Helping shape the next generation of journalists

For the next couple of weeks, I'll be a staff member with The Mosaic, a  workshop that brings together some of the brightest aspiring journalist in Silicon Valley.

And boy, they smart! During the first day of the workshop, our young reporters came up with really good story ideas, all based on what's making headlines these days and their own life experiences. Like, how frustrating it is to take the new Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium tests, the new way California will evaluate how students learn. They were time consuming and scheduled right after AP testing, which means they took a toll on the students. Were they worth it? I'll find out when my reporter gets don with his story.

Another reporter is writing about counselors-for-hire. And yet another about race relations in this country. And these are only my reporters: the other newsroom staffers are writing about the drought, the ban on plastic bags, the Warriors epic season, and more. So much meaty stuff.

The Mosaic San Jose High School Journalism Workshop began in 1993 when a group of San Jose Mercury News journalists put into practice their idea to inspire the next generation of journalists. Participants complete a rigorous application process, and during the two-week workshop they develop their journalistic skills by hitting the streets for news stories and opinion columns that reflect the community from a teenage perspective while meeting professional standards.

I'd been asked to teach journalism in high school before, but haven't been able to for  complicated reasons. If I'd known how fun and rewarding this could be, I would have done it sooner.

High school students: get away this summer on a journalism camp

The 21st annual Mosaic High School Journalism Workshop is looking for 18 students for an exciting, two-week, newspaper camp taught by professional reporters, editors and photographers.

And it's free!

The students will work in the campus newsroom at San Jose State University. They’ll hit the streets of Silicon Valley to cover issues and trends that matter to them and other teens. They’ll stay overnight in campus dormitories and get a taste of college life. Our instructors will guide them every step of the way, from focusing story and photo ideas to reporting and writing. At the end of the program they'll see their newspaper roll off the presses of the Bay Area News Group.

Please visit our Website for more details, online versions of previous workshop newspapers and a downloadable application for the 2014 program here.

Founded in 1993, the Mosaic has given 380 high school students a close-up, hands-on look at professional journalism. Many of them now work at newspapers, magazines, television and online publications around the country.

Applicants must be current sophomores, juniors or seniors. The 2014 Mosaic will be held from Sunday, June 15 to Friday, June 27. Applications are due (postmarked no later than) April 7.

You can find more information here and the application here.

Write an essay about the importance of independent media, get a scholarship

Attention high school students: have you ever pondered the following question?

“Why is it important that we have news media that are independent of the government?”

Believe it or not, it's a question that's crucial to my career, so I want to invite all high school students in Monterey County to think about it. And write about it.

And if you'd like, I'll visit your classroom to talk it over. As long as you enter the contest sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists.

SPJ sponsors this contest because it wants to increase high school students' knowledge and understanding of the importance of independent media to our lives.

All students enrolled in grades 9-12 in U.S. public, private and home schools within the United States may enter. Students must submit original work and have a sponsoring teacher sign the contest entry form. Essays should be 300-500 words and must include an entry form. Entries may be typed or handwritten but must be double-spaced.

Three are awards are given: First Place: $1,000 scholarship; Second Place: $500 scholarship; Third Place: $300 scholarship.

Each submission to the High School Essay contest must be accompanied by a $5 entry fee. Entrants may pay by check or credit card and should indicate the preferred payment option on the entry form. Checks should be made out to the Society of Professional Journalists. Entries submitted without the required entry fee will be disqualified. All entries should be postmarked by March 7, 2014.

For more information, click here.

And I'll be expecting your calls so I can come visit your classrooms!

Journalism boot camp for high school students

Mosaic Journalism Workshop is a FREE two week summer camp program for high school students who have a desire to become a media professional in print, television, radio, digital media or communications. Held at San Jose State University in San Jose, California, where students work in the campus newsroom and stay overnight in a supervised dormitory.

I've participated in Mosaic over the years, and it's truly impressive how much students learn over these two weeks. The stories and photos they produce are truly outstanding.

San Jose is a bit far, but not that much, so any Monterey County youth should definitely apply!

The program runs from Monday, June 17 through Sunday, June 30. At San Jose State University

Deadline to submit applications is Monday, April 15th. For more information or to apply, click here

High school teachers, earn an expenses-paid summer technology course

As part of the national effort to help teachers and teens develop and embrace 21st century literacy skills, my.hsj.org and hsj.org seek teachers for an expense-paid two-week summer institute.

One hundred and seventy-five teachers will be selected to attend the 2012 Reynolds High School Journalism Institute. Applications should be postmarked by March 1.

There's no cost to the teacher or high school. Teachers from high schools that lack online student media or have struggling journalism programs are especially encouraged to apply.

For more information or for the application, click here.