SchoolTube Teacher of the Week

For the week of June 1, 2008

Sharlo Rogers: Burleson High School

SchoolTube:How long have you be teaching?
Sharlo Rogers:I just finished my 15th year teaching – just my third teaching Broadcast.

ST:How long have you been teaching video?
SR:This is the end of my third year.

ST:What subjects do you teach/have you taught?
SR:
  • Computer Applications 5-12 grades
  • Accounting
  • General Business
  • Programming I, II, and III
  • Computer Graphics
  • Digital Design
  • Internet Web Design
  • Yearbook
  • Broadcast Productions
  • Advanced Broadcast Productions
  • Advanced Video Editing
I am certified to teach Business, Computer and Journalism courses by the state of Kansas.

ST:Did you always want to be a video teacher?
ST:Not really. I wanted to be a yearbook instructor, but I am not English certified. Most Journalism jobs go to teachers who are English and Journalism certified. This fell into my lap – not a thrilling tale, really.

ST:What is your favorite part about teaching video?
SR:I am thrilled with the same things that all teachers want to see is students. I like it when a kid finally GETS "IT". It doesn't matter what IT is. It could be any of a number of things that you have been trying to get them to learn. I was thrilled when one of my second year students started bringing in GREAT b-roll. It really improved her stories. I also like it when I hear students who aren't in Broadcast Productions talk about the show.

ST:How did the video program at your school start? How old is it?
SR:I am not sure how it started, but there are VHS archives from 1992. It started in its present form about 5 years ago.

ST:Why do you consider video a class worth offering at the K-12 level?
SR:
  • I think video makes kids think.
  • I think video makes kids think about how they would explain a concept to others.
  • I think video makes kids think about both sides of an issue. Many times my students were concerned that they were being a bit biased even when they had both sides of the story.
  • I think video makes kids think about how their words can influence others. One student didn't realize how much he might influence others but when the story aired, he got SEVERAL comments about how it made others think about their choices.
  • I think video makes kids think about a future with this as their profession. Many don't see that this could be a viable future career. It is increasing in popularity as we become more dependent on the internet for news, tutorials, and entertainment.
  • I think video makes kids think about the time a professional journalist spends to get the story. I am not sure students consider how much work is involved until they take the class.
ST:Do you have any advice for other video teachers?
SR:Find young students in your program that you can train to be leaders. Give them gradual responsibility. Ask them what they think of a story. Teach them to teach others. These students make excellent producers. They can make your job a LOT easier in the long run.

ST:Do you have any memorable stories from your teaching experience?
SR:I credit Camp STN with my initial training for teaching Broadcast. If it hadn't been for Camp, I would have been TOTALLY lost my first semester. Also my first year, I had an excellent student who taught me a LOT of things. I also inherited a staff who were well trained and were ready to go. My principal really backed me up that Christmas when two advanced students dropped the class. He stuck with me even though he had parents in his office making waves.

One of my favorite experiences thus far has been taking students to National Convention. It is a good bonding experience for those who go, and I appreciate most of my students more because of the experience.

ST:Do you have any other comments or stories you'd like to add?
SR:In case it helps, here is what I have sent out to other programs who are looking to see what is out there.

Here is a little about our program:
GHS Broadcast Productions has existed in its present form for about five years. I have been the advisor for three years. Before that, it was a one semester class called Mass Media It existed this way for about six years and brought on the digital revolution. Before that, it existed in some monthly form for at least five years - the earliest vhs archives go back to 1992.

We produce three regular products, in addition to the annual senior video.

The monthly show is called "GHS News." It is the alternate lable for the class. This is the program that has existed for 16 years. It is a news magazine show featuring stories on students, some news, and is generally entertaining. We run an intro, about seven stories, and have anchors introduce the stories. We show during our seminar peroid on the third Thursday of the month, and are limited to about twenty minutes. I do not assign stories for the monthly show. Students pitch story ideas to the entire staff for the monthly show based on the concept of why a student should care.

The weekly show is called "This is Goddard Friday." This is a slight twist on TGIF. This is a straight news show produced once weekly with news, weather, sports, and academic recognition. If somebody won an award, it goes on "Goddard Friday." Anchors and sports announcers change every week. We even have had a weather sub several times. We average about five minutes weekly.

The daily show is called "GHS Morning Announcements." This program is two kids, a camera, and any random location in the school because I don't have a studio. We read the announcements on tape the afternoon before and rough cut the results. Very rarely, do we have a smooth version of announcements. Recently, we presented the Cinco De Mayo announcements in Spanish.

Special projects include:Two years ago, we did a recruiting video for the district. It incorporated every building and highlighted what teachers and students like about Goddard. This was a great project where everyone worked together to create a good product that was shown to perspective teachers at recruiting faires.

Last year, we brought in a student band and filmed a live music video. Students really enjoyed this, and it lit a fire in some students that hadn't been there before.

Every year, we do the senior video and sell it to members of the senior class for $5.00. It shows both at the senior breakfast and before graduation.

Other items of interest:
  • We do not use copy written music for projects that are distributed to the public. My kids don't like it, but they understand why we have the rule.
  • Enrollment is open to any incoming Sophomore, Junior or Senior who has had Computer Applications I as a prerequisite. Students must fill out an application that lists grades, teacher references, and ideas for the class. Candidates must complete a "screen test" where I have them read the announcements on camera. Students discover that it is harder than it looks. Once staff selections are made, I take the current and future staff underclassmen to film the "Live from the Blue Carpet" at Prom. We also have what we call Video Boot Camp during the summer.
  • We have been fortunate enough to have an online outlet for our productions with our membership to SchoolTube. This has been a positive experience for us, and we plan to intern with SchoolTube this summer.
  • It should be noted that we would not be a program were it not for the guidance that I receive from the Student Television Network. The teachers who belong to this list have taught me everything I know at Camp STN, STN National Convention, and on the online mailing list.