Jennifer Gayle

“Life Overload” by Jennifer Gayle. Created using iMovie and exported as an MP4 file in 1080p HD. Published under the Standard YouTube License.

Credits

Audio:

“Beyond the Horizon” by AsherMusicCreator is licensed under the Pixabay Content License.

Images

“Abandoned Office” by eleonora is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Gray asphalt road between green grass field during daytime” by Bradyn Shock is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Agnes” by Cat Han is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“My Bedroom-Simplicity” by Samantha Gades is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“At the cottage” by Jon Druker is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“A small house in a field with a tree in the foreground” by Yousef Espanioly is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“An open notebook sitting on top of a wooden table” by Prophsee Journals is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“An empty road” by Majestic Lukas is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Calm Sunset on a lake in Glacier National Park” by Joe Pohle is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Sanctuary” by Andy Vult is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Brown wooden bench” by Andrea Lambrecht is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Office table with pile of papers” by Wonderlane is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Endless stories happening in one single spot” by Victor Rodriguez is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Lost in information” by Samet Kurtkus is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Smog and heavy traffic at night” by Jacek Dylag is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Stack of clean dishes and cups on a counter” by DokYung Kim is licensed under the Unsplash License.

“Classical urban shot: the busiest crossroad in the world in Tokyo, Japan” by Alex Block is licensed under the Unsplash License.

This podcast series explores how read-aloud experiences shape classroom culture and student connection to stories. In this 30-second episode opener, narration is paired with a page-turn sound effect and soft piano background music to create a calm and inviting classroom atmosphere.

This podcast includes original narration recorded using an iPhone microphone and edited in Audacity. A page-turn sound effect was recorded to simulate the read-aloud experience. Ambient piano music sourced from Freesound was layered to create a calm classroom atmosphere. All elements were mixed to ensure balanced sound and smooth transitions.

Media Credits

Album Art:
AI image generated using the prompt: “cozy classroom reading space with warm lighting and an open book, calm storytelling atmosphere” by DALL·E (OpenAI) February 2026.

Narration:
Narration written and recorded by Jennifer Gayle. Licensed under the CC BY-NC 4.0.

Sound Effect (Page Turn):
Page turn sound recorded by Jennifer Gayle using iPhone Voice Memos and edited in Audacity. Licensed under the CC BY-NC 4.0.

Background Music:
“Memories of a Sweet Summer Music Loop” by xkeril from Freesound.org. Licensed under Creative Commons 0 (CC0).

Overall Podcast License:
This podcast, Stories That Stay With Us, is licensed under the CC-BY-NC 4.0.

I was drawn to this image because it reminds me of the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, where I grew up spending a lot of time hiking and exploring wooded trails. This type of scenery brings me a strong sense of calm and peace, and it reflects the kind of environment I still enjoy returning to when I need to slow down or feel grounded. On its own, the image feels quiet, familiar, and inviting.

For the audio, I intentionally chose a sound that contrasts with that feeling. The assignment encouraged us to avoid obvious pairings, such as calming music or natural forest sounds, so I selected a more unsettling, “creepy” ambient drone. When combined with the image, the meaning shifts. Instead of feeling purely peaceful, the forest path becomes more unclear and slightly uneasy. The audio alters the viewer’s interpretation, suggesting that the trail may hold something unknown or unseen beyond the frame. Together, the image and sound create a new experience, one that challenges the sense of calm I personally associate with this type of landscape and invites the viewer to question what lies ahead.

Citations

Image: “MaláSkálaForest | Forest near Malá Skála, Czech Republic” by Ruben Holthuijsen, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Audio: “Sci-fi Ambient Drone.wav” by LookIMadeAThing, licensed under CC0 1.0.

Derivative work: “Echoes in the Forest” by Jennifer Gayle, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

My name is Jennifer Gayle, and I currently live in Naples, Florida. I work as an elementary school teacher in Collier County Public Schools, where I have taught second through fifth grade, spending most of my career in third grade. Teaching has been a meaningful and rewarding experience, and it has played a major role in shaping my professional goals.

I am in my second semester of Florida State University’s Master of Science in Information program, following the school libraries specialization. While I enjoy classroom teaching, I feel ready to explore new opportunities that allow me to support students and teachers in a broader way. My goal is to transition into a media specialist role, where I can combine my instructional experience with information and media literacy.

Outside of work and school, I stay busy with family life. I am a mom of six and a grandmother of two, and much of our time is spent supporting my youngest daughters in competitive dance. I also enjoy visiting Walt Disney World and taking advantage of the beautiful beaches here in Naples.

One of the things that interests me most about this class is the focus on digital media and design. I enjoy experimenting with digital tools, even when it takes a bit of trial and error.  I am at a fairly basic level. Through this course, I hope to develop a stronger understanding of how to create high-quality, effective digital content that I can use both professionally and personally.

I am looking forward to learning alongside my classmates and expanding my skill set as I continue working toward my future role in school libraries.