This video has been five years in the making — not because we were filming it for five years, but because that’s how long it’s been sitting in the queue. This project is part of a five-video series we’ve talked about producing for what feels like forever: one video for each of Trine University’s undergraduate academic schools. And for one reason or another — time, resources, priorities — they just kept getting pushed back.

But we finally did it. And this one, for the Franks School of Education, was the perfect reminder of why we tell these stories in the first place.

There’s something really grounding about being in the room with future teachers. It’s not flashy. No one’s building robots or pitching startups. But there’s a quiet, powerful energy in these classrooms — students preparing to walk into one of the most challenging and important professions out there. And they’re doing it not for money, not for prestige, but because they genuinely want to make a difference in someone’s life.

I spent time filming everything from lectures to hands-on teaching practicums in local schools. What stood out the most wasn’t the curriculum or the coursework — it was the way the professors know their students. There’s a level of mentorship here that’s rare. It’s not about getting them through the program; it’s about preparing them to lead classrooms with confidence, empathy, and purpose.

From a production standpoint, I approached this one with a sense of restraint. I didn’t want it to feel overproduced. I wanted it to breathe. To feel real. The pace is calm and intentional — a reflection of the work happening inside these walls. I focused on warm lighting, natural audio, and moments that show connection — between students and professors, and between students and their calling to teach.

After years of this project sitting on the backburner, it feels incredibly good to finally share it. But more than that, it feels right. Like we captured something honest and lasting — not just for the School of Education, but for anyone who’s ever wondered what it really takes to become a great teacher.

This is one of those pieces I hope lives on long after it drops into the homepage or social feed. Because behind every one of these students is a future classroom full of kids whose lives they’ll help shape. And I can’t think of anything more worth documenting than that.