Tim Comolli is a teacher who believes that students learn best when given freedom to challenge their ingenuity, creativity and talent. The Imaging Lab at South Burlington High School, which Tim directs, is a testament to this belief. From its early beginnings in 1989 to today, The Imaging Lab exemplifies how student-centered learning enables teachers and students to work and learn cooperatively to achieve their dreams and goals. Meet Tim Tim attained his undergraduate teaching degree from Johnson State College and in 1985 earned a Master's Degree in Communications from Norwich University. He began his teaching career at South Burlington High School as an English teacher in 1965. At that time, South Burlington High School covered grades 7 through 12; Tim taught 7th and 8th grade English. When Tim began teaching 40 years ago, his salary was $4,500 a year. It was tough to make ends meet, but Tim worked several jobs to survive financially. Fortunately, Tim could call upon his broadcasting skills to pick up extra work. Broadcasting was a lifelong love. As a youngster, Tim had his own radio show and at one point was named the youngest DJ in the country (according to Billboard Magazine). To make ends meet in 1965, Tim would do early morning news show at radio station WDOT, go to school and teach, and then return in the afternoon and do an evening news show and, sometimes, voice tracks. He even did local voice tracks for a local drive-in theatre. Tim also worked for Channel 3, WCAX-TV. Eventually, Tim had to decide which career path he would choose, broadcasting or teaching. He chose teaching, a decision he has never regretted, although he sometimes laments that teaching today is more difficult and political than in the past. A List of Accomplishments During his 40-year career, Tim has received national recognition for his work in creating the SBHS Imaging Lab. In 1999, Tim was named the National Teacher of the Year by Technology and Learning Magazine and was recognized at the National School Boards Association Technology and Learning Conference in Dallas, Texas. Articles featuring Tim and his students have appeared in numerous publications, including:
Tim and South Burlington high school students were recognized by Secretary of Education Richard Riley at the Secretary's Conference on Educational Technology - Measuring Impacts and Shaping the Future. The lab has welcomed many visitors over the years, including Linda Roberts, Director of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education, in May, 2000. Tim's name was also entered into the U.S. Congressional Record on April 25, 2000 by the Honorable James M. Jeffords, as he made tribute to innovators in five Vermont high schools. Tim's students have traveled to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Princeton University, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, and numerous other locations to share their work. Graduates of South Burlington High School Electronic Arts program even offered an introductory animation course to 40 visiting students from the Kanazawa Technical College in Japan. Celebrating 40 Years At the end of this academic year, Tim will leave his position at South Burlington High School and his directorship of The Imaging Lab. As he puts it, "it is time for younger eyes to chart the future of the Imaging Lab." Tim's efforts in education will not retire, however. Beginning in July, 2005, Tim will spearhead Comolli Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping educational institutions and businesses implement technology into American schools. Perhaps the following quote from Tennyson that Tim uses as a signature in his email messages captures his work, past and future. For I dipt into the future, far as human eye could see, This story highlights Tim's creation of The Imaging Lab and how it has evolved from his early interests in technology to support his video production and English courses. It's a story of how a teacher can look to the future, channel his students' energies and talents to create an educational environment where students control learning, and enable everyone to reap the wonders made possible. |
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