Tanner Munson

Ashley Trotnic

Joplin High School

9th 12th Graders

Theatre Tech

Table of Contents

Journal Summaries

Lesson Plans

Work Samples

Classroom Environment

Final Essay

Letter to Future Cadets

Teacher Evaluation

Tanner Munson

Kristi McGowen

Cadet Teaching E105

19 September 2014

In Theatre Tech, the students are creating costumes for the Renaissance Festival in Kansas City. Most of the students in the class are actively participating, though there is a group of four in the back that are consistently blowing off Ms. Trotnics instructions. She had warned them repeatedly about how many points this project is worth and how much it will impact their grade if they blow it off, yet they continue to be a distraction in the class and neglect their project. So I took it upon myself to work with them directly.I had a small breakthrough with a freshmen girl, Lauren. She confessed to neglecting her project and continued to tell me how she felt overwhelmed about the work she had ahead of her. I broke down the basics of the project for her from beginning to end. I walked her through cutting out the pattern for the costume, cutting the fabric and then how to work a sewing machine. I hope that she has some sort of an impact on her friends before they become out of hand.

Tanner Munson

Kristi McGowen

Cadet Teaching E105

26 September 2014

When Im not monitoring the classroom and helping students with their projects, I help out Ms. Trotnic with various theatre related tasks. As the head of publicity for the theatre department it is my job to call around and secure dates with the newspaper, morning news stations and promote the show in any way possible. This requires strong interpersonal skills and an acute knowledge of what one is promoting. Today I called around to different news stations in an attempt to get on a morning news stations. I also contacted the newspaper and managed to get a reporter, Emily Younker, to cover The Crucible as well as the unfinished performing arts center. While this may seem unrelated to my cadet teaching experience, it is a piece of my daily routine that I do in class.

Tanner Munson

Kristi McGowen

Cadet Teaching E105

1 October 2014

The end of the quarter is approaching quickly and the Renaissance Festival is approaching even quicker. The students are beginning to sew their costume pieces together and theyre starting to realize they dont have any time to spare. Theyve been given adequate time to finish these costumes and some of them are finally acknowledging the fact that time is running out.The girl I mentioned in an earlier entry, Lauren, is clearly the only one to take anything seriously. She has been working very hard to catch up with the rest of the class after her slacking. As for her other three friends, they are once again slacking off on their costumes. They cut their fabric, but do so in away that isnt acceptable for a costume. Ms. Trotnic is constantly monitoring their work to ensure at least something gets finished, but only so much can be done without doing it for them. I remind them often that its their grade and sitting around waiting to fail will be worse for them in the long run. Though whether take my advice or not is another question.Tanner Munson

Kristi McGowen

Cadet Teaching E105

27 October 2014

Last Saturday, the 25th, we attended the Renaissance Festival in Kansas City. The kids had finished their costumes and seemed to have a great time and experience the reward that comes from hard work and perseverance. Though now that the costume unit is finished, its time for me to teach my lesson over being a publicist manager.Today I began the unit by introducing several Broadway posters, including: Cinderella, West Side Story, and Wicked. The job of the publicist is not only to publicize the show, but also to create the poster, t-shirt, and program. I showed them examples of all three and intend on having them publicize a show in class. I showed them examples of shirts that I had created for the shows, as well as posters and programs. They seemed to be fairly receptive to lesson and maybe even enjoyed. Though I hope that they approach the assignment with the same enthusiasm.

Tanner Munson

Kristi McGowen

Cadet Teaching E105

7 November 2014

Today is the day that they turn in their publicity assignment. We are having an in-class competition to see who created the best poster and t-shirt. I had them read the show, Hansel and Gretel and they based their deigns off of that show. The class provided some impressive examples of work. I was extremely proud of the students work and affirmed my want to teach secondary education. The best part of the day was the pride they exuded when their work was showed on the Smart Board during voting. It was a great feeling to see the students take pride in something that I take pride in myself. Which is what I think teaching is all about.The worst part of the day would have to be the four troublemakers. They were talking through pretty much the whole day and were even separated at one point. They seem to be bent on being a distraction for the whole class. Though whenever disciplinary action is threatened they seem to shape up, so I guess they have some amount of common sense.Lesson Plan 1

ClassTheatre TechLessonThe Technological Role of a Publicist Attention GrabberBroadway posters, JHS theatre posters/t-shirtsLecture InformationHow to use Photoshop to create a poster, how to create a t-shirt onlineActivityRead the script: Hansel and Gretel, create a poster, create a t-shirt with a cast list on the backLesson Plan 2

ClassTheatre TechLessonThe Practical Role of a PublicistAttention GrabberVarious performances of Broadway shows on USA Today, Broadway at Bryant Park and 54 Below.Lecture InformationHow to be professional over the phone, set up interviews, contact news and radio.ActivityCall business in area to request a Crucible Poster be hanged in their office space.

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Teachers Desk

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This semester I was a Cadet Teacher for the JHS Theatre Tech class taught by Ashely Trotinc. My experience was overall an extremely positive one. There were days, of course, that werent always very exciting or fun. The students seemed very receptive to anything I would say to them and managed to build a relationship with me. They were almost all academically motivated though tended be a bit lazy. There were few behavioral problems, except for the group of four. Though towards the end of the semester they were whipped into shape. Lauren, the student mentioned in my journal entries, ended up being a very hard worker and even thanked me for intervening with her at the beginning of the year.The teacher I taught with was Ashley Trotnic. Through this experience I built a stronger relationship with her and she affirmed my want to teach. She always handled things in a professional approach and was always dressed as such. She used a mixture of humor and structure to keep the class in line and it worked effectively. The atmosphere was always friendly and was viewed as a safe place to work and enjoy the class. I am very grateful to have worked with such a professional individual. The school I taught for was Joplin High School. In a state-of-the-art school everything is very pristine and nice, which is a welcome transition compared to the split campuses. The school has a variety of special programs, such as Franklin Technology Center and Personalized Learning Experiences. Overall my experience at the high school was a highly positive one.The best experience I had as a teacher was when I saw the pride that my students took in their work. To see the effort that was placed in the work was a beautiful thing and it was clear that teaching is something Im truly passionate about.The worst experience I had as a teacher was the lack of attention I received from a few students. It didnt occur to me that someone would simply blow off the project and when I approached them about it, they simply told me they didnt care.

Dear Future Cadets,

You are in for a fun and challenging semester. You will encounter students who are as passionate about the subject youre teaching as you are. Its a rewarding feeling to connect with students over a similar interest and its also difficult to understand students who dont. Some advice that I have for you is to be patient. Patience is a virtue that not everyone is blessed with and can be difficult to maintain. Though patience with students who arent has hard of workers will pay off when you break through with them. Take inspiration from your students. Theyre more wiling to learn if its something that they share an interest in. With my students, I found a script that seemed to peak their interests and I think it provided a higher standard for the work that they produced. Whatever you do, dont give up on those students who dont respond right away. With patience, a positive attitude, and a willingness to help them, you will have a breakthrough with them and it will be an extremely rewarding feeling. Good luck and have a great semester!

Sincerely, Tanner Munson