I consider myself more of a writer than a photographer, but what I really am is a storyteller. So it makes sense that I tell all my kids – writers, designers, editors and especially photographers – they are storytellers. For photographers, this sometimes generates a blank look. Do you wonder how to get your kids to take the pictures that …
Coast to coast, yearbook advisers work tirelessly to forge relationships with their staff, teach journalistic skills, and model effective communication, time management and conflict resolution. All of these things are essential to produce a book on schedule for their school communities. If you want to foster and grow the successes of a journalism program, encourage your students to explore opportunities …
Even talented students are still kids, which means all advisers face shared common issues each year. Repetition and practice are key to overcoming these issues. In-class activities and lessons offer a safe space for practice, creativity and mistakes. Here are 10 common challenges your staff might face and how to get your students to master the skills needed to make …
According to George Land’s study of creativity, “young children are creative geniuses and become less creative as they age.” That’s great news for those of us who advise middle school yearbook programs. With one foot still firmly rooted in childhood and the other just stepping into the adult world, our middle school students might be that much closer to their …
After spending 20 years as a high school sports news writer, I entered teaching with the expectation that students would love writing all kinds of stories, including sports. After all, sports is where the emotions are – the intense thrill after winning, the tears that flow after losing, the work that’s put into the sport for months on end, the …
There’s nothing quite like the beginning of a new school year. The clean classroom, the eager crop of new students and – if you’re lucky – new equipment. If you have the means to stock your classroom or you have a little bit extra in the budget, here are some items that could make you and your entire staff’s lives …
From Clippy the Microsoft paper clip to Grammarly to Photoshop, you have probably used artificial intelligence more than you know. Your Netflix queue, online shopping recommendations and Siri all rely on AI. Though it concerns some industry professionals, the reality is we have been using AI for years without realizing it. The adoption of AI programs in yearbook production marks …
No matter where you are in your career, the first weeks of school usually don’t go as planned. There are schedule changes, class meetings, required readings, equipment distribution and so much more that cause disruptions to the flow you hope to establish. I’ve learned to have lessons ready that prepare my yearbook staff for the year but also won’t cause …
We see yearbooks that come in all varieties. The yearbook cover has the biggest impact on your book because let’s face it, people always judge a yearbook by its cover. Follow this checklist to make sure your yearbook cover is one for the books. Readable and Relatable Make sure your cover is readable and relatable and avoid too many graphics. …
I grew up in a small town. I went to a parochial high school. Most of the people I interacted with looked like me. Now I live in a community in the middle of Nebraska. So why am I talking about intentional diversity in publications? My community in Lexington, Nebraska, has a diverse population. In over half of the households, …