Mr. Mei Wins UFT Outstanding Educator Award

Mr. Mei revived the CTE Media Arts program and expanded it by advising the Video Production Team. *Photo: Trisha Primus*

By JERRY LI and NANCY LEI

Midwood alum and CTE Media Arts Teacher Mr. Henry Mei won the CTE Outstanding Educator Award from the United Federation of Teachers on February 9.

“My immediate reaction was shock,” said Mr. Mei. “It was a surprise to me just because I am only in my second year teaching.”

The Media Arts program, open to Humanities and LASI students, is a film and graphic design-based track where students work with Adobe apps such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro to gain hands-on experience through project-based learning. Students take exams at the end of the course to become certified in these industry-standard programs.

“By being in the program, students are preparing for a possible career in the film and media industry,” said Mr. Mei. “You get Photoshop certified, Premiere certified, and real world on-demand experience.”

One of his first projects at Midwood was to establish the Video Production Team to expand the program. The team has won several competitions including the BRAVE Video Contest, Citywide Graphic Arts Competition, and NOCTI Video Contest. They were also finalists in the 5th Annual New York City Public Schools Film Festival.

Before Mr. Mei started at Midwood, the Media Arts Program was in jeopardy of losing its CTE status. Renewing the program was “a near impossible task” for him, he said. He had to navigate the ropes of being a first year teacher and the only CTE Media Arts teacher at the same time. But under his leadership, the program was reapproved for the next five years.

Mr. James Bruffee, a colleague, said, “Given that Mr. Mei and I are both new and trying to figure out how to build this department together, it would be very challenging if I wasn’t working with someone as thoughtful, patient, and interested in the program’s success as Mr. Mei is. But working with him has made what is a challenging and exciting situation a pleasure.“

“Mr. Mei is wonderful,” said Romy Swisa ‘24, a member of the Video Production Team. “He really makes an effort to connect with you wherever you're at.”

“I strongly encourage students to join this track, even if you don’t continue arts or film as your career,” said Anel Yerdenayeva ‘24. “Not only are you learning about programs like Adobe and Photoshop, you’re also learning about storytelling.”