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UpfrontTexas Association of Journalism Educators February 2013

TAJEP.O. Box 5554

Austin, TX 78763-5554

taje.org

Susan DuncanPresident

903.295.5031, ext. [email protected]

Cindy BerryPresident-Elect940.393.7231cindy.berry@

decatur.esc11.ne

Christine DavisSecretary

817.571.0271, ext. [email protected]

Mikyela TedderTreasurer

[email protected]

Alyssa BoehringerState Director

214.385.7078aboehringer@

mckinneyisd.net

Pat GathrightConvention Director

[email protected]

Brenda SlattonAssistant

Convention Director210.442.0300, ext. 350

[email protected]

Sue JettAssistant

Convention Director210.442.0800, ext. 262

[email protected]

Sheryl FloydPresident

512.775.3405

Dianne Smith-HarperWebmaster

[email protected]

Rhonda MooreExecutive Director

[email protected]

Cindy Todd thought she was going to a facul-ty meeting during a staff workday to talk about an upcoming activities fair. When she got to the meeting, her principal said they were going to celebrate some accomplishments and recognize one of the teachers. Then she saw H.L. Hall.

“The minute he introduced H.L. Hall, I knew what was happening,” Todd said. “I couldn’t believe it. I turned to Deanne [Brown, news-paper adviser], who was in on it all along, and asked her if it was really happening. And, of course, I started crying.”

Todd, yearbook adviser at Westlake High School in Austin, was named the H.L. Hall Na-tional Yearbook Adviser of the Year Jan. 7. She �� -ers Luncheon at the JEA/NSPA convention in San Francisco in April. In addition to a plaque, she will receive $1,000 for her program and $1,000 for herself.

Todd said to have her name on a plaque with Hall’s is “surreal.”

“Before I ever started teaching, I knew the name H.L. Hall. He was already a legend,” she said. “To be among a group of folks whom I’ve revered and respected my entire career is truly humbling. I believe this award is every bit as much about my students and the Westlake jour-nalism program as it is me. I realize I’m fortu-nate to work in a district that supports scholas-tic journalism and allows us to take advantage of opportunities like state and national conven-tions.”

In addition to Hall and the Westlake facul-ty, JEA executive director Kelly Furnas, Todd’s family, some of her current and former editors, and some representatives from Jostens Publish-ing were there to help honor her.

“We journalism teachers are incredibly for-tunate to have organizations like TAJE, JEA, NSPA, CSPA and Quill & Scroll that support and recognize us for our hard work,” Todd said. “To have JEA come into my school and honor me was truly special and unique. I actually feel bad for the other teachers who richly deserve

but don’t get this type of recognition. I was hap-py I had a chance to express that to our faculty.”

Todd has been involved in journalism since she was voted by the student body to be editor of her junior high newspaper.

“I worked on the newspaper staffs in both high school and college,” Todd said. “I was the news editor in high school and was paid to be the Associate Editor of the West Texas A&M (then West Texas State University) newspaper.”

Although she said teaching journalism is all she ever wanted to do, her teaching career be-gan later than most.

“I was an editor on the newspaper staff in high school and always had an interest in jour-nalism,” Todd said. “When I initially went to college, I was a married English and journalism major and planned to teach. Life intervened. I had a child, and I ended up dropping out of college after my son became ill. After life as a farmer’s wife for 10 years, at age 28, I headed

JEA names Cindy Todd National Yearbook Adviser of the Year

Westlake High School adviser Cindy Todd gets a hug from former JEA president H.L. Hall as he presents her with the National Yearbook Teacher of the Year Award Jan. 7. Photo by David Oliver.

Continued on page 5

From the PresidentSusan Duncan

Pine Tree High SchoolTAJE President

2 Texas Association of Journalism Educators February 2013

Keeping abreast on new trends is part of our job as publication advisers. For most, that’s not a problem because we are a pretty geeky group.

