Lessons from ASNE, a summer program that left an impact

The ASNE Reynolds High School Journalism Institute may have come to an end after 15 summers, but its legacy is likely to continue for many years — not least in Illinois classrooms.

From its inception in 2001, the institute provided hands-on journalism training to more than 2,340 educators, including 101 from Illinois. (NOTE: A complete list of Illinois teachers who attended the institute from 2001 to 2015 can be found at the end of this article.)

The institute’s final training programs took place this summer at four locations: Arizona State University (June 21-27), Kent State University (July 12-18), University of Texas at Austin (July 12-18) and University of Missouri, Columbia (July 19-25).

Five Illinois teachers were among the 140 educators from 41 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico who participated:

• Keith Carlson, CJE, Naperville Central High School, Naperville (Arizona State University)
• Kelly Carroll, Hoffman Estates High School, Hoffman Estates (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• Dave Gwizdala, James B. Conant High School, Hoffman Estates (Arizona State University)
• Sharon Schmidt, Steinmetz College Prep High School, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Steve Whitman, Geneva High School, Geneva (Arizona State University)

Throughout the institute’s 15 years of summer workshops, teachers learned how to help students gain stronger reporting, writing, editing, multimedia, design and entrepreneurial skills. They also learned how to help student journalists understand their First Amendment rights and recognize their ethical responsibilities.

Thanks to a grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, the institute each year paid the travel, housing and instructional expenses for participants as well as optional continuing education credit. Teachers also received journalism textbooks.

The American Society of News Editors administered the institute through ASNE’s Youth Journalism Initiative.

Although the end of the grant means the end of the formal program, there’s good news for teachers who were never able to attend. The online training that participants received this year before and after the program is now available here for anyone to access. In addition, the online chats that supplemented the training can be found here, and the lesson plans that participants developed as part of their program are available here.

For an insight into what it was like to attend the institute, we asked two members of the final Illinois contingent to give us their thoughts — Keith Carlson and Kelly Carroll.

____________________

Keith Carlson, CJE
Naperville Central High School
Journalism teacher
Adviser, Central Times newspaper

It’s hard to think of any professional development experience I’ve had so far in my career as a journalism adviser that was as revitalizing and beneficial as my time spent this past summer at the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute.

As one would expect, I absorbed an incredible amount of information and befriended passionate and talented advisers from around the country. I learned from top-notch teachers and refreshed my skills by producing journalism myself.

My experience reminded me of two important things worth thinking about as we start this new school year.

First, you can never network enough. There is no local, state or national journalism organization that will waste your time, and no conference that you shouldn’t attend if you can. Not everyone in your building understands what you do, but your fellow advisers do. Connect with them on social media regularly and in person whenever you can. You will enjoy being a part of this community!

The second lesson is one I’ve resisted for years, and that is to share your experiences and expertise with your fellow advisers. I have hesitated to present at conferences and write for adviser publications in the past because I felt less qualified than advisers with decades of experience, and Illinois alone has some legendary advisers. But we are all experts when it comes to our classroom experiences. Someone will benefit from your story.

I hope your publications make you proud this year. Let’s network and share. This job is so much more fun and rewarding when we do.

____________________

Kelly Carroll 
Hoffman Estates High School
English and journalism teacher
Adviser, Hawkeye View newspaper

The Reynolds High School Journalism Institute has changed me as a teacher.

Journalism looks nothing like it did when I studied the subject in college. Journalists no longer just provide information; they must now make sure information is filtered and that there is context. This demands student journalists be critical thinkers, readers and writers.

Social media and mobile devices are a huge part of students’ lives; therefore, we as newspaper advisers and teachers have the opportunity to take advantage of the technology to teach students the critical skills they need, while also helping them learn how to use their devices responsibly.

There were a number of applications I learned this summer; the following are a good fit for student publications: Piktochart for creating infographics, Periscope for creating live online videos, ThingLink for producing interactive graphics, and Storify for curating Twitter tweets.

