Mentoring Program
The JEA Mentoring Program matches trained veteran advisers with individuals new to teaching journalism and advising student media to offer support and guidance during their initial years in scholastic journalism education. Through a personal relationship, mentors can share best practices and resources, model instructional strategies, observe lessons (in person or via internet), collaborate in lesson planning and serve as a valuable connection to a professional learning community.
The program focuses on giving new advisers a chance to ask questions, receive individualized feedback and take positive risks, all while growing their programs and gaining a sense of comfort and confidence in their journalism teaching and advising. Mentees in their second or optional third year of the program are eligible to attend a national convention with their mentor.
Mentees receive free JEA membership during their time in the program. To enroll as a mentee and receive support, fill out this form. If you have additional questions, email mentoring@jea.org.
What our mentees say
Q: What does having a JEA mentor mean to you?
A: “My JEA mentor has been such a blessing. She helped advocate for my program, direct me to resources and has answered questions beyond my level of expertise. I don't think I could've done this job without her. The JEA Mentoring Program hasn't been just good for me, but it has motivated my students, too. As a first-year adviser, our yearbook won several awards and competitions, and the program hadn't won or even competed in over a decade. Students finally saw what their yearbook could be, and it was because I had so much help in the mentorship program.”
Q: What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your mentor?
A: “All of the advice is good, and it all serves a different purpose. My mentor has definitely come in and guided me in a pinch, too. I think the best part of having an adviser is that she has taken me off an island. I know I have a network of people who are willing to help and guide me. Too often, journalism advisers are the only people in the building who do the job they do. The Mentoring Program has given me a new close friend in my area who understands every facet of my job.”
Mentees receive free JEA membership during their time in the program. To enroll as a mentee and receive support, fill out this form. If you have additional questions, email Mentoring Program Coordinator Alicia Merrifield, CJE, at mentoring@jea.org.
What our mentors say
Q: What does mentoring mean to you?
A: “For many journalism advisers, we are the only ones at our schools. It is incredibly important to foster relationships within our academic circle, especially building up and mentoring new advisers. It can be a lonely place, especially during that moment in the year when you have a newspaper and yearbook deadline back to back, teaching intro classes or classes in another discipline, all while having colleagues, administrators and parents down your throat because they need something from you.”
Do you want to support a new teacher and give back to the scholastic journalism community? Fill out this form to sign up to serve as a JEA mentor and complete our online training modules through Participate.
Timeline
Summer: Mentors complete training modules in Participate and participate in an exit video conference to earn the Mentoring credential. Mentees can request mentors through the end of September to start with a mentor in the fall. The mentor will gather a mentee profile and an administrator agreement to share with the Mentoring Program chair and JEA executive director.
Fall: Mentors and mentees regularly communicate and collaborate with each other. Mentors can bring mentees in their second or optional third year of the program with them to the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention. Mentors will complete fall reports at the conclusion of the first semester for each of their mentees.
Spring: Mentors and mentees regularly communicate and collaborate with each other. Mentors can bring mentees in their second or optional third year of the program with them to the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention (Note: Mentors must select one of the conventions each school year and invite all their mentees to attend that convention.) Mentors will complete spring reports at the conclusion of the first semester for each of their mentees. Mentees who are exiting their second year or their optional third year will fill out the mentee exit survey and receive a certificate of completion.