The experience at the Reynolds Institute allowed me to make connections with fantastic advisers across the country. It helped me with organization of my classroom and with other skills that I didn’t think about as an adviser. It also gave me the inspiration and guts to ask for an introductory class for my students coming in as freshman. This has not been done in the program before and will help me grow and help the students by learning the skills and their rights as citizens of the world along the way.
Alicia Archuleta, Kenwood High School, Clarksville, Tenn.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff and administration for the most delightful and insightful two weeks of intense and grueling work this past summer (2011) at Arizona State and the Reynolds Institute! It was just amazing how 32 people from all over the United States came together and formed an extended family. I wouldn’t hesitate to tell any one who is interested to select this opportunity for new intellectual stimulation and the chance to participate in a program heralded as the “best in journalism teaching and training.” Kudos to you all!
Myrna E. Greenberg, Plantation (Fla.) High School

After 20 years in the classroom, I really needed something to reignite my passion for journalism. The Reynolds High School Journalism Institute did just that. From the classes to the field trips, the entire program was first-rate. I learned so much from the instructors and guest speakers, but the time spent with fellow newspaper advisers was gold. I came home with an arsenal of information — notes, materials, examples, contacts — that I’ve referred to frequently throughout this school year. More importantly, I brought back a renewed fervor for this noble profession of ours.
Charis Weiss, L.D.Bell High School, Hurst, Texas

The workshop I attended at Kent State University in 2011 was one of the most beneficial and comprehensive workshops I have ever attended. The training covers every aspect of teaching journalism with hands-on assignments and activities that modeled the way a journalism classroom should be run. I got so many ideas for advising my students and came away with a good, clear understanding of my role as an adviser, student press law and colleagues in the same position as me who are always willing to share advice and know-how with the group. I am excited for the future of journalism that this program exists at a time where many schools are cutting back on journalism programs. It was an experience I will never forget, and one that will benefit my students, future journalists, for years to come. Multiply each adviser who attends by the number of students he or she will be in contact with over a teaching career, and this workshop becomes one of the most important in the journalism world today.
Andrea Lorenz Nenque, Dripping Springs (Texas) High School

I will be forever grateful for the opportunity of attending the 2011 ASNE Journalism Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. The experience of engaging with my peers in the area of high school journalism was priceless and from a professional standpoint – so rewarding in countless ways. The enthusiasm of the staff, including George, Li, and Monica was certainly contagious. The sincerity and knowledge of the presenters was boundless and contributed greatly to the program and my understanding of the role that high school journalism plays in our school. While at the Institute, I felt a sense of community in the group. That sense of community continues even now as I access hsj.org and utilize the wealth of resources available to me as a teacher as well as to my students. Diana Mitsu Klos, Connie Southard, (Craig Branson) and all the others, including the Reynolds Foundation – please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful effort.
John Berge, John Muir Charter School, Sacramento, Calif.

I am so grateful to have been extended the opportunity to attend the Institute’s fellowship for two weeks in Columbia, Mo. I was a bumbling fool as a brand-new newspaper adviser, and I really didn’t know where to start with my school’s very limited technology at the time and with students whom were a staff of cluenessness. What occurred after the Institute was that I was able to get off the ground some important head-starts which propelled our group into greatness. I am thankful for the notebook I filled with zillions of hand-scribbled notes I took … and for the modern-day advances I was taught regarding technology in this field. I also was so appreciative of the professional contacts I have made now and thecamaraderie that afforded me during my stay. We even got to do some FUN things like see a play and to explore a historical town just for fun.  My accommodations were above and beyond, and I was received like an old friend. I recommend this program highly to everyone; don’t be afraid to apply! You’re going to love it!
Amy Kinney, M.A. Spectrum High School, Elk River, Minn.

Thank you again for the opportunity to participate in The Reynolds Institute last summer (2011). It was amazing! Meeting, networking, and learning with so many talented colleagues was the most valuable professional development I have ever experienced in my 14 years of teaching. I was so excited to incorporate some of the new technologies into my curriculum this year. I came home so proud that I experienced the production of my own news segments and published them online. I learned what my kids feel like when they are faced with the challenges of producing quality stories in a limited amount of time. I developed a new understanding and empathy for their challenges and was prepared to approach the year with a renewed attitude and inspiration.
Beth Kennedy, David Crockett High School, Austin, Texas

The two weeks I spent at the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute continue to pay off every day in my classroom. Not only are my journalism students benefiting from everything I learned, but I have been able to cross curriculum and bring these skills into my other classes. I learned more in that two weeks than I have in any other workshop I’ve attended during my teaching career. In fact, I would LOVE to come back and learn some more! Thanks again for providing one of the best learning experiences and treating the journalism teacher as a valuable member of the academic community.
Leslie Shinault, Rockledge (Fla) High School

I attended the institute in Austin, Texas in 2010. The information I received there was invaluable to helping me get a journalism program started in a very small, very rural school (less that 500 students in grades 9-12). I had a 0 budget for this program and though we had access to a lot of technology, we had limited access to design/layout programs. I received helpful feedback from the instructors, presenters and other participants on how to use the resources we did have in order to improve the layout of our little news magazine and how to get students to “buy in” to taking journalism (instead of quilting!). Our group has stayed in touch through the use of social media and we are still picking each others’ brains for ideas and solutions two years later. We are also planning a reunion in New Orleans for anyone who can come.
Heidi Bromall, Mountain Valley High School, Rumford, Maine

By far the best outcome from my attendance at the Reynolds Institute was the connections I was able to make with colleagues from across the country. I learned so much from my conversations with such bright, engaged educators. We have continued to communicate using social media and e-mail, helping each other solve problems and develop new units. My new journalism family has proven to be a great help in my second year advising our school’s journalism program. In addition to the collegial connections, I was blown away by the professionalism and knowledge offered by the speakers at the institute. I walked away with many practical ideas for how to improve my class, and with a solid understanding of essential journalism topics like the First Amendment, how to write stories, ethics, and journalistic decision making. I am ever grateful to have participated in such a comprehensive training institute.
Suzi Van Steenbergen, La Costa Canyon High School, Carlsbad, Calif.

Before I went to the (Reynolds Institute), I felt like I was drowning in a sea of another prep and felt like I was letting down my students due to lack of guidance on the school paper.  Now, I am energized for the new year with new lesson plans, curriculum, and online skills to take our paper above and beyond what it has ever been before.  I feel like I can actually be the educator in my class, instead of the student senior editor in chief trying to show me the ropes. I can now breathe.  Special thanks to Deidre Pike, Diana Mitsu Klos, Craig Branson and Rosemary McCarthy for allowing us to finally gain the skills we needed as beginning journalism teachers.  I am forever thankful and so are my students.
Janelle K. Reyes, Santana (Calif.) High School

I am still humbled by the opportunity to be part of such an informative, rigorous and technologically advanced institute. From the moment we arrived at ASU, I knew that we were seeing, learning and experiencing the best that journalism had to offer. I know that I will be a better teacher because of this opportunity. My students will benefit for years to come. I, now, know more about journalism, but I also know more about writing skills and technology. I feel like I can call on (Diana Mitsu Klos, Craig Branson and Connie Southard) at hsj.org  the instructors at ASU downtown Phoenix or the other participants for help when needed. I hope that they have the same confidence in me. I feel that I can better prepare my students to be informed and savvy consumers of information. Saying “thank you” doesn’t quite seem to be enough, but it and the knowledge that I will pass this along to my students for the next 25-30 years is all that I have.
Tina Davis, Ketchum (Okla.) High School

I am very grateful to the Reynolds Institute for providing me with new tools to benefit the students that I teach. Everything that I received from the Institute — inspiration from the speakers, up-to-date knowledge of the latest journalism trends, the curriculum guides, the professional association memberships, the opportunity to learn from my peers – will most certainly transform me into a better teacher. Thank you so very much.
Dianna Cervetti, St. Benedict at Auburndale, Cordova, Tenn.

It will take me all year to process and to apply the information and skills I was given at Reynolds Institute at the University of Missouri. I walked in with a time-worn tool belt, and they sent me out with something straight out of the 21st century, filled with techno-tools I’ve never dreamed of. The greatest thing, though, was the completely transparent atmosphere of collaboration — the amount of file and social-media sharing that took place was unprecedented. Plus, they treated us like true professionals — something not a lot of us teachers have ever experienced. We were given the best of the best, coming from the tops in the education and professional field. I’m so impressed. The hard work was well worth it.
Deirdre Jones, Eaton (Colo.) High School

The Reynolds Institute has been a game-changer for my journalism classroom. I am incredibly grateful for the resources and networking this program afforded me. I am confident that the professional bonds formed among the participants at this year’s program at the University of Texas will allow us teachers for all over the country to continue our own personal growth and professional development as newspaper advisers and teachers. The welcoming and collaborative spirit of all of the presenters during the two-week program provided an invaluable reminder that the work that we do in our classrooms matters not just to our students, but also to our community and country.
Brian Reed, Animo Pat Brown Charter High School, Los Angeles

There are few experiences that you can honestly say changed your life. But, attending the Reynolds Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno this summer is certainly one of those for me. As a journalism teacher for the last four years, I have depended on hsj.org  for lesson plans and launched my school’s website though the my.hsj.org website. This coming year, I will be using the MCT Campus wire service for our online and print newspaper. When I applied for the summer institute, I had no idea what to expect over those two weeks, but what I experienced has changed the way I think about teaching journalism and what it means to my students. I now have an arsenal of information and an invaluable network of fellow journalism educators and experts at my disposal. Diana Mitsu Klos of ASNE spent several days with us at the institute and inspired us with her commitment to what we do and to making the my.hsj.org site a service that is essential to schools like mine that would not have the resources to launch a website otherwise. I would like to thank her, ASNE and the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada Reno for an unforgettable two weeks.
Alexandra Clifton, Santaluces High School, Lantana, Fla.

