When Mr. Travis Cogburn joined DeSales in 2020, the school was looking for someone to head up the soon-to-be-open Gaming Innovations Lab as well as help with information technology. “I was looking for a new position in Kentucky and saw that DeSales was looking for someone who could help them start up an esports team as well as instruct students on the development of games. What really sold me on the position was that the school puts in a proactive effort in students with learning disabilities and ensuring that they have a good education, as during my time as a student growing up this was a struggle for me,” said Mr. Cogburn.
Fun Facts About Mr. Cogburn
What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?
I get to help inspire students with their ideas and imagination and communicate with them on topics that they are passionate about such as game development, VFX, and esports.
What do you think has been the most positive change/impact since your time at DeSales and why?
Students are learning how to use technology that from a first glance appears to be something out of a Hollywood movie that is imaginary to an average high schooler. Students are indulging in their creativity and having something other than academics or physical sports to look forward to in school
What do you see DeSales doing in the future to make an impact with students and/or the community?
Showing students how they are connected to the world through the use of technology. With the internet, we are now all able to learn about the subjects and topics that interest them.
Why should alumni and friends support DeSales?
Because students now have more opportunities to expand their knowledge outside of what can be found locally.
What have you learned from students?
That teaching is not easy or simple. Some students will have questions you cannot immediately answer, while others devote their attention to some of the more minor details as opposed to the big picture.
What is your proudest moment at DeSales?
Students are not afraid to ask questions about games or topics that other teachers may not be familiar with and have a discussion about the topic as opposed to it being brushed away.
What is your motto or personal mantra?
Life is a rocky road, it can be full of holes and other times be smooth. You can go slow or fast but either way, you will get to your destination, either way you have to keep moving forward.
What is your hidden talent?
I do not know everything when it comes to technology, but I can find out the answer rather quickly.
What would others be surprised to find out about you?
Just because I am a video game teacher does not mean that I am not athletic.
If you could take the students on a field trip anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
Probably to a GDG or PAX games conference, where students would get to meet indie developers who are building their own games from scratch and showing them to the public for feedback, so that they would get a chance to meet and talk with developers of video games and learn more about what it takes to make games.
How do you think the students will remember you and your class?
My students will likely remember my class as that weird fun class where students got to use fancy glowing computers to make games but spent all the time making the weirdest amalgamations they could create within the possibilities of the machines. *AKA fun weird stuff that I do not know how it works, but it is fun to mess with it.
What were you like as a student?
I struggled as a student with auditory processing, remembering reading work, but anything technology related was a breeze for me.
How do you show school spirit?
By giving the students tools they need to express themselves with their interests in a digital format.