Rick "Coach" Green

Setting goals is critical, in and out of the classroom. Rick "Coach" Green , General Education Coordinator , The Art Institute of San Antonio, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston

Was there a defining moment when you knew you were destined to become a creative professional?

My junior year in high school, I was in the food service program. The drama teacher encouraged me to try out for the school play, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. After the director of the food service program saw me act in the play, she encouraged me to go back into regular studies and join the speech team. The next year, I was state champion in Duet Acting and fifth in the nation for Prose/Poetry…and I knew performing was my destiny.

What class assignment exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring?

Adults learn by doing. So when I teach the communication process model, my students act out the different components of the model. It’s an approach that’s based on collaboration and student-centered learning.

What’s the most important thing you impart to students to help them succeed in class and the real world?

I always have students set goals for their learning experience. Setting goals is critical, in and out of the classroom, to help you get and stay motivated.