Jason Downes is a Grade 7 Social Studies Teacher at Bristol Public Schools, Greene-Hills School
What do you do?
LOL! Great question! I teach World Regional Studies (geography with other social studies subjects embedded) to my seventh grade students here at Greene-Hills in Bristol, CT. I am also the Student Council Advisor this year and am super excited about how young leaders. Finally, I am a doctoral student at the University of Bridgeport working toward an Ed.D in Educational Leadership. I am in data collection, having successfully defended my dissertation proposal last year, and my research is based on the comparison of educator perceptions of the definition, purpose, and value of social studies within the K-12 school ecosystem.
What is your latest work or project in media literacy?
My curriculum does not explicitly emphasize media literacy work but I sneak it in when I can! My primary focus for students is in the responsible, thoughtful, and critical consumption of online media within the context of our units of study. So, if we are writing an argumentative essay on the influence of outside cultures on Sub-Saharan Africa, let’s say, I want my students to think about the creator of the source as well as the content of the source.
Why is media literacy important to you?
As a teacher and as a parent of three school-aged children, I am very aware of the amount of media that constantly bombards our kids. It is incredibly important to me that they can be discerning of a video or post’s meaning, as well as considerate of the creator’s purpose and perspective. In exercising these skills, my hope is to foster a sense of empathy (historical or otherwise) in students that they can apply not only to their academic work but also to their interpersonal relationships.
What are you most excited about in the media literacy field?
I’m excited and eager to find ways of further incorporating media literacy skills into my teaching in efficient and thoughtful ways. I also really like the idea of trying to keep up, as silly as that may sound. Students are always one step ahead on what is next, and I feel that it is part of my responsibility to maintain a vigilance or awareness of what those new media outlets might be.
Why did you become a NAMLE member, what benefits do you see to membership, and how will it support your work?
I am really seeking connection with those who know different, more, or better things than I. As a teacher, I shamelessly borrow from others who possess knowledge, skills, or dispositions that are specialized in ways that mine are not. There is always something to learn from interacting from experts in any field. If I can observe or listen to a teacher who is just killing it in the area of media literacy, then I am all ears!
Connect with Jason!
The views and opinions expressed in the M-Passioned Member blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NAMLE or its members. The purpose of the M-Passioned Member blog is to highlight our members and give them a place to share their reflections, opinions, and ideas.