by David Nelson

by David Nelson, Academy Principal

While the cover of this year’s ACS Athens Academy Yearbook showcases the artwork of Emma Bello (Grade 11) to tell a story of life during the pandemic, the pages in between reveal a deeper story of student creativity, design, and learning. Two innovative elective courses were introduced in the Academy this year to guide students with skills and foundational theory that empower them to create memories with the stories of ACS Athens and the times. The teaching philosophies and highly intentional curriculum planning of the ACS Athens Academy Faculty members made both courses possible: Trina Langsenkamp with Print Publications, and Hercules Lianos, with Media Literacy, Communication, and Production.

Utilizing a project based learning philosophy combined with design thinking, these faculty members carefully scaffold students’ skills in technology, art, and language, while framing the learning in a theoretical context of media design. Their classes bring differentiation to life and empower students with choice, ownership, and collaborative opportunities – in this way the students see themselves as part of something bigger and they see that their learning and work contribute to the whole.

So, what happens when students are given space to publically create? They collaborate, they take risks, they design, they share tasks, they take on leadership, they share their art, and they tell their own stories.

Print Publications (est. 2020) - Course Curriculum Created by Trina Langsenkamp

In this course, students become the visionaries, designers, producers and marketers of the Euzone, the Academy Yearbook that captures the spirit and emotion of ACS Athens. Integrating art and technology, Ms. Langsenkamp introduces skills of page design, publishing techniques, copywriting, editing, photography, attention to detail, and teamwork. Students are tasked with producing a creative and innovative publication to capture the memories, events, and life of the entire student body. The 2021 yearbook, entitled “Behind The Mask: Sharing Our Stories”, is an amazing tribute to the work of the students and their teacher, whose skills and care tell a deeper story of learning and resilience.

Media Literacy, Communication, and Production (est. 2020) – Course curriculum by Hercules Lianos

In this course, students explore “a constantly changing and increasingly pervasive media landscape”. Mr. Lianos describes the course mission in this way: “It is critical that students venture forth into the world as active, not passive, recipients of information. To be an architect of one’s own learning, one must be able to decipher and assess messages conveyed from a variety of sources. Through understanding the history of media, the role of gatekeepers, analyzing messages from a variety of sources and creating their own productions, students will develop skills of critical judgment of the media.” With access to the advanced facilities of the ACS Athens Suheil Sabbagh Media Studio, students bring their work to life.

The results are seen through the ACS Athens Observer, a website created by students and for students as they explore stories of their world and of the ACS Athens community. In the meantime, they bring light to the school’s vision, and to the philosophy of conscious citizenship and to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Explore the students’ articles, podcasts, broadcasts, interviews, artwork, and documentaries as they share their work in news beats, including school news, world news, the cultural corner, science and technology, sports, and much more.

Instructional Leadership that Brings the American Philosophy of Education to Life

As an instructional leader who believes that curriculum and instruction must invite and challenge students to collaborate and think at the highest levels, including creating, analyzing, and evaluating, I am extremely proud to support innovative course designs such as these.

ACS Athens Academy Yearbook 2021, Behind the Mask