One of the things TAJE board mem-bers talked about at the January meet-ing was improving the curriculum on our website. We had a substantial amount of curriculum collected a few years ago, but much of that is now dated and needs to be replaced. We need your help. If each member made one contribution, think of how much we could share.

Instructions for a Blog Portfolio

1. Create a blog using blogspot.com. You will �� a Google account if you do not have one, and then set up the actual blog.

2. �� photos on the blog should be photos YOU ��!��"� ��#$%�work.

3. Make the site your own by adding quotes you like or changing the template.

4. Add three of the retouched photos you ��&��'��always add more than the required num-ber of photos to your blog. The numbers I give you are minimums. Keep in mind that you only want your best work to appear in ��"� ��

5. If you have problems loading a photo to ��( ��)��&��*�� )��+�� cannot exceed a certain size to upload them to the blog. You may need to shrink ��(��/!0�67��/#%�8�9�& DEVICES and then making the size of the image about 25 percent the original size.

Here’s an example of a blog project I do with my students along with a rubric to grade it. I am also including a �� -get. I keep the forms private, but I encourage the students not to use a password they use for a lot of other accounts.

So I would like to issue a chal-lenge: Add a PowerPoint presenta-tion, a handout, an instruct ion sheet, a page of cool resources, a YouTube video you made, etc. and I will put your name in a drawing for some cool prizes I will bring to the ILPC convention in April. In fact, I’ll enter your name multiple times for each piece of curriculum you send, so ��

you have saved over the years, revamp them if desired, and upload them to

http://www.dropitto.me/taje You will feel good about spending a small amount of time to help someone else.

I hope to see a re-juvenated curriculum section on the website by the time we make our way to Austin, and if you win and can’t make it to Austin, I’ll send your prize to you. Let nothing keep you from sharing your knowledge and expertise.

Members asked to help update website curriculum

Rubric for a Blog Portfolio

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State Director’s Report

Alyssa BoehringerMcKinney High SchoolTAJE State Director

February 2013 Texas Association of Journalism Educators 3

When the TAJE board met in January, one item discussed was a request for proposals to move the headquarters of JEA away from Kansas State Univer-sity. In March, JEA will disseminate its request for proposals (RFP) and accept offers from other universities. Until that time, JEA is seeking your input as they move forward with this process.

The reasons for the possible change are outlined in the minutes from JEA’s board meeting in San Antonio. You can view these minutes on the JEA website, but I will share a little bit about their thinking.

Currently, K-State has an interim department chair who will not negoti-ate the executive director’s contract. Because it had to wait for a permanent department chair to be named, the JEA board decided to see what else was out there.

�� through educational opportunities, ��!� �� -tion of student and teacher excellence has made the organization an essential part of the scholastic journalism uni-verse under the leadership of Kelly

"��#�%��is concern that Kelly has to split his time between JEA and teaching and advising student publications for K-State.

So far, they’ve formed a committee consisting of the JEA executive board (president, vice presi-dent and past presi-dent) plus Bradley Wil-son to conduct research about the wants and needs of the organiza-tion.

Assuming Kelly, Connie Fulker-��would remain at Kansas State, moving headquarters would not merely relocate ��#�� of the organization.

��of Kelly, Connie and their staff daily. '��from their work daily. Our students �� #�� form your thoughts on this topic, please consider what it would mean to lose this ��#

After the TAJE board members dis-

cussed issues surrounding the RFP, we drafted a letter to the JEA board and RFP committee outlining our concerns. Simply stated, we said the board should wait until a new department chair is ap-pointed this spring before they dissemi-

nate their request for proposals and give Kelly Furnas and Kansas State the opportunity they deserve to maintain this re-

lationship. If you have any comments or con-

cerns regarding the RFP, please share them with the JEA board or myself. I am also happy to answer any questions you may have about the process.

No matter what, please know the JEA board as well as the TAJE board have the best interests of educators and scholastic journalists in mind. We would like to thank the executive board and RFP committee for their commitment to scholastic journalism and to this orga-nization. We in Texas feel strongly that this group of leaders will make the right decision as we move forward.

