Bernie Van Tilburg — Teaching Media Arts With Grit, Humor, and Heart
The Career Tree. Roots in passion. Branches into every direction the industry offers. This is what Bernie Van Tilburg teaches every day. Photo Credit: Cuyahoga Valley Career Center. Used with permission.
Bernie Van Tilburg has been teaching media arts at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center for over two decades. Two CTE video teachers who trade stories, techniques, and the occasional complaint about budget requests.
In this episode Bernie breaks down what it actually takes to build a sustainable media arts program, why humor is a teaching tool, and why he still gets excited about showing a student what a camera can do for the first time.
Why It Matters
Bernie’s Career Tree graphic says it all. You can’t grow the branches without the roots. Academics, experiences, and passion are where it starts. The professional careers at the top, director, cinematographer, sound designer, are where it goes. For any CTE educator or aspiring media student, this episode is the map.
About This Guest
Bernie Van Tilburg is a Media Arts instructor at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, where he has built and sustained a CTE program that puts students on a clear pathway from classroom to career. Known for his grit, humor, and genuine investment in his students, Bernie brings the same energy to teaching that the best media professionals bring to a live shoot: full commitment, no half measures, and a deep belief that the work matters.
Bernie’s Bonafides
“
You have to believe in what you’re doing. If you don’t believe in it, your students aren’t going to believe in it. And if they don’t believe in it, nothing’s going to happen.
”— BERNIE VAN TILBURG, MEDIA ARTS INSTRUCTOR, CUYAHOGA VALLEY CAREER CENTERHear This Episode
Episode Timestamps
Your ZoomPod — Exit Ticket
After this episode, you'll know:
- Why believing in your program is the first thing any media arts teacher has to get right
- How humor builds the kind of classroom trust that translates to real industry behavior
- What the Career Tree tells students about where they can go and how to get there
- Why grit in the classroom is the same grit that keeps media professionals working for decades
Gear & Affiliate Links
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Bernie’s Career Tree starts at the roots. So does every shot worth taking. You can’t get to the top of the frame without the foundation underneath it.
Stop Shooting From the Stands →BUILD NOTE: Full transcript pending paste-in from Buzzsprout.