Attending the Reynolds Institute for two weeks was well worth it! The lesson plans I received, the connections I made and the things I learned will truly help me develop a better journalism class and newspaper. After the training, I am so much better prepared to teach my students and I can’t wait for the school year to start. Best of all, I came home with tons of great resources that I can use immediately. The days of “winging it” are gone!
Joyce Feuerborn, Godinez Fundamental High School, Santa Ana, Calif.

After three years of looking at the Reynolds Institute postcard and wondering if I should apply, I bit the bullet and did. I figured my chances were slim but my students wanted to take our newspaper online and I knew I needed guidance. I’ve been teaching journalism and advising the yearbook and newspaper for four years. I love my job and I want to do whatever I can to make my students love the class and the craft of journalism. I applied for the Reynolds Institute and am so glad I did. It was a life-changing experience. I learned more in those two weeks than in most of my college journalism classes. Those of course were taken over 10 years ago but I still felt more prepared to teach journalism than when I graduated. I also am more confident with technology and using it in my classroom and for our publications. Most of all, I left the institute more excited about teaching than ever before. I went to the institute in June and was almost disappointed that I had to wait two months before I could get back into my classroom and start teaching. I took that energy, that fire, and poured it into revamping my lesson plans. The contacts I made during the institute have been a vital part of that. I left the institute with 31 new friends who know what I’m doing and what it is like. We’ve spent the summer on Facebook supporting each other and sharing lesson plans, websites, videos and ideas. The Reynolds Institute is a must for journalism teachers and publications advisers. I say that to every journalism teacher I meet.
Emily Miller, Arlington (Texas) High School

I find myself still humbled by the unstinting generosity, kindness, professionalism, and high expectations with which we teachers were treated from first to last (in the Reynolds High School Summer Journalism Institute). … I have been involved in many different professional development situations. … None of those has approached the magnitude and caliber of the Reynolds Institute. I will return to school in a few weeks a better informed, more capable, and newly inspired teacher of journalism, and I will do my best to honor the (Institute’s) mission and integrity … by educating and inspiring young minds to develop themselves as critical thinkers, astute reporters, and responsible citizens.  Many thanks and best wishes to those (Diana Mitsu Klos, Craig Branson and Connie Southard) that make this unparalleled program available to teachers.
Brendan P. Riley, St. Vincent de Paul High School, Petaluma, Calif.

The more I learned about the Reynolds Institute after I was accepted, the more I had the foreboding thought, “What the heck did I sign myself up to do this summer?” Two weeks’ worth of 12-hour days, assignments to complete, sessions to attend, and lessons to learn­ — smack-dab in the middle of July and hundreds of miles from home — seemed insane, to say the least. However, the information and expertise I took with me are invaluable. I now know I have the support of 35 new friends, the knowledge to help my students reach their potential and the hope to inspire the next generation of journalists to go out and ask both their leaders and themselves some difficult questions.  I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Jill Flanagan, Bartlett (Ill.) High School

My experience at the Reynolds Institute taught me more than I could hope to convey in a short testimonial. It was the best conference I’ve attended as a publications adviser, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity. The best way I can illustrate its helpfulness and effectiveness is to announce that my newspaper editors have wholeheartedly embraced the idea of taking their newspaper online. Without the two weeks I spent, I cannot imagine feeling comfortable about making such a significant change, let alone eager about it. Thank you to everyone at the Reynolds Institute for making this possible. I owe my excitement for the upcoming school year to you. The best part is that my students’ resumes will be expanded, and those who wish to major in journalism in college will have much more impressive multimedia portfolios to market themselves. I’m a better adviser and my students are becoming better leaders and editors because of this institute.
Bridget Freiler, Pottsville (Pa.) Area High School

Each morning as I rested my generous binder, laptop, and cache of other journalism essentials on a table in the classroom at Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism for the recent Reynolds Institute, I wondered what I could possibly learn that would be more valuable than the lessons and presentations of the day before. And each evening, I left that classroom feeling that day’s lessons topped those of the days prior. No workshop disappointed, and I marveled at the scope of the content, the quality of the presenters, and the relevance of the lessons. After two weeks, I felt more invigorated and equipped to revamp my seasoned journalism program than ever before.In addition, I soon regarded the my.hsj.org/ reporter’s hat logo as a newfound friend and a buttress of support for me in my job as a journalism teacher and publications advisor, which can sometimes be thankless and even lonely. Not only is there a website brimming with suggestions, activities, and lesson plans, but there is a coalition of human reinforcement too. I can’t say thank you enough.
Lucinda Hogentogler, Central York High School, York, Pa.

The Reynolds Institute was the most intensive and fulfilling opportunity I could have every hoped to find.  Before those two weeks began, I knew very little about journalism, and all that I did know was self-taught.  Now I will return to school with a broader and deeper knowledge of what it takes to develop my students into professional journalists and to develop our school newspaper into a genuine public forum for student expression.
Zachary Steven Houp, Fleetwood (Pa.) Area High School

I am very thankful that I was able to participate in the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute. Not only do I feel much more comfortable revamping my news program to include social media, video broadcasts and web presence, but I have made some enduring friendships with other journalism advisers. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Katherine Crowley, Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.

The best thing about the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute is that it helped me realize I am not alone in my struggles with sponsoring our school newspaper.  The Institute provided me with a network of fantastic colleagues and experts who can help me with all of my issues as I work with my students.  In addition, I have a wealth of new tips, tricks and lessons to help my students improve the paper.  I can’t wait to implement the many things I learned!
Kate Calder, Yorkville (Ill.) High School

After attending the Reynolds Journalism Institute, I feel energized and ready to jump back in to the newspaper swing of things. I have never received such impressive training. During the Institute, I filled one entire legal pad with notes and tips to take back to the classroom. It was an incredible experience.
Krystle Bassett, Juab High School, Nephi, Utah

I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the knowledge I gained through the Institute. As an English teacher, I am not trained in journalistic writing, and taking on a journalism class is rather frightening. I now am confident to face my students in the fall and have the drive to bring back our newspaper. I look forward to using the my.hsj.org/ website and am excited that my students will be able to produce because of the knowledge I have been given.
Stephanie Rees, Berea High School, Greenville, S.C.

The Reynolds Institute experience is phenomenal! In 15 years of teaching, it is the most inspiring, professional, engaging professional experience I have ever had. We were students in the truest sense of the word, learning from some of the most accomplished professionals in the field.  There is no doubt that what I learned will be profoundly helpful in my own classroom and with my students. The resources we were given, the opportunities we had, and the long-lasting, coast to coast connections to other journalism teachers is career changing.
Jennifer Chandler, North Harford High School, Pylesville, Md.

Working with so many dedicated teachers gives you a chance to refine your own style while simultaneously getting so much feedback and ideas from angles you never would have thought for. The Reynolds Institute gave me a plethora of materials to work with, and with journalism constantly evolving, I can think of no greater asset for a journalism teacher today.
Gregg Long, Lake Park High School, Roselle, Ill.

As we wind down the Reynolds High School Journalism Workshop, I have to say it has been one of the most valuable experiences of my teaching career. Not only has the training been up-to-the-minute with the latest in high school journalism, but it has been so gratifying to meet other advisers who are dealing with the same issues and bringing a wealth of knowledge to the table. The workshop is so seamless and professional; I would highly recommend it to newbies as well as veteran journalism teachers.
Ingrid Benson, Elizabeth Seton High School, Bladensburg, Md.

The Reynolds Institute made me realize more than how to publish a school newspaper, it has changed my teaching career completely! I learned strategies and activities that have completely transformed my classroom. The modeling of great presenters and teachers made me a better teacher. I have used the strategies in all my classes, including English,
Janet Amezcua, Olympian High School, Chula Vista, Calif.

I highly recommend the Reynolds High School Institute for journalists like myself who are going into the teaching profession and need to learn all the new whistles and bells in how to deal with and reach young people today. I also recommend it to high school teachers because it gives the important nuts and bolts of journalism that high school programs often lack. Anyone attending a conference will be a better high school journalism teacher and meet other teachers who can help you improve your craft.
Steve Powell, Lacey, Wash.

The Reynolds Journalism Institute has empowered me to teach my students cutting edge methods in this changing world of journalism. I learned to use the latest social media to spread news, as well as how to apply old fashion ethics to every story and situation. I now understand the importance of teaching my students to adapt as the world changes the way in which it delivers the news, gets the news, and reads the news.
Kimberly Kim, Hiram Johnson High School, Sacramento, Calif.

The Reynolds Institute was exciting, encouraging, even life changing. Not only did I get to learn the craft of journalism from some of the greatest journalists in the United States, but I also got to closely collaborate with teachers from around the country whose desire is to make journalism an indispensable part of their curriculum. I have never been more excited to go back to school in the fall! A special thank you to Diana Mitsu Klos for making all this possible. You’re the best!
Don Anderson, Jewell High School, Seaside, Ore.

What an amazing experience getting to attend the two week session.  I learned as much about my own creativity as I did high school journalism.  While you work very hard, you also can enjoy the feeling of accomplishment as you write, edit, shoot video, report and get to be a student. Thank you Reynolds Foundation for supporting a program so educational and informative.
Deborah Grund, Dr. Phillips High School, Orlando, Fla.

Although I worked for over 20 years at the local newspaper, when I took over my school newspaper last year I had no idea of how to organize a staff or teach the craft of journalism to teenagers.  My time at the newspaper had been in marketing and webmastering and I had no training no knowledge or no skills in news writing, news design or first amendment rights. Thanks to my time at the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute, I now have the knowledge and resources I need to develop a professional staff of student journalists.  The skills taught to me at the Institute and the vast resources that are now available to me have given me the confidence I needed to take the school newspaper to new higher levels.  I know that I will be able to motivate, inspire and encourage my students to do the best work that they possibly can, thus benefitting themselves and the entire school community. A huge thanks to the hsj.org  /  my.hsj.org staff and to Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communications. You have made me a better adviser, given my students the tools they need to be successful and provided my school better student media.  We will all be eternally grateful.
Russell Hill, Coronado High School, Lubbock, Texas

The Institute provided me with a wealth of information that I know I will be using in years to come. I made connections with advisers from all around the country, which will be helpful to me as I encounter problems in the coming years. The guest speakers also provided technical expertise and anecdotal experiences that all of us will be able to use in the classroom. Thanks to everyone at hsj.org and the Reynolds Foundation who make this experience possible.
Kyle Phillips, Washington High School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The Reynolds High School Institute is truly the best, most exciting professional workshop I have encountered.  My background is in English, not journalism, but my director wanted me to create a journalism class at my school. I was very uneasy about this, but after this workshop I can’t wait to share my knowledge with students. These two weeks increased my awareness in several different areas of journalism, and we had wonderful speakers who welcomed any questions I had.  I plan on starting up an online newspaper this year, and I’m feeling pretty confident now that I can do so.  Over these two weeks I have made some new friends and have created a journalism community that I know I can always turn to for help and advice.
Erin Foster, East Range Academy of Technology and Science, Eveleth, Minn.

I had very high expectations of the Reynolds Institute, and all of my expectations were exceeded. The top-flight instructors, content and  activities have given me what I need to teach my students the skills they will need not only to pursue a journalism career, but also to help them succeed in whatever path they choose after high school. Although I have taught newspaper for 10 years, I learned more in two weeks at Reynolds than I have during those 10 years. I came home from Reynolds exhausted and very excited about starting the new school year, which is something after 20 years in education. I hate to wish my summer away, but I can’t wait for the new school year to begin and I can share with my students what I’ve learned. Reynolds is easily the most relevant and useful professional development I’ve ever attended.
Rebecca Bennett, Bastrop (Texas) High School

The Reynolds Institute was the single most helpful professional development I’ve ever participated in.  My teaching as a whole, not just my teaching of journalism, will benefit.  I’m reenergized and have a whole new set of tools in my belt.
Traci Peugh, North Medford High School, Medford, Ore.

It’s only my second year as the newspaper adviser and hsj.org has been invaluable to me. The links to other high school publications on my.hsj.org have been inspiring, the lesson plans have been life-saving, and the hope of attending the summer institute someday keeps me motivated. It’s a well-run, easy-to-navigate website too!  A million kudos!
Anna Jacobson, The Bolles School, Jacksonville, Fla.

I’ve been surprised by how resistant students initially were to moving the school’s paper online. They just wouldn’t let go of the hard copy. However, as I drag our school paper kicking and screaming into the 21st century, my.hsj.org has been and indispensible resource. Once they saw what we could do for minimal expense and how many more people we could reach, they finally embraced the web. From hosting the school’s online edition
to providing a place to  post video and slideshows and technical help
with all of it, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Scott Turley, Pembroke (Mass.) High School

I have used the High School Journalism’s hosting services for our school newspaper for the past three years. My students have always enjoyed writing for our school community audience, but through hosting our content onmy.hsj.org, my students now have an even larger audience. And with that has come all kinds of feedback, both positive and critical.You can imagine how thrilled my student was to receive a letter signed by Donald Trump after Mr. Trump read her opinion piece on his potential presidential candidacy. And you can imagine how much more seriously another student will think about her word choice and the amount of research she should do after receiving a dozen comments critical of her opinion piece on creationism. This larger audience could only be reached through the hard work of those responsible for this website. Thank you for opening the world to my students so that they can become better critical thinkers and writers.
Chris Davis, Clark Magnet High School, La Crescenta, Calif.

My time in the Institute taught me a lot about design. Getting the opportunity to work with such experienced people was very informational and helpful. Actually getting a chance to experience what the kids do was so informative and helps me lead my class with greater ease. The Reynolds Institute not only allowed me to practice and develop my skills and my curriculum, but also my base of people to go to if I need anything.
Lacey Buidosik, Dorsey High School, Los Angeles

The Institute changed the fabric of student publications at our private Christian school. Since then, students are in charge of the content of the newspaper and the yearbook. My responsibility to teach them good journalism, advise them when tricky situations arise, correct them so that they continue to demonstrate good journalism does not extend to taking on the responsibility of their words or photos. Instead, they know it’s their own responsibility, and they are accountable to the whole student body. The editors take their leadership roles very seriously, often meeting to determine what they feel the student body needs to hear, stories they need to be aware of, details and information they need to have straight. They have made it their goal to dispel rumors with facts.
Jeri McFadden, Vacaville (Calif.) Christian High School

The workshop was crucial to my survival as a high school journalism teacher. I learned everything from teaching the basic skills of the trade (interviewing, research, types of articles, etc), to layout and design, to handling dicey censorship issues and empowering my students to use their First Amendment right responsibly.  I formed lasting relationships with colleagues and mentors that helped me through my years of teaching young reporters.
Karen Stautberg, Glen Este High School, Cincinnati

Since I did not study journalism in college, the two-week Institute was an invaluable experience. I learned so much about news-writing, design, how to organize my staff, and how be a better adviser. Since I’ve been to that conference, my staff has won numerous individual awards, and we even won third place through the New England Scholastic Press Association in 2010.
Mary Lukas DeWinkeleer, Londonderry (N.H.) High School

Attending the Reynolds Institute was like finding life on other planets. We (journalism teachers) are not alone! There are others struggling with the same issues. What a relief it was to meet peers in the business.
Susan Pirsch, Seabury Hall, Makawao, Hawaii

Within a month of returning (from the Institute), my tech-savvy journalism students we were able to establish a site and we were publishing world-wide. Last year, the online site received an Award of Distinguished Merit from the UIL-ILPC of Texas and numerous student journalists received individual recognition. Finally, in an age of unprecedented budget cutting, (the Reynolds Institute and my.hsj.org and hsj.org) are completely FREE, enabling us to provide a journalism program without fear of ever getting the ax.
Cindy Scott, Bandera (Texas) High School

There is a consistent support system for our journalism program. The immersion of content knowledge I received at the two-week Institute five years ago served as a defibrillator for our school’s dying program. Since then you have continued to aid our school by connecting us with national advertisements and by hosting our text, photo and video content online. Without it, our journalism program would have slipped into extinction with many of the other newspaper organizations who were unable to adapt to recent technological advancements in media.
Chad Rickard, Eisenhower High School, Rialto, Calif.

I walked away equipped to deal with those concrete skills every adviser benefits from having, like how to use industry-standard software, but also the insight on and preparation for the greater challenges advisers face — teaching students about their legal responsibilities, helping them make ethical decisions, and avoiding burnout. It was and still is the single most effective professional development experience I have had.
Michelle Balmeo, Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, Calif.

The Institute helped me to merge my two disciplines and loves (journalism and librarianship) to better help my students disseminate and process information and news. By using the my.hsj.org website my students were able to still produce a student newspaper when we didn’t have the funds to put out a traditional newspaper. The education I received and the people I met have become resources that I could never put a value on and I wish that every journalism instructor in the country could participate.
Yolanda Lowry, Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, Las Vegas

The training I received has been so valuable to me and the community with which I work I would have never been as successful. First, I felt prepared and knowledgeable when restarting the journalism program at Kelvyn Park High School, an inner-city Chicago Public School. Second, I have shared my knowledge with three student teachers, one of whom went on to start a journalism program at another CPS school. Lastly, thanks to the training, our paper has won awards from the McCormick Foundation. Our neighborhood school has been on academic probation since 1997.Our school paper was awarded Excellent Overall Publication, which was the same rating of a few “selective enrollment” CPS schools. I can’t thank everyone enough for the opportunity I received and how grateful I am for being a part of something so special.
Kyle Higgins, Kelvyn Park High School, Chicago

Each aspect of my learning was invaluable – about ethics, teaching writing, organizing a staff, team building and motivation, and converging media. Not only did the Institute train and equip me to practically run a high school newspaper, it also refueled my passion and inspiration for journalism education. I would not have a newspaper at my high school if it weren’t for the hosting at my.hsj.org. We have never had a newspaper, and we do not have the resources for a print format. Also, my students love being able to update more frequently, and the study body has responded well to the online newspaper.
Karissa Ross, Life School Oak Cliff, Dallas

The skills, relationships and content of the Reynolds Institute have made it possible for me to keep advising student journalists. Before I attended the Institute, I was excited but lost. The instruction, resources and one-on-one advice for my particular situation and my unique student-led staff are employed on a daily basis when making decisions, teaching style and promoting leaders. Now my excitement is focused and directed to improve the role of student journalism at my school.
Tom Deshotels, Hamilton High School, Sussex, Wis.

I attended one of the inaugural Institutes in 2001 after my first year of teaching journalism. The experience was invaluable! I returned with knowledge, tools, and contacts that I still utilize 10 years later.
Lois M. Walker, Blackman High School, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

One of the most important things I learned is that we must be “lifelong learners” and keep up with the ever-changing technology, demands and issues that occur in the field of journalism. The very aspects that make journalism so appealing are the same things that often create challenges to teaching it. The online lesson plans provided by hsj.org have been helpful for teaching new units in journalism like convergence and blogging. I frequently recommend the site to new journalism teachers or those wishing to start up media programs at their schools. I recommend the site to student editors as a way to compare their work to that of other students around the country. They are fascinated by the coverage some students provide in their publications. The resources and opportunities provided by the Institute continue to be invaluable years later. I am constantly evolving as an educator because of it.
Cindy Carey, Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park, N.Y.

