IB Film is a two-year course International Baccalaureate magnet course focusing on film studies and film production. Throughout the course students will learn film analysis by viewing a wide variety of films from many different countries. The second year of the course focuses on film production. After the students' projects are submitted to an international examiner for scoring, the course culminates in our yearly Moondance Film Festival. The films are screened, and DVD's of the year's films are distributed to everyone in attendance.
Position:
IB Film/English Teacher
Needs:
Prosumer or better quality camcorders (standard or high definition), as well as additional batteries, microphones, lenses, and tripods. MiniDV Tapes and external hard drives for archival purposes. MacBooks/iMacs/MacProcomputers for editing, as well as Mac-compatible editing software. Blank, inkjet-printable DVD's, as well as printers and packaging materials for festival DVD's. Instructional textbooks for film analysis and film production.
My Philosophy:
Art is the most powerful tool available to educators, and film is one of the most notable American art forms. Making films requires collaborative efforts, interdisciplinarylearning, and meaningful products.
Of course, nothing beats the smile on students' faces when their films are screened and they see people enjoying the results of their work. It's genuine, and it reinforces the value of teamwork, learning, and dedication.
Personal Information:
About Me:
I've been a teacher of English and Film at Boyd H. Anderson High School for twelve years.
College and Degrees:
B.A. in English Literature -- Florida State University
M.A. in English Literature -- Florida Atlantic University
Favorite Books:
Catch-22, Invisible Man (Ellison), The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Fools Crow, Middlesex
Favorite Quotes:
Lakota leader Black Elk: "No wrong turns, just turning"
Interests:
Running, Writing, Gardening, Home Improvement
Employment History:
Teacher at BAHS for 12 years. Five years as a manager for B-Dalton/Barnes and Noble. Various and sundry other jobs not worth mentioning without the stories to go with them.
Why Do I Teach?:
To paraphrase playwright Sam Shepard, it's as close as I'll ever come to being a rock'n'roll star.