Rogers named ‘rising star’ as Emerging Journalism Educator

March 6, 2019

The Missouri Interscholastic Press Association recently selected an outstanding Emerging Journalism Educator for 2019. Leigh Rogers, journalism teacher at Hermann High School, has been awarded this honor by the MIPA judges.

Leigh Rogers, Hermann High School, was chosen as the 2019 Emerging Journalism Educator.

In her recommendation letter, fellow Missouri educator Michelle Turner wrote: “Watching the Leigh transform the Journalism program at Hermann High School has been exciting. Ever since her arrival to HHS, she’s helped her students reach new heights in their Journalistic endeavors. Each time I visit The Blue Review online, I am impressed with the strides Hermann has made. As much as I want to give credit to the students, we all know that without a strong adviser programs often do not evolve.

“She’s even taken her talents to a new level by submitting multiple articles and lessons that can help other Journalism educators in her position through SchoolJournalism.org, as well as being a contributor to MIPA’s Thursday Tips newsletter.

“Her ability to see the value in networking with other advisers is something that impresses me. Leigh knows that we are successful together as a community of educators working towards training tomorrow’s Journalists. We may compete against each other in contests, but that is only to make us better. Ultimately, we are all on the same team, the team of Journalism!”

Judges noted: “This seems like a very deserving candidate for this award.”

Rogers will be recognized with the awards during the annual Journalism Day on Monday, March 25, at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She will each be given a plaque and a cash prize on stage in the awards ceremony.

In 2017, MIPA launched Emerging Journalism Educator award to recognize promising new journalism educators. These “rising stars” show a commitment to journalism education, improving the media programs at their school and empowering their scholastic journalism students.

This year’s sponsors donated: