Reynolds High School Journalism Institute
Reynolds High School Journalism Institute online training is now available for any teacher who wants to enhance their skills and access resources. Click here to start!
In its final year, the 2015 Reynolds High School Journalism Institute brought together 140 teachers from 41 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for comprehensive hands-on journalism training. For the first time, participants also completed online training before and after the Institute and joined discussions at ASNEChat.org.
Through the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute, teachers learned how to help students gain stronger reporting, writing, editing, multimedia, design and entrepreneurial skills needed to start or improve student news media organizations and understand the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment and their rights and ethical responsibilities as student journalists.
Participants also developed lesson plans that are available at SchoolJournalism.org for anyone to use.
Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 2,340 secondary school teachers have completed the program. The program is administered by the American Society of News Editors Youth Journalism Initiative and was held at four locations in 2015:
- Arizona State University, June 21-27
- University of Texas at Austin, July 12-18
- Kent State University, July 12-18
- University of Missouri-Columbia, July 19-25
The Institute was funded through a generous grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, which paid travel, housing and instructional expenses for the teachers, as well as optional continuing education credit. Teachers also received journalism textbooks and paid membership to the Journalism Education Association and their state or regional scholastic press association.
Participants use the knowledge they gain at the Institute to advance in their careers and become leaders in the profession. Many receive recognition from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association, the Dow Jones News Fund and other organizations for their contributions to journalism education. Institute participants who later received recognition from the Dow Jones News Fund include:
Teachers of the Year
Ellen Austin, 2012; Valerie Penton Kibler, 2010; Alan Weintraut, 2006.
(Read a Q&A with Ellen Austin about how the Institute shaped her career.)
Distinguished Advisers
Stan Zoller, 2011; Coni Grebel, 2010; Susan Goins Newell, 2010; Joe Humphrey, 2010; Christina Geabhart, 2009; Logan Aimone, 2005.
Special Recognition Advisers
Ana Rosenthal, 2013; Derek Smith, 2013; Jeff Kocur, 2012; Melissa Wantz, 2012; Rebeca Zimmermann, 2012; Scott Menscher, 2011; Starr Sackstein, 2011; Elizabeth Cardenas, 2010; Noreen Connolly, 2007; Stephen Chiger, 2006; Cindy Pshigoda, 2003; A. Mario Rios Jr., 2001.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, it has committed more than $150 million to journalism initiatives nationally.
The American Society of News Editors administers the Institute. ASNE is a nonprofit professional organization formed in 1922 that promotes principled journalism, protects First Amendment rights and fights for open government. Key ASNE initiatives include leadership, innovation, diversity and inclusion, and youth journalism. The ASNE Youth Journalism Initiative created and operates SchoolJournalism.org.