The most beneficial sessions of the Institute for me were the presentation and instruction on the First Amendment from the Student Press Law Center rep. I returned to my school, educated my students, and worked to produce a censor-free student publication. I also learned more about and implemented the investigative reporting strategies and lessons with my students. One more note — we are finally online! The two issues that the students have produced are/were online. And, oh yes, we have generated more ad sales, and I have the paper available in several local businesses. The program was extremely beneficial for me and my students. We had a press conference with the principal. The students had the chance to visit the Sun Sentinel, and they were impressed with the students’ behavior and intelligent questions about journalism and printing/production. Thanks again (Diana Mitsu Klos, Craig Branson and Connie Southard) for such a wonderful opportunity for me and my students.
Jenese Giles, Northeast High School, Oakland Park, Fla.

I came away from the experience with a renewed sense of optimism about what our school paper could be. I learned to create activities and lessons that would help the students develop trust and confidence in their journalistic abilities, and I realized that the less involved I was in the decision-making process, the richer the experience was for my students.
Ben Murphy, Island Pacific Academy, Kapolei, Hawaii

Beyond all the knowledge gained, I also formed collaborative relationships with fellow advisers that endure. That’s important because often journalism teachers are the only people in their own schools – and sometimes their own districts – who understand the unique challenges of the job.
Joe Humphrey, Hillsborough High School, Tampa, Fla.
President, Florida Scholastic Press Association

Participating in the Reynolds Institute was a wonderful experience that gave me the basic tools I needed to come back to my high school and start a school newspaper. Our newspaper is hosted online at my.hsj.org, and we are very pleased with the user-friendly site and the professional look of our paper.
Laura (Jeanne) Korando, Elverado High School, Elkville, Ill.

I don’t think I really understood what my job was supposed to be until I attended the Reynolds Institute. Afterwards, I became a coach and an adviser to my publications students, instead of being their editor. I gave more control of the publications to students and consequently the creativity and quality improved. My.hsj.org: got my student newspaper online and opened up the possibilities of online publishing. We would not have a web presence now were it not for my.hsj.org.
Laura K. Negri, Alief Kerr High School, Houston

The ASNE Journalism Institute provided me with hands-on knowledge of newspaper design. As a result, our school purchased both Quark Xpress and InDesign so that I could teach the journalism students to lay out the newspaper.
Nora Groft, Northwestern High School, Mellette, S.D.

The two weeks I spent at the Institute was a very intense training for journalism standards and curriculum. The resources, including large binder, books, and internet sites I received have been invaluable to me for use in my classroom. Years later I am still finding new ideas from these websites and resources given to me. My journalism/newspaper class is determined to be an online paper this year and my.hsj.org has provided us with the templates and site to accomplish this goal. They have been very supportive since attending the Institute! Not only has my.hsj.org provided this for us, but also numerous times I have visited the section on Lesson Plans and ‘borrowed” some ideas for a particular lesson.                              Debbie Mueller, Enid (Okla.) High School

The most important information I learned at the Reynolds Institute was: 1.) the specifics of good journalism by choosing important story topics, conducting thorough research and investigation, and encouraging strong writing skills and practice; and 2.) the modernization of news reporting, by incorporating Internet, video and social network media to share news information. We are hosted on my.hsj.org, but we are still very much in the program development phase … however, I refer to the lessons regularly as I develop a staff and program at my school.
Kelly Camak, Gateway to College Early College High School, Riverside, Calif.

(Diana Mitsu Klos, Craig Branson and Connie Southard) have proven to be a consistent support system for our journalism program. The immersion of content knowledge I received at the two-week Institute 5 years ago served as a defibrillator for our school’s dying program. Since then, the team has continued to aide our school by connecting us with national advertisements and by hosting our text, photo and video content online. Without the team, our journalism program would have slipped into extinction with many of the other newspaper organizations who were unable to adapt with technology. Thank you.
Chad Rickard, Eisenhower High School, Rialto, Calif.

Being a member of the summer Institute is still THE highlight of my teaching career and that was 10 years ago. It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity because they won’t let me come back a second time. My students have benefited from the High School National Ad Network and occasionally we’ll use something from MCT Campus wire service. Hsj.org brings knowledge and respect to newspaper students and their advisors. You have sparked many journalism majors and careers.
Robert Falkenstein, Palmerton Area (Pa.) High School

What can I say? The two weeks I spent at the Institute were absolutely amazing. I learned so much. Every journalism teacher should have this experience.
Diana Adams, American Heritage, Plantation, Fla.

The Reynolds Institute I attended lit a fire in my belly for journalism. It also helped me pass the journalism certification test in Texas. The lesson plans on the hsj.org website are the best journalism resources out there.       Lynn Scotty, Utopia (Texas) High School

No way could I have stepped foot into my journalism classroom to begin advising a brand new student newspaper without having attended the Institute. I didn’t even know exactly what it was I didn’t know at that time. Learning from professionals and others in the classroom made all the difference. The “how to” of everyday high school journalism isn’t taught elsewhere. My lesson plan on teaching photography skills is on hsj.org, and when I am looking for lesson plans for my class, this site is the first one I go to. This Institute took me from my theoretical base as a journalism teacher to a journalism adviser ready to tackle the everyday issues I face with my students in producing a quality student newspaper we can all be proud of.
Marianne Moriarty, Bourgade Catholic High School, Phoenix

I was a new teacher to journalism. I found the Institute materials invaluable and still refer to them today. I made several valuable contacts with other journalism teachers in the nation and keep in touch with social networks. Since the Institute, I have increased the journalism program at my high school, produce a printed color version of our paper, and the paper can be viewed online on the school website. In partnership with The Bradenton (Fla.) Herald my students have been published several times for their “Journalism Next” series. I feel very privileged to have been offered the opportunity to participate in the program and, in fact, would like to attend again!!! One of my students this year is going to UT-Austin to study Mass Media and Communications and last year my editor in chief won a county prize for journalism, and is now studying journalism at UConn. Very proud! My students and I refer to hsj.org regularly for story ideas and journalism info such as ethics. I always refer to the lesson plans page for inspirational ideas.
Jillian Bieber, Braden River High School, Bradenton, Fla.

I am happy for the opportunity to say that I learned so much at the Institute I attended a few years ago. Mostly, I learned how to have more passion for what I am doing, how to get my students motivated by photography, and how to stay organized. It was also very helpful and inspiring to hear from so many reporters who shared their experiences with us.
Melanie Bourne, Clifton J. Ozen Magnet High School, Beaumont, Texas

The Institute bolstered my traditional journalism curriculum by providing expert speakers on topics from writing to press freedom. It introduced me to the concept of convergence journalism and allowed me to apply new skills while connecting with high school journalism teachers from across the country.
Josh Maki, Bay Port High School, Green Bay, Wis.

The workshop sessions provided valuable interaction with other high school journalism teachers and presentations from numerous professional journalists throughout the state. My students are still benefiting from the resources and experience I gained at journalism Institute. Since completing the program, I have used hsj.org for lesson plans and ideas.                                                         Wade Crowder, Skyline High School, Dallas

Lauren May, Oak Lawn (Ill.) Community High School

I consider the Institute one of the most important things I have ever done to improve my teaching. Because of what I learned at the Institute, I have been able to successfully launch a journalism program in my high school. My school began an online newspaper at my.hsj.org this year, and a world of journalistic opportunities has been opened up to my students. My experience was exceptional from the high level of instruction to the accommodations and hospitality. I would recommend this Institute to anyone who is serious about improving journalism education.
Leah Rosson, Bronte (Texas) High School

It was one of the few learning experiences in education that was simultaneously enjoyable and influential. Since the Institute, I have implemented a few of the strategies I learned — specifically: staff management and training, the inclusion of interesting “extras” such as fact boxes/pictures/statistics, layout concepts, and, perhaps most importantly, strategies for identifying interesting topics to contain in the newspaper. Finally, and I think most importantly, were the relationships I developed with other teachers. Since the Institute, I have become very close to four of the other teachers. We have traveled together, visited each other in our home towns, shared teaching strategies and, very recently, discussed how my school could implement a journalism course. Because of these relationships, fostered by the Institute, I am more confident and capable as a teacher and advisor and, as a result, my school will have its first journalism course in 15 years. Cool.
Shawn Landry, Billerica (Mass.) Memorial High School

The Reynolds Institute is highly beneficial for those looking to refine the caliber of their publications. Pagination, copy editing, structure, and an emphasis on a wide variety of multimedia components make the two week course a must for any newspaper adviser.
Erik Jackson, Yukon (Okla.) High School

As a new teacher to journalism, I spent my first year floundering, trying to create a program from the ground up. The Institute gave me the tools I needed to create an outstanding journalism program that I’m proud of. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t been accepted to the Institute.
Jamie O’Neil, Desert Hot Springs (Calif.) High School

The Institute was hands-down the best professional development I have ever received. It gave me direct and individual attention from professionals that I would never have received otherwise, instruction that both challenged and inspired me. Before I went to the Institute, I was a one-class journalism teacher in survival mode. Now I teach journalism full time while helping to direct a journalism magnet program. I also serve as the Kentucky State Director of the Journalism Education Association, speak at national and state conventions, am working toward Master Journalism Educator certification, have won the Kentucky Media Adviser of the Year award, and have won a Gold Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and am currently a finalist for another Crown. The Institute jump-started a serious career in teaching journalism, with thousands of students benefiting from the Institute’s investment in me.
Liz Palmer, duPont Manual High School, Louisville, Ky.
Journalism Education Association Kentucky State Director

The Institute was right up there among the most valuable experiences of my life. Over two incredibly intense weeks, the program of A-list instructors and invaluable experiences deepened my understanding of both where journalism stands today and how to inspire the next generation of high school journalists. I could not recommend it highly enough.
Martin Faint, Riverhead (N.Y.) High School

The Reynolds Institute was a phenomenal experience that showed me how to take advising a publication and turn it in to an experience that truly makes my students 21st century learners. Now I’m working on offering a specialized graduation certificate in Mass Media, which is based on the laws and ethics, writing, designing, and multi-media principles we were taught.
Karen Wagner, Eaglecrest High School, Centennial, Colo.

