Preconvention workshops
Thursday, Nov. 19
Start your convention experience early with a preconvention workshop on Thursday, Nov. 19. These half-day and full-day intensives, led by experienced advisers and journalism professionals from around the country, offer in-depth instruction in a specific journalism topic.
Additional fees and advance registration are required. See pricing information here. Last day to sign-up is when online registration closes, or when the workshop reaches capacity, whichever comes first.
Full-day workshops (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Advising student media | $80
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Atlanta
Media advisers experience challenges at any stage of their career, and this workshop will provide a hands-on approach to getting past those feelings of overload, inexperience, stress, burnout or isolation in your position as a student media adviser. With a focus on solutions, the class will address common pain points in our profession and work together so everyone leaves with ideas, resources and tools. Participants will have a chance to form relationships and connect with others while getting individual and group guidance.
This workshop is open to any current media adviser.
Instructor: TBA
Broadcast news and video storytelling | $80
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Canary 1
In this hands-on workshop, beginning and intermediate student journalists will learn the fundamentals of creating an effective broadcast news package from the ground up. Led by an expert Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting instructor, this workshop includes training on videography, sound recording, editing and story structure. Working in small teams, participants will spend the morning developing their videography skills and planning a story, and the afternoon shooting and editing that story.
Required materials: Participants must bring their own video cameras, tripods, microphones and laptops with editing software. Please test and become familiar with your equipment before attending the session, as the presenters may not be familiar with your specific software or hardware.
Instructor: Brandon Goodwin, Director of Resources, The Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting
Digital photography | $80
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 70.
Room: Canary 4
Designed for photojournalists who have at least one year’s experience shooting for their publications, this intensive workshop will cover composition, camera controls and theory, lighting, cropping and workflow. Led by two expert photography instructors, participants will receive instruction and be given a photo story assignment, and go on a guided photo walk after lunch. Following the photo shoot, the instructors will critique students’ work and offer editing tips and techniques.
Required materials: A digital camera.
Recommended materials: Laptop with the photo-editing program (i.e. Photoshop, Lightroom) you will use.
Instructors: Jed Palmer, CJE, Colorado Student Media Association, Centennial, and Michael Simons, Corning-Painted Post High School, Corning, New York
Editorial leadership | $80
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 100.
Room: Crystal Salon J1
Your publication is up and running. Now it’s time to refine your leadership skills and put into practice the best methods for growing staffers, mediating conflict and creating a culture of excellence. In this full-day workshop, participants will explore leadership styles and strategies, feedback protocols, motivating staffers, and managing workflow. You will leave this class with the tools you need to create communication pathways, an understanding of who you are as a leader and how that interacts with others’ styles, and strategies to grow your staff with positive and productive feedback.
Recommended materials: Something to take notes with.
Instructors: Carrie Faust, CJE, Smoky Hill High School, Aurora, Colorado; Annie Gorenstein-Falkenberg, MJE, Longmont (Colorado) High School
News website design and online reporting | $80
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Chicago/Denver
In a world where readers consume news on screens first, a robust news website is a vital asset for any student journalism program. Whether you’re building a news site from scratch or giving an existing platform a much-needed makeover, this hands-on, full-day workshop will help give you the competitive edge. Led by an experienced digital media adviser, participants will explore essential design skills necessary for building, updating and maintaining online news platforms. This class will also explore the art of online reporting, including how to craft engaging, relevant stories that are optimized for website layouts and digital viewing. You’ll walk away with concrete strategies to elevate story packaging, boost web traffic, and maintain an authoritative online media presence. It’s time to empower your staff with the ultimate digital upgrade!
Required materials: Laptop with access to your current or desired news site platform
Instructor: Julia Satterthwaite, MJE, Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, California
Newspaper and newsmagazine design | $80
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Anaheim
In this full-day, interactive workshop, attendees will learn and practice design and layout techniques for newspapers, newsmagazines and other editorial publications. Suitable for student news publication staff members and their advisers, the workshop will cover concepts such as visual hierarchy, readability, balance and proportion, contrast and unity, consistency and branding, as well as the application of current design trends. Beginners will learn how to apply foundational principles of design to create an editorial layout, while advanced students will have the opportunity to redesign work in progress or experiment with more complex concepts. All students will have the opportunity to interact, ask questions, receive feedback and gain ideas for improving their own publication’s design approach and systems.
Required materials: Laptop with appropriate design software such as Adobe InDesign
Recommended materials: Digital or print examples of recent newspapers or newsmagazines and any design inspiration
Instructor: Melissa Falkowski, CJE, Bremerton (Washington) High School
Writing, reporting and interviewing | $80
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 50.
Room: Canary 2
Whether you are a first-time storyteller, or a more experienced journalist looking to sharpen your skills, this hands-on, full-day workshop has something for you. Participants will learn techniques to strengthen their writing, improve their reporting and conduct more effective interviews. Through analyzing inspirational articles and engaging in interactive exercises, this course will guide students to that next level of writing. Come report, write and find your voice so you can return to school ready to write stronger, more impactful stories.
