I’m adviser Sydney Swanson, and this is my newsroom…
What is your name?
Sydney Swanson
What school do you teach at?
Holt High School
What city and state is your school located in?
Wentzville, Missouri
What different media are produced at the school?
Online News, Magazine, Yearbook, Broadcast Media, Journalism
How many students are involved at the media program at your school?
36
Describe your space for us.
We work in a very small classroom that is also shared with English I, but we also have a small studio to produce videos. We are close, unassuming, productive, and compassionate about news. The space is very safe for all students and although we all have unique personalities and styles, we have cohesion and share through weekly brainstorming. It is a creative environment, where constructive criticism is encouraged and where working doesn’t feel like an obligation.
What do you think are some of the benefits of the workspace you all have?
It is comfortable and students do not feel restricted. They feel like they can be their self in this class.
What do your students like most about the workspace you have?
My students love the feedback and the collective atmosphere. Literally, it is the people who make the space and although we admire other school’s workspaces, we make ours work.
What computer programs and/or apps is your staff using on a regular basis for their work?
We use the SNO app for our online news site, use Premiere Pro and the adobe suite for broadcast, eDesign for yearbook, and Indesign for magazine.
What tech equipment are your students using on a daily basis?
We have several Macs, Macbooks and desktops. We have three Canon EO5s, one Canon EO6 and a Nikon D3400.
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.
A good prompter and a good telephoto lens are essential.
How is your workspace funded?
All purchases are made through yearbook profits.
Do you have anything on your wishlist for your space? If so, what do you have and why?
I would love better cameras and many more of them.
(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.)
