A Different Type of Professional Development

"Professional Development" usually creates visions of long afternoons spent watching outside contractors interpret test data or former elementary principals asking you to "reconsider the pedagogical paradigm under which you operate." The phrase, in short, causes shivers of fear to course through even the fiercest teachers.

However, the ASNE Reynolds Institute at the Cronkite School is a different experience entirely. So far, my experience has been invigorating, illuminating, and heartening. Each session has given me practical tools, materials, and approaches that I can take back to my combo Intro-Advanced journalism class that would benefit my students in real, measurable ways. The lead activity, for example, that we just completed earlier this morning will (hopefully - fingers crossed) all but force my students to depart from the term paper-type leads to which they are addicted.

Working with my fellows - journalism teachers from literally across the country - has shown me that my problems (journalism-related only; no psychoanalysis here!) are common. Journalism advisors both new and veterans seem to have the same problems come up again and again. Case in point: my article for the institute's publication - spoiler alert - revolves around the difficult balance between quality reporting and social advocacy or activism for high school journalism. My students, at least, tend to want to be radical when siempre is necessarily not the time for it.

Lastly, this has been a heartening experience for me as a journalism educator. To see thoughtful, reflective, intelligent adults talking seriously and passionately about the very hard work they do, and to see professionals, wonderful and highly qualified people, tell and teach us about how important, vital our work is makes this teacher's heart swell more than a little. (For example, see the short clip of Arizona Republic photographer Dave Seibart talking about the well-designed Ira Glass quotation.)

Here's to hoping there's a million more moments like this. I remain, your humble correspondent,

Dave Tow
Terra Linda High School
San Rafael, Calif.