This week’s SEVA Teacher is Dana La Chapelle of Toby Johnson Middle School in the Elk Grove Unified School District.
Mrs. La Chapelle is truly a trail-blazer in the world of media production teaching. She started with an empty classroom, and, through grit and determination, has turned her room into a full production studio where her middle school students create incredible videos that are consistently recognized at the SEVA Awards. Each year, Mrs. La Chapelle has a unique group of students who bring their own levels of energy, commitment, and talent to the process of storytelling. Mrs. La Chapelle is able to help every student tell their own stories to inform, educate, entertain, and connect with their audience.
When you are in Mrs. La Chapelle’s classroom it is hard to believe that you are surrounded by middle school students. She has created an atmosphere where the students feel empowered to create media with minimal teacher oversight and are able to perform skills that many much older students are still learning. Mrs. La Chapelle, thank you for leading the way and helping to shape the SEVA program as a whole. Your knowledge, experience and passion are amazing in and of themselves, but your willingness to share and desire to help others is what makes you truly unique and such an important part of the SEVA program.
