Latest news with #Gainor
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ms. Mandi Gainor is our Educator of the Week!
LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — FOX8 honors Mandi Gainor of Southwood Elementary School. Congrats, Ms. Gainor! If you know of an educator who is worthy of this nomination, please fill out the nomination form here. Educator of the Week is sponsored by the North Carolina Education Lottery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Oklahoma education board suspends teaching license of Hugo special ed teacher accused of abuse
The teaching license of a special education teacher in Hugo was suspended by the Oklahoma State Board of Education amid a law enforcement investigation into reports of child abuse. Investigators say a special education teacher abused two of her students at Hugo Middle School for months while three other employees in the classroom did nothing. Yolanda Dunbar was sent home Jan. 16 after a principal saw possible abuse on a surveillance camera feed and called the Choctaw County Sheriff's Office, a sheriff's deputy reported. Dunbar is now facing two felony counts of child abuse and is facing termination from the school district in far southeastern Oklahoma. She denies abusing her students. Dunbar's license is effectively suspended pending a revocation hearing to be conducted by a hearing officer. Four other educators — three paraprofessionals and a teacher — who allegedly witnessed the abuse have resigned, the school district said. One of them voluntarily surrendered their teaching license to the state Thursday. The Oklahoman is not naming them because they have not been charged. More: An Oklahoma special ed teacher promised an 'EPIC' year. Prosecutors say she was abusive The board also voted to suspend a former Haworth Public Schools teacher's license pending a revocation hearing to be conducted by a hearing officer. Terah Wright is facing three felony counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology. She's facing another felony count of possessing juvenile pornography. Wright's charges are related to alleged inappropriate relationships with four male students with ages ranging from 14-18, and an 11-year-old female, according to the probable cause affidavit in a warrant issued by the McCurtain County District Court. Accusations against Wright in the affidavit include sharing inappropriate images and videos with the alleged victims, and possessing child pornography. Wright denied such accusations, according to investigators. The board voted to accept the hearing officer's proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law on the teacher certificate of Stephen Gainor. His license was revoked by the board two years after being accused of physical abuse. The Oklahoma City Public Schools district fired Gainor in May 2023 after placing him on leave the previous February. Gainor didn't attend the special district board meeting at which his termination was considered. Gainor, a former special education teacher at Webster Middle School, reportedly placed the student in an improper hold in his classroom and held the child's head against the ground for more than three minutes, according to a school district record documenting the incident. The board suspended Gainor's license by an emergency order in May 2024. Contributing: Staff writer Nolan Clay This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSBE suspends Hugo Oklahoma teacher's license amid abuse allegations
Sharjah 24
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Filmmakers discuss balancing creative vision at Xposure
Titled 'Balancing Art and Commerce in Direction, the session featured panelists Glenn Gainor, Franklin Leonard, Neel Kumar, and Danielle Arden, and moderated by film creative Bjoern Lauen, who shed light on the financial realities of filmmaking and the evolving global landscape of storytelling. Gainor is a veteran producer with decades of studio experience at places like Amazon MGM and Sony Pictures. Leonard is a writer and founder of Black List, an online platform dedicated to identifying screen-adaptable content; Arden is a theatre writer and actor-turned-filmmaker; while Kumar is a filmmaker, writer and storyteller with acclaimed short films under his belt. 'Film requires a significant amount more capital to execute than most other art forms,' said Leonard. 'The first question any filmmaker should ask is: 'Is this a story best told in this medium?' Because if it's better suited as a novel or a podcast, those options are far less capital-intensive.' Kumar shared his own journey raising funds for his first feature film. 'I knocked on 72 doors before I found someone willing to put in half the budget if I could match it. That process changed how I approached filmmaking. Now, I see it as my responsibility as a writer-director-producer to make my films commercially viable.' Gainor recounted a striking experience at a major studio. 