Teaching PhilosophyMy teaching philosophy is rooted in a student-centered approach to the exchange of knowledge. It is my belief that the soul purpose of a teacher is to serve the student and his or her educational needs. My overarching objective is to provide guidance and support to my students in order for them to achieve their life goals. This teaching approach is strongly influenced by considering student needs, societal needs and strategies derived from the most current psychological learning theories in education. I approach teaching with the idea that all students are unique and learn through an array of individual processes and techniques. This belief guides my classroom instruction and preparation. I strive to embed a variety of learning strategies into in my presentation of materials. In addition, I believe that it is my responsibility as a teacher to present relevant information that is current with workforce needs and career development trends. My interpretation of "career" is perceived as being self development over the life span through education, work and leisure. I believe that this philosophy not only prepares students for the media industry, but encourages the trend toward life long learning. As the world of digital media production continues to evolve at a rapid pace, students will need to be armed with much more than the technical skills upon which this discipline is founded. I have framed my classroom as a reflection of this reality. I structure my classroom as a laboratory that embraces diversity and is built on collaboration, critical thinking and responsibility for one’s own constructed knowledge. As an educator, I strive to be available to students, open to constructive dialogue, and to stay current in the discipline of digital media and motion picture education. Education2017 Iowa State University
PhD - Education Dissertation Title - A Liberal Arts Education in Film Production: A study of instructional assessment of student film projects 2015 UCLA Graduate Certificate - Entertainment Studies- Film and Television (32 Semester Hours in Film and Television) 2010 Woodbury University Master of Arts - Organizational Communication and Leadership Summa Cum Laude Capstone - The Film Leader Gap: A Model for Leadership in Independent Filmmaking 1997 University of Northern Iowa Bachelor of Arts - Leisure Studies American Humanics Certificate: Non-Profit Management Research Interests
|
Student Work
"I Love the Movies"
This student film was selected to screen at the 2015 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival where it won a Silver Eddy in the Student Short Film category. In addition, the student director of this film won the overall student filmmaker award which consisted of a $1000 scholarship. This award goes to the student filmmaker who displays the most potential. |
Student Work Examples
These films showcase a variety of projects that have been made in different levels of film and video courses that I have taught. |
"Ag Awareness Day Vendor Spotlight"
This student film won 1st place in Short Video Production at the 2019 Ag Media Summit ACT Critique Contest. |
"Alfalawn Farm"
This student film was a national finalist in the FarmFluencer Film Contest. The student producer won a $1000 cash prize for their work on this project. |
"It's a Magical Journey"
This film was a project from one of my courses. Students recreated the classic 80's music video Separate Ways by the band Journey. Students were tasked with breaking the video down shot by shot, scouting and securing locations, designing the shots in regards to choices in camera, lenses, stabilization, framing, lighting, set design, props, make up and wardrobe. They also scheduled, crewed, shot and edited this project with myself assuming the role of Director and they took on a variety of roles. All students selected specific shots and sequences they were responsible for as the cinematographer. They worked with the crew to achieve the proper footage required to create the edit. Click on the Image to access the final edit from one of the students. |
Student Photo SamplesThis slide show features digital photographs produced by former students in my Digital Media Essentials class. This course is an introduction to digital photography, digital video and audio production and basic website construction.
|
|
Writing Samples
By clicking on the "Writing Sample" link below, a sample of my academic writing will be downloaded.
This writing sample is my dissertation titled - A Liberal Arts Education in Film Production:
A study of instructional assessment of student film projects |
Student Surveys
By clicking on the "Student Survey" links below, data in regards to courses that I have taught will be downloaded.