Our similarities...by Samatha Sage
Thirty-five journalism advisers from all points across the U.S. are finding similarities in daily activities. Starting a discussion with any fellow will inevitably lead to connections and similarities. Some of the publications will become their school’s first while others hope to improve a publication that has been in print for some time, each, though, strive to put out a high quality publication. The ASNE institute imparts the tools necessary to accomplish this task, but more importantly builds another network that we can turn to once the new school year begins.
Coffee breaks lead to conversation as a teacher from Washington D.C. and another from Southern California learn they both share membership in the teachers’ union of their state. Portia Bookhart and Kamala Kavati pay a portion of their paycheck to union dues. “We get discounts to Disneyland and they helped me take a semester off ensuring that when I returned I would be retained,” said Kavati, an eight-year member of her union.
“It’s never a good thing when I call my union. Once I was marked down for my final evaluation and I called them. They contacted the principal and had things favorably changed. I’m not afraid to call them.” Said Bookhart, a 20 year member of her union. Both agree that since they must be members, the unions’ benefits should be utilized.
Almost all of the advisers also teach English classes. Julie Linderleaf of East Lansing, Mich., and Becky Ollar of Tulsa, Okla., teach eleventh grade English at their respective schools. During conversation both agreed that juniors have a shared mentality. “It is a little tough with eleventh graders because they start having the senior mentality of ‘I’m almost done,’ plus at the end of the day on a block schedule it’s tough to be awake,” said Linderleaf who loves teaching about the American dream. An American literature fan, “it’s easier since I studied it in college.” Ollar will have to add more World literature next fall. “I like my juniors. But the hardest thing is they think they are more grown than they are. They’re not seniors.” Ollar and Linderleaf’s next classes will surely learn of their teacher’s love of literature as they complete their junior year English assignments.
Of 35 fellows, nine are male. “I was expecting more females,” said Yoni Fine, a private school teacher in Berkeley. “It was the same during my credential program. I’m a minority in every teacher situation. I automatically scan the room to ensure I’m not the only male.” Yoni, 26, is the second youngest male on his staff and looks to older members of his department for help in areas such as long term planning, “I learned to sit down and plan long term which would have been over my head. I would be lost if no one helped me.”
Ronald Lauderbach, from San Diego has been teaching for five years and is one of the oldest males in his department, yet learns from younger members. “They bring perspective and new ideas. But I know that we (older teachers) bring perspective to them.” Not intimidated in a female dominated industry Yoni and Ronald enjoy becoming mentors to male and female students.
The life experiences shared in our time together make us aware that no matter our location we are facing the same issues.
Our differences...by Portia Bookhart
As 35 journalism teachers gathered at the ASNE institute, we were awed and amazed at the number of differences that would bond us forever.
Coming from as far away as Hawaii and as near as California, the teachers arrived from many states across the country.
California residents Kathy Arrandale, Michelle Balmeo, Yoni Fine, Ron Lauderbach and Kamala Kavati come from as far south as San Diego and as far north as Haywood, a distance of nearly 500 miles.
“I will certainly take back knowledge and lots of ideas for practical implementation,” said Kavati. “Most importantly, I will take back a passion and vision to empower students and give them a voice in their community.”
Fred Peel and Laura Sardagna both reside in Hawaii; however, Laura is originally from Argentina and she is a math and foreign language teacher, which is vastly peculiar since most journalism advisers are English teachers.
“The reason I applied to this program, I wanted to start a newsletter for the Spanish learners, and a publication to show what we are doing in this online program in my state,” said Sardagna.
Although I had never met Amy Kushner or Katherine Ingwersen, we each teach in the metropolitan D.C. area. The budgets for the newspaper, however, are very dissimilar.
“Officially I have to raise money with ads, but unofficially the school will give me money when I need it, at the principal’s discretion,” said Ingwersen.
At my school, I don’t raise money for ads, nor do I get any monetary support from the administration. My paper is funded mostly through the Young Journalists Development Program, sponsored by the Washington Post.
Amanda Moor’s newspaper staff regularly produces a 16-page monthly news magazine at Richardson High School in Texas. Kristi Piper, also a Texas native will have an article published in the National Council of Teachers of English magazine in the fall. She is also a Texas Writing Project fellow.
“Everybody likes to see their name in print and I love writing for journals because it gives you a voice in your profession that teachers don’t feel like they have,” said Piper. “Anytime I have something published, I show my kids so they can see that anyone can do it and I push them to publish their work.”
Carmen Jones is a fun loving and outgoing young lady who hails from Memphis, Tenn., but teaches at Gentry High School at Indianola, Miss. This fall will be her first year advising the newspaper and she is excited and enthralled by it. “I will let them know that the newspaper is for them, about them, and by them. This is their chance to talk about what they think is important and what they want to talk about,” said Jones.
The teachers in this institute bring a wealth of expertise with them. I have 21 years teaching experience, while Samantha Sage has just completed her first year. Having this experience will enable the teacher to impart the rules of journalism accurately and professionally.
“I wanted to see if there was a difference in the last eight years but when I went to college, I was put in a remedial writing program and as an English teacher,” said Sage. “I didn’t want that to happen to my students, so I make them write a lot, critically and outside their comfort zone.”
This year’s ASNE participants are highly educated with a variety of degrees. Melanie Allen has a bachelor’s in communications and a master’s in secondary education; Jeffrey Youde has a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in education; Amy Wellens is working on her master’s in English literature and I have my doctorate in curriculum and instruction, my master’s in administration and supervision and my bachelor’s in English writing.
This institute, which has been beneficial in some way to each and every participant, has rejuvenated, reinvigorated and revived me. Now instead of being tired and ready to give up, I await the challenges ahead.