So here I am. Almost exactly two years ago I was living in Pittsburgh, teaching at a community college, and took my Spring break to fly to Santa Monica and interview for the curriculum director position at Digital Dragon. At the time it was not meant to be. All things happen for a reason, and now I have arrived.
The main goal of Digital Dragon is to provide technology education to teach students how to become creators of technology, and not just consume it. Our current subject areas include programming, video game design, robotics, app development, stop motion animation, and the ever popular Minecraft modding. (Yes, this is a thing and there is educational value to Minecraft.)
As the Curriculum Director I have many irons in the fire. My primary concern is the improvement of learning opportunities through instructional leadership in curriculum development, instruction, and staff development. It's super exciting!
First off, I oversee all of the teaching staff. They are scheduled to teach in various capacities all over Los Angeles. We do after-school programs, in-school electives, Spring break camps in our lovely Santa Monica studio, and this Summer we will be running camps at six locations in Southern California. I make sure that the instructors are ready and able to teach their classes.
The main goal of Digital Dragon is to provide technology education to teach students how to become creators of technology, and not just consume it. Our current subject areas include programming, video game design, robotics, app development, stop motion animation, and the ever popular Minecraft modding. (Yes, this is a thing and there is educational value to Minecraft.)
As the Curriculum Director I have many irons in the fire. My primary concern is the improvement of learning opportunities through instructional leadership in curriculum development, instruction, and staff development. It's super exciting!
First off, I oversee all of the teaching staff. They are scheduled to teach in various capacities all over Los Angeles. We do after-school programs, in-school electives, Spring break camps in our lovely Santa Monica studio, and this Summer we will be running camps at six locations in Southern California. I make sure that the instructors are ready and able to teach their classes.
Next, one of the things I love the most about my job is that I get to be in the classroom with the students and teach. Since my background is in film I adore my Stop Motion class. (See photos above!)
Being in the trenches helps me to actually test the lessons that I write. This is my favorite part. I really enjoy the iterative process of designing a lesson, and then trying it out with actual pupils. When something doesn't work, or when it does, I take note so that the next time I teach the same lesson the light bulbs in the student's minds will turn on faster.
Being in the trenches helps me to actually test the lessons that I write. This is my favorite part. I really enjoy the iterative process of designing a lesson, and then trying it out with actual pupils. When something doesn't work, or when it does, I take note so that the next time I teach the same lesson the light bulbs in the student's minds will turn on faster.
The work culture here at Digital Dragon is awesome.
Okay, so did I mention that Minecraft has educational value? Watch this video I edited!
Okay, so did I mention that Minecraft has educational value? Watch this video I edited!