Change can be scary, but the field of journalism has evolved and so must the teaching of it.

ADDENDUM

Illinois Participants, ASNE Reynolds High School Journalism Institute, 2001 to 2015

2015 (5)
• Keith Carlson, Naperville Central High School, Naperville (Arizona State University)
• Kelly Carroll, Hoffman Estates High School, Hoffman Estates (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• Dave Gwizdala, James B. Conant High School, Hoffman Estates (Arizona State University)
• Sharon Schmidt, Steinmetz College Prep High School, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Steve Whitman, Geneva High School, Geneva (Arizona State University)

2014 (8)
• Sean Berleman, Palatine High School, Palatine (University of Texas at Austin)
• Kristen DiGiorgio, Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, Bradley (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• Carl Hauck, Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Laura Medina, Montini Catholic High School, Lombard (Arizona State University)
• Cherita Smith, Creative Communications Academy, Calumet City (Arizona State University)
• Kelli Smith, Morgan Park, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• David Strom, North-Grand High School, Chicago (Arizona State University)
• Kenya Vance, Creative Communications Academy, Calumet City (Arizona State University)

2013 (9)
• Brad Bovenkerk, Normal Community High School, Normal (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• Carolina Bustamante, Infinity High School of Math & Science, Chicago (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• Jane Delaney, St. Ignatius College Prep School, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Tony Kozelichki, United High School, Monmouth (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Sheila Moore, Meridian Senior High School, Macon (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• MaryAnne Pysson, Alcott College Prep, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Umbreen Qadeer, Curie Metropolitan High School, Chicago (University of Texas at Austin)
• Kim Reese, Kaneland Senior High School, Maple Park (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Dana Zions, Infinity High School of Math, Science & Technology, Chicago (University of Nevada, Reno)

2012 (4)
• Katie Comeford, Phoenix Military Academy High School, Chicago (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Lauren Howard, Bogan Computer Technical High School, Chicago (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Amy Reiman, University High School, Normal (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Stan West, Hales Franciscan High School, Chicago (Arizona State University)

2011 (6)
• Katherine Calder, Yorkville High School (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Jill Flanagan, Bartlett High School (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Gregg Long, Lake Park High School, Roselle (Arizona State University)
• Adriana Lopez, Bogan Computer Technical High School, Chicago (University of Texas at Austin)
• Karen Shaver, Reavis High School, Burbank (University of Texas at Austin)
• Kendra Stone, Durand High School (University of Nevada, Reno)

2010 (7)
• Molly Beck, The State Journal-Register, Springfield (Kent State University, Ohio)
• David Boby, Sullivan High School, Chicago (University of Texas at Austin)
• Jason Dubiel, Lockport Township High School East, Lockport (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Jamie Graf, Freeport High School, Freeport (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• Laura Jean Korando, Elverado High School, Elkville (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Amanda Stegall, Galesburg High School, Galesburg (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• Ruth-Anne Yang, Okaw Valley High School, Bethany (University of Texas at Austin)

2009 (7)
• Kent Frankfother, Morton East High School, Cicero (University of Texas at Austin)
• Seth Johnson, Lane Technical High School, Chicago (University of Texas at Austin)
• T. Andrew McCammon, East St. Louis Senior High School, East St. Louis (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• Patricia Sarkady, Riverside-Brookfield Township High School, Riverside (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• James Sloan, Steinmetz Academic Centre High School, Chicago (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• MaryFran Wessler, Peoria High School, Peoria (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Nadima Zegar, Bloom High School, Chicago Heights (University of Texas at Austin)

2008 (11)
• Brad Bennewitz, Galesburg High School, Galesburg (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Alissa Calabrese, Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove Village (Arizona State University)
• Michael Dando, Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Lori Garcia, West Leyden High School, Northlake (Washington & Lee University, Virginia)
• Karen Gordon, North Chicago Community High School, North Chicago (Arizona State University)
• Victor Harbison, Gage Park High School, Chicago (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Stephanie Kapaldo, Bloom Trail High School, Chicago Heights (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Glen Leyden, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Flossmoor (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Teresa McGee, Belleville East High School, Belleville (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Lisa Roule, Chicago Discovery Academy High School, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Deborah White, Guilford High School, Rockford (University of Texas at Austin)

