"You are not a student journalist. You are a journalist who is a student."
What a powerful statement! It's one I will have my students memorize because I know it will help them remember how "grown up" they are as they practice this profession.
I've always said that I like to play journalism, but I play by the rules -- because it's always been so much fun for me, even on crazy deadline nights. A few months ago a student took exception with my comment. In her mind, this isn't play.
I know she and I are really on the same page but our individual connotations of "play" were distinctly different in this instance. In our case, when were were face to face, it was easy to talk it out and realize we really are alike in our feelings.
It makes me realize how important our wording is when we publish. We can't go around looking for every reader to tell him face to face what we really meant with our words instead of what he thought we meant; we have to get it right the first time.
Elizabeth Granger
Lawrence Central High School
Indianapolis, Ind.
I too like this way of referring to our students. It is important that they think of themselves as journalists and that others think that as well. The student designation however, is important. They will make mistakes and we must treat those as learning opportunities in a different way than would be handled in the professional realm.
ReplyDeleteLisa Shapiro
Northwest High School
Germanton, MD