The My Hero Project - Wendy Milette

"My vision is that creative young people from all walks of life can tell their stories with new media technology to promote positive change in the world."

TEACHER HERO:
WENDY MILETTE

Wendy Milette with children in Manola Village, Malawi Africa 2006

For years I have been involved with creating educational programs that value peace, human rights and environmental responsibility. I was part of the original task force for the Community Learning Center in Laguna Beach. CLC is an alternative public elementary school based on cooperative learning and community involvement.

CLC is where I first met Jeanne Meyers the Co-Founder of The MY HERO Project. As a teacher at CLC, I had the pleasure of working with Jeanne and her boys. As a parent, Jeanne introduced The MY HERO Project to our students who wrote stories about heroes and uploaded them to the MY HERO website. I coordinated school wide celebrations of the United Nations International Day of Peace each year, as well as numerous Earth Day Festivals. I inspired elementary school students to express themselves through dance, songwriting, art, video and theatre. I wrote a song titled, VISION, that continues to inspire a positive message of hope.

Wendy with Tommy Hamaluba from Botswana at iEARN 2005

Once my own children were in high school I started on my adventure of film school at the University of Southern California . At USC I wrote, produced and directed a number of short films and crewed on many others. My passion for teaching was rekindled when I was given the opportunity to assist numerous USC students in making their own films as a Production TA. Since graduating with honors from USC, I have worked on many exciting films: IMDB.

I love working with young people, encouraging them to be creative and have a positive impact in the world. I was thrilled to re-connect with Jeanne Meyers and The MY HERO Project after completing my MFA in Production. Jeanne and I were excited to expand The MY HERO Project to include the MY HERO Film Festival and Virtual Screening Room. Here we celebrate the best of humanity in the form of short films. This resonates with the original vision of MY HERO as a TV show.

As the Director of Media Arts Education and the MY HERO Film Festival, I’ve developed and implemented filmmaking curriculum designed for creating short hero films. The MY HERO Project gives me the opportunity to take what I’ve learned at USC and share it with young people who want to make a positive difference in the world.

My vision for global education has found meaning through my work with MY HERO, as I present filmmaking workshops to teachers and students around the world. In 2005 I represented MY HERO in Senegal, Africa to conduct MY HERO media workshops at iEARN, the International Education and Resource Network.

The MY HERO Project has been the recipient of grants from the California Arts Council to promote creative technology in education for underprivileged students. We had the pleasure of working with Jerrilyn Jacobs and her media students at Taft High School. Through this program, we assisted her talented students in making their own hero films. Many of the films created through this grant received awards in the 2006 MY HERO Film Festival.

I represented MY HERO in the Netherlands for the 2006 iEARN conference and conducted MY HERO filmmaking workshops with my partner Chris Cain, who is also a filmmaker and brilliant teacher. We offered general MY HERO workshops, as well, with the talented Jewel-Kemker family.

Wendy editing the Jean-Michel Cousteau segment of the MY HERO Report

In 2004 The MY HERO Project received a grant from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation to produce The MY HERO Report. With members of the MY HERO team I produced, shot and edited a stand alone segment for The MY HERO Report featuring MY HERO youth reporter Slater-Jewell Kemker in her quest to meet her environmental hero, Jean-Michel Cousteau.

This short documentary, Slater Meets Her Hero – Jean-Michel Cousteau has screened at The Newport Beach Film Festival 2006, the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival 2007 and the Cannes International Film Festival 2007.

My dream of connecting people from different parts of the world has been further realized when The MY HERO Project received a grant from the U.S. State Department for a global arts exchange with six different countries. As the Director of Media Arts Education, I coordinated workshops and productions in California where we hosted our international partners and produced short hero films. The culmination of this meaningful event was highlighted when our Global Exchange Partners attended the MY HERO Film Festival & Award Ceremony at USC in December 2006. Cheikh Seck from Senegal and Vladimir Kalinin from Belarus, two of our GX partners both received awards for their films in the Student/Teacher category of the competition.

I imagine a world where people everywhere have a voice. It brings me great pleasure to be part of a movement to bring innovative media skills to under-served communities and provide a platform for their creative voices to be heard. The celebration of the best of humanity through The MY HERO Project is a positive uplifting experience that I hope will continue to grow for many years to come.

