JEA appoints Eden as board secretary

“I am honored and excited to be selected as JEA secretary,” Eden said. “I look forward to the challenge of helping this team in its continued efforts to move scholastic journalism forward.”

Mitch Eden, MJE, has been named secretary of the Journalism Education Board of Directors. JEA President Mark Newton, MJE, appointed Eden today to serve an interim term that expires June 30, 2014.

“Mitch is a top-notch journalism teacher and adviser who brings a wealth of experience to the JEA board and Executive Committee,” Newton said. “We were fortunate to have several outstanding applicants for the interim position, and Mitch will be exceptional. He is intelligent, thoughtful, passionate and sees the best in people. Most importantly, he is the consummate team player.”

In his application letter, Eden wrote: “If you could ask any student I have advised, any peer I have worked with, I would hope they would say I invest. Invest in people. Invest in a passion and a cause. There is nothing I love more. I know this executive board is comprised of educators who do the same, and I would be honored to join the group.”

For the last seven years, Eden has been the scholastic journalism adviser at Kirkwood (Mo.) High School. In the 10 years prior, he taught and advised at Oakville High School in St. Louis. He was president of the local journalism adviser organization, Sponsors of School Publications of Greater St. Louis, for eight years and vice president for four years.

Eden has taught, judged and consulted at numerous national conventions and media workshops. The Society of Professional Journalists awarded him its 2011-12 Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award.

General duties of the secretary include keeping an accurate record of all regular general membership and board meetings. Additional duties include membership on the Budget Committee and oversight for the Endorsement Committee. Eden’s specifically assigned duties include membership on the Request for Proposal Committee and updating JEA position statements.