Teacher of the Day: Galen Wilson

Today's teacher is Galen Wilson. This is Galen's first summer teaching at SEP.

Galen teaches "American History through Movies," for 7th and 8th graders, and "Speaking in Light," for 9-11 campers.

What are your classes like? Can you describe them for us? 

They're both film classes. "American History through Movies" focuses on how historical events become translated onto film. We discuss basic film techniques like how a scene is constructed. We also watch some films that depict major historical events. By the end of the session, we make a short film. 

"Speaking in Light" is a more general film class with much more emphasis on the technical aspects of filming, like shot composition. In second week we get into studying genre and explore how genre creates meaning.

What's something about you someone might not expect if they didn't know you well?

I spent the last five years in Texas?

What made you want to teach at SEP?

I really like the opportunity to teach very specific classes that are geared towards a younger age group, since I've been teaching at a college level for the last 5 years. One thing secondary education usually doesn't do is media studies, which I think is important to teach at younger age.

What do you think is the most difficult part of the job?

The time frame. I have only two weeks to fit in what I'd normally have a whole semester to teach. 

What do you think is the most rewarding part of the job?

I really really like teaching subjects students haven’t really had a chance to deal with before, showing them movies they probably haven't seen, and making them think in ways they maybe haven't before.

What do you think about gifted education? 

I don't know a whole lot about it, except that I was in the gifted program in high school. I would say it's a good opportunity for kids involved in it.

Given infinite supplies and opportunities, what sort of class would you teach? 

I would love to have access to a full set, including a costuming department and an editing bay, with no limits to what the students can do with their short film. I'd love to see what they can accomplish with full production value on their side.

What's your biggest pet peeve?

In teaching, I always hate when students ask what they can do about their grade a week before grades are due.