Students excited for journalism partnership

WASILLA — The Frontiersman has partnered with Independent Study through the Mat-Su School District to create an all-new journalism program for students currently writing for the Schools section.

This is a great opportunity for young journalists to spread their wings and experience real reporting, while receiving high school credit. Valley teachers Emily Forstner and Susan Brunner have agreed to oversee the Independent Study course, and Frontiersman staff has welcomed this opportunity for students to contribute. Students from Palmer, Colony, Burchell and Wasilla high schools are among the first participants.

This course is but one example of the many new ways high school students can receive a well-rounded and quality education. Programs such as Independent Study, Work-Study, Advanced Path Learning and online coursework are among the many ways to learn and gain credits toward graduation outside of the classroom. It is proven that every student has his or her own preferred method of learning. Forstner, Brunner and the Frontiersman staff have added another groundbreaking option to the list — students interested in journalism can now experience it first-hand.

Philosopher John Dewey said, “Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.”

Like a quality education, good journalism requires a firm grasp of language. To be successful, one must have experience. This course makes the newsroom a classroom, where assignments are to be published articles and photo essays. Instead of “field trips,” students will go into “the field” one-on-one with Frontiersman reporters and photographers, either shadowing or collaborating on stories or photo opportunities.

“I think it’s going to give us real journalism experience at a level that we wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else,” said Tim Rockey, a PHS senior and member of the new program. “We’re in a really unique situation.”

Rockey, who is an aspiring sports journalist, as well as the other student contributors found support with the Frontiersman staff.

“They’ve been so helpful. Jeremiah [Bartz] in particular — he gives me opportunities to write almost anything I want, and he’s really encouraging. The entire staff has been helpful and respectful of me as a journalist, treating me without judgment,” he said. “It’s a really productive environment for a start in journalism.”

For WMS teacher Emily Forstner, the program is a labor of love.

“Journalism is my passion, and this is a dream come true for me,” she said in a candid meeting, after going over the course requirements.

The Schools page of the Frontiersman is made possible by the combined efforts of the Frontiersman, Mat-Su Borough School District, teachers and students. It is with programs like these that local students can take their education to the next level.