by Julie Dodd
JEA Mentoring Committee co-chair
New advisers have a great learning opportunity by attending a Reynolds High School Journalism Institute. Five HSJ Institutes will be running this summer, and now’s the time to prepare and submit applications. The deadline is March 1.
Several mentees in the JEA Mentoring Program have participated in the institutes and have said how helpful the workshops are. Participants learn more about curriculum development, First Amendment Rights, incorporating multimedia into student media, and best practices in teaching journalism.
The programs have no cost for the teacher or the teacher’s school, with the Reynolds Foundation covering the costs. So this makes the selection process very competitive.
The directions on the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute websiteencourage applicants to write a strong essay that conveys the adviser’s “dedication to students and passion for life-long learning.”
Applicants are also encouraged to use their essays to explain the support they have for their media programs and their work. JEA mentees can talk about the support and encouragement they are receiving from their JEA mentors.
So check the dates for the 2013 institutes. Attending could be a powerful contribution to your professional growth as a teacher and adviser. Mentors, be sure to forward this information to your mentees.