Brenda Field receives 2017 James A. Tidwell Award for Excellence in Scholastic Media Education

By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member • May 12, 2017

The Glenbrook South High School yearbook adviser and state director for the IJEA encourages advisers to "Fly the J" as a reference to her beloved Cubs and scholastic press freedom in Illinois

IJEA Blog: Reflections on winning the James A. Tidwell Award

Mike Doyle, CJE, Former IJEA Board Member • February 21, 2017

The IJEA's annual James A. Tidwell Award recognizes our state's top journalism educators. With the March 1 deadline for 2017 nominations quickly approaching, we asked a recent Tidwell honoree, Mike Doyle, to discuss what winning the award has meant to him. "It means that every day I know I made a difference in the lives of so many students and that I was able to teach the values of fairness, ethics and integrity to so many of them," he writes.

Know of a deserving colleague? Deadlines are drawing near for IJEA educator and friend awards

Dr. Sally Renaud, IJEA Executive Director • February 21, 2017

Although we love to honor student journalists, we also strive to recognize their elders — the teachers, advisers, administrators and friends who make outstanding scholastic journalism possible with their guidance and support. Do you know of deserving candidates? Submit your nominations — or your own applications — today!

In memoriam: Laurie Bielong, 2013 IJEA Educator of the Year, longtime adviser and advocate of scholastic journalism

January 10, 2017

The dynamic teacher and adviser who led award-winning journalism programs and inspired fellow educators died Jan. 7. For those who didn't get a chance to know Laurie, the video of her IJEA Educator of the Year acceptance speech (check inside) will give you a sense of both her playfulness and dedication.

Cathy Wall receives 2016 James A. Tidwell Award for Excellence in Scholastic Media Education

By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member • May 4, 2016

Harrisburg High School journalism adviser Cathy Wall was pragmatic in her advice to a room packed with other publications teachers from throughout Illinois. Pull other advisers into the Illinois journalism...

Video: Watch Janet Levin’s acceptance speech for the 2015 James A. Tidwell Award

By Dave Porreca, IJEA Website Editor • May 4, 2015

The longtime Hersey High newspaper adviser was honored May 1 at the IHSA state final, and she had some insights and advice for her peers.

Hersey adviser Janet Levin receives honor

By Amanda Bright, IJEA Board Member • April 17, 2015

The long-time journalism educator has earned the 2015 James A. Tidwell Award for Excellence in Scholastic Media Education.

Video: Mike Doyle reflects on career as he accepts 2014 James A. Tidwell Award

May 16, 2014

The Belvidere fixture is retiring after 15 years of working with high school journalists — and fittingly he's the recipient of IJEA's highest teaching award .