'I once had a project where the director's vision and the studio president's expectations for the budget were worlds apart. It was my job to figure out, which movie are we making? There was a $20 million difference between the two pitches. Filmmakers need to understand that balancing budgets and creative ambition is part of the job.' Leonard highlighted the need for filmmakers to develop leadership skills alongside artistic ones. 'At the end of the day, filmmaking is a collaborative medium. You're not just an artist: you're a leader, managing people's time, money, and trust,' he explained. Craft, storytelling and global film markets The panel also examined the changing landscape of global cinema and the rising prominence of non-Hollywood narratives. 'Hollywood has long acted like it's the centre of the film world, but in reality, it's just local content about America,' said Leonard. 'Now, audiences have access to everything: Korean dramas, Arabic cinema, Bollywood films. What matters is not where a story comes from, but whether it resonates universally.' On advice for emerging filmmakers, Leonard offered a simple but profound takeaway. 'If your script is so compelling that it makes someone rush to tell every person they know about it, then you're on the right track.' Arden, speaking from a regional perspective, noted that the Middle East is at a turning point. 'More than ever, we're seeing interest in stories from this region, not just from local filmmakers but also expats who call this place home. The industry is shifting, and the world is starting to pay attention to what's coming out of the Middle East.' Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) Xposure 2025 is taking place in Aljada, Sharjah until February 26. To plan your visit, see
Sharjah 24
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Filmmakers behind Hollywood blockbusters to take stage at Xposure
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure International Photography Festival will take place from 20-26 February 2025 at Aljada, Sharjah, bringing together industry pioneers, creatives, and visionaries to celebrate the art of storytelling across all visual mediums. The art of filmmaking The festival will feature exclusive screenings, panels, and workshops, creating a dynamic platform for filmmakers and enthusiasts to explore cinema's evolving impact. With box office revenue projected to reach $43.27 billion in 2025 and 70% of global audiences consuming films digitally, storytelling has never been more accessible. Xposure 2025 provides a unique opportunity for emerging filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts to connect with the creative minds behind some of the most influential films of our time. Serving as the Head of Physical Production at Amazon MGM Studios, Glenn Gainor oversees the physical aspects of film and television production. His role involves managing budgets, schedules, and logistics to ensure successful project completions. In his talk 'Sustainability & Cross-Cultural Filmmaking' Gainor will demonstrate how compelling storytelling can inspire environmental awareness without overtly preaching sustainability. Franklin Leonard is the founder of 'The Black List', an annual survey that identifies the most-liked unproduced screenplays in Hollywood. Since its inception, The Black List has become a significant platform, leading to the production of numerous acclaimed films and shaping the careers of many screenwriters. Martin Desmond Roe is an Oscar-winning director, and co-directed 'Two Distant Strangers', a short film that addresses systemic racism and police brutality. The film won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. He is also the founder of Dirty Robber, a production company known for its dynamic visual storytelling. His co-director, Travon Free is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker and his work often addresses social justice themes, bringing attention to pressing societal issues through compelling narratives. Pippa Ehrlich and Roger Horrocks are a duo renowned for their work on 'My Octopus Teacher', a documentary that explores the unique bond between a filmmaker and an octopus in a South African kelp forest. The film received widespread acclaim for its intimate storytelling and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. As an acclaimed visual artist, Dennis Schmelz is known for his stunning travel films and cinematography. His work captures diverse cultures and landscapes, offering viewers a visually immersive experience. A visionary filmmaker and photographer, Rick Smolan is best known for 'Tracks', a film adaptation of Robyn Davidson's memoir about her solo trek across the Australian desert. His storytelling often highlights extraordinary human experiences and adventures. As a documentary filmmaker, Jerome Pin focuses on critical global issues, shedding light on topics that impact societies worldwide. His work aims to inform and inspire change by bringing these issues to the forefront. As Xposure 2025 welcomes the cinematic world into its creative fold, it invites audiences to celebrate the power of film, engage with visionary storytellers, and immerse themselves in an experience that transcends the boundaries of visual storytelling. For more information visit
