Youth Takeover, and ABC7/KGO-TV. Mr. Chelsky earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Golden Gate University. He holds teaching credentials in Social Sciences and Career Technical Education for Arts, Media, and Entertainment. A National Constitution Center Fellow and a PBS NewsHour Classroom Invention Fellow, he also serves as a judge for the California Student Media Contest. |
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Jorge Goncalves Jorge Goncalves has been teaching at SFUSD’s Abraham Lincoln High School for 22 years. He began his career in science before transitioning to various media arts classes. Living in San Francisco, Jorge enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and discovering natural wonders around the world. In his free time, he loves hiking in the Bay Area, biking, and camping in the great outdoors. Each day in the classroom is a new adventure, and he is continually inspired by the creativity and talent of his students as they embark on meaningful media projects each week. |
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Raina Meyers Raina Meyers has been an educator with SFUSD for 25 years in various roles including Health Teacher, Peer Resources Coach, and Peer Resources Teacher. She has managed student-led mentoring, conflict mediation, and peer education programs. Raina is dedicated to empowering students to use their voices and drive school-wide change. In her current Peer Resources position at Ida B. Wells High School, Raina works with continuation students to help them advocate for change in their school and community. She believes that a partnership with KQED would be an excellent opportunity for the Ida B youth to amplify their voices and make a broader impact in the district and city. |
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Joshua De Bets Hi there! Joshua De Bets is the film and digital broadcast journalism teacher at Woodside High School, entering his fourth year there and his tenth year as a secondary educator. He attended Whittier College and Pepperdine University and has worked with non-profits like City Year and Think Together. Joshua is excited to partner with KQED’s Youth Takeover again this school year! |
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Sejee Kim Sejee Kim is a dedicated Bay Area resident and educator with a passion for fostering creativity and inclusivity. With eight years of teaching experience across various settings—from middle school to high school and Special Education to Honors—she has taught in locations ranging from the nation’s capital to South Korea. For the past five years, Sejee has been an English teacher with the Milpitas Unified School District.This year, she is excited to be part of the founding team at Milpitas High School Extension at the Innovation Campus, aimed at bridging the equity gap for the Bay Area’s diverse population. Inspired by her students’ energy and enthusiasm, Sejee supports initiatives that empower them to shape their own educational experience, including the creation of a multimedia school newsletter focused on media, tech, social justice, and inclusion. |
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Brandon Vu Brandon Vu is a Bay Area native who is a 4th-year teacher at Rodriguez High School located in Fairfield, California. He currently teaches 9th-grade English and creative writing. He also has a cat named Raymond and a mother named Julie.Tim O’Donnell grew up in Chicago, IL, and earned his Bachelor’s in English from Marquette University. He began his career as a reporter and editor in Wisconsin and Illinois before discovering his passion for education. After obtaining a Master’s in Education from DePaul University, he taught in Chicago Public Schools for three years before moving to Sacramento with his wife, Anna.
Tim O’Donnell Tim has taught various English courses, including ERWC and Journalism, at River City High School and currently at Rodriguez High School, where he co-founded the bimonthly magazine, the MANESTREAM. He lives in Davis with Anna and their 10-year-old daughter, Eleanor. In his free time, Tim enjoys cycling, playing music, and visiting Northern California’s rugged beaches |