SELECTED MOVIE PROJECTS

In honor of my hero, Dorothy Meyers, and in celebration of the heroic efforts of the Laguna Laughter Club, I created a short, titled i Luv Laughing Yoga.

In addition to helping people make their hero films, I continue to create films about many of my own heroes. In 2003 I honored my dear friend and USC collaborator in film, the late Tania Trepanier, in Blue Angel. I am currently in pre-production on a feature film written by Tania Trepanier that I will shoot in Malawi, Africa, titled, Of Chameleons and Gods.

I helped to train Slater Jewel-Kemker as a MY HERO youth reporter. Slater has been using her media skills and establishing numerous global relationships through her work for MY HERO. Slater is a true citizen of the world and a great inspiration to us all.

In 2005 I presented MY HERO filmmaking workshops at Tech Ed, in conjunction with the Community College Foundation, on the eBus. Here we inspired teachers from Hong Kong to Oklahoma to participate on MY HERO.

RELATED LINKS
MY HERO Short Film Festival Wendy is the Director of the MY HERO Short Film Festival.

How to Make a Short Film About Your Hero A lesson plan developed by Wendy.

Resources for Filmmaking Browse these resources for genre lesson plans and helpful guidelines for cinematography, and working with images, sound, and Macromedia Flash.

More Featured Artist Heroes


Adam Sandler brings comic-relief to people of all ages	Alvin Ailey was a choreographer and founder of the American Dance Theater.	Angela Brooks is an architect who works to create sustainable and affordable housing.	Ansel Adams was an 'artist-activist' whose photographs of nature inspired conservation.

Antonin Dvorák was a Czech composer who influenced other artists.	Artemisia Gentileschi was a female post-Renaissance artist who tackled challenging themes.	Audrey Hepburn was an actress, dancer and notable Ambassador for UNICEF	Bajé Whitethorne is a celebrated Navajo painter and author.

Beniamino Bufano created distinctive sculptures addressing the theme of peace.	Bill Cosby injects his comedy with wisdom.	Bob Dylan is a singer/songwriter, poet and artist.	Carol Burnett an award-winning actress and comedienne

Charles M. Schulz made people laugh every day.	Charlie Chaplin taught us to laugh in the face of adversity.	Charlie Parker was a great musician and father.	Christopher Reeve continued to produce art despite his paralysis.

Claude Oscar Monet is a famous impressionist painter.	Damon K. Wayans brought Matt relief from depression through his comedic talent.	Daniel Libeskind is a revered architect whose work inspires peace.	Dexter Gordon was a musician nominated for an Oscar.

Diego Rivera was a famed Mexican muralist and revolutionary.	Dorothea Lange captured powerful moments in history with a keen eye for the human condition.	Edmonia Lewis defied restrictions on black women and achieved respect in the art community.	Errol Flynn is legendary Marvel Comics founder Stan Lee's hero and inspired many of Lee's heroes.

Fauzia Minallah is the founder of Funkor Childart Centre and an ARTIVIST.	Fernando Botero is a Colombian painter famous for his robust figures.	Frances Anne Hopkins is a famous Canadian artist known for her canoe paintings.	Frank Lloyd Wright was an innovative architect.

Frank Owen Gehry has developed his own unique style of design.	Frank Zappa was a musician and composer with a flair for the absurd.	Fred Batley gives young and aspiring actors and actresses a chance to shine.	Frida Kahlo became a famous Mexican artist despite polio and injuries.

Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel revolutionized women's fashion and empowered women	Gary Birch is a compassionate educator and role model to his students.	gary larson is the creator of the comic strip, 'The Far Side.'	Harry Houdini was a famous escape artist.

Hayao Miyazaki is a talented film and animation creator.	Helen Hayes is considered the 'First Lady of American Theater.'	J.N. (Ding) Darling , conservationist and cartoonist, used his art to raise awareness about the environment.	Jacob Lawrence broke racial barriers as a renowned painter.

Jim Henson , Father of the Muppets, was the world's most famous puppeteer.	Johan (Jean) Julius Christian Sibelius was an innovative modern composer.	John Lennon was a singer/songwriter, member of The Beatles and peace activist.	John Tu , founder of Kingston Technology is also a musician and a supporter of the Freedom Writers.

Josefina Lopez is a Latina screenwriter who believes in the power of women.	Joséphine Baker , popular African American dancer in France, fought for civil rights and freedom against the Nazis.	Katie Lee is a passionate advocate for wilderness.	Kaziah Hancock paints portraits of fallen soldiers as a memorial keepsake for their families.

