Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) is excited to announce the 2022-2023 Education Fellow. Bob McCord is the current Social Studies Department Chair at Houston’s Dekaney High School. He holds a Master of Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Houston-Victoria, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He also attended the Victoria College Regional Police Academy.
McCord teaches both Advanced Placement and Dual-Credit US History courses as an adjunct instructor for Lone Star College. He also taught English online to students in China for three years, using technology and creativity to keep learning interesting during COVID. Today he uses videos, music, and contemporary concepts (GIFS, memes, and Vines) in his classroom.
"I am constantly cutting bits of movies and videos into my lessons. I have found it to be incredibly entertaining and engaging for my students. I believe history does tend to often repeat itself in certain capacities and I love to put the evidence of such events on display in many virtual technological methods," McCord says. He tells TAMI his goal for his students each year is to produce civic-minded, independent thinkers who commit to lifelong engagement in our democratic processes.
Before his education career, McCord served in the US Airforce 10th Civil Engineering Squadron and the TX Army National Guard Military Intelligence Unit. He then worked as a Juvenile Detention Corrections Officer in Victoria County and as an Investigator for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
McCord holds certifications in Social Studies, US History (including Constitutional Law), Academic Decathlon Coaching, English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) for grades 4-8, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
McCord has a love of community service and students. He implemented the Watch D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Kids) program at Wunderlich Intermediate School in Houston. The concept brings male role models on campus for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is essential. He also started and maintained girls' soccer and flag football programs at Wunderlich for several years. In addition to teaching, McCord coaches Junior Varsity Boys Soccer at Dekaney High School. He also has 30 seasons of volunteer coaching youth sports for the YMCA in Texas.
As part of the fellowship, McCord will work with TAMI staff to develop, create, and share new resources for educators and students across the state. Funding for this fellowship is provided through the Texas Moving Image Archive Program, a partnership between Texas Archive of the Moving Image and the Office of the Governor's Texas Film Commission.