Mike Malcom-Bjorklund, CJE, will join the Journalism Education Association board of directors as director-at-large July 1. He teaches media and eighth grade language arts and advises the RCSA Innovation Ascent (newspaper, yearbook and podcast) in Jacksonville, Florida.

President Sarah Nichols, MJE, made the appointment today after the board reviewed and discussed applications from four candidates.

“I am thrilled to welcome Mike to this exceptional team. He offers unique perspective from a variety of professional and teaching experiences and has already demonstrated a targeted interest in scholastic press rights and digital media. He’ll be great at serving our members while bringing new ideas to existing projects and initiatives,” Nichols said.

Malcom-Bjorklund also has been active with the Florida Scholastic Press Association as District 2 director and was named its Teacher of the Year in 2016.

“I’m really excited to work with someone who is so enthusiastic and eager to serve JEA. His middle school education perspective will add so much to our team, as will his professional experience,” Vice President Val Kibler, CJE, said.

He assumes the remainder of the director-at-large position vacated by Joe Humphrey, MJE, who resigned earlier this month to accept a new position outside the classroom. The three-year board term runs through April 30, 2020.