Mentoring Program

The first class of mentees eligible to attend a convention with their mentors gather at the Lunch and Learn and are photographed by K-State student Olivia Bergmeier. Mentees in their second or optional third year can attend a convention with their mentors for this learning experience. Photo by Julia Satterthwaite, MJE

The JEA Mentoring Program matches trained veteran advisers with individuals new to teaching journalism and advising student media to offer support and guidance during their initial years in scholastic journalism education. Through a personal relationship, mentors can share best practices and resources, model instructional strategies, observe lessons (in person or via internet), collaborate in lesson planning and serve as a valuable connection to a professional learning community. 

The program focuses on giving new advisers a chance to ask questions, receive individualized feedback and take positive risks, all while growing their programs and gaining a sense of comfort and confidence in their journalism teaching and advising. Mentees in their second or optional third year of the program are eligible to attend a national convention with their mentor.

Mentees receive free JEA membership during their time in the program. To enroll as a mentee and receive support, fill out this form. If you have additional questions, email mentoring@jea.org.

Want to support a new teacher and give back to the scholastic journalism community? Fill out this form to sign up to serve as a JEA Mentor.

What our mentees say:

Mentee Kelley Lange of Ralston High School in Nebraska has been working with mentor Stephenie Conley, MJE, since the fall of 2019. Photo used with permission

Q: What does having a JEA mentor mean to you? 

A: “My JEA mentor has been such a blessing. She helped advocate for my program, direct me to resources and has answered questions beyond my level of expertise. I don't think I could've done this job without her. The JEA Mentor Program hasn't been just good for me, but it has motivated my students, too. As a first-year adviser, our yearbook won several awards and competitions, and the program hadn't won or even competed in over a decade. Students finally saw what their yearbook could be, and it was because I had so much help in the mentorship program.”

Q: What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your mentor?

A: “All of the advice is good, and it all serves a different purpose. My mentor has definitely come in and guided me in a pinch, too. I think the best part of having an adviser is that she has taken me off an island. I know I have a network of people who are willing to help and guide me. Too often, journalism advisers are the only people in the building who do the job they do. The Mentoring Program has given me a new close friend in my area who understands every facet of my job.” 

Mentees receive free JEA membership during their time in the program. To enroll as a mentee and receive support, fill out this form. If you have additional questions, email Mentoring Program Coordinator Julia Satterthwaite, MJE, at mentoring@jea.org.

What our mentors have to say:

PJ Cabrera, CJE, has been mentoring in Texas since 2019. Photo used with permission

Q: What does mentoring mean to you?
A: “For many journalism advisers, we are the only ones at our schools. It is incredibly important to foster relationships within our academic circle, especially building up and mentoring new advisers. It can be a lonely place, especially during that moment in the year when you have a newspaper and yearbook deadline back to back, teaching intro classes or classes in another discipline, all while having colleagues, administrators and parents down your throat because they need something from you.”

Do you want to support a new teacher and give back to the scholastic journalism community? Fill out this form to sign up to serve as a JEA Mentor and complete our online training modules through Participate.

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