I learned about the First Amendment and how complex the interpretations can be. Teaching this to students, and the rest of journalism, can be difficult, but if you have a passion for the news, everything will fall into place.
Rus Bass Ehler, Juarez High School, Chicago

The most important things I learned at the Institute were organization of the staff and its departments, as well as the importance of the student law center and issues related to journalism and the law.

Brian Holt, Effingham County High School, Springfield, Ga.

Just the fact that I am more than willing to take a few minutes of my very hectic day to stop and sing the praises of the Reynolds Institute speaks volumes. While I have a degree in journalism, no other program could have prepared me for teaching journalism and advising a student publication better than the Reynolds Institute. The most valuable asset of the Institute is that it provides you with countless contacts with other journalism teachers and supporting programs that you never have to feel overwhelmed or burdened by all the many aspects of being an adviser that can sometimes be overwhelming and stressful.
Sandra M. Trick, Montoursville (Pa.) Area High School

The wealth of resources shared by our leaders, and by the other amazing teacher participants, gave me new ideas, and a better understanding of scholastic media. Since the Institute, our journalism program as grown tremendously. Our student newspaper is now ranked as one of the top in New York state and through their exposure in the program, many current and former students are now pursuing journalism/communications majors in college. Another nice thing about participating in the Institute is that it doesn’t end once the two weeks are over. In the past few years, I’ve kept in touch with the leaders (who are always so quick to share their thoughts or resources) and fellow participants, who have become great friends. I also met my husband at the Institute!
Kelly Gionti, High School for Law, Advocacy and Community Justice, New York

The Institute was the single most beneficial professional development undertaking I have ever attended in regards to teaching journalism and advising the student newspaper. This journalism boot camp gave me an education in effective journalism practices as well as even more important ideas for teaching and grading a newspaper production class and teaching journalism ethics and law to help ensure students act responsibly and professionally.
Sara Salvato, Geneva (Ill.) High School

Attending the Institute took me from knowing virtually nothing about teaching journalism to feeling confident that I am making my students media savvy and giving them the skills they need to communicate in this complex and confusing world.
Keith Esala, Concordia Academy, Roseville, Minn.

The Reynolds Institute was the most beneficial training I’ve had since becoming an educator. It taught me how to develop a struggling high school newspaper into one with more substance. Hsj.org is the only comprehensive source for lesson plans and resources for journalism teachers. Every journalism teacher I know uses it often.
Angela Macias, Thomas Jefferson High School, Dallas

I count myself fortunate to be among the alumni who have attended the Reynolds Institute. Our publication, The Viking Press, was named an All-North Carolina publication last year by the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association, and I am a 2011 recipient of the JEA Rising Star Award. My success and the success of our publication has been directly influenced by my two-week stint, where I learned everything from the basic structure of a high school journalism classroom to some of the tricks of online publishing and media convergence.
Michael Moon, Kinston (N.C.) High School

The most important things I learned at the Institute? Where do I begin, ethics, laws, lessons, and my responsibility to give students a voice to exercise free speech, and coach them about how they need to use it responsibly. The most helpful tool was learning about the Student Press Law Center; I have called them many times. Also the books that I received were a great recourse. I came to Institute after my second year as the newspaper advisor. I didn’t know that much about high school journalism when I took on the job of advisor, but after my two weeks at the jam-packed program, our paper took off.  Everything about The Verdict changed dramatically, from appearance, to interest level, to receiving awards. It’s hosted online on my.hsj.org.  I’ve used lesson plans at hsj.org; they are always excellent. My school has just decided to start a Magnet Program for journalism.
Georgia Mavromihalis, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bayside, N.Y.

I came to realize I was becoming a “dinosaur” as far as journalism was concerned. My curriculum of print journalism classes and mix of digital and black-and-white film photography was becoming irrelevant in today’s digital world. Attending the 2009 Reynolds Institute gave me the my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmtsite that we’ve had since 2002, extensive use of photo stories, stand-alone video stories along with video to accompany text stories, audio-only interviews and blogs in addition to opening and maintaining Facebook and Twitter sites for the newspaper. In addition, I have found many features of hsj.org vital in presenting relevant information to students, including lesson plans prepared by peers (including one I submitted), vocabulary words, topics under the “student” and “teacher” sections, and winnings received from the Get Clicks contest. These are among many I’ve taken advantage of.
Mark Webber, Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts, Laredo, Texas

An intense, enjoyable and inspirational experience, rife with real-life applications, featuring a brilliant faculty, state of the art technology and peers who share a passion for journalism and who, during the course of the Institute, become life-long friends and supporters. This was an amazing and gratifying time for veterans and beginners alike. I wish I could go back!
Daryl Campbell, Giles County High School, Pulaski, Tenn.

The Reynolds Institute training I received has made a world of difference to my program. We now have a fully integrated Digital Media Program and journalism class at the junior level. These students receive a full IDM credit as well as and English 3-4 credit. 2010 – 2011 has been our first year and promises to be even better next year! The comradeship that I still receive from fellow teachers is amazing! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you.

Denice Westover, Snowflake (Ariz.) High School

It is a very worthwhile experience that has helped my career tremendously. I’d say the number one thing I took from the Institute was to continue to fight for the right of your students to express themselves freely in a school-wide forum, as it provides a huge benefit for them in high school, college and beyond. I use hsj.org frequently to supplement instruction about various topics relevant to high school journalism in my classroom. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend an Institute, and I recommend it immensely to anyone who has not attended yet.
Jarred Goodall, LV Berkner High School, Richardson, Texas

I found that the instruction I received there broadened my scope of the newspaper world. Although I had some experience working at a weekly newspaper as a teenager, seeing how big dailies worked helped me teach my students more of the skills that they need to be successful in the journalism world.
Susan C. Duncan, Pine Tree High School, Longview, Texas

The Institute provided invaluable networking and bonding with other advisers from across the country. The journalism teacher is often a solitary figure in his or her high school, so having the ability to bounce ideas around with others in the same position as well as getting information from professors and professionals in the field was something not available anywhere else.
Rhonda Weiss, Cypress Bay High School, Weston, Fla.

The two weeks did more to recharge my teaching than any other workshop, professional development or college course I’ve ever taken. We teacher-students learned from each other and from the superior Institute leaders and speakers. I’ve taken so many new skills to the classroom and have greater confidence in my skills as a teacher. Awesome program!
Donna Fishel, Willard (Mo.) High School

I was fortunate enough to be chosen as a participant in the Reynolds Institute. This experience was invaluable to me, but even more so for my students, who benefited in many ways from my experience; they are still reaping benefits. I continue to keep in touch with several of the advisers I worked with, and we continue to grow and share together. Our school features only an online publication at my.hsj.org, and without the wonderful assistance and support, we would have no school paper. It is very easy to use and the resources available are incredible.
Joe Boffa, Desert Mirage High School, Thermal, Calif.

Going into the Institute I was facing my first year as a journalism educator after being a professional journalist. The Institute showed me how to effectively introduce my students to the wonderful world of journalism. I also learned I’m not alone. There are other teachers from across the country who are also trying to figure out how best to teach journalism, especially when the professional industry is in a constant state of change. It was nice to gain the friendship I made there because now I also have a network of fellow teachers I can turn to when I have a question or need help of any kind. Without the Institute, I wouldn’t have all that. My students’ newspaper is on my.hsj.org.  have found it incredibly easy to use, and the students enjoy being able to also read their work online. I also like how by posting items to the site, my students become eligible to be selected for the “National Edition.” When my students get selected, it is a point of pride for them, which is nice because it encourages them to continue to work hard at what they are doing so they can try to be repeat winners of the recognition. I often check hsj.org for lesson plans … they were created by veteran teachers. It is a wonderful resource to be able to use.
Todd Vogts, Western Plains High School, Ransom, Kan.

The training I received made it possible for Christ School to have a newspaper community that is vibrant. One of my students, a senior, will go to Vassar next year and has been in the newspaper class every semester since his freshman year. He lists his time on The Galax Leaf staff as some of his favorite at our school. I could not have made the paper a start up success without the Institute’s help.
Mary Dillon, Christ School, Arden, N.C.

The Reynolds Institute was the single most valuable professional development I have ever experienced. The most important thing I learned was that I was not alone. The support I received from my fellow participants was invaluable. I probably remember something I learned or something someone said at least once a week. I still have the notebook we put together and still refer to it. It was an incredible experience.
Jennifer Swanson, Arroyo High School, El Monte, Calif.

