Embedded Files
The Newspaper sign formerly taped on Ms. McLeod’s door is no longer there. Move upstairs to room T203 and notice it taped to the door’s window. Mr. Ritchie, the ginger-bearded man that’s hard to miss and the new advisor for The Gallery, will be sitting in his chair facing the door with his Mac propped open sifting through his emails.
Ms. McLeod, former Gallery advisor for 15+ years and 8th grade Social Studies teacher, retired last year. Now, English II teacher, Mr. Ritchie, takes the baton.
“I have always been interested in DSA’s newspaper,” Mr. Ritchie said. “When I heard rumors of Ms. McLeod retiring, I went ahead and told her I was interested in taking over.”
Now entering his fourth year at DSA and thirteenth year teaching, Mr. Patrick Ritchie hopes for his students to enjoy reporting but to approach each attempt to share information with integrity and pride.
“This summer I attended a journalism workshop at UNC for teachers and advisors,” Mr. Ritchie said. “I also work with Riverside’s former newspaper advisor, Steven Unruhe, to give tips when layout gets stressful, and I text Ms. McLeod every once in a while if I need help on something.”
DSA couldn’t afford to place the class in the Social Studies Department. With an additional required course eating into the AP Psychology program this year, taking on another elective would just be impossible without current staffing.
The newspaper advisor was required to be a high school English teacher, which knocked out Mr. Ward, who teaches AP European History and Civics and Economics, as a candidate. All academic teachers are told routinely about being “literacy teachers,” so why shouldn’t all academic teachers be eligible? After all, Riverside’s, The Hook, was advised by Mr. Unruhe, who was also an AP Calculus teacher for 20+ years.
Newspaper advisor and English II teacher, Mr. Ritchie, poses for the camera. He hopes for his students to enjoy reporting but to approach each attempt to share information with integrity and pride.
“I understand why someone would pigeon-hole the job in the English department; it is about writing after all,” Mr. Ward explained. “But the newspaper has been called the ‘first rough draft of history,’(Alan Barth, 1943).
Mr. Ward is certain Mr. Ritchie will make an outstanding newspaper advisor. He knows him to be an honest, open minded, and reasonable human being, interested in current events and in students expressing themselves through writing.
Mr. Moore, who teaches journalism at Duke Young Writers Camp, also considered the role of advisor, but through an administrative decision, was thought a better prospect for two creative writing classes, which he now leads.
“Mr. Ritchie has been talking a lot about updating the look and presentation of the newspaper,” Mr. Moore commented. “I think he’s a great fit because he’s got experience with using social media in his class, and that’s where the newspaper needs to go to reach more readers.”
Mr. Ritchie was the copywriter and editor of a musical instrument retail catalog Mars Music for one year but went back to teaching because he missed the classroom. Beginning his first year as The Gallery advisor, Mr. Ritchie hopes to inspire students to understand and appreciate the value of journalism and the immense responsibility of keeping the public intelligently informed. The push toward a stronger online and social media presence is an objective. He also believes that The Gallery should strive for a stronger aesthetic of creativity to reflect the arts. And on top of everything, Mr. Ritchie wants the staff to have a good time while doing so. As head of the newspaper, Mr. Ritchie is set to formulate a diverse, creative, and informative student body and community.
“I think Mr. Ritchie is a great fit for advisor,” Ms. McLeod assured. “He is enthusiastic and passionate about what he does and is willing to take on new challenges. He has been planning for this class all summer, and we spent some time together talking about the class because he wanted to make it a smooth transition this year. Not only does he have those qualities, but he’s also very smart and curious about the world of the student. He really likes his students and has high expectations. I would have loved having him as a teacher when I was in high school. He is cool’.”
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse