SchoolTube Teacher of the Month

For the month of March 2008

Stephanie Mills

Congratulations goes to Stephanie Mills, a broadcast journalism teacher at Burleson High School in Burleson, Texas. Thanks to the effort from students in Stephanie's class, Mills was chosen as SchoolTube's first Teacher of the Month!

"Mrs. Mills is an amazing person, actually amazing is an understatement." said Carly L., one of the student's who nominated Mills. "She goes above and beyond to help the students and is supportive of anything that we would like to do. Mrs. Mills is an extremely successful, yet very modest person. As students, we are so lucky to have her as a teacher and appreciate everything she has done for us."

"In high school I dreamed of becoming a television news reporter/anchor." said Stephanie, a seven year teaching veteran and the current cheerleading coach. "I pursued that degree in college and graduated with a BA in broadcast journalism. At that time, broadcast programs in high schools were beginning to pop up throughout Texas. I returned to school to obtain my teaching certification and have been teaching since then."

Stephanie's program has grown from one class of 5 students to four classes made up of over fifty students. "The video classes give high school students the opportunity to become familiar with industry standard software such as Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack. Students become marketable to the job industry before ever graduating high school." said Mills.

"Thank you for helping us turn the spotlight from the students to Mrs. Mills," credits Carly, "because without SchoolTube and this opportunity, nobody would really realize all that she has done for us."

For more on Stephanie Mills, including her advice for other teachers, check out the interviews below.


Carly L.'s Interview:

Why did your class decide to nominate Mrs. Mills for SchoolTube's Teacher of the Month?

"Mrs. Mills is an amazing person, actually amazing is an understatement. She goes above and beyond to help the students and is supportive of anything that we would like to do. Over the past 7 years the broadcast program has transformed into a multi-set studio. We often use the quote "From black walls to a studio that was once only a dream, the broadcast journalism program here at Burleson High School has grown dramatically." There are two people who have made that happen and Mrs. Mills is one of them.

Mrs. Mills is the freshman cheer leading coach and head of the broadcast journalism program. She works very hard and takes pride in her students. Every Thursday she is at the school until at least 6 o'clock getting the our weekly show ready for Fridays. At presentations of the broadcast program to groups such as the Rotary Club and the Citizens Police Academy she lets the students present the program and then will brag about all of us at the end. The only reason the students know what they are doing and produce such a high quality show, is because of what Mrs. Mills has taught us.

Mrs. Mills is an extremely successful, yet very modest person. As students, we are so lucky to have her as a teacher and appreciate everything she has done for us.

Thank you for helping us turn the spotlight from the students to Mrs. Mills, because without SchoolTube and this opportunity, nobody would really realize all that she has done for us."

-Carly L.
Burleson High School


Stephanie's Interview:

1). How long have you be teaching?
"I have been teaching for 7 years."

2). How long have you been teaching video?
"Same-I have been teaching broadcast journalism for 7 years."

3). What subjects do you teach/have you taught?
"I currently teach 3 levels of broadcast journalism, a speech communications course-Destinations, and I coach cheerleading."

4). Did you always want to be a video teacher?
"In high school I dreamed of becoming a television news reporter/anchor. I pursued that degree in college and graduated with a BA in broadcast journalism. At that time, broadcast programs in high schools were beginning to pop up throughout Texas. I returned to school to obtain my teaching certification and have been teaching since then."

5). What is your favorite part about teaching video?
"Seeing the creativity come through in my students video work, and seeing the students I have become one big family."

6). How did the video program at your school start? How old is it?
"I started the program 7 years ago. My first year I had one class with 5 students. I now teach 4 classes with over 50 students."

7). Why do you consider video a class worth offering at the K-12 level?
"I believe video production classes allow students the opportunity to participate in not only an interesting class but also a possible career field. Many of my students that have served as high school anchors, producers, and reporters have gone on to pursue careers in video related fields in college. The video classes give high school students the opportunity to become familiar with industry standard software such as Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack. Students become marketable to the job industry before ever graduating high school."

8). Do you have any advice for other video teachers?

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