Since my time at the Reynolds Institute, our newspaper has tripled its production, and I’ve been named STAR teacher and District Teacher of the Year. The skills I learned at the Reynolds Institute have DIRECTLY contributed to our success here in Starkville, and I could not be more grateful for the training. Our online news site is on my.hsj.org and that has really opened up the amount of experience I’m able to give my kids. Production costs are no longer an obstacle!
R.J. Morgan, Starkville (Miss.) High School

The most important thing I learned from attending the 2010 Reynolds Institute is how to write for a newspaper. It is embarrassing to admit but I’ve had absolutely no background in journalism and have never been on any newspaper staff. Because this is an intensive two-week program, it really fit my kinesthetic learning style of being immersed in learning a set of new skills rather quickly. And while I’m in my third year as adviser to a newspaper staff and have a long ways to go before I feel comfortable in saying I am a journalism teacher, I definitely feel equipped to structure the class and better assist the students because of the Reynolds Institute. The lesson plans at hsj.org are extremely helpful in that 1) one doesn’t have to re-create the wheel; much has already been done for us, and 2) It saves time by getting ideas and ways to implement those ideas.
Nicki Yokota, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

As a teacher who had advised a small paper for three years in the 1990s, learning as we went, the Institute taught me every key aspect of journalism needed to begin my stint advising a historical, large, award-winning paper that fall. I fully utilized the in-depth professional preparation, supplemented with lesson plans and other resources. Both the knowledge and inspiration were invaluable, and especially appreciated was finding that our role as journalism educators is highly valued by the professionals. The networking was also very helpful, in our cadre’s informal chatroom (kept by Diana Mitsu Klos, Connie Southard and Craig Branson) I have had help with questions and sent material to new advisors
Sharn Matusek, Lowell High School, San Francisco

The two weeks offered me the best training and inspiration I could have asked for. I took away hundreds of fresh ideas and a renewed sense of why I believe so strongly in my mission as a journalism teacher. If I could go again, I would with no hesitation
Beth Britton, C.M. Russell High School, Great Falls, Mont.

It raised my confidence level so I could move from practicing journalism to teaching it in high school. Working as a journalist and teaching it are two very different skills and the Institute provided curriculum and professional updates that enriched my experience and that of my students. I am a strong advocate of getting the hsj.org experience and using the online lesson plans
Lynn Wolf Dulcie, Rock Hill (S.C.) High School

Having to come up with a story idea, report on it, write it, and post it online was one of the more valuable experiences from the Institute.  It allowed us to put ourselves in our students’ shoes, and it helped me to better understand how to teach my students.  The online hosting by my.hsj.org has helped my students see how their work as student journalists applies and affects the world outside of their classroom. It has also prepared my students for the dynamic world of journalism by developing all of the valuable skills journalists today need to know.
Cedric Ranchez, Kaimuki High School, Honolulu

Attending the Reynolds Institute refreshed my views on the value of what we teach in journalism. I came back from the Institute with fresh ideas, a stronger commitment to teaching the First Amendment rights, and a goal of taking our school newspaper online. It was truly an amazing experience.
Susan Greig, Atlanta (Texas) High School

I came away with tons of great information necessary for a new journalism adviser. The staff was helpful and gave us lots of resources to use for lesson planning. The program was not only informative, but a pleasure to attend as well. Not having a strong background in journalism, I was initially at a loss as to what to teach my students. Luckily, I was able to refer to the hsj.org website for ideas. This was especially invaluable when I was brand new to this field. Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend this workshop and for sponsoring the website. Newbies to the field find this a lifeline for our teaching.
Mitzi Wilson, Elyria (Ohio) High School

The Reynolds Institute provided me with a renewed sense of purpose. Spending time with journalism teachers from around the country, receiving training from experts, and taking home a myriad of resources was invaluable. I continue to use the materials I received and am a much better teacher for it. My investment of time was well worth it. Every journalism teacher should experience such a fellowship.
Karen Cusolito, Hollywood (Calif.) High School

Even with a journalism background, there was still tons for me to learn at the Institute, including the importance of talking to and sharing ideas with other journalism teachers. The group of people I studied with became a source for answers, inspiration and more. Just because journalism teachers are often “alone” in their school, they are not alone in the education world and are always willing to share their ideas and resources with others.
Christina Geabhart, Oak Park High School, Kansas City, Mo.

The skills that I collected during the Reynolds Institute were invaluable to me. The workshops allowed me to design new lessons for my student journalists, helped me steer a long-dormant scholastic publication into an award-winning publication, and, most importantly, educated me about student press law and how to work more efficiently with an at-times trying school administration. My lesson plan, the Influence of James Nachtwey on the Field of Photojournalism, is hosted online at hsj.org. The wide array of lesson plans archived is an amazing go-to for all topics important in the journalism classroom.
Sarah Platanitis, Feeding Hills, Mass., formerly with Holyoke High School

After my first year as the journalism teacher and school newspaper advisor with little to no budget, materials, and/or professional development, participating in the Institute has provided me with the curriculum that I need to teach my class about news media, especially ethical concerns and newspaper production, as well as with the leadership skills necessary to create an editorial staff of high school students that are competent, focused, and motivated to contribute to their school’s newspaper.Hosting online at my.hsj.org has helped to establish and publicize the school newspaper as a reputable source of information that has kept up with media and technology as well as to provide information to alumni, community members, and parents about what is happening at our school in ways that the school’s own website and other materials cannot.
Robert Rojas, Westchester High School, Los Angeles

The training was not only helpful, but extremely useful. I am still using quite a bit of the material and ideas I picked up there. It was a valuable experience that becomes only more so in these times of diminished journalism. Budget constraints are sure to impact many high school journalism programs which already receive precious little support from state legislators, district and school administrators. The Institute provides much needed valuable support to those who are at the forefront of an important American institution, the free press. In addition, hsj.org lesson plans are a helpful resource that will become even more valuable as state budget constraints impact the classroom. Textbook examples and assignments can become outdated, and stale. The resources offered by hsj.org are definitely of great use.
Antonia G. Seltzer, Del Valle High School, El Paso, Texas

The input from the thirty-plus teachers from all over the country and seeing their school newspapers helped me so much. Most of all the expertise of the faculty for the Institute was so impressive. In addition to the valuable information they gave us, they also took a personal interest in each of us and our particular situations. Three big things came out of this experience: 1. We quit trying to charge for the paper. I learned how to go about selling ads, and we have successfully done that. We have even raised enough money to purchase an additional computer and printer this year. Now we have TWO! 2. At the suggestion of the faculty at the Institute, I approached our local paper and they agreed to publish our paper for a reasonable price. It really IS a newspaper now – sixteen pages. 3. We did not have a textbook. At the Institute, I saw samples and talked to the teachers there. I was not able to get one the first year back, but this year we have one. It’s a great help to me and to the students. I owe the Institute SO much. It’s two weeks of intense, demanding work, but it is so worth it.
Marie Maddox, Gatlinburg-Pittman High School, Gatlinburg, Tenn.

This is the hands-on class that all journalism teachers need to take. It’s intense! I wish I could participate again and again to rejuvenate and inspire my teaching. Hsj.org is a go-to place for resources. It’s a site you definitely want to put in your bookmark bar.
Michelle Coro, Desert Vista High School, Phoenix

I am happy to share how valuable this experience was for myself, my students and my school. Our small, rural high school lacked a student newspaper and a journalism course. My interest in filling this gap was met with enthusiasm by our principal, despite my lack of professional experience. The Institute was my crash course, providing me with knowledge, contacts, resources and experiences that enhanced our curriculum and student paper far beyond what would have occurred otherwise. Our student paper is online with my.hsj.org and I often refer to hsj.org for lesson plans. I recommend this program highly to both new and experienced teachers of journalism and student publication advisers. I am very grateful for the experience.
Jeffrey Lang, Mt. Everett Regional High School, Sheffield, Mass.

I learned the importance of the “craft” of writing. Through the dynamic presenters and hands-on activities, I got to see first hand what my students experience on a daily basis. The second and most important thing is two-fold: being able to network with other teachers from across the country and having affirmation about our lives in the “trenches” of high school journalism. I walked away with so many ideas and resources! I have used many of them already and plan on using them again and again. I’ve also used my.hsj.org lesson plans for topics I felt insecure about. Hsj.org offers many suggestions and helps provide ideas and handouts to keep the enthusiasm in the class going. Additionally, my school paper is hosted on my.hsj.org. Three of my students’ articles have been selected for the National Edition which has made them “step up” their writing in an attempt to be selected. The online hosting has made my online staff begin to function more as a newsroom, which I appreciate more than words can express.
Diane M. Flemming, James River High School, Midlothian, Va.

As a new journalism teacher with no formal training, the Institute was a lifesaver! I learned so much about how to put together a paper and about the field of journalism that is really has helped make our school paper a success. The job shadowing experience and connections with other teachers across the country not to mention the great instructors made this a wonderful experience that has changed the way I teach journalism. I use the hsj.org online lesson plans a lot! Some I use as they are printed and others I have tweaked to suit my needs. They provide a great resource of teacher-tested materials that enhance my journalism program.
Becky Cronk, Cheboygan (Mich.) High School

The most the valuable lesson I learned was from Student Press Law Center, which gave an insightful presentation on student press law. As an adviser, I will never forget learning about public forum, shield laws, freedom of information, and perhaps the most important thing I try to instill in my kids: student journalists should understand the awesome power and the unique privilege of being allowed to express their First Amendment rights because where else in high school can one do that?
Mark Strohschein, Oak Harbor (Washington) High School

The Reynolds Institute was amazing! Genuinely appreciated hearing from all the speakers and getting an opportunity to produce a hands-on news website with advisers from across the nation. I walked away with practical skills and lessons that I could share with my students. A lesson that really hit home was the lecture about how important editorials are to the paper. It is a tangible expression of how publications are a voice for student expression. We really value having an account on my.hsj.org. We don’t have money to print a newspaper so this is our primary way of distributing stories and content about our school to the students and staff. Thanks for hosting us!
Alexandria Lau, Ambassador School of Global Leadership, Los Angeles

My two-week fellowship with the Institute was a career tune-up. My favorite part was meeting journalism advisers from around the country and brainstorming ways to solve our common struggles in an increasingly online profession.
Diane Hofsess, Southfield (Mich.) High School

The Institute was invaluable to my understanding of how to run a journalism classroom. There is no way I could have capably taught the class or advised the school newspaper without the training the Institute provided me.           Stephen Milligan, W.J. Keenan High School, Columbia, S.C.

