SchoolTube Teacher of the Week

SchoolTube: How long have you be teaching?
Susan Houseman: For eight years.

ST: How long have you been teaching Video and or Broadcast?
SH: For four years.

ST: What subjects do you teach/have you taught?
SH: Ninth grade honors English, journalism, newspaper, television production, speech, technical writing.

ST: Did you always want to be a video teacher?
SH: I used to be a broadcast journalist; when I made the switch to teaching I got a certification in communications so that I could teach both English and Journalism. I get a lot of pleasure out of teaching what I did professionally for 13 years. It's wonderful to see the progress students make. They are doing some remarkable things both in print and broadcast journalism. Their tenacity and creativity amazes me.

ST: What is your favorite part about teaching video broadcast?
SH: I love being back in the "news room" and watching the students working under deadline pressure. They are very earnest and passionate.

ST: How did the video program at your school start? How old is it?
SH: The video program began years before I arrived.

ST: Why do you consider video a class worth offering at the K-12 level?
SH: When I was in high school, video classes did not exist. The first time I touched a video camera was in college. Now every child knows how to use video cameras; the challenge is showing them how to use the camera in such a way that they can successfully tell a compelling story with video and audio.

ST: Do you have any advice for other video/ broadcast teachers?
SH: I couldn't survive without the help I get from my colleagues at the Student Television Network. We offer each other teaching tips, grading advice and often just an ear to listen to the challenges we face as teachers of broadcast journalism.

ST: Do you have any memorable stories from your teaching experience?
SH: My most gratifying moments are when the students succeed. This past year, one of my seniors interviewed Barack Obama at a rally at a nearby school. He was the only video student to get an interview. What an experience to have at 18 years of age!