By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — “I was a pastor in a church setting for over 25 years,” stated Scott Greene, Warsaw. “For nearly 15 of those years, I served as a youth pastor. I now love working with young people in a classroom setting. When I was growing up, I was fascinated with movies and television, anything that told a story. Now, I’m teaching high school students at the Warsaw Area Career Center to tell stories through digital media.”
Greene is in his second year of teaching at the Warsaw Area Career Center. He is a Ball State graduate. “I have a telecommunications degree. I continue to be fascinated with technology and programming that tells a story. This is my first school teaching position.”
A typical day for Greene starts around 7:30 a.m. “I’m at WACC every day until noon. I teach four classes. A couple of them are introductory classes, and two are advanced classes.
“My students do the work, but I am standing right beside them. I want my students to explore and try new things, and if they fail, I will help them fall with a soft landing. I expect mistakes now and then, but I don’t expect repeated mistakes in the same area.”
The digital media students do a 10-minute newscast on a variety of different subjects, interviewing teachers, athletes, and highlighting art and academics. “The student body watches these videos at school. They’re also released online for parents and the general public.”
Greene focuses on the inner needs of his students. “Digital media is a tool I use to teach students about life. Through working together, they learn to be team players. Some are leaders. Some are followers, but it’s important that they care about one another and interact together with mutual respect. We work on life skills and things they need to know in their future careers.”
He seeks to detect and help students overcome challenges in other areas of their life that hinder their focus in the classroom. “Until we get to the root of the problem, it will repeat itself. I try to look beyond the behavior to the source of the problem. For example, a student may be tired and sluggish in class. Perhaps they are not getting enough to eat. Maybe it’s too stressful to sleep at night. I try to tap into what’s happening at home.”
He and his wife Deanna have been married for 27 years. “We love each other and are committed to our relationship. I think a good marriage starts by believing the best about grief, changes; we must be in it for the long haul.”
The Greenes coach couples in person and online. “Deanna specializes in the area we call ‘Marriage Matters,’ using her counseling skills to help couples with their marital struggles. I use my pastoral skills in ‘Vitality Matters’ to focus on educators and healthcare workers.”
The Greenes have four children: Aaron, a senior at Trine University, and Isaac, Ellie, and Audrey who are all a part of Warsaw Community Schools. The family is part of the Lake City Skiers and attends Mission Point Community Church.
FAMILY MATTERS — Scott Greene, Warsaw, stands behind his family from left: Aaron, Ellie, Deanna, Audrey and Isaac Greene. Scott was a pastor for 25 years and is now teaching high school students at the Warsaw Area Career Center to tell stories through digital media. Photo provided by Scott Greene.
