Documenting Success at Washington High School
By: Maria Chandler WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: April 25, 2012
WASHINGTON-Everyone remembers them.
The group projects at school.
Trying to coordinate schedules, the one group member who just won't pull their weight.
A new class at Washington High School is all about team work, and not doing your part isn't an option.
Teacher Tricia Gardner likes to take her lessons outside of the classroom.
"Keeping everyone involved, engaged, passionate about what we do," explains Gardner
The students in her business entrepreneurship class are taking it to the extreme.
Trading textbooks for video cameras.
And documenting their way to an "A".
It started with their first documentary getting a big win in a national video contest.
Gardner wanted the work to continue.
"Students kept saying, next time I'm gonna do this or I think this time, try something like this," she adds.
Now, more than a dozen students are helping Homeway Homes film the home buying and modular building process from start to finish.
"All the aspects of it and how you have to reach out to your customers and make sure you're giving them what they want," explains Senior Ashley Danley.
For the students, it's learning about the customers and their co-workers.
"Some are looking for music, some writing more story line, and then when we're in the classroom, we are making phone calls to set it up," adds senior Grant Ziegler.
"Really interesting seeing classmates come together and work as a team. And seeing this product from the beginning on the factory floor to it being done. It's just amazing," adds Danley.
The custom home building process only lasts a few weeks.
The class, a semester.
But the learning that comes from it all? It's one the students and teacher agree on.
It's a lesson that will last a lifetime.
"Several students through this process have emailed me. Given me messages saying I'm gonna make this happen. I believe in this, it has raised their expectations on themselves. So, you can't ask for a better education than that," adds Gardner.
Students had to meet strict grade and attendance guidelines to participate in filming the project.
The family buying the new home lost their house in a fire several weeks ago.
The group projects at school.
Trying to coordinate schedules, the one group member who just won't pull their weight.
A new class at Washington High School is all about team work, and not doing your part isn't an option.
Teacher Tricia Gardner likes to take her lessons outside of the classroom.
"Keeping everyone involved, engaged, passionate about what we do," explains Gardner
The students in her business entrepreneurship class are taking it to the extreme.
Trading textbooks for video cameras.
And documenting their way to an "A".
It started with their first documentary getting a big win in a national video contest.
Gardner wanted the work to continue.
"Students kept saying, next time I'm gonna do this or I think this time, try something like this," she adds.
Now, more than a dozen students are helping Homeway Homes film the home buying and modular building process from start to finish.
"All the aspects of it and how you have to reach out to your customers and make sure you're giving them what they want," explains Senior Ashley Danley.
For the students, it's learning about the customers and their co-workers.
"Some are looking for music, some writing more story line, and then when we're in the classroom, we are making phone calls to set it up," adds senior Grant Ziegler.
"Really interesting seeing classmates come together and work as a team. And seeing this product from the beginning on the factory floor to it being done. It's just amazing," adds Danley.
The custom home building process only lasts a few weeks.
The class, a semester.
But the learning that comes from it all? It's one the students and teacher agree on.
It's a lesson that will last a lifetime.
"Several students through this process have emailed me. Given me messages saying I'm gonna make this happen. I believe in this, it has raised their expectations on themselves. So, you can't ask for a better education than that," adds Gardner.
Students had to meet strict grade and attendance guidelines to participate in filming the project.
The family buying the new home lost their house in a fire several weeks ago.
