Andrea Cook

 Andrea Cook
                   
Position: Photojournalism I, Media Technology, Yearbook I, II, III, Independent Study Photojournalism
Contact: E-mail: Andrea.Cook@gcisd.net
Website: www.gcisd.net/~andrea.cook
Education: Bachelor of Arts: Major in English, Minor in Secondary Education; University of North Texas; Denton, Texas

Honors and Scholarships

Gamma Beta Phi, National Honor and Service Society
Kappa Tau Alpha, National Journalism Honor Society  
Background:

When I was in fourth grade I learned to develop black and white film, and my passion for photography has only grown. In college I began as journalism major and continued studying photography. When I transferred from Texas A&M University to the University of North Texas, I switched majors to English. My goal was to be able to combine my graphic design experience, love of photography, and ability to write into one career. When the job at CHHS was offered to me it was fate. Now I not only have the opportunity to use all of those skills, but for 9 years I’ve been able to share them all with students and watch them become as excited as I am.
 
Teaching Philosophy: High school students need to know responsibility. They are at the age of self discovery, and school should afford them the opportunities to pursue their interests and allow them to reach as far as they can, with the guidance of experience, by also taking on the responsibility of their own learning. A hands-on, learner-centered environment is where most students will flourish because they will feel that they took a part in their own education. By teaching them the basics and helping them make connections we teach them not only our curriculum, but we also teach them how to continue to learn throughout their lives.

Teachers can only do so much, and the rest is up to each individual student to use the knowledge he's gained to produce meaningful products in each class. Whether that is a well written and thoughtful essay in English or a beautiful black and white image in photojournalism doesn't matter. What matters is that the student has created something by his own hand that he can be proud of because only he could have created it.
        
Personal Statement: Photography has taken me from one side of this country to the other, and it has given me the opportunity to meet people I otherwise could never have met and do things I never would have done. I hope that my students share the love I have for taking pictures and the opportunities photography brings to those willing to look for them.