When I started teaching at my school, I quickly found that we had no cameras for the growing Journalism and Yearbook programs. In order to ensure that we were able to take photos for the yearbook and newspaper, (and later online gazette), we had to start asking around to borrow cameras from other departments. We currently have one camera from the photography department and two cameras from my home, one of which is from 2007 and not as functional as it once was. With the few resources we have, my students are able to put a lot of energy into taking quality photos, but only when they aren't fighting with another student over who will be able to take the camera.
Despite efforts to boost sales, many of our students just flat out cannot afford to purchase a yearbook, leaving us only enough money to pay for the production fees to the yearbook company. We are unable to purchase the equipment necessary for these students to gain the experience that this class is meant to provide. Upon graduation, students who have taken journalism and publications should have a specific skill set that can help them get into professional positions within the field of print and media. If we are awarded this project, my students will not only have access to 3 digital cameras and notebooks that they would not have had otherwise, but they will gain the confidence that comes along with it. When we invest in these students, they appreciate it, and live up to it. If they feel as though their program is not worth investing in, they lack agency. They lack responsibility. Something as small as a nice camera to practice with or a class notebook that belongs solely to each student in which to record interviews gives my students value.
About my class
When I started teaching at my school, I quickly found that we had no cameras for the growing Journalism and Yearbook programs. In order to ensure that we were able to take photos for the yearbook and newspaper, (and later online gazette), we had to start asking around to borrow cameras from other departments. We currently have one camera from the photography department and two cameras from my home, one of which is from 2007 and not as functional as it once was. With the few resources we have, my students are able to put a lot of energy into taking quality photos, but only when they aren't fighting with another student over who will be able to take the camera.
Despite efforts to boost sales, many of our students just flat out cannot afford to purchase a yearbook, leaving us only enough money to pay for the production fees to the yearbook company. We are unable to purchase the equipment necessary for these students to gain the experience that this class is meant to provide. Upon graduation, students who have taken journalism and publications should have a specific skill set that can help them get into professional positions within the field of print and media. If we are awarded this project, my students will not only have access to 3 digital cameras and notebooks that they would not have had otherwise, but they will gain the confidence that comes along with it. When we invest in these students, they appreciate it, and live up to it. If they feel as though their program is not worth investing in, they lack agency. They lack responsibility. Something as small as a nice camera to practice with or a class notebook that belongs solely to each student in which to record interviews gives my students value.
Read more