The best things to teach them
Posted by CBowenNov 29
My Teaching High School Journalism course at Kent State is almost over for this semester, and I’m beginning to wonder if I have taught the right things to these education majors who may end up in media classrooms.
Sure, as usual I started with law, emphasizing unprotected speech and the stuff that can REALLY get student media in trouble. They learned about Tinker, Hazelwood, Bethel and Bong Hits and the impact these cases have. From there, we worked our way through ethical issues — the “SHOULD we?” that follows the “COULD we?” After all, without 70 percent on the law and ethics test, my students don’t pass the course. That stuff matters.
They figured out the difference between journalistic writing and “English-class writing,” and we practiced coaching and the maestro concept as we thought about how to package stories for an audience using good design and graphics. Yes, I tried to teach them everything I learned while earning my undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism education and from MANY years in the classroom.
But did I teach them to show their students the importance of caring? The need to cover stories that should be told, not just the ones that fall into their laps? Did I make sure they won’t be afraid to tell their students they have the right and even obligation to question authority? Did I make sure they know it’s not just a matter of filling the time on air or the space on a page? Did I teach them to help those in their classes stand up for their beliefs?
Will those in my course this semester become the kind of teachers who can support their student journalists and help them make a difference?
I’ll have a new group next semester. What do YOU think I should teach them? It’s only 15 weeks of class, but what MUST be part of their learning?
Candace Perkins Bowen, MJE
I have a feeling you taught them all of this and more. You certainly made me realize the importance of those same elements. One thing I wish I’d been more prepared for when I first started teaching, however, is the fact that the greatest opposition isn’t always from the administrators. Sometimes it is from teachers who thing they know about First Amendment rights but truly have no idea. I also wish I’d known more about how to balance the paperwork load with family life. Still a challenge sometimes, but it took me about 10 years to find what works for me in that respect
Candace,
You have given them the most important thing through example – passion for teaching – that means they will strive to do the right things for student journalists. Once a student/teacher learns the law – what works and what will drive a person crazy – you need to push them out on the field to see if they know how to negotiate the field. They are now the players and you have become their coach. You are now the one who stands on the sidelines watching, winching, cheering as they get bounced and bruised and come up for more. They do this now, because you have poured the passion for teaching journalism in their veins. Now, Coach, they are ready for the SUPER BOWL called teaching:):) Now they know they cannot go back to the bench because they have learned that thisis the best profession in the world.
Candace,
You have given them the most important thing through example – passion for teaching – that means they will strive to do the right things for student journalists. Once a student/teacher learns the law – what works and what will drive a person crazy – you need to push them out on the field to see if they know how to negotiate the field. They are now the players and you have become their coach. You are now the one who stands on the sidelines watching, winching, cheering as they get bounced and bruised and come up for more. They do this now, because you have poured the passion for teaching journalism in their veins. Now, Coach, they are ready for the SUPER BOWL called teaching:):) Now they know they cannot go back to the bench because they have learned that this is the best profession in the world.
Yes, it was so important that I said it TWICE!
A former student blogged about something I said to his class (I said it to all beginning journalism classes) about passion. I’ll let Kevin speak for himself. But he forgot I added another word on the board as well—”commitment.”
I believe that passion and commitment are two qualities we want to engender both in our students and in our new teachers.
I also like what Keven says about questions.
Here’s the link:
http://kevinbriody.net/2005/05/05/a-bit-of-inspiration-in-the-morning/