Page 32 - Jostens Yearbook_Adviser Guide

2.1 ORGANIZATION AND
LEADERSHIP
ORGANIZATION—THE ROLE OF ADVISER
At the top of the yearbook food chain is the yearbook adviser.
As the owner of yearbook knowledge—what it takes to
complete a yearbook that meets the standards of scholastic
journalism, on time and on budget—the yearbook adviser may
wear a variety of hats throughout the production process.
The goal, however, is to limit those hats to a sustainable number
and to filter the yearbook knowledge to the team and
its student leaders.
While an adviser can conduct interviews, take photographs or
meticulously edit copy from time to time, these tasks are ideal
for student staffers—these are the jobs that staff members
applied for and are capable of doing with much success. The
adviser however, has two key roles in yearbook leadership: the
instructor and the project manager.
32 SECTION 2.1 ORGANIZATION AND LEADERSHIP
THE ADVISER AS INSTRUCTOR THE ADVISER AS PROJECT MANAGER
The adviser’s first job is to give students the tools As production begins, the adviser transitions into
they need for success. Whether through class project manager—the person who creates and
instruction, video tutorials, a manual or handbook
manages systems, rather than producing work.
with handouts and reference guides, the adviser An adviser who takes photos and completes content
administers yearbook knowledge. Some lessons cover is less efficient as a manager simply because there is
concepts for the whole class, while other lessons will not enough time to do both well.
be one-on-one. The instructor’s ultimate goal is to As project manager, the adviser can focus on the
create a team of student leaders who will help carry big picture as they fine tune the system for optimum
the yearbook knowledge, some as experts able to performance and success. Here, the adviser is a
assist and instruct other members of the yearbook
staff team. leader who understands the intricacies of his or
her production model and works to motivate staff
members to complete the jobs they were brought
on to do.
The instructor’s ultimate goal is to
create a team of student leaders who
will help carry the yearbook knowledge.
Abigail Lowe: Port Huron High School, MI
GETTING STARTED 33