During my time at Ithaca College, my teaching assignment has focused on courses covering advanced production techniques in new media, as well as the conceptual design that underpins the creation of works using these media. As such, I have instructed courses in Motion Graphics & Animation, Introduction to 3D Animation, VFX & Compositing, and Virtual Production in addition to a number of mini-courses and workshops. While the bulk of my courses focus on production techniques and methodologies, emphasis is also placed on the critical analysis and discourse of students’ work in historical and theoretical contexts.

I structure my courses in ways that emphasize teaching through example, rapid iteration of student creative works, and an ongoing dialogue between students, myself, and their peers in regular critiques. Through this method students are encouraged to fail frequently, but understand these failures through this ongoing dialogue. Students are then evaluated on their processes and sustained efforts rather than through a numerical ranking amongst their peers. I have found that instead of coddling, this method encourages low-performing students to rapidly improve. Conversely, students entering a course with high-level abilities devote more effort and experience greater improvement as they can no longer ride the momentum of their previous successes and “innate” talents.

My syllabi clearly define the intents and expectations of each course, rubrics of evaluation, and conform to the standards of the Park School and Ithaca College. Enumerated goals and standards of conduct ensure that students know what to expect and what is expected of them. By maintaining a quick and steady pace through my courses, students make great strides in the quality of their work and their understanding of new media production techniques.