 Janet
Knoeppel, CCEA State President (right), presented
the Teacher of the Year award to Mr. Michael Vetrie at the 2000 CCEA State Conference in
Glendale.
Michael teaches American literature, composition, English, cinema, film
making, creative writing, myths and legends, computer 1, typing, art,
speech communications, drama and acting. Michael is the lead teacher at
Robert H. Lewis. Michael has been teaching for fifteen years. Michael
writes about his philosophy, "I believe for teachers to be successful
in all classrooms, they must like their students, and by this I mean
genuinely enjoy being around them. Liking students also means treating
them with respect, while at the same time, demanding that they treat
others with respect. It means assuming that they have an intelligence to
understand complex concepts, a developed appreciation of humor, irony and
the absurd, and that they enjoy being treated and talked to as equals. It
means holding them in esteem by 'attending to' or listening to them. And
then, liking students also means that I am willing to challenge my
students to the highest level by asking for the best work that they are
capable of and not settling for anything less."
Michael has presented his Film as Literature curriculum at every state
CCEA conference but one for the past seven years. He has also presented
workshops for the California Association of Teachers of English, and the Global
Conference on Literacy and Language in Bordeaux, France. Michael is
also editor of the CCEA District XI newsletter.
Michael utilizes a wide repertoire of specific teaching strategies
aimed at improved literacy for his students. Among them include, sustained
silent reading, reading logs, daily journal writing, directed
reading/thinking, pre-reading and writing, context challenges and
electronic writing process and grammar workshop.
Michael has also developed a Film as Literature class at his school.
This class teaches film as literature and utilizes film as a high interest
piece of literature in order to engage reluctant readers and writers.
Students begin to discuss, read, and write responses to challenging and
demanding prompts. As a result, students strengthen their skills in these
areas as well as sharpen critical thinking skills. Michael believes the
key to success of the class has been choosing films that engage students.
He chooses films that have meaning in the students' lives.
Finally, Michael writes, "Although I use all the techniques I have
outlined above in my classroom in order to increase literacy, I also
attempt to stimulate my students into becoming life-long learners. I try
to do this by demonstrating my enthusiasm and excitement toward their
learning and my own, which I attempt to model for my students." Mr. Vetrie may be contacted at Robert H. Lewis High School,
12508 Wicks St., Sun Valley, CA 91352. Phone: 818-767-3759 |