2007 (5)
• Elizabeth Cronin, Bogan Computer Technical High School, Chicago (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Alsandyra Essien, SIUE East St. Louis (Ill.) Charter School, East St. Louis (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Kimberley Hunt, St. Scholastica Academy, Chicago (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Sepideh Sallee, Deerfield High School, Deerfield (University of Missouri, Columbia)
• Jarrin Williams, Belleville High School East, Belleville (University of Missouri, Columbia)

2006 (6)
• Rus Bass Ehler, Juarez High School, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Carin Gilbert, Taft High School, Chicago (Winthrop University, Rock Hill, S.C.)
• Christie Hall, School of Technology, Chicago (University of Texas at Austin)
• Nancy Konrath, Guerin College Preparatory High School, River Grove (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Carolyn Mohr, Glenbard West High School, Glen Ellyn (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Jocelyn Pinkerton, Chicago Vocational Career Academy High School, Chicago (University of California at Berkeley)

2005 (9)
• Dijana Baltic, Marshall Metro High School, Chicago (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Nikita Bryant, Applied Arts, Science and Technology High School, Chicago (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Jaime Hajek, Glenbard North High School, Carol Stream (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Eugene Hazzard, Excel Academy, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Joyce Hutchens, York Alternative High School, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Valerie Lablaiks, George Washington High School, Chicago (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Lauren May, Oak Lawn Community High School, Oak Lawn (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Patrick Pugliese, Carl Schurz High School, Chicago (University of California at Berkeley)
• Carolyn Wagner, Lake Zurich High School, Lake Zurich (Kent State University, Ohio)

2004 (4)
• William Himmelmann, George Collins High School, Chicago (Kent State University, Ohio)
• Paul Jones, Foreman High School, Chicago (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Jungsun Moon, Martin Luther King College Preparatory High School, Chicago (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Amy Paul, Bloom Township High School, Chicago Heights (University of Texas at Austin)

2003 (10)
• Teena Bolton, Gifford Street High School, Elgin (Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.)
• Carole Hack, Routt Catholic High School, Jacksonville (University of Texas at Austin)
• Susan Harrington, Normal Community High School, Normal (University of Texas at Austin)
• Kyle Higgins, Kelvyn Park High School, Chicago (University of Maryland, College Park)
• Jennifer Legue, Rockford Christian High School, Rockford (Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.)
• Sara Salvato, Geneva High School, Geneva (Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.)
• Matt Thomas, Minooka Community High School, Minooka (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Thomas Winski, Warsaw High School, Warsaw (University of Maryland, College Park)
• Christopher Wolf, St. Scholastica Academy, Chicago (Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.)
• Stan Zoller, Waukegan High School, Waukegan (Hampton University)

2002 (3)
• Melissa Agar, Monmouth High School (Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.)
• Renee Jarrett, Bartlett High School, Bartlett (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Carol Moran, Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville, Chicago (University of Maryland/Hampton University program at College Park)

2001 (7)
• Kimberly A. Cousin, Beecher High School, Beecher (Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.)
• Joyce Debrah-Sheppard, Lindblom College Prep High School, Chicago (University of Maryland, College Park)
• Rodney K. Lowe, Evanston Township High School, Evanston (Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.)
• Linda J. Mayfield, Bogan Computer Technical High School, Chicago (University of South Florida, Tampa)
• Carol Sue Smith, Lovington High School, Lovington (Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.)
• Karen Watts, Wheeling High School, Wheeling (Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.)
• Susan M. Wheeler, Gardner-South Wilmington High School, Gardner (Kent State University, Ohio)

Total Illinois participants: 101