Elections

The 2011 KSPA election will take place the week of April 11 concluding on Sunday, April 17, at midnight.

On April 11, KSPA will send an email to members that includes a link on where to access the proper ballot and instructions on how to submit an electronic ballot.

The 2011 election includes the biannual selection of a President-elect. KSPA bylaws state that the President-elect serves three consecutive two-year terms — first as President-elect, then as President, then as Past President. For example, current President-elect Jill Chittum from Blue Valley will begin her two-year term as president in fall 2011, and current President Jim McCrossen from Blue Valley Northwest moves to Past President.

This election also includes the selection of a Secretary and one area representatives from each of the five areas that make up KSPA.

Here is the slate of candidates:

President-Elect

Travis Feil, Sterling High School

Active in KSPA and JEA since 2004, I have consistently devoted myself to service of this great profession. I have served on the KSPA Executive Board as area 5 representative since 2007 and have targeted my efforts at easing the job of advisers across the state just as the organization itself and numerous Kansas advisers have always done for me.

KSPA offers many forums for student skill enhancement; through its critique services, monthly contests, and regional and state competitions, there are plenty of opportunities for students to receive feedback on their work and improve their skills. To complement those goals of KSPA, a primary aim of mine has always been ensuring that student journalists know their responsibilities and take them seriously so that advisers can focus on doing their jobs. Through workshops, conferences and personal networking, I attempt to coach students and advisers about the fundamentals that make a publication work so that the advisers are free to teach and advise without being bogged down by the basics that sometimes prevent staffs from functioning smoothly. I think a professional organization like KSPA exists for that very reason – to serve the professional teachers who join it and to make their jobs easier.

With that goal in mind, I am currently chairing a committee to address 1^st amendment issues that have arisen in recent years. With board members Linda Drake and Kristy DeKat, this committee has already established a protocol for KSPA response to legal concerns and is now focusing on taking the facts of the law to school administrators and schools boards. Student journalists in Kansas know the law – and if they don’t, KSPA already has many strategies in place for teaching them. The unfortunate truth is that principals and school boards don’t know the law, and that’s where advisers run into most of their troubles. Our committee is currently investigating what is being taught regarding the law in administrative degree programs across the state. We’ve found that would-be administrators are still being instructed under the Hazelwood standard in most administrative programs which explains why so many schools in Kansas have struggled through legal issues in recent year –colleges and universities are still teaching an incorrect law standard. We hope to change that. We’re drafting curriculum suggestions and initiating the discussion with these higher education instructors using existing KSPA contacts. We obviously can’t guarantee anything will change, but we’re certainly going to try.

In addition to his work on legal issues, I have also served with board members Sharon Martin and Kathy Habiger as well as Katie Zoretic of Kansas University in planning new funding options for the Jackie Engel endowment so as to begin putting the account’s money to work for teachers. With the market fluctuation of the last few years, the fund has seen its good days and bad days, but our director Jeff Browne is working hard to establish annual funding methods that will let us put the money in the hands of advisers who need it. That’s the intent of the account, and we hope to start offering scholarships or cash awards within the next year.

My goals of teacher service are also evidenced by my proposal to establish new KSPA awards of teacher recognition. There are so many great advisers out there doing great things and so few means by which to give them the recognition they deserve. I’ve worked with board members Linda Drake and Jennifer Hanson over the last several months to establish two new awards that would put the spotlight on the unsung heroes of our profession. With board support, we created these awards and will be recognizing the first recipients this May.

Regardless of my position in KSPA, I’m committed to service to Kansas teachers, and it would be an honor to serve in this capacity. The organization has done so much for me since I started advising, and I want nothing more than to give back. The current President Elect Jill Chittum and I have a solid working relationship and have tackled big projects together before. I believe we’d make a great team and hope you’ll allow me the opportunity to continue my work with KSPA by casting your vote for me this spring.

Secretary

Linda Drake, Chase County High School

• 15 years of experience on KSPA executive board, including 2 terms as president, 2 terms as president-elect and 1 term as past president
• 2 years as JEA secretary, which included 2 years on the executive committee
• 2 years as JEA Awards Committee chairman
• 5 years on NSPA board of directors, including 4 years on the executive committee
• Served and chaired the Contest, Constitution, Nominations and Hall of Fame KSPA committees
• Taught at all KSPA Fall Conferences for 8 years
• 16 years as a presenter at the JEA/NSPA fall and spring conventions
• Served as a guest presenter at summer and fall workshops in North Carolina, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Virginia, South Dakota, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Tennesee, as well as Kansas

During my 30 years of involvement with scholastic journalism I have focused on working with new advisers, helping them establish the foundation for a strong journalism program. Retention of good teachers is a top priority in keeping scholastic journalism alive and well, not only in Kansas but across the nation. The survival of scholastic journalism has to be one of our organization’s main concerns.