Required materials: Your preferred writing materials (i.e. laptop, notebook, pen/pencil).
Instructor: Barbara Tholen, MJE, Kansas Scholastic Press Association and University of Kansas
Yearbook design and theme development | $80
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Canary 3
During this intensive, hands-on seminar, students will learn and practice concepts for yearbook design and theme development. Suitable for yearbook staff members and their advisers, the workshop will cover typography, space, color, photo packaging, current trends and theme planning. Beginners will learn how to apply principles of design to create pages or spreads, while advanced students will have the opportunity to redesign work in progress, experiment with more complex concepts and refine their theme ideas. Throughout the workshop, students will have opportunities to interact, ask questions, find inspiration, apply feedback and gain ideas for improving design lessons and systems for their own yearbook staff back at school.
Required materials: Laptop with appropriate design software such as Adobe InDesign.
Recommended materials: A few current magazines or digital access to inspiration (idea files, mood boards, Pinterest, screenshots, etc.)
Instructor: Sarah Nichols, MJE, Whitney High School, Rocklin, California
Morning half-day workshops (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
Branding your student media program | $60
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Los Angeles
This interactive, half-day workshop is designed for student journalists and their advisers to explore core branding principles and learn how to apply them to their student publications and overall media program. Through hands-on learning and expert guidance, students will develop strategies to build a strong, consistent brand that boosts visibility, engagement, and support within their schools and communities. Participants will leave with practical tools to help your media program stand out and thrive.
Required materials: A laptop or tablet device.
Instructors: Phillip Caston, CJE, Wando High School, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; Holly Caston, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Harris School Solutions
Mastering the short-form social media video | $60
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Crystal Salon MN
Every effective social media strategy hinges on short-form video content, making it an indispensable skill for student journalists looking to reach a wider audience. This hands-on, half-day workshop was built specifically to help student journalists sharpen their video creation skills and maximize their current online presence. We’ll dive into the mechanics of smartphone camera techniques, short-form storytelling, visual hooks, text overlays, algorithm strategies, clean audio capture and fast mobile editing. By the end, you’ll walk away with a fully edited video package and a clear plan to level up your feed.
Required materials: Smartphone and charger
Instructor: Sarah Lerner, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida
Special photography topic: Exploring the power of light | $60
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Crystal Salon KL
Required materials: Bring a camera with you. It can be a DSLR, mirrorless camera or your phone. While the class won’t spend time on how to use your camera, the instructor can offer some tips on using it, if you have questions.
Instructor:Mark Murray, Association of Texas Photography Instructors, Cedar Park
Afternoon half-day workshops (1 to 5 p.m.)
Getting started with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop | $60
1-5 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Crystal Salon MN
No matter what kind of student media publication you’re interested in, there is immense value in learning how to use Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. This half-day workshop will help you unlock the powerful potential of these tools, with a crash course that provides an overview of each application, as well as tips and tricks for using the software to better support your publication work. While this class is aimed at those seeking foundational training, designers and journalists of all backgrounds and experience levels can benefit from participation. This workshop is open to both students and advisers.
Required materials: A laptop with active access to Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
Instructor: Makena Busch, CJE, Mead High School, Spokane, Washington
Navigating the current legal landscape of student journalism with SPLC | $60
1-5 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Los Angeles
Student journalists are navigating an increasingly complex legal and political landscape, often without the protections or resources of professional newsrooms. If you’re looking to improve your reporting and expand your knowledge of student press rights, this half-day, interactive media law masterclass is for you. Both students and advisers are invited to join resident legal experts from the Student Press Law Center for an up-to-date crash course on essential concepts such as censorship, libel, invasion of privacy, copyright, access to records and meetings, and reporter’s privilege. Participants will learn how to avoid legal pitfalls and use the law as a powerful reporting tool. You’ll also have the chance to ask specific questions and receive direct, tailored guidance related to your local school policies, state laws and ongoing reporting challenges.
Recommended materials: Bring your real-world questions and something to take notes with.
Instructor: Representatives from the Student Press Law Center
Old school meets new school: AI, technology and journalism without phones | $60
1-5 p.m. Limit 40.
Room: Crystal Salon KL
How to be a better reporter when your technology can do more — and when you can’t use it at all.
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the media landscape, student journalists are simultaneously adapting to a surprising throwback: widespread cell phone bans in schools. This interactive half-day workshop explores how to build a “technology-flexible” student newsroom, by learning how to embrace powerful technology and remaster essential, “old school” reporting techniques for when digital devices are out of reach. Participants will dive into practical strategies for ethical AI integration, offline newsgathering and building resilient publications under modern classroom constraints. Tailored for both student reporters and advisers, the session blends actionable tips with dynamic discussion to navigate the unique pressures of today’s scholastic media.
Required materials: A laptop computer.
Instructor: Bradley Wilson, MJE, Leander (Texas) High School