Creating and Collaborating in Broadcasting Class: Take Five with Roderick Haygood

Take Five is a series that highlights members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our students. All throughout the 2024–25 school year, we will be spotlighting our amazing CPS teachers! If you know a teacher who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here.

Meet Mr. Roderick Haygood, a broadcast technology teacher at Al Raby High School! Before joining CPS, Mr. Haygood gained valuable on-the-ground experience working as a television and radio station supervisor. Now as an educator, Mr. Haygood loves showing up for his students every day and creating a fun and creative learning environment.

Students enjoy a wide variety of learning opportunities in Mr. Haygood’s class, from practicing technical skills like proper lighting and video editing, to creative skills like writing and storyboarding, to learning how to effectively collaborate with others. Their projects include news broadcasts, short films, and web series, and their talent and skill are being recognized! Raby students’ films have been selected for the last two Everyone Can (Code + Create) Chicago Summer Showcases!

Learn more about Mr. Haygood below!

How do you think your students would describe you?

Like a fun uncle! Someone who really, genuinely cares about them and is always there for them if they need someone to talk to. I show up as my authentic self every single day, and that has helped me build good relationships with my students. If I ever have to be stern, I will always have a conversation with them to make sure they understand that I have high expectations because I care about them.

What are the top lessons you want to teach your students?

The biggest one is respect. Respect yourself and respect the spaces and people that you interact with. I also want to teach students that being a hard worker is going to take you far. Hard work beats talent all the time. And finally, I don’t care how good you are at something, there’s always room for growth!

What is your biggest goal for the rest of the school year?

I’m excited to make sure my seniors finish high school strong! The Class of 2025 has a special place in my heart because they are the first group I had fully in person for all four years after the pandemic. I want to see them all walk across that stage towards the next step in their journey. For my other grade levels, I’m looking forward to continuing to build relationships with them and motivate them to show up ready to learn.

Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for new teachers?

This is so simple, but take it one day at a time and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t try to just figure everything out by yourself, because figuring it out for one week turns into two months, and then suddenly it’s the end of the year. Learn from everyone around you, and take advantage of professional development opportunities! Also, give voice to young people and treat them with respect.

What do you like to do when you’re not teaching?

I have a newfound love for exercise, so I’m usually at the gym four to five days a week. I also love to spend time with my kids, being a DIYer because contractors are expensive lol, and taking a ride around the city (Summertime Chi!)