Hsj.org has been an invaluable tool in my first few years of teaching journalism for ideas on how to teach the increasingly diverse curriculum of journalism. The lesson plan ideas are constantly being updated with ideas that come from teachers who have already used the plans posted and know that they will work in the classroom. Struggling to keep up with multiple preps and over 200 new kids each semester, this website is like having a hundred best friends teaching the same subject as I am who are willing to offer me their help. The Reynolds Institute was a life saver for me. My notebook of ideas from the Institute, the memories of so many influential speakers, and the experience of setting up our own online news site have been invaluable to me as I have taught this year. I have had a completely new sense of confidence and have continued to share ideas and exchange lesson plans with other members of the Institute. Remembering lessons learned at the Institute, I’ve really been able to challenge my students to look at real issues, to tell the whole story and to be aware of their first amendment rights to be a voice for the high school. They’ve written some truly powerful stories, sparked some significant changes at the school and really fulfilled their mission as high school journalists. Thank you.                                                 Mary Seal, Taylorsville High School, Salt Lake City

At the Reynolds Institute, I basically believe I learned how to become a better adviser. I now know what my students need and expect from me and have learned to be more trusting of them. I have found the lesson plans online at hsj.org to be very useful when looking for activities to supplement my Mass Media & Society course. Sometimes I have the lesson idea, but don’t have the practical application for it. Hsj.org certainly helps with that aspect.
Derek Snow, Smithfield (R.I.) High School

The Reynolds Institute was the best training I ever received as a journalism teacher. Before attending my principal had approached me about discontinuing the school newspaper. What I learned helped me save it. Sometimes we get thousands of hits per month on our stories. Our flailing and failing have ceased. We are constantly improving, maybe not by leaps and bounds, but we are getting there! The problem with our newspaper is that it was stuck in the pre-internet world. Now we use my.hsj.org to publish. My students love it when their work gets chosen for the National Edition! We are a small school in the middle of nowhere. We get the short end of the stick when it comes to funding, so the website is great, how can you not afford it? I also love the site because it is constantly changing to accommodate different types of news delivery. When there is a kink, it gets ironed out. It gets cooler the longer I use it, rather than getting outdated! Also, there is probably no better place to go for lesson plans than hsj.org. It is my starting point for just about every lesson.
Julie Mancini, Dunnellon (Fla.) High School

The Reynolds Institute was a gift that I kept unwrapping all year long.  When we had a record number of drug expulsions and we had to cover it sensitively, I had a list-serve list of other high school newspaper advisors. I knew and trusted with whom I could share ideas and concerns about our coverage. Similarly, when we had to face the news of a former student’s suicide, I had the research about copycat suicides based on media coverage fresh in my mind from the conference.  And whether we were laying out a centerspread, or brainstorming for our next issue,  I had more ideas to share with students, and more resources to point them toward. I am so very grateful for the experience and would encourage any advisor, even a seasoned one, to sign up to get an adrenaline boost and a whole bunch of new ideas!
Ellen Cowhey, The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

The Institute provided me with many resources and with the confidence to return to my school with the tools we needed to take our journalism program to the next level!  In fact, our newspaper won awards from the New York City ACLU two years in a row. We wouldn’t have been able to do that without the training I received. We used the lesson plans and resources available online through hsj.org on a regular basis. Whatever we were thinking about teaching next, there were resources on line to help us. As most high schools only have one journalism teacher or newspaper advisor, the website gave me a whole network of support! I wish we had something like that for all subject areas. I wouldn’t have survived without it. I am now a principal. Alas, I have no high school journalism program, but I am hoping to start one soon! I am encouraging one of my teachers to apply to the Institute so that we can get a program started here.
Shannon Curran, Principal, Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice, New York

I received a wealth of information and materials from our presenters that I shared with other journalism teachers in central Mississippi over the years. Our school district (Jackson Public Schools) was fortunate to have another teacher attend the summer workshop a few years ago. Before I retired last year, I frequently looked at and used hsj.org lesson plans. I even called (Diana Mitsu Klos, Craig Branson and Connie Southard) a few time for answers to problems I may have had and always received a quick response. I am very thankful for this program. In fact, I plan to move to Texas and look for another teaching position, hopefully in journalism.
Janice Susan Hogan, retired teacher who taught at Wingfield High School, Jackson, Miss.

As a journalism teacher I sometimes feel that I’m on an island and have very little support at my workplace. After attending the Institute I know I have the support of others I not only met, but worked with and established friendships. I know I am not alone, and my journalism career truly has been extended by as a teacher. We would not have a journalistic presence online if it wasn’t for the opportunities provided by hsj.org. Because of this, my students are learning how to use the element of immediacy to their advantage, and developing another writing format in blogs. Further, this is helping them to network by linking with other online sites and developing a consumer sense as well. Hsj.org has provided valuable opportunities for professional development that are not available anywhere else, while offering great resources to develop what was learned.
Dean A. Lowe, Amherst Steele High School, Amherst, Ohio

The Institute was truly a life changing experience. I met many wonderful people, especially the amazing woman who eventually became my wife. In addition, I left with extensive knowledge and resources to become a better adviser.
Andrew Christopulos, The Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts, New York

Acceptance to The Reynolds Institute should be a priority for every journalism instructor. The two weeks I spent with peers and incredible instructors was one of the best learning experiences of my life, and through the process we became family –  a network of encouragers, professional advisers, and a source for resources that work exceptionally well in the journalism classroom.
Cheryl Johnston, Plant City, Fla.

The two-week Institute was probably the most memorable educational experience in my career as a journalism teacher. I still use many of the ideas I learned then and I am still friends with a few of the people I met.Our newspaper has been on my.hsj.org since 2003. We have seen many changes to the web program, all for the better, and I love that I can get Craig Branson on the phone almost anytime. And it’s super easy to use – my students are completely in charge, which is always helpful to a busy journalism teacher, and I also don’t have to be dependent on having a very computer-savvy editor to ensure that our articles get posted for posterity
Nancy Zubiri, Venice High School, Los Angeles

Attending the Reynolds Institute can be summed up this way: my place card still sits on my classroom desk, I still use the brief case to haul my teacher stuff around, the bonus materials and binder of lessons are woven in and out of my daily lessons, the my.hsj.org First Amendment poster is mounted on my editorial wall, and the professional community you opened the door to is an endless source of great ideas and support.
Jerry Appel, Chaparral (N.M.) High School

Why was/is the Institute an invaluable experience for new advisers? As a new teacher, you’re always looking for a variety of ways to teach a concept, but there are so few journalism teachers compared to English or math. The Institute gives you toolbox full of ideas as well as an actual box of materials and lesson plans! It’s also a great opportunity to network with other advisers and professionals in the field. How awesome are the resources?!? My.hsj.org is an amazing resource for advisers from all skill levels. Website design can take a lot of time and knowledge, but the my.hsj.org site is a browse and upload template that is very easy to use, but also customizable (optional) for the more advanced. It’s a great way to host your videos, photos and articles online. Best of all, it’s free!
April van Buren, Mesa Vista Middle and High School, Ojo Caliente, N.M.

I attended after my first year of teaching. The materials and instruction were overwhelmingly helpful, and as I reflect, I find that I am still using a lot of the materials, six years later. I wish ALL journalism instructors could participate.
Rachel West, Stockton (Calif.) Early College Academy

The two-week Institute I attended greatly influenced the way I teach journalism, mainly by exposing me to the idea that students in my classroom can learn as much about citizenship as they can about the news business. Our student newspaper already reaches thousands of readers by being included as in insert in the local newspaper, but being able to post our stories and photos online at my.hsj.org makes them available to anyone, anywhere in the world, any time.                                                   Matthew Cox, Middlebury (Vt.) Union High School

The Reynolds Institute was one of the best professional experiences I have ever had. I took away so much that I was able to apply to my classroom, including lesson plans, online resources and just plain journalism stuff. It has changed me as a journalism teacher and was the spark for starting an online news presence. I keep in touch regularly with the colleagues that I met there, and we continue to motivate and inform each other about journalism developments. Being part of this new community is a wonderful thing.
Kye Haina, Kamehameha Schools, Pukalani, Maui, Hawaii

What has proven most important since getting back into my classroom has been the “nuts-and-bolts” instruction I got from profs and peers. The program was absolutely one of the most valuable experiences of my career! This year, we launched a news weblog on Tumblr, but we use my.hsj.org frequently for ideas and inspiration. The lessons and resources I continue to get from hsj.org and my fellow teachers around the country have been invaluable!
Heather Damron, South Hunterdon Regional School, Lambertville N.J.

