Most Likely to Succeed
With arts cut in favor of standardized test scores across the country, one small town middle school teacher champions for more photography classes
In every school there is one teacher whose classes everyone wants to take. For 7th and 8th graders at Key Peninsula Middle School in Gig Harbor, WA, that teacher is Mike Hunziker, the photography teacher.
His classes have become so popular in fact there are often not enough spots for all the students. The class started as one black-and-white film class five years ago and has grown into five sections of digital photography this school year to up to eight sessions scheduled for the fall (with the addition of another teacher—Karen Sanom), meaning that almost 60% of the students will become budding photographers.
Hunziker, who has been an amateur photographer since childhood, has taught a variety of subjects in his 25-year career. He’s found however that though teaching photography, he is able to reach students in a way that not only transcends other more academic subjects, but that also improves students overall academic performance.
(Student photo above by Krista Kooker)
The 13-and 14-year-olds that have taken Hunziker’s class in the last
five years have not only become
better photographers, but as Hunziker
says, “they learn to see things differently, and have improved their
skills in art and English classes, become more self-confident,
independent, and responsible.”
The importance of encouraging students into photography at such a
transitional age has a higher importance in the current climate in the
nation’s public schools. “ With such a focus on state standardized
testing,” Hunziker says, “ I’m worried that we are losing our focus on
the whole child.”
(Student photo above by Riley Embly)
He believes that photography, of all the arts, has the most potential
to become a life-long passion—a passion which is best encouraged sooner
rather than later. “I’ve noticed that even in high school some students
get stuck in their ways and don’t want to try new things,” he says. But
thanks to Hunziker’s dedication, many of his students have gone on to
study photography further. One former student (now in the 10th grade)
has even started his own photography business, and two more of his former students
have gone on to take photographs for the local newspaper.
(Student photo above by Kelli Davidson)
In his classes, students work in groups, sharing the 10 compact cameras
the school bought (Canon A85,A640 and A700s and Olympus E500s), and Hunziker’s own DSLR. In the course of the
semester they cover everything from camera operating basics (exposure,
ISO, white balance, lighting, types of lenses and cameras) to
composition techniques like perspective and texture, portrait
techniques, macro photography, and how to use Photoshop.
The classes have been a huge success locally, with two shows and a lot
of community support.
Photography’s popularity at Key Peninsula Middle
School promises to keep increasing, and while Hunziker’s school isn’t
the only one to teach photography, he is one of it’s biggest proponents
for growth. “I think it’s time we add a P to the three R’s,” he says.
(Student photo above by Nick Turner)
View more of the student’s photography on Mike Hunziker’s website.
—Kathleen Davis
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