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Texas High School Building Next Generation of Animators with Certifications

Joshua Frisch • August 24, 2023

Project-Based Learning Approach to Animation Curriculum

We love to highlight our teachers and students, and today we are taking a look at one of our schools in Texas. William Rodriguez is the CTE Chair and Digital Imaging and Animation Professor at Manor Independent School District in Manor and is heading into his second year using CTeLearning’s

Animation course.

Texas High School Building Next Generation of Animators with Certifications

William’s students enjoy using our Animation curriculum that features engaging tutorials and provides students with an inside look at animation careers. The course features interviews with real animators, including from block buster movies. William’s students have the opportunity to earn international industry-recognized Animation certifications from Web Professionals Global, the professional association for all those who work on the web.

We chatted with William to hear more about his first year working with us and what he is looking forward to in the 23-24 school year. Stay tuned later this year for an article with insights from some of William’s students about how they are enjoying the Animation course.


You ran your first group of students through the Animation course in Spring 2023. How was that experience? 

Wow. That experience was really a heck of a gauntlet run, honestly. We’d been on the hunt for a certification house to challenge the animators I had been teaching for years. We were approved by the district and I presented the program to my animators in the final two months of the school year! They were hesitant at first, but when they realized that it was all of the concepts and techniques I’d already taught them, they relented to give it a go. They were wrapped up in the storytelling and finer points of the lessons when the end of the school year finally caught up with them. The animators who finished the program were so proud of their accomplishments that they were the first to help relaunch our animation club the following year.

What did you find different or surprising about the CTeLearning curriculum? 

When I first logged in, I was surprised to see that the project-based learning (PBL) curriculum was being used. Our campus is a 100% PBL/PrBL school, so to see the model put to use on a level that was accessible to many more schools was highly encouraging. 


How did your students react when they found out they had earned their industry credentials?

My animators were elated when they’d received their credentials. I printed their certificates on high-gloss card-stock for them to frame. As an added bonus, I promised them that I’d give any of my animators who received their credentials a first shot at the internships offered by some of our area studios and true to my word, we got them placed!


Did you hear back from parents about their kids getting their industry-recognized certifications for web animation? 

I haven’t heard back from any of the parents, yet, but after one of my animators assured me that he would be applying for Savannah College of Design, Ringling College of Art and Design, and any other school with an animation program, I’m sure to hear something back from his parents. He’ll be the first to continue education past high school in his family.


Before you became a teacher, you were in the animation industry. What do you like about the Learn and Earn approach and partnership with Web Professionals Global?   

I found the ties into authentic experiences as seen through the lens of professionals to be refreshing. Embedding interviews from industry representatives was a great way to expose young scholars to the perspectives of those who are actually utilizing what’s being taught in the course.


Why do you think this approach to certifications is better than the model that teaches for a test?

Absolutely! The certification requirements are infused in the curriculum, allowing the students to earn certifications by completing their work and not being subjected to a high-stakes exam. The way the certifications exemplify the process of animation is brilliant! Teaching scholars how to test doesn’t give them the opportunity to build meaningful and vital portfolios, which any competent animator knows is the lifeblood of their career.


Why do you love to teach animation? 

I have strived to create the classes I wish I had when I was in high school (many, many moons ago) and I have been very impressed with how closely Web Professionals Global has aligned with my own teaching model and philosophy. PBL is designed to answer the “why” before the scholars can ask it. As an educator, I thoroughly appreciate how the knowledge checks are hidden in the lessons. I feel like the key history of animation is a bit sparse, but that’s probably more of a personal preference.


What is your favorite animated movie or animated series? Why?

Few features can captivate me the way Don Bluth’s film, The Secret of NIMH, has for most of my life. The fluid movement of the lip sync sequences and the character designs just inundated my imagination and spurred me further into my determination to animate in my adult life.


Your School Could Be Next

Interested in learning more about our Animation course or other courses? Contact our lead developer, Steve Waddell, today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com to schedule your free 20-minute demo. 


Special Note for Texas Schools: 

This certification can be found on the 2022-24 Industry-Based Certification (IBC) List for Public School Accountability list where we find the Web Animator certification. 

IBC Code: 967 

IBC Title: Certified Web Animator 

Certifying Entity Name: WebProfessionalsGlobal.org (previously known as WebProfessionals.org) 


More information on the certification


Read more about our schools using the Animation course in Colorado and Wisconsin.


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You can book a demo directly using Calendly, call us directly at 913-764-4272 or 877-828-1216, or submit the form and we will reach out to you.


We look forward to helping you and your students.

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By integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into their daily workflows, tradespeople can solve problems faster, communicate more effectively, and deliver higher-quality results. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to support and empower the trades will only grow, making it an indispensable partner for professionals in the field. CTeLearning's AI for the Workplace curriculum with an industry-based microcredential enables CTE teachers to give their students a career-boosting industry credential in just five hours of class time. This curriculum empowers learners with skills to use AI as a tool, positioning them as the most hireable employees in their fields. Interested in learning more? Click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo of any of our courses and certifications. Citations American Welding Society. (2023). “AI in Welding: Enhancing Precision and Quality.” Retrieved from https://www.aws.org National Association of Home Builders. (2023). “AI Tools in Construction Management.” Retrieved from https://www.nahb.org International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. (2023). “How AI is Supporting Electricians.” Retrieved from https://www.ibew.org Plumbing Manufacturers International. (2023). “AI Applications in Modern Plumbing.” Retrieved from https://www.safeplumbing.org WebProfessionalsGlobal.org “Congratulating the First Students to Earn the New Certified AI for the Workplace Credential” Retrieved from https://webprofessionalsglobal.org/congratulating-the-first-students-to-earn-the-new-certified-ai-for-the-workplace-credential/ WebProfessionalsGlobal.org “Introducing the AI for the Workplace Certificate “ https://webprofessionalsglobal.org/introducing-the-ai-for-the-workplace-certificate/

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By Steve Waddell • December 30, 2024
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For educators, these stories are opportunities to prepare students for thoughtful, ethical, and informed AI use. Remember: Mistakes aren’t the end—they’re a chance to learn. Equip your students to face AI challenges head-on and contribute to a better, smarter future. Our new course, AI for the Workplace , helps educators and learners navigate this evolving landscape. This program provides an industry-recognized certificate and equips students with practical skills to harness AI as a versatile tool across various career paths, trades, and technologies. The course bridges the gap between understanding AI concepts and applying them effectively in real-world scenarios. Want to learn more? Click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo of any of our courses and certifications.
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