Every year the Columbia Scholastic Press Association recognizes Journalism teachers across the country with the Special Recognition Adviser Award. The 2019 National High School Journalism Teacher Awards competition was cosponsored by the Dow Jones News Fund and was given additional support from the Poynter Institute and the Wall Street Journal. The organization gave recognition to a number of journalism teachers for their contributions to the field.
This year, Bowie’s very own journalism teacher Michael Reeves was recognized.
“Michael's passion for teaching and sharing his gifts goes far beyond his classroom and school district,” former yearbook adviser Deanna Dellena said. “The mark of a truly passionate teacher can be seen by everyone, but it can be felt by his students.”
The award is given to teachers based off of merit, awards received, and their contribution to the community.
“I have been advising publications for the past 15 years,” award winner and Bowie Journalism teacher Michael Reeves said. “In my time I have led newspaper, yearbook, an online website and I have helped produce a few literary magazines.”
Those recognized had to go through a hefty application process to even be considered for the award.
“I did quite a bit for the application process, I had to get letters of recommendation from Mr.Robinson as well as some of my colleagues, submit student work, and answer question,” Reeves said. It took a total of four to five hours of work, plus all the time put in by those who wrote letters of recommendation.”
The staff members who received recognition will be awarded a plaque at the 95th annual CSPA Spring Convention on March 21, 2019 in New York, NY.
“I’ll be getting on a red eye to New York on the twentieth at eleven thirty and I’ll arrive in the morning and hop on the subway to head to the convention,” Reeves said.
In addition to Michael Reeves, there were a number of other teachers recognized, including Melissa Falkowski, Erinn Harris, Debra Klevens, David Ragsdale, Julia Satterthwaite, Tom Hayes, and Liz Palmer.
“Being recognized is important because it reflects the high level of work our staff as a whole has been doing,” Reeves said.