‘Express’ program auditions for spot

By Harold Gwin

The show is seen in more that 30 counties across Northeast Ohio.

YOUNGSTOWN — The producers of the homework help show produced at Youngstown State University plan to rely on their veteran team of teachers for next season’s programming, but they’re lining up some backups as well.

“Homework Express,” which will start its fourth season in September, recently invited middle and high school math teachers to audition for a spot on the show.

Three teachers responded to the call as did four YSU math education students, said Jim Stipetich, executive producer.

“They all did really well,” he said, noting that the producers will review the audition tapes over the summer to determine if and where their talents can be utilized.

The show has no plans to replace its current veteran team of four teachers — Amy and Tom Burd from Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Judy Moschella from Volney Rogers in Youngstown and Kristy Fill from Girard.

“They’re just fantastic. They really care about the kids,” Stipetich said.

The auditions were held to see who else is interested in the program and to provide a pool of qualified people if programming expands and more staff is needed, he said. Teachers are paid for their participation.

He was particularly pleased that some YSU students auditioned, noting that the program provides a great teaching opportunity for them.

The Emmy-nominated show is seen in more then 30 counties in Northeast Ohio on Time Warner Cable and Armstrong Cable, and is streamed worldwide on the Internet at www.homeworkexpress.org for those who don’t have cable but have access to a computer.

Programming originates from the television studio on the second floor of Bliss Hall at YSU and runs live from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday from September through May. The shows are rebroadcast at the same hour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

“Homework Express” teachers take questions live during the show from children in the community. Questions come primarily from middle school kids, but teachers have fielded questions from youngsters in Grades 2 through 10. The teachers guide the caller through the problems. The call-in number is (330) 941-2030.

Show content is linked to the Ohio Academic Content Standards. A crew of a dozen or more YSU telecommunication students put the show on the air.

In addition to taking live phone calls from pupils, “Homework Express” offers special features on science, history, and topics of interest to teens in the community. The show’s field crew often visits schools to videotape school events.

Kelly Stevens of WHOT-FM and HOT 101’s Wake Up Crew hosts the show.

gwin@vindy.com