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Alberta classrooms mirror their communities. Alberta newspapers hold up that mirror for the public to see, helping them gain an understanding of how public education contributes to a healthy and prosperous society. The Alberta Teacher’s Association annually presents its EdNews Awards in an effort to recognize the important role journalists and photographers play in raising awareness of education issues, activities and achievements. Featured here are this year’s winners.
Journalism—Daily Newspaper
Andrea Sands, Edmonton Journal
Sands, a seasoned education reporter, continued to venture into school communities and gather insights from all education stakeholders on a range of interesting topics. In 2012, she highlighted how one school’s experiment with new seating options such as beanbag chairs and floor cushions improved student attendance and reduced disciplinary issues. Through other articles, she exposed a litany of infrastructure challenges faced by a principal in one of many Alberta schools that are 50 years or older, and she explored different viewpoints on the practice of a no-zero policy.
Regarding an article on Alberta Education’s Early Childhood Mapping Project, one EdNews Award judge was impressed with Sands’s ability to relay research statistics while effectively conveying important issues. “The quotes Andrea Sands used turned the statistics into children with very unique issues. She made a statistically challenging article easy to understand,” commented the judge.
Journalism—Weekly Newspaper
Frank McTighe, Macleod Gazette
McTighe’s articles provided an illustration of school communities and their importance. Parents, students, teachers, school administrators and community members were all sources of insight and information for his stories. People’s investments in the public education system and their hopes for it were communicated in stories about grade configuration, student leadership and the retirement of an exemplary school staff member.
McTighe’s article on the inclusion of an eagle feather ceremony as part of a high school graduation in Fort Macleod resonated with EdNews Award judges. “This story was told with a lot of emotion,” said one judge. “It gave insight into the significance of graduation as a beginning for First Nations students.”
Photography—Daily Newspaper
Larry Wong, Edmonton Journal
Wong continues to depict the dynamic moments in public education that would be almost impossible to describe in writing. Looking at his winning photo, featured on page 1 of this issue, you feel the adrenaline rush of a high school dodge ball game and almost cringe recalling the sting of a fiercely thrown utility ball on your bare arm.
“Every student’s face tells a story,” said a judge. “This photo holds your attention and makes you want to see more.”
Photography—Weekly Newspaper
Stephanie Dubois, Leduc Representative
In capturing three kindergarten students learning how to make cinnamon rolls with help from Leduc’s local “bread lady,” Dubois conveys in a single photo what many would agree are keys to the success of public education—community, cooperation and creativity.
Said one judge: “This photo puts the ‘hands on’ aspect of public education in the public eye.”
