Adviser Update Adviser Update Spring 2017 | Page 18
GOING
LOCAL
USING REGIONAL RESOURCES TO
STRENGTHEN YOUR PROGRAM
By Anne Hayman, MJE
N
ational journalism conventions
provide amazing opportunities
for teachers and students. In
addition to the life experiences
associated with travel and spending
time in a group, the vast expertise
shared by the presenters is incredible.
I wish every student on my staff
were able to attend every journalism
convention. We all know how
impractical that is, however.
I encourage you to consider how you
might better use your local resources to
create similar experiences for yourself,
your students and your program. I’m
not saying you should never attend a
national convention; I am saying local
resources can provide additional layers
to your journalism training.
On a small scale, consider starting
a Journalism Adviser Professional
Learning Community. You know some
of the advisers of area schools. You
can also use your state journalism
association or yearbook representatives
to help you connect with others. Email
them all and see if they are interested.
The worst that can happen is they say
no. Set up a regular meeting schedule,
decide how you’re going to select
topics for discussion and create a fun,
meaningful time with colleagues. Many
schools employ the PLC approach in
their buildings, but journalism advisers
frequently are “the entire program,”
which isolates them from their
colleagues. A PLC provides that rich
discussion about how to improve your
program.
Additionally, look around your
community for people whose expertise
will strengthen your program. Seek
feedback from the photographer and
reporter at your local paper. Pull in a
portrait photographer. Ask the Chamber
of Commerce what marketing projects
with which they need help. Talk to the
area community college’s journalism
program. Bring all of these people
together at once, or chat with them
individually. Use their experiences and
specialties to shore up the holes in your
program and showcase your strengths.
Tell these local experts about your
program. Brag about what you and what
your students do. Be honest about the
shortcomings of the program and your
training, and ask how they c