Congratulations go to Woodland Junior High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Both the first year media teacher, Julie Agler, and first year media advisor, Kate Thill were picked as this month's Teacher of the Month.

SchoolTube: Now I realize that you have both been working in the school systems for several years now, but when did you all start with video?
Julie Agler: My principal approached me in the spring of last year about starting this class. Our district thought it was a great idea — something that could feed our high school program. I studied, took the required Praxis for this class, and passed! Our class was born.

ST: How did Kate become involved in the program?
JA: When I began this class I knew very little about the equipment and the editing process. My school has a wonderful technology integrationist specialist [Kate] who has been my aide thru all of this.
Kate Thill: My job as Technology Integration Specialist is to teach teachers and help them integrate technology into their classrooms.

ST: Do you all have any advice for other video teacher/advisors?
JA: Trial and error! Don’t be afraid to try new things and don’t be afraid to let students “help”, they know so much! Be flexible, join the STN listserve, and upload your videos on SchoolTube — the students love to see their work on line!
KT: Being our first year we have found we still have a long way to go in building this program. If something isn't working they way we expected it to we can adjust and continue.

For more from both Julie Agler and Kate Thill check out their complete interviews below.

SchoolTube Interview with Julie Agler
Julie Agler: Thank you so much. This is quite an honor!

SchoolTube: How long have you be teaching?
JA: 10 years

SchoolTube: How long have you been teaching video?
JA: I just started this school year ’07-‘08

SchoolTube: What subjects do you teach/have you taught?
JA: Physical Ed. and Career Orientation. I also coach our 4 dance & cheer teams.

SchoolTube: Did you always want to be a video teacher?
JA: No. This is a new undertaking for our school/district-to have the video class in a jr. high.

SchoolTube: What is your favorite part about teaching video?
JA: Students can use their imaginations, creativity, and other personal skills to bring stories to film

SchoolTube: How did the video program at your school start?
JA: My principal approached me in the spring of last year about starting this class. She said that she wanted another elective class for our 9th graders. She wanted it taught by someone who was creative and whom students would enjoy being with. Our district thought it was a great idea-something that could feed our high school program-and if it went well here, possibly the other jr. high could start one. I studied, took the required Praxis for this class, and passed! Our class was born. How old is it? We began this school year.

SchoolTube: Why do you consider video a class worth offering at the K-12 level?
JA: Video is everywhere! Students love this type of “work”. You never know which student might use this as a stepping stone to a career.

SchoolTube: Do you have any advice for other video teachers?
JA: Trial and error! Don’t be afraid to try new things and don’t be afraid to let students “help”, they know so much! Be flexible, join the STN listserve, and upload your videos on School Tube-the students love to see their work on line!

SchoolTube: Do you have any memorable stories from your teaching experience?
JA: Sending 3 boys to take pictures of our school’s renovation and finding them in the “hardhats required” area with no hardhats! Thankfully, finding them before the principal did.

Operating this class on a shoestring budget and a tub of recyclable cans.

SchoolTube: Do you have any other comments or stories you'd like to add?
JA: When I began this class I knew very little about the equipment and the editing process. My school has a wonderful technology integrationist specialist who has been my aide thru all of this. She went to STN summer camp last year and I am going this year.

Together we went to the national convention in Anaheim and learned so much!


SchoolTube Interview with Kate Thill
SchoolTube: How long have you be teaching?
Kate Thill: My job as Technology Integration Specialist is to teach teachers and help them integrate technology into their classrooms. I have been doing this for over 12 year.

SchoolTube: How long have you been involved with the video classes/club?
KT: This is the first year for our class at the Junior High, so 1 year.

SchoolTube: Do you teach/have you taught any other subjects?
KT: Since I work with technology and teach how to use it, it applies to all school subjects. With the advancement in video, the focus is turning more towards video instead of computer applications such as PowerPoint.

SchoolTube: Did you always want to be a part of a video classroom?
KT: Yes, I believe video provides students with an engaging way to learn school subjects and make learning more fun.

SchoolTube: What is your favorite part about being involved in your school's video production program?
KT: I love to see the students' produce a video and realize they really did it on their own. I also enjoy seeing their creativity, it's amazing.

SchoolTube: S How do you all use SchoolTube?
KT: We appreciate SchoolTube for it's platform of distribution. It's a safe and engaging way for students to view videos and then get a chance to voice their opinions with the voting. Students really need feedback and SchoolTube provides that opportunity.

SchoolTube: Do you have any advice for other video advisors/teachers?
KT: Be patient and flexible, being our first year we have found we still have a long way to go in building this program. If something isn't working they way we expected it to we can adjust and continue.

SchoolTube: Do you have any memorable stories from your experience?
KT: It's all been a very memorable first year but I guess I will never forget their first video they create for a music video contest by Interwrite. They did a great job for their first to production but I will never get those songs out of my head especially Soulja Boy Superman. I bet I heard it 200 times in a week. I may be in my 40's but I think I could almost dance it, no not really. ;-)

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