Standing in front of a room full of 32 enthusiastic high school journalism teachers at the University of Texas is not the easiest spotlight to find yourself, but for Janet Elbom, a nationally - recognized high school journalism teacher, it was the perfect location to explain the virtues of criticism and reflection.

Elbom, adviser to The Liberator, the award-winning newspaper for the Liberal Arts and Science High School in Austin, was the presenter for the American Society of Newspaper Editors High School Journalism Institute’s “Critiquing Your Paper” workshop. During the workshop, held at UT campus, Elbom told the group that developing their students’ abilities to critique their newspaper is the key to better high school publications.

“It is the only way to know how and what to improve,” Elbom said. “It should be a team endeavor, a positive experience in order to help the paper grow.”

As Elbom walked up and down the center of the room she told teachers the process to produce quality newspapers is something each teacher must work through with their students.

“This process helps students to develop critical thinking skills, learn to build a strong collaborative work culture, and enhance knowledge of elements of good high school newspapers,” she said.

Developing a first-class newspaper with high journalistic values is something Elbom knows. She is widely considered one of the best journalism teachers in Texas, a state with many well-respected school newspapers.

For more than 35 years Elbom has taught high school in Austin. Her newspaper, The Liberator, has received numerous national awards including the Pacemaker Award, Gold and Silver Crowns, and first and third places in national best of show competitions. In addition to its national recognition, The Liberator has also won statewide awards including four Gold Stars at the Texas Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC).

Along with her work as an advisor, Elbom is also active in several professional organizations and she is past president of the Texas Association of Journalism Educators. Her awards include the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Distinguished Adviser, the Texas State Journalism Teacher of the Year, and she has been honored as a Texas Legend in Scholastic Journalism by ILPC.

However, Elbom said awards are great, but they are not the primary motivation for developing a superior high school newspaper.

“It’s a journey, an adventure,” Elbom said. “I’m there for the kids, I’m there for the fun. It is important that the kids be proud of the product, its not just about the awards, its a learning tool.”

Building a better understanding and making students proud of the final product can best be accomplished by making the newspaper better, she told the room full of teachers. Elbom said teachers must work hand-in-hand with students to develop standards that allow young people to become invested in the process.

The workshop ended with teachers working in small groups to practice a mock critique session that involved analyzing a local high school newspaper and making constructive comments about what was good or bad about the publication. The teachers also discussed methods for improving the newspaper.

Elbom said teachers need to understand why a paper should be critiqued. “It’s the only way to improve,” she said.

The advice offered by Elbom is essential for journalism teachers, said Dr. George Sylvie, an associate professor at UT’s School of Journalism, and the institute’s director.

“It is important for teachers to teach critical thinking skills and teach kids how to elevate the level of their writing in a variety of ways,” Sylvie said. “This program is a way to invigorate teachers and open horizons so they can see a different approach.”