UPDATED June 20, 2009

Apply for Washington, D.C.
Outreach Academy

Begun in 2005, the Outreach Academy is an initiative of the Multicultural Commission to promote both diversity and
membership growth. This free, intensive, pre-convention seminar is for publications and media advisers who have taught five or fewer years advising experience and/or teach in schools traditionally underrepresented in JEA membership, especially low-income, urban and rural schools. Teachers may work with secondary, middle school or junior high students.

The program includes discussion of recruiting and teaching journalism to highly diverse populations, effective instructional techniques, resources for teachers in and out of the classroom, and organizations ready to help advisers.

The Outreach Academy runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday before the convention proper begins. JEA will provide breakfast and lunch.

Participation in the program also includes free teacher registration to the four-day convention that is packed with informative and inspiring speakers; reporting, design, photography and broadcast workshops
for students and teachers; student contests and awards presentations.

Additionally, JEA will pay up to $100 in substitute pay to each participant’s school district. Scholarships for registration are also
available for students in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

CLICK HERE to download a PDF version of the brochure and application.

JEA Diversity Award
past recipients

2009
Don Bott, Stagg High School (Stockton, Calif)

2008
Dorothy Gilliam and the Prime Movers program of the School of Media and Public Affairs of George Washington University

2007
Blackhawk newspaper staff of Davenport (Iowa) Central High School

"Multiculturalism and diversity are not fads or catch words, nor are they politically correct terms. They are what our country is all about and has always sought to be."
Bob Greenman, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Author of The Adviser's Companion

Accomplishments of
the Multicultural Commission

• Brings together minority and nonminority high school journalism teachers, college teachers and journalism professors from across the country who have an interest in promoting diversity in scholastic and professional staffs and media.
• Furthers journalism education among minority students through a commitment to teacher and adviser education.
• Fosters minority attendance at conventions by increasing the number of registration-fee waivers for minority students who live in the convention city.
• Encourages minority advisers to attend national conventions through the JEA Outreach program.
• Develops curriculum materials that encourage awareness of diverse populations in student media and multicultural approach to coverage. A curriculum guide, Newswriting in the 1990s, has been published, and members are now working on a stylebook outlining preferred ethnic and racial references.
• Promotes cultural awareness by staffing a multicultural booth at national high school journalism convention.
• Networks with other journalism teachers and advises through out the year to encourage a multicultural approach to staff recruiting and media production.