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My Favorite TeacherMy favorite teacher was Ed Maloney who I had for a senior year course in media and society. He changed my thinking and changed my course in life. I had always been good at science and math but his class and teaching taught me to open my eyes to writing and media and to "not think so linearly" (I remember him specifically telling me that!). I pursued a degree from UMASS/Amherst in Media Communications - a big change from my initial enrollment in plant science. My life would have been very different if I had not had the opportunity to take his class and if he had not taken extra time to encourage me and talk to me. The high school I attended at that time did not have much academic rigor so his stimulation was really a saving grace. I learned a life-long love of movies after seeing probably 100 movies that year and learned that the best movies aren't necessarily the most popular or the ones in the mainstream media. I recently reviewed some of the content of the course and realized that his course was absolutely the best presentation of advertising, media, radio and television, photography, and film that I'd taken. He provided a handout each week that highlighted television shows, movies and concerts available that week - view copy of handouts pdf. As I look through them now, I realize what an amazing time that was for great concerts. He gave me a gift of a book, The Film Experience, and the gift of great teaching which inspired me to always want to encourage others to question and enjoy our media.
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