One of Teays Valley's key pillars is offering our students excellent opportunities. This semester, students at Teays Valley East Middle School are exploring music in a whole new way through a cutting-edge Music Production class led by East band director Luke Davis. Designed for 7th and 8th graders, the class introduces students to the world of digital music creation and sound design, offering an inclusive and engaging way to discover their musical potential.

The class is structured around four dynamic units:

• Introduction to Music Programming: Students learn to record songs and program drum beats, bass lines, melodies and vocals using Chromebook-based music software.

• Live Audio Recording and Instrument Creation: Students experiment with microphones and pick-ups, culminating in the creation of acoustic instruments from household materials for a midterm project.

• Foley Sound Design: In small groups, students record and program sound effects to synchronize with video clips, mimicking the work of professional sound designers.

• Video Game Audio Production: The final unit combines all the skills learned as students produce soundtracks and effects for a video game preview.

Davis hopes the course encourages students to see themselves as creative and capable of musical expression, regardless of prior experience. “I want every student to know they can be musical,” he said. “Through this class, they discover tools and techniques they never knew existed, opening the door to endless possibilities.”

Student response has been overwhelmingly positive, with learners embracing the class’s variety and innovative approach. Davis credits the support of administrators, staff and the district’s technology team for helping to make the program a reality.

"At different districts, some students realize 'too late' that they'd love to do something with music but they didn't join band or choir early enough. Often, those students feel opportunities to be musical have passed them by by the time they work to seek them out," Davis said. "I wanted to bring Music Production to East to provide an avenue for those students to explore music further without prior experience while simultaneously allowing our band and choir students to add new depths to their musical knowledge and skills. Everybody who takes the class learns how to do something new with music, and that's never a bad thing."

This year, Teays Valley High School is taking competition to a new level with the introduction of an Esports program. Led by TVHS business/IT teacher Tony Costa, the new opportunity offers students the chance to engage in competitive video gaming while building friendships, learning teamwork and developing valuable life skills.

“I love playing video games,” Costa said. “Over my seven years of teaching, video games have helped me build lifelong bonds with my students. I’m excited to bring that experience into a school environment where students can form friendships and memories while competing together.”

The program follows guidelines set by Esports Ohio, a statewide organization that supports high school Esports. Students will form teams to compete in one of eight competitive games, such as Rocket League, where three-player teams face off in a fast-paced, soccer-style match. Games are played weekly online, with players logging into computers in Costa’s classroom to compete against other schools in Ohio. The regular season runs for nine weeks, with playoff opportunities at regional and state levels.

Esports at TVHS is treated like any other athletic program and follows the same eligibility requirements as other Ohio High School Athletic Association sports. Students must meet GPA and attendance standards and follow the athletic handbook to participate.

The district has created a gaming space for the team. With the help of the technology department, an old technology room was transformed into a dual-purpose space equipped with 25 high-performance computers. The room serves as a classroom during the day and a gaming lab after school.

Costa hopes the program will teach students more than just how to play video games. “I’ve been part of teams that competed at a high level, and I know the communication and collaboration it takes to achieve a common goal,” he said. “Beyond creating fun memories, I want students to learn how to work together, rely on each other and build strong social and teamwork skills.”

Student interest in the program has been incredible. More than 100 students expressed interest in joining, and one student even created a petition to have a new game added to the Esports Ohio lineup, gathering 120 signatures.

In addition to fostering teamwork and social skills, Esports can open doors for students after graduation. Many colleges and universities now offer Esports programs, and some provide scholarships for talented players. According to Esports Ohio, at least 40 universities in Ohio support collegiate Esports teams.

Costa is optimistic about the future of the program and grateful for the district’s support in making it a reality. For more information about Esports Ohio, visit www.esportsohio.org.