Germantown High School (GHS) students are expanding their global reach through an innovative media collaboration that connects classrooms more than five thousand miles apart. GHS-TV, in partnership with CMTV College in Tbilisi, Georgia, is producing a joint television program that brings together students from Germantown High School and St. George’s School and Public School №61 in Tbilisi. This meaningful work continues a relationship that began nearly thirty years ago when CMTV launched its first exchange project with GHS. The partnership is part of a long-standing virtual exchange initiative.
The project, titled Across the Ocean: Learning Together, gives students the opportunity to explore similarities and differences in culture, educational processes, and perspectives on world issues. The collaboration allows students to learn from one another while building communication, media production, and cultural literacy skills. It also reflects Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) commitment to partnerships that broaden student experiences, amplify student voice, and prepare learners to engage confidently in a global society.
The historic connection between GHS-TV and CMTV has evolved significantly over time. The first in-person collaboration took place from 1997 through 2005. When Producer and Studio Coordinator Leonid Mazor returned to GHS-TV in 2015, he helped reinvigorate the international relationship. Since then, students have continued to participate in thoughtful exchanges that highlight how education works in both countries while deepening their awareness of global issues and global citizenship.
This year’s collaboration features a virtual panel discussion that serves as the centerpiece of the student-produced program. Students addressed topics such as politics, social issues, and education, gaining a rare opportunity to converse with peers who live in a country experiencing high political tension. Mazor shared that GHS-TV students were highly motivated and appreciative of the partnership, calling the interaction an important learning experience that broadened their understanding of the world beyond their own classrooms.
GHS-TV students recently completed the final taping of the broadcast, showcasing strong engagement and the continued strength of the partnership. This seventh installment of the series further advances cross-cultural learning and media collaboration between the United States and Georgia.
The program gives students an authentic platform to practice journalism, communicate across cultures, and explore real-world issues, reflecting MSCS’s commitment to enriching learning through meaningful partnerships. The broadcast will premiere on ghstv.org at the end of December and will spotlight student voices and the impact of learning together across continents.
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