Ken Theeradej Wongpuapan is a popular Thai actor and UNICEF Youth Ambassador.	Laurel Burch is an artist who has inspired other artists and women in need across the globe	Leonardo da Vinci was an artist, scientist, and inventor.	Leonardo da Vinci was an artist and a scientist ever curious of the world around him.

Lou Ferrigno is a successful actor and bodybuilder who overcame a hearing disability.	Louis Sullivan is credited with inventing the skyscraper.	Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest composers of classical music.	M.C. Escher created art that plays with perspective and dimension.

Mamadou Tall Diedhiou combines recycled materials to create inspiring works of art.	Margot Fonteyn was a world-renowned dancer.	Maria Tallchief is a Native American ballerina who pioneered many important roles.	Marian Anderson was a world-renowned opera singer.

Mary Cassatt filled the world with her beautiful paintings of children, mothers, love and kindness.	Mary Jane Colter designed the rustic buildings at the Grand Canyon National Park.	Maya Lin is an architect and sculptor.	Nam June Paik #1 Video Artist is regarded as the 'father of video art.'

Nicolae Grigorescu was one of the founders of modern Romanian painting.	Oswaldo Guayasamin was an Ecuadorian artist whose work reflected his commitment to democracy.	Paloma Herrera is an accomplished ballerina.	Patrick Nagatani uses photography and colored lights to promote good health.

Paul Robeson was a performer who was deeply committed to political causes.	Pedro Almodovar is considered one of the most influential Spanish filmmakers.	Peter Jackson is a filmmaker who directed the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.	Piet Kroon is a talented Dutch filmmaker and devoted dad.

R. Buckminster Fuller designed the geodesic dome.	Rembrandt van Rijn captures the suffering, reflection and compassion of humanity in his art.	Robert Redford established the Sundance Film Festival to effect change in the world.	Robert Wise was a filmmaker, teacher and mentor.

Roberto Arevalo of The Mirror Project teaches kids TV production.	Scott Joplin composed operatic and ragtime music.	September McGee is an artist and a teacher.	Stephen Joseph uses art to protect the land.

Stephen Sondheim composed popular Broadway musicals.	Steveland Morris (a.k.a. Stevie Wonder) is an incredible pianist and singer.	Tadao Ando is a world-famous Japanese architect.	Taron Lexton applies his filmmaking talents to advocate for human rights.

Tomihiro Hoshino creates captivating art despite paralysis.	Vincent Van Gogh remains one of the world's most renowned artists.	Vojko Gasperut creates beautiful paintings despite his paralysis.	Walt Disney was both a visionary artist and an entrepreneur.

Wang Yani has been painting since she was three years old.	Will Smith is a musician and actor whose roles are often heroic and funny.	Wilson Bentley was the first person to photograph a single snowflake.	Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Youssef Chahine is a highly respected and accomplished Egyptian film director.	Zaha Hadid is the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

More Featured Teacher Heroes


Ana Eugenia Posada is a dedicated teacher who provides help and support to children with learning difficulties.	Andrew Greene Jr. of Sierra Leone teaches the world about peace.	Annie Mansfield Sullivan Macy developed new methods for teaching blind and deaf students.	Atsuko Shiwaku set up the International Intercultural Mural Exchange Project to promote peaceful coexistence.

Baba Coleman is a drumming teacher who instills self-determination in his students.	Barry Guillot is a middle school teacher who makes science come to life through service-learning.	Barry Kramer empowers students to ask questions and find answers through Learning Circles, a telecollaborative learning experience.	Bill Belsey is a teacher with a mission to stop bullying.

Cheikh Darou Seck is an English teacher in Senegal who inspires his students to become MY HERO reporters.	Christa McAuliffe was the first teacher to fly in space.	Domingo F. Sarmiento was a distinguished educator and president of Argentina.	Dr. Ed Gragert works towards peace and global education.

Dr. H. Arief Rahman is admired by his students for the way he speaks his mind and encourages them in their studies.	Dr. Norman Isaacs is an inspiration to the staff and students at Millikan Middle School.	Dr. Robert Ballard and the JASON project bring scientific exploration to children around the world.	Eeva Reeder is passionate about teamwork and hands-on, real-life applications of abstract mathematical concepts.

Emi Yuliaty encourages her students to believe that where there is a will there is a way.	Erin Gruwell is the founder of Freedom Writers and an inspiration to teachers and students around the world.	Eva La Mar uses visual learning and communication tools to deepen understanding of geography, geology and local history.	Film Festival 2005 Teacher Award Get a Clue Carol Anne McGuire teaches visually impaired children and founded Rock Our World.

Gary Birch is a compassionate educator and role model to his students.	Geeta Malik is a media arts educator for The MY HERO Project.	George N. Parks inspires his band students to do their best and have fun with music.	Georgiana Munteanu, My English Teacher inspires her students to believe in themselves and to love and respect nature.

Giuseppe Fortunati is a computer teacher from Italy who uses the Internet to promote cultural exchanges.	Hero Teachers of a Dyslexic is a personal story that seeks to guide and encourage students who learn differently.	Herschel Vaughn conducts an after-school program that teaches music, discipline, and friendship.	Jacqueline Melnick is a music teacher.

James Burke developed a model of discovery called the Knowledge Web to connect information across space and time.	Jason Wilcox was a teacher at Glenmore Christian Academy.	Jason XV: Teacher Argonauts Eight talented teachers from the US and Bermuda took part in Jason XV: Rainforests at the Crossroads in Panama.	Jesse Thyne was a generous soul with a passion for teaching.

Judy Warner worked to create a public high school for technology.	Laurel Schmidt encourages her fifth graders to get involved.	Louis Braille invented a system of writing and reading used by blind people all over the world.	Luisa Orellana is an English as a second language teacher who inspires her students to reach for their dreams.

Mali Bickley uses technology to help her students connect with their peers around the world to build empathy and tolerance.	Marco Torres helps students empower themselves through the mastery of multimedia.	Maria Montessori developed a new approach to education.	Marsha Goren is much beloved by her students for her genuine commitment to them.

Martha Mecartney is a scientist, engineer and professor committed to helping young women interested in the field of science.	Mary Lyon established the U.S.'s first college for women.	Mary McLeod Bethune used education to help in the fight for racial and gender equality.	Mel Levine believes that students who understand their learning styles are better equipped for success.

Mia Siscawati teaches people to protect their environment.	Mirian Acosta-Sing piloted a project to provide every student and teacher at Mott Hall School with a laptop.	Mrs. Linda Klepper has changed the lives of many young children as a second grade teacher.	Mrs. Magdalena Domniteanu is a hero for her patience and ability to inspire her students with a love for learning.

Mrs. Mignosa is a hero to Caitlin because she helps her with her studies after school.	Mustapha Louznadji is an Algerian educator who leads by example and who brings out the best in his students and colleagues.	Pat Bolanos founded Key Learning Community to cultivate multiple intelligences.	Peggy Bryan emphasizes teacher support, parental and community involvement in the classroom.

Phil Layne gives encouragement, hope, and a helping hand to his students.	Raden Ajeng Kartini championed education and civil rights for women in Indonesia.	Ranald MacDonald was a Native American/Scot wayfarer who helped open up Japan to the West.	Randy Randall exhibits strength, courage, and integrity to his students.

Robert Moses founded The Algebra Project, which is committed to teaching math literacy.	Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras uses music to inspire children to learn.	Rowena Gerber and her students raise money to send Solar Ovens around the world.	Ruth Simmons is breaking down barriers in the world of higher education.

Ruty Hotzen inspires students from around the world through Talking Kites, iEARN.	Sadie Dunn is an inspiring role model as a teacher and great-grandmother.	September McGee is an artist and a teacher.	Sequoyah invented the Cherokee alphabet, which enabled Cherokees to record their history.

Shannon Arnett impacts her students with her love and excitement for learning.	Stephanie Joukoff coaches synchronized swimming and is a hero to Emily.	Susan Elizabeth Blow founded the first public kindergarten school in America.	Tommie Hamaluba is a teacher in Botswana, Africa working to eradicate malaria.

Tony Bencivenga stresses the importance of social and emotional learning experiences.	Valentina Mindoljevic is a science teacher who helped to provide aid to women and child refugees in Croatia.	Viola Vaughn founded an organization that supports girls working to achieve academic success in Africa.	Wendy Jewell is a passionate MY HERO educator, writer and Learning Circle facilitator.

Wendy Milette is a visionary filmmaker and educator.

Last changed on:10/27/2009 9:19:59 AM