Year: 2020 — Province: British Columbia
Certificate of Achievement Recipient
Kitsilano Secondary School
Drama, acting, theatre production, new media (English), grades 8 to 12
Vancouver, British Columbia
Ryan encourages his students to dream big, then mentors them to actualize their visions.
Ryan Parker played varsity hockey while studying drama and, to this day, models a lifestyle for his students that balances the arts, academics and sports. As well as advising many extra-curricular groups, such as improv clubs and the grad council, he participates in staff-student sporting events—always with energy and enthusiasm that staff and students alike describe as "infectious" and "contagious."
Teaching approach
Ryan works to ensure his students have what they need to flourish in Vancouver's booming film industry—and in life. Whether he's raising funds for the latest video cameras or helping students cooperate on complex projects, he is focused on giving his classes practical tools and skills.
In the classroom
- Builds relationships: invites staff and community members to act in and see student films; helps students air interpersonal conflicts and celebrate successes in "rose and thorn" sessions.
- Connects students to resources and jobs: the Vancouver Film School gives students scholarships and access to its green-screen studio; Ryan helps students compete in festivals; many start working on locally made television shows while still in school.
- Provides relevant, practical experience: students learn how to secure play-performance rights, book filming locations, use up-to-date editing equipment, and film in low light and underwater; class-made films are useful portfolio pieces.
- Coaches students to overcome obstacles: supports them as they deal with workload, absentee colleagues, last-minute cast changes, unavailability of equipment and personal issues.
- Creates a safe, respectful, inclusive learning environment: encouraged a transgender student to play a role in a production from various perspectives; since many students have challenges, Ryan works closely with counsellors and mental-health professionals.
Outstanding achievements
- Runs extensive filmmaking program: students get cross-curricular experience by writing, acting in and directing movies and multi-season original television shows, as well as designing posters and Blu-Ray packages; when school auditorium was being rebuilt, Ryan rented a movie theatre to screen student films.
- Developed an off-timetable film class in response to student demands for more in-depth learning: classes take place on evenings and weekends.
- Works with students to coordinate multi-day film shoots in distant locales: together, students raise funds, handle logistics associate with cameras, lighting equipment and drones, scout locations, arrange accommodations and meals, and source props, costumes and specialized training.
- Expanded student enrolment in drama classes: in the four years he has been at the school, the program has grown from 3 blocks to 11, and two new teachers have been added.
Get in touch!
Kitsilano Secondary School
2706 Trafalgar Street
Vancouver BC V6K 2J6
604-713-8961
rbains@vsb.bc.ca
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/kitsilano/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVvTTpiGr191CVduYMP4a_w
Twitter: @KitsilanoSS