Set Teacher Interview Series: Stacey Hirn

This month on the OLE blog, we’re interviewing two OLE set teachers who have transitioned to helping students through our new virtual learning offerings. Our first feature is on Stacey Hirn, who has been working with On Location Education and The School for Young Performers for the past year and has been instrumental in creating out-of-the-box, live feed virtual classes for one of our client families. 

About Stacey: After teaching in public schools for the past 14 years and with her youngest of three children heading off to college, Stacey Hirn was in search of what would be the next chapter of her career as an “empty nester.”  Always wanting to continue working with children, she wondered if there was something extraordinary she could do with her teaching background.  It was then that Stacey met up with an old college roommate in NYC whose 10-year-old daughter was in a Broadway play.  While asking how her daughter balanced school and acting, Stacey learned about On Location Education and just knew it would be a perfect fit!  

In her first six months as an Independent Contractor set teacher with OLE, Stacey traveled overseas teaching students on an international film, worked on a television reality show, and served as teacher for a Broadway musical national tour.  Even in different time zones and being away for several weeks at a time, Stacey was able to stay connected to her husband and children via Skype and other forms of technology (which led to an easy transition to e-tutoring).  “I have always loved to travel and genuinely enjoy meeting new people and visiting new places.  On Location Education became an ideal landing spot as it allows me to continue to teach and help students succeed without being confined to a traditional classroom.”

What is your area of academic expertise? How has this informed your work with OLE? 

I’ve mostly taught at the intermediate elementary level. Elementary teachers have to teach much more holistically. During my last few years in the public school system, I specialized in math and science for fourth graders, which required not only math and science strategies but reading and writing as well. Students need to be able to read and conceptualize real world problems. Being able to verbalize a mathematical concept through speaking or writing is the highest form of learning. This holistic approach has transferred extremely well to OLE. 

Instruction must often be done in segments or with certain time constraints. Overlapping subjects is very efficient as it allows the students to connect their learning in a real-world setting and can easily be assessed. An example of this is conducting a long-term science experiment using all the subjects.  

Side Note: Before starting my teaching career, I took many TV/Film courses in college (Mass Communications).  I absolutely love every minute on the sets as I am able to do what I love, which is to teach, in an atmosphere that I love—entertainment!  

For those who aren’t familiar with set teaching, take us through a typical day on set: 

I typically start my day on a film set the night before when I receive the call sheet and check emails (i.e. to see if there is any communication and/or additional lessons from the regular classroom teacher(s)). Once arriving at base camp, I usually set up/plan/prepare the lessons so when I meet with the minor(s) on the set, instruction can begin immediately. Flexibility is key! You can be prepared for your next lesson to be one subject, but if the minor returns from an emotional or difficult scene, it might be a better choice to let the minor choose what they want to work on first for that school block.  It is also immensely important to build trust and communicate with your production contacts on set. If a scene ends early or a new opportunity to teach suddenly becomes available due to technical issues, you want to be prepared and ready, so time isn’t wasted.  On some sets, the Internet is not available; thus, it’s important to plan accordingly and use the time you’re not teaching to complete your report, plan future lessons, grade, etc. I find it is most efficient to complete weekly reports daily if possible. 

Could you share a special experience while teaching on location?

Every experience has been special for me! When I worked on a film set in Northern South Africa last fall, we were in a very remote location and the crew/cast became like family! We helped each other on the set as needed and, on our off days, went on excursions together and had barbeques (Braais) on the weekends. On the last day of set for the minors, I helped decorate their trailers for their send-off and passed around goodbye cards for all to sign.  Being present during the final wrap for my students was a memory I will always cherish. I was so surprised and will always treasure the goodbye card with heartfelt messages from everyone that was secretly passed around for me! 

How do you keep students engaged and excited through live feed instruction when they are used to working with you in-person?

We have to keep students excited - after all, we are often competing with video games, YouTube, and TikTok! I try to engage the students as much as possible but also have ready to go riddles & jokes, science demos, video clips, and other “bag of tricks” activities if needed. Having students act out answers, teach me back, create their own questions, play learning games, complete time challenges, take brain breaks, and do raps are some additional ways of mixing things up, so students are not just sitting and listening. 

How have you grown as an educator in this transition to virtual learning? 

When teaching, you have to make connections with your students to be successful. I was worried that this would be more difficult in a virtual learning situation; however, I’ve discovered the same rules actually apply to virtual teaching as face to face. This happens naturally when a student knows that I am 100% there for them to learn as I listen, care, and continue to have high expectations, which leads to student online progress and success. 

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Stacey is just one example of how our teachers are able to provide an individualized, engaging education for students across the country. Whether we’re sending teachers to sets around the world or setting them up for virtual learning and/or coaching, OLE remains committed to fostering high-quality academic experiences that are always customized for the specific needs of our students. 

Are you in need of some assistance with schooling from home over the next few months? We’re here to help. On Location Education and The School for Young Performers are thrilled to mobilize our stellar roster of teachers like Stacey and offer the following virtual learning services:

• ONLINE SUBJECT-SPECIFIC TUTORING (The online equivalent of “after-school tutoring”) 
• ONLINE CORE ACADEMIC TEACHING (Teacher guided “homeschooling”)
• ONLINE ACADEMIC COACHING (Academic support and organizational guidance to aid your child’s studies) 
• FULL PRIVATE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT (A customized private education through The School for Young Performers)

To learn more about these offerings and how we can help you and your family navigate the coming weeks, visit our virtual learning offerings page for more information. 

We continue to wish you health and happiness in the weeks ahead.

-The team at On Location Education