Graduate Spotlight
Christopher Dudick
Degree: MA in Teaching – Art Education Concentration
Graduation Date: January 2011
Hometown: Fair Haven, NJ
Why I chose Monmouth University and what benefits the program has offered me:
I chose Monmouth University for several reasons. I received my BA in Graphic Design at Monmouth and I loved the school. I also knew that it had a great education department. The biggest benefit to me is that my professors have let me use my business as a focus for my classes. The many varied assignments I have had, such as using NJCCCS Standards, working with differentiated instruction and learning modalities, fit well into my business.
My academic interests:
I founded Small Factory Productions, a state of the art animation and production studio for kids. The idea behind it is that all children have amazing ideas and big stories to tell. We use technology to make the children’s imaginations come to life. I created classes based on my professional experience in TV and music production. I had no previous teaching experience but realized that I had made an extremely educational program. I wanted to strengthen it and Monmouth has helped me do that.
In Frames Of Mind, Howard Gardner, developed the idea of Multiple Intelligences. I work with these multiple intelligences daily with my students. As Gardner says in his research, "All children are gifted." I am now able to tap into the giftedness of my students.
My accomplishments and my future after Monmouth University:
My business has been steadily growing for over three years now. We are working with schools, libraries, hospitals and non-profits. Every program we have, in the Tri-State Area, is written with the Core Curriculum Standards of that particular State in mind. We also started a television show using some of the kid created content that we have produced.
I would like to continue my education and get a PHD in Educational Technology. I want to know what my program has done for my students, how it’s helped them in their schools and daily lives. I also believe that for my company to succeed I will always have to be on the cutting edge of Education. I think a PHD would start me on that path.