JEA board considers moving its headquarters

The Asian American Journalists As-sociation announced JCamp 2013 will take place June 21-26 at George Wash-ington University in Washington, DC. High school freshmen, sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply to this all-expense paid program.

The six-day training camp brings together a culturally diverse group of students from across the nation to learn from veteran journalists and me-dia executives. JCamp participants will receive hands-on training and produce multi-platform news packages for the program’s news website.

The students selected demonstrate a keen interest in broadcasting, news-paper, magazine, photojournalism or online media. This program is not lim-ited to Asian American students and is open to all high school freshmen, soph-

omores and juniors. There is no fee to apply and all costs are covered — in-cluding airfare, lodging and meals. Students stay in university housing during the camp week.

JCamp’s goal is to develop the next generation of journalists. This six-day training camp brings together a multi-cultural group of high school students from across the nation to sharpen their journalism skills and work together in a unique learning environment. The curriculum consists of interactive workshops, hands-on training and ��#��an online blog that showcases their skills acquired at JCamp: http://jcam-plive.aaja.org/

JCamp strives to ensure excellence in the profession for decades to come by confronting the lack of diversity in

journalism, not just in race, but also in other socioeconomic factors. With diverse media teams, future readers, viewers and listeners will get different views on government, human inter-est, entertainment, recreation, science, medicine, national and international news.

To apply, go to the AAJA log-in page, https://customer9867c50f.por-tal.production.membersuite.com/profile/CreateAccount_BasicInfo.��*!��+��#��!� � �� 4��and Competitions” header on the right side. Click “View Open Compe-titions” to launch the JCamp 2013 ap-plication.

Complete the application require-ments by the March 15 deadline.

AAJA to host JCamp 2013 June 21-26 in Washington

�� 4 Texas Association of Journalism Educators February 2013

The following members have agreed ��#

Ballots are in the mail. Deadline for returning ballots is March 1.

President-ElectCharla HarrisPleasant Grove HS;�<��*��=�>?� ��;� ��@��X�Z� ��=� <��!� \��-paper, Online Newspaper, Broadcast Journalism, Desktop Publishing, Inde-pendent Studies in Journalism;� ^�� =� �� -able resource and support system for journalism teachers across the state, and my �� -cer would obvi-ously be to con-tinue that legacy. Our members are strong advocates for scholastic journalism, and our publications lead the nation. How-ever, I think we also need to reach out to those schools where journalism is often a second thought, the advisers �� 4�� !`� ��mentoring and support from TAJE �� #�We need to think of new ways to serve journalism teachers across the state, especially in these times where bud- Continued on page 5

gets are short and administrators say “no” to travel and workshops. And of course, we need to continue our focus on changing technology so that our students are prepared for what faces them after high school. I hope I can help TAJE address these issues and meet the needs of journalism teachers across the state.

SecretarySue BlackmonKlein Forest HS;� ��@��X�Z� ��=� �� !� ��-vanced Journalism Yearbook, Ad-vanced Journalism Newspaper, Inde-pendent Study in Journalism;� <�� *��=� {{� �� (all journalism and publications);� ^�� =� �� presence in journalism and offers an abundance of in-formation, train-ing and contests. Continuing this presence in scho-lastic journalism is important. Mov-ing further into the 21st century and determining how to keep students interested in pur-suing journalism and the value of students publications is critical to keep our programs thriving in today’s educational environment.

Margie RaperWakeland HS;� ��@��X�Z� ��=� �� -tions and Photojournalism;� <�� *��=� |}� ��#� %��teaching, I worked as a broadcast re-��~%��-��*��#��@��educator with JEA and have recently earned my Mas-ters of Education in Technology Leadership.;�^��=�My goal for TAJE is to assist stu-dents and educa-tors to have an solid understand-ing of the prin-ciples of journal-ism while using emerging technology to enhance skills and interact with others.

TreasurerChristine DavisTrinity HS;� ��@��X�Z� ��=� �� !�Newspaper, Yearbook, Literary Maga-zine;�<��*��=�|?� ��;� ^�� =� �� @� �� TAJE secretary and want to remain active in our organization and state-wide scholastic journalism in general.

Charla Harris

Sue Blackmon

Margie Raper

SAVE THE DATEScholastic Journalism WeekFeb. 17-23

Journalist of the Year deadlineMarch 1

ILPC Vonderheid scholarship deadlineMarch 1

Jostens scholarship deadlineMarch 1

TAJE scholarship deadlineMarch 2

1st week of district UILMarch 18-23

Herff Jones scholarship deadlineMarch 30

Walsworth scholarship deadlineApril 13

2nd week of UILMarch 25-30

JEA/NSPA San Francisco conventionApril 25-28

UIL RegionalsApril 18-20

ILPC conventionApril 27-28

UIL StateMay 20-22

ILPC Summer WorkshopJune 21-24

2013-15 �� February 2013 Texas Association of Journalism Educators 5

Continued from page 4

Laura Negri

Christine Davis

Alyssa Boehringer

back to college as a single mom of two to become a jour-nalism teacher. I worked as an editor on the college news-paper up until the time I began my student teaching un-der Lana Jackson, an award-winning adviser at Tascosa High School in Amarillo. She advised both yearbook and ��!�� *�� journalism. After graduation from college, I was hired to teach English and journalism and advise the newspaper at Randall High School in Amarillo. Just before school started, the yearbook adviser decided she didn’t want to advise that publication anymore, so I became the year-book adviser as well.”

Todd moved to Westlake 14 years ago. She said in her classes, all levels of yearbook work together.

“Rookies learn from the veterans, and the veterans get a chance to mentor the newer staffers,” she said. “When staffers have questions, I encourage them to ask an editor before they ask me. It makes the editors better and gives them a chance to create lasting leadership skills. I try to teach the skills they need and let them produce the book.”

Todd said she made sure her students know this award honors them, too.

“I think what has made me the most proud over the years is knowing I’ve provided an environment for shy, insecure freshmen to become a part of a group and thrive

TAJE served as a valuable resource to me as a begin-ning teacher, and I would like to con-tinue that by serv-ing our journal-ism teachers and students. Helping journalism teach-ers and their in-creasingly diverse needs and keeping up with trends that affect journalism programs is impor-tant to scholastic journalism’s growth.

State DirectorAlyssa BoehringerMcKinney HS;��@��X�Z��=�%��!��-tojournalism, Video Technology

in a safe place and then watch them grow and mature �� !� �� !� ��in college and work in rewarding professions,” she said.

Todd said the most rewarding part of her job is watch-ing her students create something from nothing.

“I love seeing the pride they feel on distribution day when they crack the book open to their spreads they cre-ated, the photos they took and the stories they wrote, and it occurs to them their work will last forever,” she said. “I love that yearbook provides a place for students to feel safe to take risks, form friendships and be a part of some-thing much bigger than themselves. I also love it when former students tell me (and they often do) that the skills they learned from working on the yearbook are the ones they use most often in college and in their careers. I love that they still want me involved in their lives long after graduation.”

Todd said the job never gets old because each year is completely different.

“The personality of the editorial staff, the events that happen and the direction the book takes is constantly changing,” she said. “I don’t really experience burnout because I don’t take the photos, write the copy or do the pages — the kids do. For me, it’s fun because I get to con-tribute ideas (whether or not they use them), and it serves as a creative outlet for me. I’m just a big yearbook nerd.”

;� <�� *��=� ?� �� journalism;� ^�� =� �� !�I would represent Texas journalism teachers on the national level by attend-ing all national and state conventions. I would improve communications within the organization by continu-ing to update a TAJE Facebook and Twitter and by writing regu-lar articles for the website. I would emphasize edu-cating member-ship on changes in technology and support Texas teachers in their quest to educate young journalists by any means neces-

sary. With strong leadership, I know Texas will continue to lead the way in scholastic journalism.