When I attended the Institute I was a new journalism teacher. I had very little experience with respect to student publications, and was very nervous about the upcoming school year and how I would be able to get things done. The most important things I learned were how to get students to produce high quality writing by pushing them to research and investigate. I also learned how to structure my staff and manage my time so that I would be able to get the most out of myself and my staff. I frequently use the hsj.org website for lesson planning as well as to get ideas and keep up with current trends. my.hsj.org hosts The Rampage. The site is extremely helpful because it not only helps me with lessons and keeping current, but it also gives the students valuable experience in maintaining their school newspaper site. I also use the site and refer to it with my student (teacher) interns. I direct them to hsj.org so that they have another resource besides me when lesson planning.
Michelle R. Martinez-Rivera, Montwood High School, El Paso, Texas

The Institute was extremely valuable to me because I have had no training in journalism. Without the Institute, it would have been far more challenging for me to develop a curriculum for my journalism class. It also opened my eyes to so many possibilities for news reporting. Our newspaper is hosted by my.hsj.org.  We are an online only newspaper. Since I am inexperienced at publishing newspapers, this website took all the guess work out of it and made it easy to get our paper up and running. The lesson plans have been helpful as well in guiding me to create my own.
Kimberly Morris, Barat Academy, Dardenne Prairie, Mo.

Because of the Institute, I was able to go into my first year of sponsoring my school’s newspaper armed with all of the resources and knowledge I needed to help my students create a publication that we could be proud of. Five years later, I still refer back to the information I received at the Institute when planning lessons for my class.
Sheryl Stephenson, Westbury High School, Houston

The journalism seminar was a great experience. It provided me with an opportunity to meet with and learn from journalism educators all across the country. I emerged a more educated and experienced instructor.
Joel Neden, New Paltz (N.Y.) High School

The Reynolds Institute provided me with the opportunity to fully examine what a student publication should and could look like. I learned so many tricks of the trade; I also received support to build a curriculum to enhance the skills learned in a journalism class, which in turn, led to forming a supportive relationship with administration. The opportunities afforded by the Institute have given my students endless resources for creating an award-winning publication. The resources available on the hsj.org have helped tremendously in finding creative lessons and emphasizing the importance of the press, more specifically, the student press. Also, my.hsj.org is easy to use and has a professional look for our online newspaper, The Cadet Gazette.                                                                     Nicole Shaw, CAL Community School, Latimer, Iowa

Grateful and still using all I learned. My experience there was priceless. I walked away with an expanded understanding of scholastic journalism, the core curriculum that I still use with my journalism classes, and a cohort of professional colleagues who continue to be sources of inspiration. Our school paper has given students a voice; it has covered important topics in the years since, and our program has expanded to include photojournalism. None of this would have been possible without (Diana Mitsu Klos, Craig Branson, Connie Southard) and project supporters. At various times, my.hsj.org has hosted our paper and, naturally, I have used the excellent resources of hsj.org. When I was the editor of my high school’s paper, I certainly learned about the First Amendment, but didn’t internalize the true value of it or the precarious nature of scholastic publication. The Institute helped remind me; in turn, I strive to drive the point home to my students.
Deborah Parker, La Pine (Ore.) High School

The most important thing I took from the Institute was the emphasis on teaching professional journalism. This attitude has made a big difference in how I teach my class, the publication we produce and the way I can prepare students for college and career endeavors. I truly believe that this professional approach has helped me gain and keep the respect and trust of my administrators, which helps keep our program thriving even in times of budget cuts.
Sharon Zoetewey, Valley Christian High School, Cerritos, Calif.

The Reynolds Institute provided a wealth of resources. Without this training, I would have been lost as a first-year newspaper adviser. My.hsj.org allows my students the power to reach beyond the classroom and world they live in with The King’s Page.
Kerry L. Thomas, Rufus King International School, Milwaukee

The Reynolds Institute at was the best journalism experience I’ve had as a teacher. Meeting other teachers from around the country to network with and experiencing great presentations for the two weeks is still paying dividends years later.                                                 Reggie Flesvig, Boone Grove High School, Valparaiso, Ind.

Putting teachers into the roles of students working on a deadline video project brings new perspectives to the highly collaborative group process. It was an eye-opening, invigorating experience to network with other media teachers as learners. My.hsj.org provides an invaluable hosting service. We can access and research over 170 editions of our “Wildcat” student newspaper that have been archived online since 2003. Thank you for the services you provide.                                                                    Olga Kokino, University Senior High School, Los Angeles

After attending the Reynolds Institute I noticed my standards for what constituted a good news story for our school paper rose dramatically. I have held my students to much higher standards after gaining the insight, knowledge and training offered me at the Institute. I also use the lesson plans on hsj.org regularly. They were especially important, though, during my first year of teaching.
Julie Albertson, Roncalli High School, Indianapolis

The Institute is the most valuable resource for teaching journalism, mostly because it isn’t just one thing. The experiential lesson of making a newspaper, of doing what we are asking the students to do, was probably the most useful, but I won’t slight the more academic lectures and discussions about the First Amendment and the future of journalism. The institute was inspiring and practical and the best thing I’ve done to improve my teaching of journalism. Also, the institute introduced us to My.hsj.org; our newspaper, the Carson High School Trailblazer, has been using it for the past five years. I particularly like the National Edition selections which have motivated my students to improve so that they might be selected.
Gregory Vieira, Carson (Calif.) Senior High School

We learned about how new journalists – even at the high school level – are increasingly using electronic tools and producing material in electronic formats such as web sites and pod casts. The Institute’s focus was perfect for me and my students as we transition from print to electronic journalism.
Sig Kriebel, McCutcheon High School, Lafayette, Ind.

Being selected for the Reynolds Institute was like winning the lottery. I felt very fortunate and the two weeks was one of the best academic experiences I’ve ever had. I learned about many current trends in high school media and how to expand what I was already doing. Through the institute experience, by students have also been able to take advantage of publishing The Viking Voice online through my.hsg.organd other are schools are asking how they can do the same.
Teri Asher, Coeur d’Alene (Idaho) High School

Our journalism program was revived by what I learned at the summer Institute. In the company of other novices, I was comfortable asking questions, comparing challenges and brainstorming new plans. The subject matter experts were relevant and compelling. Using the resources online at Hsj.org makes me feel like I have dozens of mentors offering advice, posing new ideas and suggesting interesting activities to bring home the importance of both basic and advanced journalism skills. I use resources for all three levels of my journalism classes. Having the backing of (Diana Mitsu Klos, Craig Branson and Connie Southard) also helped me confidently begin to create a culture of student journalism at our high school. We may not publish The Blue and Gold on My.hsj.org as frequently as we would like, but when we do, I am proud of the results. The Institute gave me the tools to help my students discover their talents and recreate student journalism.
Susan Burnett, Aberdeen (Md.) High School

Our newspaper, the CS Press, is the only high school paper in Arizona to win a Crown Award from Columbia Scholastic Press this year, and I feel this is largely because of what I learned at the Institute. Our paper is only five years old and I came to the job with limited experience in Journalism. The two weeks helped me tremendously — helped me refine my program to create excellence in all areas of print journalism: ethics, writing, production, team building — in other words, everything it takes to create an award-winning paper.
Lori Hart, Cactus Shadows High School, Cave Creek, Ariz.

The Reynolds Institute was an extremely beneficial program for me as a novice journalism teacher. Since I was a veteran English teacher I thought I had my career in the bag, but when I decided to tackle journalism I was totally unprepared. However, being afforded the opportunity to attend the Reynolds Institute was exactly what I needed to jump-start my school’s journalism program. It is a program designed to meet the needs of both the new and experienced j-teachers. I highly recommend the program!
Cheryl Meade, Yuma (Ariz.) Catholic High School

It was the BEST experience. After teaching English for 13 years, I was switching to journalism. With the new teaching field came the position of adviser to both the newspaper and yearbook at a school that hadn’t even opened yet. The institute gave me great ideas and strategies for advising a high school newspaper. And not only that, I networked and formed friendships with other journalism teachers around the U.S.  that I still collaborate with today. The journalism institute is a GREAT opportunity. Our school newspaper, The Spartan Oracle, is online at my.hsj.org.
Cyndi Lemke, Porter (Texas) High School

The most meaningful thing I learned at the Institute was how to critically challenge my students to think about their roles in our community, our city, our state, our country, and our world–in that order. Even if none of my students go on to become journalists, I know that I’ve taught them what it means to be a responsible member of a democracy. I’ve also helped them learn good digital citizenship and teamwork with each other–and I set all of those goals based on what I learned at the Reynolds Institute. Even better, I have a great library of materials that will stay on even if I leave my school or stop teaching journalism.
Jennifer Smith, Mount Carmel Academy, New Orleans

Even though I am a former journalist with 25 years of teaching experience, the Reynolds Institute was the best professional development I have ever done related to my work as a journalism adviser. The writing sessions allowed me to get back in touch with my “inner writer,” and the technology tools allowed us to take The Oak Leaf online via my.hsj.org. Though we still have a long way to go in developing and refining our online presence, my Reynolds Institute training and the terrific faculty helped us to get our foot in the digital door … I am a better teacher and adviser thanks to all of you.
Judy Davis, Norfolk (Va.) Collegiate School

My high school eliminated the newspaper program four years ago only to resurrect the program this year under my direction. I had editorial experience, but I never taught journalism before. This is why I so badly needed the Reynolds summer program (at Kent State) to help guide me — and they sure did! Their guest speakers, legal advice, and user-friendly website showed me a way to teach the course simply and effectively. Now that my first year of teaching journalism is nearly over, I can proudly say that three of my students have been published nationally, and my two semesters of students have produced two online newspaper issues that earned appeal from teachers, students, and even my administration! I am so proud of the work my students did; but most of all, I am tremendously grateful that (Diana Mitsu Klos, Craig Branson and Connie Southard) provided me with a toolbox of resources that enabled me to teach them this year. Thank you!
N.S. Somich, Mayfield High School, Cleveland