SchoolTube's Teacher of the Week
Don Goble: Ladue Horton Watkins High School
SchoolTube: How long have you be teaching?
Don Goble: This is my 3rd year teaching full-time.
ST: How long have you been teaching video?
DG: 3 years.
ST: What subjects do you teach/have you taught?
DG: I have taught public speaking, speech and debate, oral communications, and broadcast technology.
ST: Did you always want to be a video teacher?
DG: I actually went to college to be the next Bob Costas. After working 3 years in the radio/television industry, and 6 years with information Technology, I decided to change careers one final time and become a broadcast teacher.
ST: What is your favorite part about teaching video?
DG: We feel like we run our own small television station. I love working with the students and seeing them progress. I love working with my colleague Marteana Davidson, who truly is my partner in running our station, LHS-TV.
ST: How did the video program at your school start? How old is it?
DG: The program started in the 1980's under a pioneer, Charles Marshall. Marteana worked with Mr. Marshall and another broadcasting teacher, Linda Box, to build the station. When I was hired, I just tried to add on to the already impressive operation at Ladue.
ST: Why do you consider video a class worth offering at the K-12 level?
DG: Video journalism and media literacy are a reality in our world. People glean information from 24 hour news networks and the internet. I believe it's a necessity to educate our students not only to understand the media, but to actually have the chance to become a part of their media.
ST: Do you have any advice for other video teachers?
DG: Take things slow. Find an area of focus with your program and master it. Allow your students to feel successful and above all, have a passion for your job. Your passion will inspire and motivate your students.
ST: Do you have any memorable stories from your teaching experience?
DG: One of the most memorable moments in my young teaching career was to create a LHS-TV Hall of Fame for two of my very first students who stuck with me and the changes I tried to implement during my first 2 years teaching. I will have 12 graduating Seniors in May 2008, and I will be emotionally torn on losing their talent and personalities, while also feeling like a proud father for their enormous accomplishments.
ST: Do you have any other comments or stories you'd like to add?
DG: I truly appreciate the opportunities that SchoolTube.com has allowed my video students at Ladue and to me personally. SchoolTube is the real deal, and a fabulous resource for our students' educational experience!