Laura NegriAlief Kerr HS;��@��X�Z�taught: Jour-nalism, Pho-tojournalism, Digital Media, Video Produc-tion, Newspaper, Yearbook, Desk-top Publishing;� <�� *��-ence: 17 years;�^��=�To facilitate commu-nication and support between journal-ism advisers.

Continued from page 1

Todd honored with national award

Application for Student ScholarshipAPPLICANT

Name

Home Address

City/State/Zip

Phone ( ) Social Security #

School Name

School Phone ( )

Adviser’s Name

Relate your involvement with journalism while in high school.

List any journalism awards and honors you have received.

List any other high school awards/honors.

What are your college plans?

In addition to the $1,500 Bill Taylor Scholarship awarded to the Texas High School Journalist of the Year, TAJE awards four $1,000 scholar-ships to graduating high school seniors each year. To be eligible for one of these scholarships, a student must:

;��%��;�� application;�� published work

In addition, his/her adviser must be a current member of TAJE.

All students who wish to apply for ��!�even those applying for Journalist of the Year.

ChecklistPlease be sure your application and/or portfolio contain the fol-lowing:;�� held and how many years in each position.;�<��@��;�� -ing a journalism teacher.

If you want your portfolio re-turned, please check the follow-ing:

� I would like my portfolio returned. I am enclosing $11 for postage.Please make checks payable to TAJE.

Entries must be postmarked no later than March 2.

Please send your portfolio along with this application by March 2 to:

Mikyela TedderLindale High SchoolJournalism Dept.P.O. Box 370Lindale, TX 75771



TAJE may award up to six student scholarships for up to $150 per scholar-ship. Schol-arships are not awarded solely on need but rather on all compo-nents of the applicant’s complete presentation. Applicants are limited to students of TAJE mem-bers only, and a maximum of three students per school may apply.

TAJE SUMMER WORKSHOP STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

grade in next fall��middle school ��9th ��10th ��11th ��12th

How long have you been involved in journalism?

What publication will you be on next year?

What position will you hold next year?

Which workshop are you planning to attend?

Dates of workshop Cost of workshop

Create a one page essay explaining your need and desire to be the recipient of this scholarship. Include information such as how you expect a summer work-shop will help you in preparing for next year, how the workshop will prepare ��!��#�� #

name

home address

city/state/zip

phone #( ) social security #

school name

school phone #

adviser’s name

adviser’s home phone #

Return application and essay by March 2 to:

Mikyela TedderLindale HSJournalism Dept.P.O. Box 370Lindale, TX 75771

TAJE may award up to three teacher scholarships for up to $250 per scholarship. These scholar-ships may be used for sum-mer workshop tuition or for a journalism course that contributes to the teacher’s continuing professional development. Scholarships are not awarded solely on need but rather on all components of the applicant’s complete presentation. Applicants are limited to TAJE members who ��years or less.

TAJE SUMMER WORKSHOP TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

name

home address

city/state/zip

phone #( ) social security #

school name

school phone #

degrees you have earned (majors and schools)

How many years have you taught?��1 yr.��2 yrs.��3 yrs��4 yrs.�� 5 yrs.

subjects you will be teaching next year

How did you become involved in journalism outside of teaching?

What workshop do you plan to attend this summer?

Dates of workshop Cost of workshop

Explain your need and desire to be the recipient of this scholarship. Include information including your future goals as to scholastic journalism and any ��(you may use an additional sheet of paper if necessary).


Return application and essay by March 2 to:

Mikyela TedderLindale HSJournalism Dept.P.O. Box 370Lindale, TX 75771


��=�� Honorary Members: Friends of TAJE or Texas scholastic journalism

Entries must be postmarked no later than March 27, 2013.Mail nominations to:TAJEP.O. Box 5554Austin, TX 78763

Individual nominated:

Circle One: Life Membership Honorary Membership

~��@��=

Contributions of the individual to TAJE:

Journalism background:

Signature of TAJE member nominating

Nomination for TAJE Honorary/Life Membership

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