Focus on TUSD - May 2007

Kissel Named "Teacher of the Year" by UA Theater Arts
Kristian Kissel's students don't act up. They simply act, and act, and act in the productions that Kissel directs at Sabino High School. And finally, the University of Arizona's School of Theater Arts noticed. They chose Kissel as "Teacher of the Year" as part of their fourth annual Theatre in Our Schools celebration. Kissel took center stage at Sabino on Friday, April 20, at a ceremony for Theatre in Our Schools Day.

Kissel, who has been at Sabino, 5000 N. Bowes, for a decade, is modest about the designation, saying simply that it was a great honor to be chosen. He said the UA theater department honors teachers who have a strong drama program and good relations with the university. Kissel frequently has student teachers from the university in his classroom.
Earlier this month, his students took on a task that may have intimidated some high school drama programs – putting on a Shakespeare play. The Sabino Players offered "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in the courtyard, constructing a platform and waterfall that are permanent additions to the area.

Kissel's classes are popular, drawing 32 students for the advanced drama class this year, as well as students in three beginning drama and one intermediate course for a total enrollment of 160 students. Advanced drama puts on three productions a year, intermediate does two and beginning students do in-class projects.

Mayela Morales, a senior and the assistant director of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," said Kissel inspires students to do their best. "I'm not the greatest worker and he had faith in me," she said. "I asked him if I could be the assistant director and he let me try."

Morales said Kissel goes the extra mile to help students, transforming theater for all of them into a serious project where they've learned about theater etiquette and developed confidence on stage.

"We respect him more than we respect our parents sometimes," she said. "We listen when he asks us to do something and then we do double what he said."

At Sabino, Kissel also teaches freshmen about playwriting and he creates a children's play every year for elementary school students.

While attending Palo Verde Magnet High School, Kissel decided to pursue a drama teaching career after being involved in "Arsenic and Old Lace." After graduating from the UA, he taught for a year at Mountain View High School in 1996 before moving to Sabino the next year.

-- By Sharon Dunham
Communications & Media Relations

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

All photos in the May issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations.

The deadline to submit material for the June Focus is Friday, June 8. The Focus will be published Monday, June 18. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the Focus Online Submission Form.