Three college students earn Future Teacher Scholarships
Three undergraduate students planning to be journalism teachers and media advisers when they graduate will each receive this year’s $1,000 Future Teacher Scholarships from the national Journalism Education Association.
The awards recipients are Taylor Bibler, Joel Garver and Cody Harrell.
Bibler, a journalism education major at Ball State University, is a senior who was editor-in-chief of Cardinal Life, the school’s first yearbook in 16 years. She has helped with the summer journalism workshops on campus. In his letter of recommendation, Brian Hayes, the first Future Teacher winner and now Ball State’s Secondary Education Program coordinator, wrote, “If there is anyone who has the know-how, talent and experience to succeed as a secondary journalism teacher in the 21st century, it’s Taylor Bibler. Her tenacity, knowledge and experience will take her far as a journalism educator.”
Garver, a junior at Kansas State University, majors in secondary education journalism and is president and co-founder of SJEA, the student journalism group on his campus. He has been a student worker at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Conventions in Boston (fall 2013) and San Diego (spring 2014). His education class teacher wrote, “I have no doubt that Joel will be an excellent educator and will make a positive difference in the lives of many. We need more teachers like Joel in our profession.”
Harrell has continued to work with student journalists at his former high school, creating a “master class” to help future editors. The Michigan State senior also has assisted with Michigan Interscholastic Press Association workshops. Former MIPA director Cheryl Pell wrote about his design skills in her class and his leadership there and in the Society of News Design organization. “Others notice Cody’s dedication ot journalism and teaching as well,” she wrote. “Yes, he’s going to be a great journalism teacher.”
Founded in 1924, JEA supports free and responsible scholastic journalism by providing resources and educational opportunities, by promoting professionalism, by encouraging and rewarding student excellence and teacher achievement, and by fostering an atmosphere which encompasses diversity yet builds unity. It is headquartered at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.