Students can call me Professor DeJohn. I have been a professor for over seven years at Lone Star College and Houston Community College, and in the audio/video production field for over three decades. During this time, I also served as a public school teacher and administrator for over 17 years. Most recently, I was the Director of Education at Houston Public Media - PBS Channel 8. But I returned to the classroom at Jack Yates High School where I was previously the JY Cinema teacher from 2020 to 2022 - where we won first place at the UIL Film Festival in Austin two years in a row!

I have a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Digital Cinema and am pursuing my doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Houston. Most recently, I was named as a board member for the Southwest Alternative Media Project (SWAMP). And way back when, I was the first white band member at Jack Yates High School in 1981! So I am ultra dedicated to helping young Lions reach their fullest potential for a great life and a bright future so they can perhaps return to 3rd Ward one day and keep Jack Yates High School a strong pillar in our community!

I have very high expectations for my scholars in JY Cinema - especially my high school students taking dual credit college classes as they will be expected to do at least double the work. I demand the highest rigor I demand of my JY Cinema college students to prepare them for what is next in life. In the real world of production, you will be required to work with a crew that counts on you. If you are absent, you are responsible for checking Canvas and to ensure your crew is caught up as well in missing assignments. 

The latest book I read is "Voice & Vision - A Creative Approach to Narrative Filmmaking" to get me ready for this next adventure. All of my JY Cinema students will read this book this year. I look forward to an amazing year. Here we go!