The WINdy City

Last week, Cole photography and journalism students traveled to attend and compete at the JEA/NSPA national journalism conference in Chicago with over 6300 students from across the United States.

Junior, Raquelle Bennett competed in the Photography Portfolio division at the conference and was one of only three students in the country to receive a Superior Rating. The portfolio competition is the most difficult and competitive division, usually reserved for seniors, as students may only enter once in their high school career.

Raquelle's portfolio consisted of art-inspired portraits that were created in both her commercial photography and AP art photography classes. While judges encouraged her to remove the single life-style portrait, they were very impressed with her technical skill combined with her variety of creative approaches to all other images in the portfolio.

Great job Raquelle!!!

More.

Most people make New Year's Resolutions.  A new calendar.  A clean slate. A chance to upgrade and improve.  Teachers do this too; we just do it in August instead of January.

We spend the summer looking back, evaluating what went well and what needs an "upgrade", and then we get to start fresh in for a new school year.

This year's resolution is a continuation of last years because it's a big one.  To me, it is one of the most valuable components of education - and just like all great things, it takes time.

Make learning relevant and meaningful.  

How do we, as teachers, make our assignments MORE?  More than a grade.  More than a checked box.  More than a week on the calendar.

I believe that my photography classes need relevant, real world experience both in work and in exhibition.  We began doing work in the community.  We started an online sales gallery.  We published a yearly photo book.  We competed in local, state, and national contest.  All students maintained a reflective blog portfolio, and advanced students built their own business website. 

But I wanted MORE.

And finally, on August 9th, we will take the next step.  In partnership with the Fort Sam Houston Museum at the Quadrangle, Cole photography students will have their own gallery exhibit.  Real.  Relevant.  More.

I know how much work - mental and physical - my students put into their assignments.  I see their vision come to life on the screen.  But it's a whole new ballgame when their community sees it in person, mounted on the wall of a public gallery.  And my heart bursts with pride for them.

Greenspaces Picture Your World Winners

Congratulations to our Picture Your World winners!  Five Cole photographers had work selected for Greenspaces Alliance Picture Your World gallery last night at the Witte Museum.  Honored among hundreds of entries from all over San Antonio and Bexar County,  these students' works were matted and framed and will be on display through the South Texas Greenspace Alliance over the next year. 

Julia Alvarez

Hannah Cook

Kayte Griffin

Dana Rose

Raquelle Bennett