Organization Spotlight: JEA

By Jacqueline Davis

Welcome to the JEA Journalism Education Association Spotlight. In this post, we’ll be highlighting the amazing work that JEA does to support high school journalism teachers, advisers and students across the country.

First, let’s start with a brief history of the organization. JEA was founded in 1924 as the National Scholastic Press Association, and it was later renamed in 1988 to better reflect its mission to promote and support scholastic journalism education. Today, JEA is the largest association of scholastic journalism educators and advisers in the world.

JEA membership is open to any individual or institution that is interested in scholastic journalism and supports the goals and objectives of the organization. Members receive a range of benefits, including access to JEA’s extensive online resources, lesson plans, professional development opportunities, and contests.

One of the most exciting opportunities that JEA offers is its National Journalism Convention. Held twice a year, the conventions bring together thousands of high school journalists and advisers from across the country for workshops, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities. The conventions also feature in-person contests, which allow students to showcase their skills and compete with their peers.

JEA also offers a range of contests and awards throughout the year, including the National High School Journalist of the Year award, the Write-off contests, and the Design of the Year contest. These contests provide students with the opportunity to gain recognition for their work and develop their skills in a competitive environment.

For yearbook advisers, JEA offers a Mentor Program that provides one-on-one support and guidance throughout the yearbook production process. The program pairs experienced advisers with newer advisers to help them navigate the challenges of producing a yearbook.

In addition to these programs, JEA also offers a range of resources and educational opportunities for its members. These include online workshops, webinars, and a library of teaching materials and curriculum resources.

In conclusion, JEA is an incredible organization that provides a wealth of resources and support for high school journalism teachers, advisers, and students. By becoming a member of JEA, you’ll have access to a supportive community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about journalism education. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend the National Journalism Conventions and participate in JEA’s contests and programs.

So, if you’re a high school journalism teacher, adviser, or student, we highly encourage you to consider joining JEA. To learn more about JEA and its programs and resources, visit www.jea.org.

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