JEA is proud to announce those chosen for the 2012 Linda S. Puntney Teacher Inspiration Award, and for our 2012 Rising Star awards. These awards will be presented on April 14, in Seattle, during the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention.

2012 Linda S. Puntney Teacher Inspiration Award

Recognizing a journalism teacher who through excellent instruction inspired others to pursue scholastic journalism teaching and/or advising.

Brian Hayes, MJE, Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.

2012 Rising Stars

From left, Evelyn Lauer, CJE, Niles West High School, Skokie, Ill.; Jessica Young, CJE, Orange Glen High School, Escondido, Calif.; Heather Hanks, CJE, Bloomingdale High School, Valrico, Fla.; Jody Evans, Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Timothy Yorke, Heritage High School, Leesburg, Va.; Stephanie Keagle, CJE, Auburn Mountainview High School, Auburn, Wash.; Mark Newton, JEA president; Mary Seal, Taylorsville High School, Taylorsville, Utah.

Recognizing teachers with one to five years of journalism teaching and/or advising experience who demonstrate a commitment to journalism education and show promise as up-and-coming advisers.

• Jody Evans, Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
• Heather Hanks, CJE, Bloomingdale High School, Valrico, Fla.
• Stephanie Keagle, CJE, Auburn Mountainview High School, Auburn, Wash.
• Evelyn Lauer, CJE, Niles West High School, Skokie, Ill.
• Beth Phillips, Francis Howell North High School, St. Charles, Mo.
• Mary Seal, Taylorsville High School, Taylorsville, Utah
• Timothy Yorke, Heritage High School, Leesburg, Va.
• Jessica Young, CJE, Orange Glen High School, Escondido, Calif.