Students Behind the Lens: Capturing the Art of Teaching for the Next Generation of Educators

In a world where education is often seen through the lens of standardized tests and rigid curricula, it's easy to forget the human element that makes learning truly transformative. What if we could capture the essence of classroom teaching AND involve students in that work? What if we could show it to future educators as a model for their own practice? In 2020, Chaminade University approached Kupu Hou Academy with a unique challenge. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, pre-service teachers were unable to complete their traditional classroom observations. Recognizing our expertise in deeper learning practices, they asked us to help create videos that captured the essence of effective teaching. And who better to lead this effort than our own high school students?

The Journey Begins

After a year of trial and error, we were finally ready to implement the project in the fall of 2022. The logistics were daunting—social distancing, masks, and the like—but we persevered. Our student videographer, Michi Yorkston, assembled a team of two sophomores and one freshman, and they took the reins. We provided the goals, but the students coordinated everything from interviews to post-production. It was a joy to watch these young minds navigate the adult world, taking ownership of the project from start to finish.

The Power of Storytelling

As the students dove into the project, they began to grasp the nuances of storytelling through film. They learned the importance of close-ups to capture emotion, the role of B-roll footage to enrich the narrative, and the art of weaving voice and image to create a compelling story.  This work is best heard through Michi’s words - her voice:"In the fall of my sophomore year in 2022, I was approached by KupuHou Academy. They invited me to film and capture innovative practices in classrooms. In hopes that it would improve my filmmaking skills, I eagerly agreed to the opportunity. Initially, I was uncertain about what I had committed to and how I would be able to manage this film project into my busy schedule. I took my chances, and this journey had evolved into the best opportunity to grow. Our goal was to create videos meant to inspire an interactive type of teaching and lesson-planning style in the classroom. For example, “Critical thinking in 3rd grade” or videos that display traits of the learner profile. Creating these videos has taught me valuable leadership and time management skills while leading a team of my own and ultimately becoming a better storyteller. I would go in on certain days during my free periods to film Mid-Pacific elementary school classes, teachers, and their lessons. Often in education, teachers are the reasons why we tend to enjoy certain classes and learning. Think back to your favorite teachers and who they were. They are the ones who get us involved and keep us engaged. I can still remember some of the projects that I did in elementary school that helped me improve in the subject area that they were associated with. For example, lessons on geography that involved physically building a diorama to activities on the water cycle that required us to go outside have genuinely stuck with me. That is the type of impact that teachers have on their students. I wanted to showcase the inspiring teachers in action through the medium of film.

The Process

This is roughly how my video process would go from start to finish: I would initiate communication with a teacher, establish contact through countless emails and organize specific spreadsheets regarding availability. Meanwhile, In order to maintain an understanding with Kupu Hou Academy and Chaminade University, it was necessary for me to engage in regular meetings. These periodic meetings ensured that our shared visions remained consistent. In my opinion, this was the most challenging part. As a student, I recognized how important communication is, but collaborating closely with educators on the same project was a new experience for me. Similarly, taking the initiative to reach out to teachers as collabors presented its own unique challenges. However, it was essential to step up to the task. Midway through sophomore year, once I was acquainted with the whole filming and editing process myself. I assembled a team consisting of two other highly skilled students to collaborate with me on this project. I found that it is not just me who has been passionate about this project; my classmates and talented filmmakers Kailey Holbrook and Caden Koehl have been working diligently right alongside me. Kailey has shared her thoughts on her experience working with us on these videos: “In my opinion, the videos we create contribute to many different aspects of life. Not only does it help Michi and I develop our filmmaking skills, but it also helps us better understand and value our school lessons. The experience of working with elementary school students and following teachers on their annual workshops has shown me the true development of school lessons, and I hope that our videos share that same idea; how valuable a teacher’s impact is on their students.” The filming portion (facilitated by the privilege of using Mid-Pacific’s quality camera equipment) was pretty straightforward. Upon our arrival at the elementary school, we would set up cameras, then capture a diverse range of shots featuring both the teacher and students. For filming itself, we were usually able to execute within a single class period, although later had to return to capture the interview segment. These steps would all be seamlessly in the flow of a typical school day. The final part was post-production. Editing usually took place during either our free periods or after school hours. Together we made sure that there was professionalism throughout, uniformity in text, style, format, and music across all our videos. 

Takeaways:

In conclusion, this filmmaking journey, targeted at showcasing innovative teaching methods, has not only helped my filmmaking skills but has also deepened my appreciation for the role educators play in shaping their students. Approaching my senior year, I plan to continue collaborating with Kupu Hou and my dedicated team on this project. I am excited to continue contributing to education through film. The leadership skills I have refined during this experience is not only applicable to my everyday life, but it will also contribute further to my future pursuits in creative filmmaking."

The Process and Challenges

Michi and her team faced several challenges, particularly in coordinating with adults. They had to navigate the complexities of teacher schedules, classroom protocols, and the ever-present COVID-19 restrictions. Yet, they handled it all with grace and maturity, learning valuable lessons about communication and leadership along the way.

Takeaways and Progress

For Michi and her team, the project was more than just a filmmaking exercise; it was a lesson in leadership and collaboration. They learned how to lead a team, how to communicate effectively with adults, and how to adapt and problem-solve in real-time. But perhaps most importantly, they learned the power of storytelling to capture the essence of effective teaching—a lesson that will undoubtedly serve them well in whatever path they choose to follow. 

Example of Final Product

So, the next time you find yourself in a classroom, take a moment to appreciate the art of teaching. And remember, sometimes the most profound lessons come from the most unexpected places—even from behind a camera lens.

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Michi Yorkston, Student at Mid-Pacific Institute, is passionate in the Arts. Involved in Film making, dance, and theater both in and out of school. With a background of being enrolled in film class and also having made various films for fun (some even winning awards), Michi uses a creative and determined approach while filming and collaborating on projects. She is currently working with Kupu Hou Academy with the goal of making an impacting series educational of videos.

Dr. Mark Hines, Director of Kupu Hou Academy at Mid-Pacific Institute, has served over 40 years in education. Starting from classroom experience in math, science, and technology, he has served as a teacher, program head, and technology coordinator. A staunch advocate for student-centered learning, Dr. Hines is committed to fostering engaging, authentic educational experiences. His work is guided by a belief in the collective genius of collaboration, emphasizing empathy and professional growth among educators. With a passion for deeper learning practices, he continually impacts learners and teachers alike, making Kupu Hou Academy a change agent for progressive education.