Middle school staff rocks out on YouTube

Teachers are supposed to foster learning through example, which is exactly what a group of Maryville Middle School faculty members and staff did last week.Headed by seventh-grade language arts teacher Ashley Anderson and eighth-grade history teacher Bryan Grow — both student council sponsors — the group made a lip-sync video to the song "Good Time" by pop stars Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen.The video was inspired by a home-room project in which students are being asked to create their own multi-media productions.Anderson, Grow and family & consumer science teacher Charity Strauch, who produced the faculty project, came up with the idea, but kept the video secret from students until unveiling it to the whole school last week.The result is a mix of comedy and art — picture teachers wearing mops as wigs and cavorting on the playground and singing."We wanted to show the kids that we have fun too," MMS Principal Kevin Pitts said. "They need to know that we can all have fun and learn in the same building."Pitts said that some teachers weren't too excited about the video at first but soon joined into the spirit of things.Students had no such reservations."There were probably more high-fives given that day than any other day at this school," Pitts said. "They loved it."The students will show their own videos later this month.In addition to giving the kids a lift, Pitts said that the faculty/staff video also helped bond the staff as they worked together toward a common goal."We consider ourselves one big family here," Pitts said. "I think that's apparent if you watch the video."Access the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=epfSh1rR-eo or by searching "A Good Time at MMS" on www.youtube.com.