Reynolds High School Journalism Institute speaker Aaron Manfull reflects on program
Aaron Manfull is an expert in all things digital journalism and has been a speaker at the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute for several years. He is the digital media chair for the Journalism Education Association and the co-director of digital media summer camp Media Now STL. Aaron won the Dow Jones News Fund Teacher of the Year Award in 2011 for his work at Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles, Mo. Below, he discusses some of his experiences at the Institute and the importance of teaching journalism to secondary-school students.
What topics do you normally speak about at the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute? Why do you think they are important for teachers to learn?
I’ve spoken on a variety of topics from social media and moving online to design and writing. There are a wide range of topics covered at the Reynolds High School Journalism Institutes that give attendees an incredible knowledge base to work from once they leave.
Why did you first decide to teach at the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute? Why have you continued to teach at it?
I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity to teach at the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute in Arizona and Missouri. I love teaching at the Institute because of the energy in the room and because the attendees are so excited to be there and learn. It’s just a great atmosphere.
Why do you think it is important for high school students to learn about and be involved in journalism?
There are a million reasons why I think high school journalism is important. However, if a student or parent asks why involvement in high school journalism is important, this is the first thing I say: “The skills learned in the journalism classroom will be practical and relevant no matter what path you take after high school. We work daily on everything from writing and time management to getting along with others and thinking through actions. There’s not a job out there where these things aren’t important.”
In your experience, what is the most valuable aspect of the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute for teachers? Why do you believe it is a great program?
The program is a great one because teachers just don’t sit there and listen to lectures the entire time; they get to practice what they learned by creating content based off the instruction they are given. I’ve always found that I learn best when I actually do the thing I’m wanting to learn, and the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute is definitely the place for that.
