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

Betsy Owen waves after accepting her Teacher Inspiration Award in Atlanta, Nov. 20, 2004. Owen said 29 of her former students had gone on to be publications advisers. "We must teach students to print the truth," Owen said.

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CLICK HERE for the entry form in PDF format. (Will need to be printed to be completed.)

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Purpose

This award recognizes a teacher who, through the teaching and/or advising of journalism, inspired others to pursue journalism teaching as a career and who has made a positive difference in the teaching community.

Entry Criteria

A narrative of at least 500 words should explain how the teacher being nominated inspired the person making the nomination. The nomination must be from a teacher who is a member of JEA and who advises a publication or broadcast program, teaches journalism classes or is retired after having spent at least 10 years in scholastic journalism. Retired journalism teachers and advisers, along with those currently teaching or advising may be nominated. Up to three additional letters of support may be included. Nominations of unsuccessful candidates are retained for a maximum of two additional years and the original nominator is invited to send updated information by the appropriate deadline. Nominators may renominate unsuccessful candidates for consideration after the initial three years.

Award Nominations

The nomination packet should include the essay on letter-size paper, up to three letters of support (optional), and the completed entry form.

Award Recognition

This is a juried award. Entries are evaluated by a national panel of journalism educators consisting of members of the JEA Awards Committee or individual designated by the JEA Awards Committee chair. The award program will include one winner with a cash prize of $1,000. Honorable mentions may be given. The winner and honorable mentions, if any, will be recognized at the spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention awards luncheon where the winner will be asked to speak. The winner’s travel and hotel will be paid to the spring convention.

Deadline

Received by Oct. 15.

2007
Joy L. Lessard, Ellensburg (Wash.) HS

2006
Linda Drake, Chase County HS (Cottonwood Falls, Kan.)

2005
Kay D. Phillips, Henderson, N.C.

2004
Betsy Owen, Delray Beach, Fla.

2003
H.L. Hall, Hendersonville, Tenn.