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Seventeen years ago I graduated from college with a degree in broadcast journalism. I loved it, but there were no jobs in it so I did something else.

Three years ago I was hired to teach broadcast and print journalism, but it wasn't until today that I remembered how much I liked working on a story with a video camera.

I loved filming B-roll and seeing a project come together. While my journalism skills may never be as good as I'd like them to be, I still enjoy capturing video and working toward the finished product.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity this institute has given me to rediscover the fun part (well, at least to me) of journalism.

It isn't just journalism we're being taught here. We're also getting a refresher course in just being a teacher. I'm being schooled in how to teach! Here are some of the things I learned or re-learned about teaching from attending this:

1. Start and end on time. Students appreciate an accurate schedule.
2. Give breaks. People's behinds hurt after sitting for an hour.
3. Don't just tell a lot of old war stories. Focus on the concept at hand.
4. Add video to you power points. It keeps the students' attention.
5. Don't be all about the power point presentation. Vary your approach.
6. Invite others to teach in your classroom. They're a good change of pace and they might even teach you a thing or two.
7. Drink more water.
8. Show a movie. Everybody loves a movie.
9. Make the students go out and do stuff instead of work in the classroom. Even when it's hot.
10. Work with the students for their success instead of dropping an assignment on them and expecting it to be perfect.

Ryan Peacock
Tooele High School
Tooele, Utah