Maintaining our students’ First Amendment rights as established in Senate Bill #62 must also be one of our top goals. Kansas has established itself as a strong role model for other states. We must continue to produce the best student journalists we can and work with administrators to ensure their understanding of this law. I would like to serve on the executive board as secretary as we work to promote the best possible programs for our student journalists and their advisers. We must prepare our student journalists to be the best digital journalists they can be.

Kristy Nyp, Stockton High School

• Sixth year as adviser of publications at Stockton High School
• Fort Hays State University degree in Communications/Journalism
• 17 years in the industry, serving as a newpaper reporter in Junction City; desktop publishing designer in Lincoln, Nebr.; corporate communications officer for public television in Bunker Hill; and development associate/fundraiser first for FHSU and then for the American Heart Association throughout western Kansas
• Oversees print, video and online journalism and teaches computers and business courses at SHS
• Outreach Speech teacher for Colby Community College
• Completing her first term on the KSPA Board as Area 4 representative

Transitioning into the new model of Career and Technical Education programs will provide a challenge for traditional journalism teachers in the coming years. KSPA is a natural clearinghouse for ideas, models and review of that process that will help teachers accomplish administrative goals while keeping the foundations of journalism at the core of the curriculum. I look forward to helping the Board to keep that dialogue going and to helping teachers come together for the benefit of all Kansas media students. As “citizen journalism” becomes more prevalent, qualified journalism instruction is even more important to helping all students develop critical thinking and communication skills that help them cope with and participate in this evolving media age.

Area 1

BriAnne Chayer, Paola High School

• Paola High School adviser – 2007 to present
• All-Kansas newspaper – 2009
• Local committee member – JEA national convention 2010
• Established web site – 2010
• Master’s in journalism – University of Kansas
• Reporter – Miami Co. Republic – 2001-04

With the changing face of journalism and budget cuts, board members’ goals need to continue to evolve to meet the needs of advisers whose programs are creating CTE standards and facing cuts. Board members should be advocates of scholastic journalism to administrators and legislators and the public and get as many advisers involved in those processes. Scholastic journalism helps make our students responsible, ethical citizens.

Laurie Folsom, Free State High School

• Member of KSPA, JEA, and Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City
• Served on KSPA ad hoc CTE committee 2010-2011
• Served on the KSPA Contest Committee
• Served on the local committee for the 2000 and 2010 NSPA/ JEA Fall Convention in Kansas City.
• Graduated from Emporia State University with a BSE with certifications in biology and journalism.
• Earned master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an endorsement in classroom technology from Kansas State University.

I have taught journalism and served as newspaper, yearbook adviser with forays into broadcast. Recently I participated in the KSPA ad hoc committee on CTE funding. While on the committee I represented Kansas journalism advisers and scholastic journalism, working to protest proposed funding cuts to journalism CTE courses. The result of the KSPA Ad Hoc committee’s work was a reversal in the Kansas Department of Education’s funding cuts and the implementation of journalism specific courses within the Communications pathway.

Amy Morgan, Shawnee Mission West High School

• Advises newspaper, yearbook and website at SM West in Overland Park
• 14 years as journalism teacher
• Served as KSPA area representative, at-large representative and Endowment chair
• Served for over 10 years on JEMKC executive board, currently as past president
• Served as co-chair for the 2010 Kansas City national high school journalism convention

KSPA provides so many valuable services to members. I would like to see KSPA continue to educate teachers, students and administrators regarding the First Amendment and student press rights. I would also like to help build KSPA membership and reach out to new advisers and make sure they are aware of all KSPA has to offer. Scholastic journalism is important on so many levels and gives students a springboard to the real world, regardless of their career path. The conferences, contests and other programs offered by KSPA are unique and important experiences for students. I benefitted from KSPA activities as a student, and now as an adviser, I want to be sure we give our kids the best experience possible.

Area 2

Sharon Martin, Wichita East High School

• Has advised state and national award-winning newspaper and yearbook programs in schools of varying sizes.
• Is a JEA Certified Journalism Instructor,
• Has served as the President of the KSPA Executive Board,
• Is currently an at-large representative to the KSPA Board,
• Is secretary of the KSPA/Jackie Engel Endowment,
• Has taught at KSPA fall workshops, and K-State, and Jostens summer workshops,
• Has been a recipient of the Jackie Engel award and has been inducted into the KSPA Hall of Fame.

Over the next few years, I am interested in continuing the work of the Endowment fund and with schools as we move ahead with curricular and state funding changes.

Journalism has the power to transform students, to give them a voice, to be aware of and to speak for those who have no power, to improve literacy skills, to develop leadership skills, and to develop personal management skills which extend far beyond putting out a newspaper and yearbook.

Ericka Rickard, Newton High School

• Newspaper, yearbook and online news adviser
• Has earned degrees in print journalism, public relations and secondary education
• Is a JEA Certified Journalism Educator

Kansas has one of the strongest scholastic journalism organizations in the country. I would like to be a part of the leadership of this organization as we continue moving student publications into the digital age despite potential decreases in funding. In an age when anyone can publish information to a mass audience, training student journalists is more important than ever. Students must learn to take a critical look at information and assess its value.

