STN Seattle: Personal Reflection + Judges Feedback

4/5/2019

STN Seattle went by in such a whirlwind that it's hard for me to figure out what I'd like to start reflecting on. This was my 5th STN and I think I've finally hit a point where I'm pretty comfortable with the whole process. While it certainly felt like a "bounce-back" year for me as a teacher, it came at the lessons I'm beginning to learn in terms of balancing family, work, and being a professional. While my success this year is in no means wholly dependent on my students winning awards this year, I'd be lying to say that it wasn't a tangible part of why I feel like I'm beginning to get back into my stride. However, this year felt like a "bounce-back" year for me because I was finally able to return to developing meaningful student-teacher relationships with a good majority of my advanced media students. These relationships were the key to not only effective learning, but also one of the motivating factors driving the quality of our productions this year.

As a teacher, it's important for me to always find new ways to grow professionally. Last year, I had to sacrifice time with my students to fully immerse myself in being a first time dad. And while I have no regrets doing so, my Advanced Media class suffered because of this. To be frank, it bummed me out that it was a "down year" for us, but something I resolved to find a balance in this year.

By learning to better manage my family time, I was able to invest more time into my students as well. 3 full weekends of practice, overnighter, and countless hours of after school class were all a part of the equation in establishing meaningful relationships with my students. Being a part of the learning process and "in the trenches" with my students as they developed their stories has not only helped me get a better understanding of what they are able to accomplish, it also put me right in the middle of their work - and I think this is ultimately what leads to meaningful relationships with students. I wasn't so much a teacher as much as I was a mentor this year. It is this mentality that I plan to keep following (and improve on) as we move into the 2019 - 2020 school year (with 6th graders!)

Above: PBS Hawaii - Hiki No Press Release that highlights all of the awards Hawaii schools were able to garner at this year's STN competition.
Below: STN Judges Feedback

STN Judges Feedback

Feedback will be used to drive our improvement as we look toward the future of the new 2019 - 2020 Advanced Media Team (now with 6th graders)!

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Media @ EMMS

Tiger Media is the video production team of Ewa Makai Middle School. Our programs include an Exploratory program for students interested in learning more about video production and an Advanced program for students who would like to extend their learning into professional and real-world video production.

Tiger Media produces a monthly variety show - TigerTV - focused on student life and school culture at Ewa Makai Middle School and a monthly podcast - The Roar - exploring student life and the school community of Ewa Beach.

About Mr. Toyota

When they say "professions run in the family," the saying holds true for my family and I. My mother, my aunty, and my grandmother were all teachers before me and I didn't ever think I'd be the one to take up the mantle. I've been teaching since 2008 and started at the age of 23 years old.

I'm a National Board Certified teacher with a Bachelor's in Secondary Education: Social Studies. Additionally, I have served in various roles ranging from an HSTA PD Trainer and Consultant, AVID Site Team Member, Club Advisory, Volleyball Coach, Event Organizer, and Chair for the CxK Media Cohort.

Basic Teaching Philosophy

There are constantly occurring learning opportunities. As a teacher, it is my duty to not only help students see these opportunities at face value, but to help them profit from these experiences.

I believe that learning is growing and that growing in the right direction is an important aspect of being successful. I can help the imperfect, I can hardly help those who are perfect. Although academics is an important part of a child's life, I understand that a child's life is even more important than school as an institution. Homework, tests, grades, and due dates pale in comparison to preparing a child for their future. I am but one person amongst a community of people that will come into a child's life, whether my role is small or large, my actions have lasting implications.

I will always strive to make a difference, to help student's grow in the right direction, to develop their passions, and to prepare them for the struggles ahead. It is my duty, my honor, and my will as their teacher.

- Ethan Toyota