We are an urban California school, 90% minority, in a mostly middle class neighborhood. While we offer quality programs, we struggle to raise our Latino and African American student test scores. We would also like to attract more local students who prefer charter or private schools. Despite the obstacles, I have worked hard since 2000 to create a quality journalism program. I was a former journalist and have a great interest in exposing students to the field, particularly minority students. The journalism industry has a very low percentage of minority participants (about 12%). Once my students have seen their names in print and attended a professional workshop or two, they are usually hooked. The number of students returning for a second year of journalism has also grown every year. The majority are college-bound, and journalism opens their eyes to a potential major and career they can pursue in college
About my class
We are an urban California school, 90% minority, in a mostly middle class neighborhood. While we offer quality programs, we struggle to raise our Latino and African American student test scores. We would also like to attract more local students who prefer charter or private schools. Despite the obstacles, I have worked hard since 2000 to create a quality journalism program. I was a former journalist and have a great interest in exposing students to the field, particularly minority students. The journalism industry has a very low percentage of minority participants (about 12%). Once my students have seen their names in print and attended a professional workshop or two, they are usually hooked. The number of students returning for a second year of journalism has also grown every year. The majority are college-bound, and journalism opens their eyes to a potential major and career they can pursue in college