Resources

I have a ton of information floating around my brain, as I’m sure so many other Fellows do, as well. Carol came up with a great idea to make coaching writers an easier, more streamlined process for the classroom.  I’m going to talk to her in the morning about creating the forms and posting them on Google Docs. 

I’ve also spoken to some of you about websites that I’ve come across as well as workshops that have proven themselves quite useful.

The Wheel at NSPA – This site, home of the National Scholastic Press Association, hosts great resources for J-teachers so they don’t have to re-invent the wheel.  (How funny are they with their catchy little pun name?)

ATPI – This is the Association Texas Photography Instructors website.  Don’t be alarmed.  Many of the teachers who belong to this group also teach some sort of journalism, whether it’s newspaper or yearbook. I attended their summer adviser workshop last year. I would have attended again this year, but some very nice people at ASNE offered me another workshop I couldn’t refuse on conflicting dates. Each year, they have two Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers come and teach a section in addition to rotating sections on what to do as a first-year photography teacher, how to get better sports pictures, media convergence and others. They also offer contests for photography students at $1 per entry for non-members and $.50 for members.

TAJE – This site is home to the Texas Association of Journalism Educators. I have gotten some awesome materials from this site, and I’m not even from Texas!

JEA – We’ve all either signed up for an initial or renewal membership to JEA. On this site, you’ll find information about national conferences, information about earning your CJE (Certified Journalism Educator) or MJE (Master Journalism Educator) certificates. There are also curriculums on the site, and links to the JEA Adviser Workshops held every summer. I would HIGHLY recommend the Sequence II for next summer. You can take kids with you, or you can go on your own. It’s always hosted at Kansas State University, so if you go, of course you can see me (since I live 20 miles away), but more importantly you’ll get valuable information from some of the best advisers in the nation.

I think those are all the sites I’ve mentioned to people, but if I’ve forgotten one, please let me know so I can add it. I don’t proclaim to know it all, but I’ve been very fortunate to have some very good advisers give priceless advice at the various events I’ve gone to. I’m indebted to them, but information is worthless if the people who need it most (US!) don’t have it.

I’m having a great time with all of you. This is the best workshop I’ve EVER been to, and I’m so excited to see what tomorrow brings.

Megs