Leader

Educators seek opportunities for leadership to support student empowerment and success and to improve teaching and learning.

Screenshot of When to Use After Effects or Premiere Document

For those with learning impairments, it can be frustrating when simple steps are not followed when creating a document. Many obstacles can be avoided by following a few simple steps to ensure the document is accessible. Recently, the ADA has pushed for many government and college websites to comply with accessibility standards. This lesson helped me understand some of the changes that are needed.

I want to take a leadership role to ensure all learners have the opportunities afforded to them. By showing values, compassion, and respect, and by establishing that a policy is in place, others will implement these changes as well.

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Leadership Resources

Harvard Business Review - Find leadership strategies, ideas, advice, and innovation.
Science of People - Take quizzes and learn communication skills that will help move your career forward. Read helpful articles on how to deal with burnout and have more productive meetings.
15five - Blog that helps users by showing ways to maximize employee performance and managers effectiveness.

Calhoun students during a visit to WAFF 48.

A simple conversation between a student and me changed both our lives for the better.

I was the main sponsor of the Multimedia Club at Calhoun Community College. Some of the projects including creating scripts, short movies, and field trips to TV stations. One afternoon, a student and I were on location at a production shoot in Huntsville. I had shown her some basic camera techniques, and we were waiting for our interview to arrive. Having a second, I asked her what her plans were after Calhoun. She became somewhat timid but responded, "I want to transfer to the University of Alabama," but then quickly added, "But I don't think I have the grades."

I knew the student. I knew she had the grades. I said, "If this is what you want, let's go apply. We can start your application as soon as we get back to Decatur." She thought about it for a second. She had moved from apprehensive to intrigue. I told her, "This'll be the most important thing we do today. You got this." She agreed. As promised, we got back to my office and I lent her my computer. A few days later she was accepted.

That day we both had new paths.

Sometimes we all need that gentle push in the right direction. The words, "You can do it," can mean so much. I knew I wanted to get into teaching. However, it wasn't until some of my family and co-workers gave me that same advice that I started to pursue the career. What motivates me is knowing that I'm helping someone achieve a dream. That feeling that I helped someone means the world to me.

It is not always easy. I've worked in the multimedia field for over 20 years. There are many days that you don't come home on time or end up missing a big event. You have to have a love and passion for all things video. Most importantly, a supportive and understanding family at home. It has been a fantastic career for me. I have gained a collection of stories and real-world advice. I tell students that things inevitably can and will go wrong on a production shoot. It will be the training they receive while in school that will show them what to do and how to react. Every time I set up for a production shoot, I can hear my instructors and my former Chief Photographer in my head. There are times when a Multimedia Technician will handle multiple projects. You have to be able to work quickly and accurately. That is why I teach storyboarding, shortcuts, and hotkeys in Adobe Premiere and After Effects, editing in the camera, and the importance of deadlines. I want to inspire them and ensure they have the knowledge and skills to enter the job market and ultimately advance their careers.

Hands-on learning is a must. I have found that typically, you cannot become proficient in this field by watching. Mastering techniques takes time and practice. That is why I focus on editing labs- using computers that they will use on the job. We demonstrate the fundamentals of how to set up cameras, tripods, microphone placement, and 3-point lighting. Then the students must do it themselves. I am a visual learner. This is a visual field. My lectures use pictures and videos to show the do's and don'ts of video production. In this business, you cannot have thin skin. We have class critique sessions where students upload videos to YouTube and present their projects to the class. This simulates real-world situations where you get final approval from the client. Once they are ready, I find that letting students shoot video on their own can build confidence. When they come back to edit, we have a one-on-one critique session. I show them what they did correctly and how to fix any potential problems. Next time the student shoots, he or she will hopefully learn from previous mistakes.

The ultimate goal is the preparation for life outside of college. Potential employers want to see what a candidate can do. The most important thing is not the resume but a video reel. These showreels should be a one-minute montage of their best work. This video should be on the student's personal website. They need to demonstrate that they know how to write, shoot, edit, produce, and direct, amongst other things. I want them to be prepared to walk-in on the first day of the job and know their craft.