🎙 Cowboy Conversations — Episode 4: Stories That Save Lives — The Future of Cajon Media

Guests: 🎬 Mr. Jonathan Moline, Video Production Teacher 🎥 Brymer Sindanum, Award-Winning Student Filmmaker Host: Dr. Chris Jackson Length: ~28 minutes

🌟 Episode Summary

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Chris Jackson sits down with Video Production teacher Mr. Jonathan Moline and student filmmaker Brymer Sindanum to explore the power of storytelling, creativity, and purpose at Cajon High School.

Together, they unpack the real-world impact of Cajon’s award-winning Every 15 Minutes short film — a project created to raise awareness around the life-and-death consequences of drunk driving. Though Mr. Moline is in his first year leading the Video Production program, he speaks candidly about stepping into a legacy of excellence built by students like Brymer, sharing how he felt “humbled, intimidated, and inspired” by the work they’d already done.

Brymer reflects on the responsibility he and his team felt to honor the seriousness of the topic, saying, “We didn’t want to be that school that didn’t take it seriously.”

This episode shines a light on what happens when students create with purpose and when teachers empower them to use their gifts to impact the world.

🕒 Episode Breakdown (Approximate)

TimeSegmentHighlights

0:00 – 1:32 Welcome & Principal’s CornerCreativity, relevance, and belonging as the heart of learning

1:32 – 26:04 Joint Interview — Moline & BrymerLegacy of the program, emotional weight of the film, student leadership, teamwork

26:04 - end Equity & Innovation Minute | Closing Message Relevance → engagement, belonging → courage, purpose → excellence | Pride, gratitude, challenge to keep creating real-world impact

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Creativity becomes powerful when tied to purpose.
• Students rise to the level of trust placed in them.
• Belonging fuels courage — especially in high-pressure projects.
• Continuity matters: programs thrive when legacy meets new leadership.
• Real-world work prepares students for life beyond campus.

💬 Memorable Quotes

“It was humbling, intimidating, and inspiring walking into a program where students were already creating professional work.” — Mr. Moline

“We didn’t want to be that school that didn’t take it seriously.” — Brymer Sindanum

“Creation is greater than consumption.” — Dr. Jackson

🔑 Call to Action

• Students: Use your voice. Your creativity carries influence.
• Teachers: Give students meaningful work — they will rise to it.
• Families & Community: Support creative pathways; they build confidence, connection, and purpose.

🏫 About the Show

Cowboy Conversations celebrates the voices, creativity, and community of Cajon High School — where every kid belongs, every kid learns, and every kid leaves ready to lead. Hosted by Principal Dr. Chris Jackson.

Transcript Link

🎙 Cowboy Conversations — Episode 3: The Family Behind the Family

Guest: Ms. Chantay Tucker (Parent Leader & AAPAC Member)

Host: Dr. Chris Jackson, Principal of Cajon High School

🌟 Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode of Cowboy Conversations, Dr. Chris Jackson sits down with Ms. Chantay Tucker, a parent leader whose voice, presence, and resilience have become a powerful force at Cajon High School.

Ms. Tucker shares why she believes “being present is important”, and how one gesture or conversation can change the trajectory of a student’s day. Together, she and Dr. Jackson explore what it means for families and schools to work as a united community — especially when addressing the real challenges facing African American students.

From discipline disparities to the power of being known, from family expectations to community strength, this conversation highlights that the heart of Cajon isn’t just found in classrooms — it’s found in the families who stand behind them.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Presence creates belonging. Students respond when they know their families and their school are on the same team.
• Resilience is built, not inherited. “As long as you got breath in your lungs, you got a chance to do better.”
• Discipline gaps reflect connection gaps. The work is not about blame — it’s about belonging.
• Partnership strengthens equity. Listening, communicating, and showing up bring community solutions.
• Families are the first educators. “Everything is not cookie cutter… it’s not a one-size-fit-all.”

🕒 Episode Breakdown (Approximate)

Time Segment Highlights

0:00 – 1:11 Welcome & Principal’s Corner Dr. Jackson on community, family, resilience, and partnership.

1:11 – 19:17 Interview – Ms. Chantay Tucker Family as foundation, resilience, belonging, and honest dialogue on African American student experiences.

