About the Award
Recognizing a journalism teacher who through excellent instruction inspired others to pursue scholastic journalism teaching and/or advising.
This award recognizes a teacher who, through the teaching and/or advising of journalism, inspired others to pursue journalism teaching as a career and who has made a positive difference in the teaching community. It was named after Linda S. Puntney, JEA's executive director from 1989-2010.
Award Recognition
This is a juried award. Entries are evaluated by a national panel of journalism educators consisting of members of the JEA Awards Committee or individual designated by the JEA Awards Committee chair. Honorable mentions may be given. The winner will be acknowledged at the Spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention and formally recognized at the summer JEA Advisers Institute luncheon where the winner will be asked to speak. The winner’s travel and hotel will be paid to the Advisers Institute.
Nominations
A narrative of at least 500 words should explain how the teacher being nominated inspired the person making the nomination to pursue a career in teaching/advising scholastic journalism. The nomination must be from a teacher who is a member of JEA and who advises a publication or broadcast program, teaches journalism classes or is retired after having spent at least 10 years in scholastic journalism. Retired journalism teachers and advisers, along with those currently teaching or advising may be nominated. Up to three additional letters of support may be included. Nominations of unsuccessful candidates are retained for a maximum of two additional years and the original nominator is invited to send updated information by the appropriate deadline. Nominators may renominate unsuccessful candidates for consideration after the initial three years.
Please fill out this form to nominate an individual for the Linda S. Puntney Teacher Inspiration award. Nominations are due Dec. 15.
Recipients
2022
Nicole Kraft, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
2021
Jim Jordan, Walsworth Yearbooks, Fair Oaks, California
2020
Kim Green, MJE, Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.
2019
Mary Kay Downes, MJE, Chantilly (Va.) High School
2018
Brenda Gorsuch, MJE, Mills River, N.C.
2017
Nancy Hastings, MJE, Highland, Ind.
2016
Susan Hathaway Tantillo, MJE, McHenry, Ill.
2014
Jim McGonnell, Findlay (Ohio) High School
2013
Candace Perkins Bowen, MJE, of Kent State University
2012
Brian Hayes, MJE, Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.
2011
Linda S. Puntney, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
2010
Janet Levin, John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights, Ill.
2009
Mary Pulliam, Duncanville (Texas) High School
2008
Joy L. Lessard, Ellensburg (Wash.) High School
2007
Linda Drake, Chase County High School, Cottonwood Falls, Kan.
2006
Richard Johns, Quill and Scroll, Iowa City, Iowa
2005
Kay D. Phillips, Henderson, N.C.
2004
Betsy Owen, Delray Beach, Fla.
2003
H.L. Hall, Hendersonville, Tenn.