I’m adviser Mitch Eden, and this is my newsroom…
What is your name?
Mitch Eden
What school do you teach at?
Kirkwood High School
What city and state is your school located in?
St. Louis, Missouri
What different media are produced at the school?
KHTV (broadcast journalism), The Kirkwood Call (news magazine and website: thekirkwoodcall.com) & Pioneer Yearbook
How many students are involved at the media program at your school?
About 200
Describe your space for us.
The journalism facility at KHS, called SJ (South journalism) is not your average high school classroom. Students are given multiple spaces with countless ways to create anything they wish. Those involved are treated as adults rather than high school students, as publications are completely student-run and kids even get their own kitchen. Our space includes a lecture hall, computer lab, conference room, restrooms, broadcast room, photo studio and an editor office with a closet including a variety of camera lenses, bodies, drawing pads and laptops. The lab contains over 80 seats and computers along with extra tables and a couch and the lecture hall over 100 chairs.
What do you think are some of the benefits of the workspace you all have?
We have so many benefits in our workspace. Everything as described above are completely beneficial (except for the kitchen) to our publications’ progress and content production. The amount of space and computers allows staffs to be bigger than other high schools, giving anyone an opportunity to join, which is our largest benefit.
What do your students like most about the workspace you have?
The amount of supplies we have since we have at least one computer per each kid each class. Either that, or the kitchen because it provides an anytime space for the journalism kids.
What computer programs and/or apps is your staff using on a regular basis for their work?
We use online Adobe Suite products including InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
What tech equipment are your students using on a daily basis?
We have two scanners for artists to upload their art onto the computers for easy design access, bamboo drawing tablets, Canon camera products, iMac desktops, MacBook Pro laptops, and an online wifi server so that students can access their work on the KHS wifi network on any computer.
Aside from the computers and the programs, what are one or two pieces of equipment that you have that you think other programs should have.
The drawing tablets and variety of lenses because it gives the visual staffers a surplus of options and design variations to try.
How is your workspace funded?
Our publications are funded on ads from the community as well as a school budget. The Call sells ads in each magazine produced and includes a patron program.
Do you have anything on your wishlist for your space? If so, what do you have and why?
Not particularly at the moment.
(This is one of a series of posts where high school newsrooms are showcased. We’d love to showcase your newsroom on the site. To find out how, check out the information here and submit yours today.)
