Journalism Adviser’s Starter Kit
Many journalism advisers inherit a program and are unsure how to proceed. Since there are often no other journalism teachers in the school – and sometimes even in the district! – it can be easy to feel lost. Whether you are advising yearbook, print, online, broadcast, or magazine, we are here to help! WisJEA connects and supports scholastic journalism programs throughout Wisconsin. We provide professional connections between journalism advisers, support for student press rights, and coordination of the Wisconsin Journalist of the Year Award.
Here are resources that can help provide advisers with the resources they need to move their programs forward. If you have any questions, email us at [email protected] and we would be happy to help.
GET CONNECTED
LOCAL
Wisconsin Journalism Education Association (WisJEA)
The Wisconsin Journalism Education Association membership is FREE and entitles you to receive regular updates and communication from the WisJEA as well as take part in regular discussions and professional development opportunities with other student media advisers across the state. WisJEA also offers a scholarship every year. Sign up here.
Northeastern Wisconsin Press Association (NEWSPA)
NEWSPA is dedicated to supporting the future of journalism by providing educational opportunities and resources for teachers, student media advisers and students interested in creative careers. They have a conference every spring as well as contests. Join here.
Kettle Moraine Press Association (KEMPA)
The Kettle Moraine Press Association is dedicated to the support of scholastic journalism in Wisconsin and Illinois schools. They support both students and advisers through their October one-day conference, an adviser seminar in late winter, a student media workshop in July, competitions and scholarships. Join here.
NATIONAL
Journalism Education Association (JEA)
The Journalism Education Association is a professional organization for journalism teachers and media advisers. It pairs up with the National Scholastic Press Association for spring and fall conferences and offers support, certification and curriculum. Join here.
National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA)
National Scholastic Press Association, based and incorporated in Minnesota as a non-profit educational association, provides journalism education services to students, teachers, media advisers and others in the United States and other countries. They pair up with JEA to offer spring and fall conferences, and offer critiques, conferences and awards. Join here.
Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)
CSPA is an international student press association, founded in 1925, whose goal is to unite student journalists and faculty advisers at schools and colleges through educational conferences, idea exchanges, textbooks, critiques and award programs. Join here.
Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists encourages and recognizes individual student achievement in journalism and scholastic publication. This honor society offers local chapters the opportunity to form their own organization to recognize journalism scholars; Quill and Scroll also offers a critique and resources. Join here.
GET OPPORTUNITIES
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENT JOURNALISTS
- WisJEA Journalist of the Year Scholarship
- KEMPA Scholarships for Seniors
- NEWSPA Scholarships for UWO future students
- Wisconsin Newspaper Association Branen Scholarship
CRITIQUES AND AWARDS
- NSPA Critiques
- CSPA Medalist Critique
- NEWSPA Contests
- KEMPA Individual Contests and Critiques
- Quill and Scroll critiques
- Wisconsin Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest
HONORS
CAMPS AND LOCAL CONFERENCES
- KEMPA Summer Workshop
- KEMPA Fall Scholastic Journalism Conference
- NEWSPA Spring Conference
- Yearbook camps – if you are a yearbook adviser, check with your rep!
GET RESOURCES
JEA’s curriculum offers hundreds of lessons in areas including writing, multimedia, design and law and ethics. Each lesson includes standards, learning objectives, materials and assessment guides.
The Journalism Education Association launched this initiative to provide journalism teachers with resources and lesson materials to help teach virtually, in-person or a mix of both during the current pandemic. While the full JEA curriculum is available only to members, the Anywhere JEA resources are available to all.
Student Reporting Labs Curriculum and Projects
From PBS Newshour, the Student Reporting Labs offer stories produced by youth reporters across the country, and journalism and production curricula focused on news literacy, visual storytelling and civic engagement.
American Society of Newspaper Editors
ASNE runs HighSchoolJournalism.org, which offers a variety of curricular resources.
American Press Institute’s Student Journalism Resources
This collection of resources, curated by the nonprofit American Press Institute, is an excellent starting point for both students and advisers who are new to journalism or who want to brush up on the basics before getting down to more advanced work. Sections include “Journalism Essentials” and “Press Ahead: A Teacher’s Guide to Creating Student Newspapers.”
Society of Professional Journalists
The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.
GET SUPPORT
JEA Mentoring Program
With this completely FREE program, get matched with a veteran adviser for support in your first two years of advising. Receive a free JEA membership during your time in the program, which also gives access to their curriculum.
The Student Press Law Center works at the intersection of law, journalism and education to promote, support and defend the First Amendment and press freedom rights of student journalists and their advisers at the high school and college level. The SPLC uses the law to help students of all ages meaningfully participate in civic life and learn essential skills, ethics and values through the vehicle of journalism. The SPLC provides information, training and legal assistance at no charge to student journalists and the educators who work with them.
Principal’s Guide to Scholastic Journalism
Help your principal understand the opportunities–and challenges–surrounding student journalism. This guide is the pre-eminent resource for principals