Ask Someone Who’s Been Through It

1. Ask Someone Who’s Been Through It Lizabeth Walsh, MJE Reno High School ewalsh@washoe.k12.nv.us www.lizabethwalsh.weebly.com

2. 6 parts to advising • Learning the basics of journalism • Teaching in the classroom • Grading and holding kids accountable • Dealing with finances • Interacting with others • Policymaking

3. Textbook(s) News University Kent State online JEA Listserv University summer classes Reynolds Advisers’ Institute Your new staff ASNE & hsj.org Other advisers in your area Yearbook company reps J.S. Printing help SPLC Summer camps from companies and private individuals Where do I go to learn more?

4. How did you get involved? • Attended a JEA convention • Went to summer camp (good & bad) • Let my kids run the book (good & bad) • Attended another 3 JEA conventions • Got a job that included newspaper • Practically memorized the textbook • Attended another 4 JEA conventions - I taught classes and judged the write-offs • Finally got the courage to take my CJE exam & passed! • Instead of renewing, got my MJE

5. Anything you’d do differently? • Purchasing journalism books • Getting critique books/forms • Trading for Crown and Pacemaker books & newspapers • Asking for GOLD / All-American pubs • Sending in our publications for critique • Shadowing other advisers • Taking journalism courses for master’s

6. What do you suggest for the classroom? • Even though it’s different, it has to be kind of the same as other classes • LOTS of guided practice required • Small group work • Large group work • Individual meetings during seatwork time • Peer tutoring or peer mentoring

7. What should I teach? (YB) • History of the school (yearbook as history book) • Law & Ethics • Interviewing • Photojournalism • Design & Visual Packaging • Preparing for writing (the writing process) • Concept development (theme, angles, design) • News writing • Feature writing • Sports writing • Advertising development & sales

8. What should I teach? (NP) • History of journalism • Law & Ethics • Current Events • Interviewing & information gathering • Photojournalism • The writing process (developing ideas thoroughly) • News writing • Feature writing • Sports writing • Opinion writing • Cartooning • Design & Visual Packaging • Advertising development & sales

9. What should I teach? (J1) • Yearbook as history book • News magazine • Art/literary magazine • Broadcasting (tv, radio, etc.) • Web page use • Podcasting • Twitter, etc. • Convergence • Desktop publishing program(s) • Advertising development & sales • History of journalism • Law & Ethics • Current Events • News writing • Feature writing • Sports writing • Opinion writing • Cartooning • Design & Visual Packaging • Interviewing • Photojournalism • The writing process

10. How should I teach? Plan units thoroughly-Schedule time to present new material in small chunks, let students digest material (guided practice), have students present back to you with explanations (independent practice) Use a calendar (give to students) Create practice situations for every type of thing they may publish later BEFORE making them do it for real

11. How should I teach? Webquests, student projects, etc. Student research is excellent method Ask students to teach chapter material to each other/ small groups/ entire class. Create assignments with purpose- how will they apply it in the real world? Have students play with programs as much as possible. Differentiated instruction for some concepts

12. Where do I find materials? JEA bookstore Other teachers Yearbook publishers National, regional, state, local conferences SPLC (legal matters) NSPA “the wheel” Hsj.org

13. What about the perfect grading system? There is no perfect system! Sorry. Classroom participation (daily work) Homework (ad sales here) Assigned projects (actual student work) Quizzes and tests (formative & summative) I use C=30%, H=10%, A=40%, Q=20%

14. Tell me more about grading Describe precisely what you want the results to be (RUBRICS) Rubistar4teachers.org Class expectations and guidelines Parent and student contracts Consider re-taking opportunities for quizzes Be sure to use formative & summative evaluation for lesson adjustments

15. Tell me more about grading Editors have separate tasks, so their grades are determined differently Staffers can be evaluated partially by editors (once they are trained) Staffers should be able to give feedback regarding editors and working relationship Editors should be able to accurately self-evaluate.

16. What do I do differently for staffers? Set clear expectations & goals early. Check on each person in a one-on-one meeting yourself at least every other week. Do not ever accept delays or excuses: “I’ll have it tomorrow.” or “It’s at home.” or “I e-mailed it. What? You didn’t get it?” Be firm & just (not fair).

17. What about the money? Biggest reason advisers are fired Sometimes HUGE accounts $125K+ Ask what the admin’s expectations are Ask where money comes from Ask where money goes Ask who has purchasing control Ask about deposit & payment procedures

18. Tell me more about money. Start early. Find partners in school or community. Stay on it all the time. Have several small goals & multiple ways to reach them. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Don’t make money you can’t keep.

19. How do I deal with…? Administration: find out what they want, share what you want, come to agreement. Supervising administrator: meet early in year, share standards you are meeting, invite them at specific times to evaluate you. Parents: Send home notes or call or use website re: Open House, special parent meetings, POPS, chaperones, etc. Other teachers/coaches: Establish positive relationships early on.

20. How do I create policies? NSPA’s “The Wheel” Other advisers in your area Other schools in JEA/NSPA How would you want to be treated if you were on the other end of the policy? Obituaries, advertising, photo ethics, quotes-what we will/won’t print, group photos, school photos, coverage, sensitive issues, mission statement, etc.

21. Anything else? Investigate master’s program or graduate credits in journalism. Ask lots of questions of any of us journalism nerds. Look into certification- it can be valuable when dealing with administrators and others (CJE & MJE)

22. What else would you like to know? Here’s the part where you get to ask your advising questions  ewalsh@washoe.k12.nv.us www.lizabethwalsh.weebly.com (775) 813-0000 Friend me on Facebook- Lizabeth Walsh