Dean Bradshaw, CJE

Dean Bradshaw, CJE, has advised Statesman, the student newspaper and website of Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, for the past nine years. Having worked in student publications for nearly 20 years, his newspapers have been recognized at the local, state, and national levels. He was named the 2020 Journalism Educator of the Year by the Youth Journalism International and received the 2021 Nancy R. Becker Award as Newspaper Adviser of the Year from the Kettle Moraine Press Association.

What is your approach to recruiting students for your journalism program?

Generally I don't recruit for new students to enter the program beyond the typical rising freshman extra-curricular fair. However, when I have students in front of me, I work hard to show the importance of story-telling. I also continually challenge them to expand their thinking, reading, and writing. I create a fun, engaging classroom so they feel comfortable, safe but challenged. I also encourage them to continue on to our next step always.

How do you go about making sure you recruit diverse students to make sure your program reflects your community?

This is an on-going challenge for me. I have begun to meet with our world culture clubs to try and engage with communities of students historically not included in my program. We have also worked hard on our coverage to cover issues for some of the less heard groups in our school. I hope by seeing us work to tell their stories they might want to join.

How has recruiting improved your program?

We have 43 staff members this year. When I inherited the program, I had 19. The numbers fluctuate and change year to year, but I work hard to keep the best and brightest. It allows for better coverage and more leadership/mentoring opportunities in class.

What challenges have you faced in recruiting students for your program?

I have very few Latinx or Black students even take the basic foundation classes. I am concerned that some may see the program as writing intensive. I want to keep showing everyone that journalism needs story-tellers. And we can tell stories with photos, videos, art, and more.

What is your best piece of recruiting advice for other advisers?

Let the kids lead. They will surprise you at how much they respect and care for the power and voices they are given. Some of the best ideas about recruiting have come from my new staff members.