FACUNDO MONTENEGRO
Facundo began teaching at Gallaudet University in Fall 1999. Before his arrival, the TV/Cinema major was rather vocational, and interest in the department was low. After his arrival, Facundo began to rapidly learn ASL, his 6th Language. Facundo developed several new courses. Those include: Beginning Film Production, Documentary Productions, Elements of Media Production, Queer Cinema, and Spanish Cinema.
FacundoÕs time, motivation, and creativity brought light to the department of TPDM. More students became interested in majoring in TV/Cinema. Facundo taught his students the skills they need to compete with the mainstream world. He did not limit their knowledge to Òhow to operate a GL-1 camera.Ó He taught them how to plan, how do develop a script, how to work in groups to make a documentary, how to market their work, and so much more. He continues to challenge his students to excel. Because of FacundoÕs revamp of the TFP 110 Course (he changed it so it would have more of a Film focus), the course has itÕs largest number in years (34 students).
Facundo is, in all truth, the most qualified teacher in the department who can and DOES teach TV/Cinema courses in the Digital Format. In asking Facundo to leave, the administration has deprived the Gallaudet community of another qualified teacher. They have deprived TV/Cinema majors of the ONLY qualified teacher in their field. Tragic.