This week marks the beginning of the 21st annual High School Journalism Institute Teacher Workshops at the School of Journalism.

Directed by journalism professor Jack Dvorak, the workshops are designed to augment the knowledge of high school journalism teachers and advisers. Dvorak started the teacher workshops to complement the High School Journalism institute for high school juniors, a 61-year-old workshop series that starts in July.

Just as high school students use summer to prepare for their work as seniors, Dvorak saw a need for teachers to hone their skills during summer workshops, too.

"Many teachers are hired to do yearbook or newspaper in high school and they only have an English background," Dvorak said. The workshops can fill that void by providing background in journalism principles and basics, as well as help teachers lead publications.

This year, the workshop offers four classes. Professor Steve Raymer will lead a session on photojournalism and long-time HSJI instructor Dan Niles will give teachers tips on newspaper advising during the first session, June 18-22. The following week, professor Claude Cookman will teach a Web design session, while Greenfield Central High School adviser Susie Coleman will share advice in the field of yearbook advising.

Each of the two one-week workshops will potentially earn attendees two graduate credit hours, Dvorak said.

"This is convenient," Dvorak said, "because in the state of Indiana teachers must earn six credit hours in some field every five years."

In total, about 35 high school educators are participating this year.


Read more about the High School Journalism Institute.