Our amazing Film Teacher Mr. Heimerdinger in his very own studio. Photo Courtesy to freshman Kandon Sullivan.
Photography, and Tiger News Network (TNN) are popular class at SLOHS. Heimerdinger has taught these classes at SLOHS for only six years, and he not only teaches students incredible things, but has done a good job at it too.
Unfortunately, Heimerdinger will be transferring to Santa Ynez, which appears to be a happy step in his teaching career.
Expressions decided to ask Jason Heimerdinger about his time at SLOHS and his next steps in his teaching career.
Expressions: When transferring to SLOHS, what specific aspects of our programs and school environment attracted you to come here?
TNN and Film Teacher Jason Heimerdinger: Well, at my interview, I met Digital Media teacher Zach Roper and past SLOHS Principal Leslie O’Connor, and I heard about all of the exciting things that they wanted to do with the program. They told me they were building new classrooms, and a new TV studio. They had a lot of funding for CTE equipment, and so right off the bat in the interview I was super excited to come to SLOHS and help to build a cool program.
Expressions: What are your biggest successes while being at SLOHS?
Heimerdinger: I think that working with the TNN crew to get them into a semiprofessional studio where everyone can work with different jobs to produce the show, while still having half of the class out to bring in stories at the same time, that was really awesome. I also think all the developments in the immediate graphic design class, we developed from just a photography class and then we turned into a more photoshop class, it was really fun by the end of it.
Expressions: What are your next steps at Santa Ynez High School?
Heimerdinger: So, at Santa Ynez High School I’m going to work on supporting their development of their graphic design program, video production program, as well as their yearbook program. The school has some good production equipment, they have a computer lab, they have a few cameras but they don’t have as many high end professional pieces of equipment and so I want to do my best to create fun and creative projects with the equipment that they do have and then build enthusiasm for the program, so then I can try to convince the school to put some more money in the program .
Expressions: What was your reasoning for transferring from SLOHS to Santa Ynez High School?
Heimerdinger: I live in Santa Ynez, my kids go to Santa Ynez High School, so working in Santa Ynez goes from driving 2 hours every day to 10 minutes every day. I’m also excited to help develop the school that’s in my community, not only to serve my kids, but the kids of my neighbors. I’m also going to get involved in coaching, so I’m going to be the head coach of the swim team. I have a background in swimming, I’ve coached swimming, and I used to be a club swimmer, so I’d like to get back in the way and support the aquatic program there.
Expressions: What’s the hardest thing you’re going to have to leave here at SLOHS?
Heimerdinger: The hardest thing to leave is all the relationships I’ve built with staff and students. This school is filled with really good people. I am going to miss the technology I have available and my beautiful classroom. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed coming out here to work and I enjoyed working with both the students and faculty. I’m definitely going to miss our beautiful campus. Everything is going to be different. Especially because everyone here is pretty spectacular.
Not only is everyone at our school disappointed that Heimerdinger is leaving SLOHS, but we are all going to miss him! Thank you for being an amazing staff member and teacher here, and we all wish you the best of luck at Santa Ynez High School!
