https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m en-us 2021-05-26 01:49:35 UTC 2021-07-02 03:26:40 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563086983 Overall electronic communication this year was improved.  Zoom, of course, makes getting together easier - it's much less of a committment from a mentor's perspective than working to get to the school in person.  It is also less personal and harder to get the students to turn on cameras.  In the depths of the school year, it was hard to get them to show up at all sometimes - although 20/21 was not typical as we know.  The student's use of e-mail was greatly improved over last year - probably because they recognized they had to pay attention to it (a development again brought on by COVID).  If Zoom continues to be used, in non-pandemic circumstances we could think about making it mandatory that cameras are on (unless student's don't have a camera).

]]> 2021-05-26 22:10:26 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563086983 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563087789 Great communication tool for asking questions, creating channels for different topics, posting links for inspiration or tutorials, etc. It also has a video conferencing feature.]]> 2021-05-26 22:10:59 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563087789 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563092018 I felt like time committed to group meetings and class were good. I think if anyone had anymore questions or wanted to chat about a project could easily reach out on Slack or email to discuss.]]> 2021-05-26 22:13:47 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563092018 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563092476 Participation is super flexible for mentors, which is helpful. It didn't seem like too much was asked in terms of time or energy. One thing that might help in general is to clarify the points in time that are going to require more time/energy and are less flexible - e.g., end-of-semester or end-of-year. "Fair warning" could help mentors carve out that time, at least as much as work allows.]]> 2021-05-26 22:14:02 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563092476 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563096017 What I find most inspiring is when students listen to feedback and make positive improvements. I (Seth) don't know anything about animation software, and I find the animator's personality to be very specific and very consistent.  I was thrilled to have Ryan and Grant participate since they could speak that language.  But both of our small group students took our feedback to heart and showed improvement.  At times, getting there felt like pulling teeth :)

]]> 2021-05-26 22:16:30 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563096017 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563098809 Its great to see students with the fresh imaginations and bringing their ideas to life. What's even better is teaching them how to take those ideas and mold them into lasting impressions or inspire others. I think seeing the students progress overtime was inspiring. ]]> 2021-05-26 22:18:23 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563098809 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563099743 Teachers are, generally, superheroes in my mind - and those that really tried to make school work during our pandemic year - with all the ups, downs, changes, stresses and difficulties - deserve medals or honors of some kind.  I appreciate how you work to keep students engaged without being overbearing; you seem really available to the kids, both physically and emotionally; and you demand that they try.  What more is there?]]> 2021-05-26 22:19:03 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563099743 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563103523 For those who are interested, this kind of mentoring is a great way to help students - especially students who might not have as much personal direction or interaction due to the funding of the program. Although we never know how much of an impact we have, being involved is rewarding - and it's fun to watch young artists grow.]]> 2021-05-26 22:21:38 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563103523 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563104162 I would definitely recommend this program to other fellow artist who are interested in teaching or haven't had the change to mentor. Having fresh perspectives will only help in furthering the program and progressing the curriculum. ]]> 2021-05-26 22:22:05 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563104162 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563106024 The experience this year has been like no other. I think all involved would prefer it stay that way!!]]> 2021-05-26 22:23:20 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563106024 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563108265 If the students could make a list of things they would like to learn throughout the year or if they're unsure of what all there is to learn, write some questions about what it takes to get started on a particular subject or skillset. It could also help the Mentors see what area the students are interested in and what they're not.]]> 2021-05-26 22:24:53 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563108265 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563129138 Is there an award for this, cause you deserve it, especially during the pandemic. You did an amazing job organizing and keeping things rolling. Always engaging everyone and having a relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels included. Can't think of anything constructive to say. ]]> 2021-05-26 22:38:32 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563129138 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563380164 I actually really liked having the ability to Zoom or Slack with the students this year. I honestly don’t think I’d be able to have nearly the amount of interaction if it had to go to in-person only, due to my work schedule. That being said, it would be great to be able to have the occasional in-person session, mostly to do lighting demonstrations for the photography students, retouching/editing demonstrations using software, etc. I think those would go a long with with the students and I think it would definitely keep them more engaged.]]> 2021-05-27 00:48:35 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563380164 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563386835 It was pure joy to be able to work with those students who were willing to put the effort in, and then observe them growing and pushing themselves artistically week after week. Those students that clearly want to be there are what make it so rewarding.

On the flip side, it seemed that not every student had an all-in attitude. This makes it more difficult to engage week after week. Getting all of the students in my group to show up for zoom calls was a huge challenge at times. And maybe I'm expecting more than I should since it's still high school and not college, but I always think of how cool a program like this is, and if something like this existed in my high school, it would have felt very special to me. So, accountability is kind of the big issue for me with all of the kids, and I'm not really sure how to bridge that with some students. (And I'm sure this is an age-old battle for just about every teacher out there!)

]]> 2021-05-27 00:50:56 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563386835 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563407851 I sort of felt like having weekly meetings was too frequent, and it started to feel a bit too mundane. Perhaps the mentor meetings should be once a month, for example, possibly going for a little longer session than 30 or 60 minutes (maybe a 2-hour session?), just to really connect with each student in the group, give them the time they each need to go over their projects and portfolios, and to really give solid feedback to each. I'm kind of thinking this might make the get-togethers a bit more meaningful and memorable to everyone.]]> 2021-05-27 00:59:00 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563407851 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563414238 This is my first foray into the teaching side of the classroom, and I've learned quickly just how challenging it can be to organize, wrangle and motivate the kids to be their best. Ms. Hughes has done a fantastic job with all of this and more, and she does it with grace and kindness all the way through. I'm very impressed with this program and with her method of teaching. ]]> 2021-05-27 01:01:15 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563414238 https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563423239 I would recommend it absolutely! I actually wish all high schools could follow with programs of their own. It's a super great program and it's great to see these kids getting a jumpstart on their careers even well before college. ]]> 2021-05-27 01:04:51 UTC https://padlet.com/vmhughespdx/ug8ngnci4q9ets9m/wish/1563423239