Emily Smith, Pittsburg High School

• B.S. in Education in English/Journalism, minor in English – Kansas State University ’07
• M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, secondary level – Pittsburg State University ’09
• Third-year teaching, first year advising newspaper and yearbook
• With a new news staff, we have printed 14 issues to date, averaging 4-6 pages

My goals for the board would be to add a fresh, newbie perspective.  In my area of the state, student journalism is not viewed or respected like other areas.  I would like to increase awareness of and opportunities through KSPA to not only my region, but the state as a whole. I would also like to contribute new ideas, such as starting a regional professional learning community so advisers, new and seasoned alike, may get together and discuss ideas pertaining strictly to journalism. This would create a local resource for advisers trying to establish, build and/or maintain journalism programs. I feel student journalists are one of our most important resources because they leave high school prepared in many more ways than high school students with an ordinary experiene due to their preparation from the journalism community.  Because of this, I think we as educators should protect and cultivate our student journalists.

Area 3

Dawnae Bunch, Ellsworth High School

• 22-year veteran journalism and photography teacher
• JEA Certified Journalism Educator
• Former KSPA Area 3 representative

I have taught journalism and photography at Ellsworth High School for the past 22 years.  My one and only child graduated from high school in December, and is now working on her nursing degree, which makes me a newly “free” mom, so I figure it’s time to get myself more involved in KSPA again! I was a rep on the board several years ago. I’m also a JEA member and a Certified Journalism Educator, and I’d love to serve and protect my fellow journalism teachers and student journalists.

Laura Schwinn, Emporia High School

• Adviser of the newspaper, yearbook and photojournalism staffs at Emporia High School
• Publications adviser for 8 years
• 2010 ASNE Reynolds Institute Fellow, Arizona State University
• Walsworth Summer Workshop Faculty Member
• 2008 STAR Performer Award in the Emporia School District
• Certified in Journalism, English and English for Speakers of Other Languages
• Member of JEA, KSPA and Emporia NEA

KSPA provides assistance and support to advisers and students across Kansas and it is important, in these hard economic times, that there is an organization that can be an ally to all of the journalism programs throughout the state.  I hope to be part of the KSPA Board as programs work to face the changing world of journalism in the 21^st Century, and the budget concerns that plague all of us.  I hope that as a member of the board I can get to know and help journalism advisers from my area and from around the state.

As a teacher at a school with a diverse student population, I see student journalism as a way to not only inform and unite, but also as a tool for students to use to better understand their peers.  Journalism programs are the best way to prepare students to be successful communicators, creative problem solvers and forward thinkers.

Kim Warren, Salina South High School

• KSPA Board
• KSPA Contest Committee
• JEA Member
• JEA Certified Journalism Educator
• Newspaper and Yearbook Adviser at Salina South High School for 12 years
• 18 years experience as a journalism adviser
• Best of Show at JEA/NSPA National Convention

One of my major goals for the KSPA board is to continue to make modify contests and conventions so that they reflect the changes in technology, education and society. I believe that KSPA has always forward-looking and I plan to continue down this path. I also plan to continue the goal of supporting student publications and advisers in various ways. New advisers need as much support as we can give them so that they stay in advising.

Scholastic journalism has been a part of my life since I was a freshman in high. Experiences that I had in high school and college journalism helped to shape me into the adult I am now. Being on a high school journalism staff teaches students more than just academics, and many times these are the things that former students come back to me and say they appreciate the most.

Area 4

Vicki Constable, Phillipsburg High School

• Education: University of Kansas, Fort Hays State University
• 30+years, publications adviser at Phillipsburg High School
• Master Journalism Educator certification from JEA
• Past President and Area Representative, KSPA
• Presenter and judge, NSPA conventions; Presenter, KSPA fall conferences
• Pivotal Moments Project honored instructor, Kansas Press Association
• Publications have earned All-Kansas, All-American and NSPA Newspaper Hall of Fame

In the past all member schools have relied on the board to lead in matters of law and even ones of curriculum, tapping into expertise from across the state. Because the issues can arise quickly, few of us can predict what a new board will consider, but the most important goals of the board should be to reflect the concerns of all schools and to respond in measured ways to everything from contest structures to funding problems to mentoring of new advisers.

Because student journalists immerse themselves in the very public teamwork of making judgment calls, they have the skills to succeed.

Area 5

Jennifer Hanson, Satanta High School

• KSPA Executive Secretary (former Area 5 Rep)
• Chieftain yearbook adviser (former newspaper adviser)
• Publication camp instructor
• Yearbook judge

As an area representative, I would encourage advisers to join KSPA and utilize the resources of the organization—networking, workshops and contests. I would like to help rural schools have a voice.

The beauty of scholastic journalism is that it teaches students real life skills—how to write, interact with others, raise funds, meet deadlines, and develop a sense of community.