19:17 - end Equity & Innovation Minute + Closing Belonging as strategy; partnership as equity; gratitude + community challenge.

💬 Memorable Quotes

(All quotes pulled directly and verbatim from the transcript)

“Never give up… Plan A doesn't work? Plan B, C, D until it gets the results that you need.” — Ms. Tucker

“Everything is not cookie cutter… it's not a one-size-fit-all.” — Ms. Tucker

“Sometimes from a distance, it's easy to create your own narrative in the absence of information.” — Dr. Jackson

“What better way than to listen — to listen to our community?” — Dr. Jackson

🔑 Call to Action

• Teachers: Reach out to one family this week with encouragement, not urgency.
• Families: Stay present — your presence builds student confidence.
• Community: Let’s keep showing up for our kids with unity and purpose.

🏫 About the Show

Cowboy Conversations celebrates the voices, stories, and vision of Cajon High School — where every kid belongs, every kid learns, and every kid leaves ready to lead. Hosted by Dr. Chris Jackson, Principal and proud Cajon alumnus.

📲 Keywords / Tags

Cajon High School · Cowboy Conversations · Parent Leadership · African American Parent Advisory Committee · Family Engagement · School Partnership · Belonging · Equity · Community Strength · Dr Chris Jackson · San Bernardino Education

Transcript Link

Transcript

🎙 Cowboy Conversations — Episode 2: Teachers as Rockstars — From Legacy to Launch

Guests: Mrs. Griffitts (Theater Director) & Mr. Erick Jordan (Social Studies Teacher & Cajon Alumnus) Host: Dr. Chris Jackson, Principal of Cajon High School Length: ≈ 49 min 16 sec

🌟 Episode Summary

Dr. Chris Jackson spotlights two educators who show what persistence, purpose, and belonging look like in action. Veteran Theater Director Mrs. Griffitts shares three decades of lessons on courage, creativity, and humor—reminding us that action cures fear. Then Cajon alum Mr. Erick Jordan, a first-year Social Studies teacher and former ASB President, reflects on returning home after UCLA to give students the same belief and consistency that once changed his life. Together, they embody Cajon’s core truth: Tier 1 excellence starts with people who persist and pull together.

🕒 Episode Breakdown

0:00 – 1:30 - Welcome & Principal’s Corner - Dr. Jackson sets the tone: mid-year fatigue, collective persistence, and why Cajon’s gains prove “we > me.”

1:30 – 26:00 - Interview – Mrs. Griffitts - Laughter, vulnerability, and legacy. How the arts teach confidence, connection, and the courage to try again.

26:00 – 48:00 - Interview – Mr. Erick Jordan - Returning home as a teacher. Belonging, empathy, and the responsibility to be “the good 50 minutes in a student’s day.”

48:00 – 49:16 - Equity & Innovation Minute + Closing - Dr. Jackson on Tier 1 belonging, autonomy, and persistence; gratitude and challenge to the Cajon family.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Persistence is power. Progress comes from consistent, collective effort.
• Belonging fuels engagement. Students thrive when classrooms feel like community.
• Legacy meets launch. Veteran wisdom + new energy = Tier 1 excellence.
• Action cures fear. Growth happens when we act, reflect, and try again.
• Autonomy + relatedness = strength. Trust and connection keep teachers united.

💬 Memorable Quotes

“Action cures fear.” — Mrs. Griffitts “I want to be the good 50 minutes in their day.” — Mr. Erick Jordan “Tier 1 excellence is the fairest system we can build.” — Dr. Chris Jackson

🔑 Call to Action

• Teachers: Share one classroom win with your PLC team this week.
• Students: Take a creative risk—perform, present, or speak up.
• Families: Thank a teacher who helped your child feel they belong.

🏫 About the Show

Cowboy Conversations celebrates the voices and vision of Cajon High School—where every kid belongs, every kid learns, and every kid leaves ready to lead. Hosted by Dr. Chris Jackson, Principal and proud Cajon alumnus.

📲 Keywords / Tags

Cajon High School · Cowboy Conversations · Teacher Leadership · Persistence · Belonging · School Culture · Student Engagement · Dr Chris Jackson · San Bernardino Education · Tier 1 Excellence · RIGOR Framework