Adteacher

I am very anxiously curious... will we or will we not have a school closing snow tonight? It is predicted to begin snowing late tonight and if the temperature remains cold enough, I feel like we could have another day off. I think the predicted range of temperatures is 30-39 degrees for tomorrow. That may not be quite cold enough. It would be a wonderful day for us to get some snow, because it would give me a day to rest up from the week that I had previously. Also, I need some time to regroup and refocus. I gave some individual photography assignments in my afternoon class, and that one will be interesting. I gave them one word topics, such as these: Mirrors, Music, Glass, Keys, Light, Fur, Windows, Violence, Silence, Dirt, Wheels, Alone, Caged, Gears, Movement, Glee, Overcome, Broken, Soft, Automatic, Tough, Transparent,Convoluted, Fluid, Pointed, Spiral, and Stripes. The students are to think beyond the obvious solution and see if they can come up with beyond the norm photographic...

I got a nice visit today from Jason Diaz, a graduate of DJCC and Hebron HS, '09. He came by to tell me that he was leaving for Georgia on Sunday, headed out to the Atlanta campus of SCAD. We have had several DJCC students go to SCAD in the past, but Jason is the first one with an interest in motion graphics and special digital effects. It is always such a nice feeling as a teacher to watch students head off toward their futures. Jason will be studying Motion Media Design and was awarded a $10,000 per year portfolio scholarship. He earned this scholarship for his State blue ribbon motion graphics project that he entered in the Ad Design contest last year at SkillsUSA, and also some excellent work that he did as a student in Mr. Ruuska's media technology class. I think that Jason's ultimate goal is to work in advertising, specifically producing special digital effects for commercials. He especially admires the work done by Digital Domain  and is trying to prepare himself fo...

Sometimes people just get on creative hot streaks, and Conner seems to be on one right now. First he created a new logo for the Dale Jackson Career Center. Then he created an awesome motion graphics typography-based piece in After Effects. Then, when asked to create a new logo for the Career Center East, he created a unique and professional logo AGAIN! Conner, we are proud of what you do every day in terms of your relationships with your classmates and your high standards, but now you also deserve serious respect for your professionalism as well. We are very honored to have a talent like yours in our studio every day. Conner designed this motion piece in After Effects that features the logo design that he created in animated form. The logo is a symbolic representation of a pathway to the top of the earth. The slogan is "Paving the Way" and it is capitalizing on the switch to "career pathways" that we are using in Career and T...

As wonderful as most of my days are, this one had its challenges. I am very glad to see the end of day and my cup of warm coffee as I sit in my nice cozy living room. Another thing that I am happy about today is the wonderful work that has been produced lately by my students. Today we had a large number who competed for a spot on this year's SkillsUSA team. The work that they produced will be reviewed this weekend, and there should be an announcement upcoming on Monday or Tuesday. I will share the work of the top three winners on the blog. I am excited to know who will be chosen to represent DJCC at District 4 competition. Another thrilling thing that was unveiled today in class was the recent motion graphics work being done by Conner... wow. There will eventually be a copy of his work posted to the blog, but for now, just know it is worth waiting for! This weekend I hope to start shopping for my "Mother of the Groom" dress and also a few other clothes to wear to showers,...