Bright screens illuminate students’ faces as they diligently work on projects, capturing captivating images of South spirit. This includes compiling videos with the perfect song for a sports intro or creating segments highlighting various clubs and events for the Titan 10, the monthly Q-and-A involving ten Titans. For Helen Neppl, long-term Advanced Television and intro to broadcasting substitute teacher, these videos sparked a love for film production when she was a student at South five-years-ago.
After graduating from Chapman University, located in the City of Orange, California, with a degree in film production, Neppl returned to South as a long-term substitute for Julie Benca, Television Broadcasting Teacher. Neppl stayed in contact with Benca, and while emailing about Neppl’s senior thesis, she learned of Benca’s upcoming maternity leave. The circumstances were in Neppl’s favor for filling in for Benca, as Neppl was already planning to return to Glenview, she explained.
“It kind of worked out perfectly,” Neppl said. “I realized that this position is something that’s not unfamiliar to me because [I had] been in the program throughout high school.”
Neppl’s prior experience as a student at South helped make the transition to teaching easier, Neppl explained. Some advantages included the fact that many of the projects were the same as when she was a student, making her much more familiar with the various projects that current students curate, senior Zidan Ayoob, a student in Advanced TV, said.
“Making sure [projects] get done is something that would be difficult for someone who doesn’t know the pace [in] which we finish these projects,” Ayoob said. “Since [Neppl is] familiar with all that, it is very easy for her to guide us through [all the projects] and make sure everything [in production] goes smoothly.”
However, not everything is the same since Neppl was last at South. Some of the technology is more advanced than before, Neppl said. A video wall was recently donated to South, which is similar to an advanced form of a green screen.
“Having that video wall is cool for GBS TV students because they are using technology that [might] not even [be] used at the college level,” Neppl said.
That being said, Neppl adjusted to the new technology and powered through. She was able to swiftly learn how to operate the new video wall to assist students.
“Ms. Neppl [being] able to pick that up pretty quickly within the first two weeks is very impressive,” Ayoob said. “She adapted well.”
Another reason for Neppl’s smooth transition is her mentor and previous teacher, Benca. Benca herself was also a former student at South, junior Carlin Endre said.
“I think [Neppl is] very similar to Ms. Benca,” Endre said. “They’re both very sweet, kind people [who] really care about students, and they also care about the program of GBS TV.”
However, there are still distinct factors and skills that differentiate each of the teachers, Ayoob said. Neppl, being fresh out of college, brings new perspectives to her teaching.
“[Neppl] has been able to teach us about [set design] and expand our knowledge,” Ayoob said. “Overall, she knows what she’s doing. She’s a professional in the industry.”
While Benca and Neppl share many strengths, they still maintain key differences, making them both unique. Regardless, they have both become invaluable to the TV program at South.
“[Benca and Neppl] both put so much effort into making this program what it is,” Endre said. “It wouldn’t be here without them.”
