During the 2018-2019 school year, I taught Photography and Visual Communications for the first time. Since then, our lab has gotten busier by the day as students explore how digital media and photography open new windows and experiences. We’ve experienced a few pivots through the pandemic, but the energy surrounding our programs remained vibrant while I learned to teach remote, hybrid, and flexible classes.

My courses involve both photography and video work, and I’ve been approaching the courses with a bent towards photojournalism, thanks both to the Journalism Education Association’s curricular resources and supportive colleagues who practice in this field.

SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECTS

TEACHING RESOURCE: Photographing Interesting People in Your Community

Published at New York Times Learning | January 4, 2022

TEACHING RESOURCE: About Photo Essays

Published for use in teaching a Point Park University workshop | Summer 2020

SAMPLE STUDENT PORTFOLIOS

Students create their own portfolios in Adobe Express.

We created a “Humans of Strath Haven” Instagram account, modeled off the Humans of New York project. After initial coaching on portraits and captions, the account is managed by student leaders and volunteers. Click to see how our “#HOSH” work is progressing.

In 2019, a group of my advanced student photographers  created a Smugmug site to share photos of school events. This student-led site now showcases independent student photography work as well as photos created by our yearbook staff. 

We created an Instagram account to showcase student work and activities in our Media Lab on a regular basis. The account features work by students in Visual Communications and Digital Photography. Click the button  to explore the account.