Journalism Education Association

Do you know any college juniors, seniors or master's degree students who are enrolled in a program designed to prepare them for teaching journalism at the secondary school level? Encourage them to apply for JEA’s Future Journalism Teacher Scholarship!

JEA sponsors up to two $1,000 scholarships per year. Current secondary school journalism teachers who are in a degree program to improve their journalism teaching skills also are eligible to apply. Submissions are due by July 15!

Learn more about the entry criteria: https://jea.org/awards/future-journalism-teacher-scholarship/

Photo by Chris Waugaman.

Applications for JEA's Master Journalism Educator credential are now open with a submission deadline of June 15.

The MJE is the next certification level after earning a CJE, designed for educators who are ready to deepen their commitment to the field. To earn it, you'll need to pass the MJE exam and complete an approved project as part of a cohort, all within a year.

The MJE is more than a credential. It's proof of your dedication to journalism education and the students who depend on great teachers like you.

Apply now to take the next step: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrf75yeUVn4RXcPapp5xyL_FmG9NGtpzqE2c62rVhU7OgiXw/viewform

Reach out to JEA Certification Chair Rod Satterthwaite ([email protected]) or MJE coordinator Amy Sorrell ([email protected]) with any questions.

Do you know a professional journalist, professional media outlet or other individual or group that has made a significant contribution to your media program or local organization? Consider nominating them for JEA’s Friend of Scholastic Journalism award.

The application is now open and submissions are due by July 15. The nominator must be a current JEA member, but membership is not required for the nominee.

Learn more about the entry criteria: https://jea.org/awards/friend-of-scholastic-journalism/

Photo by Chris Waugaman.

Applications are now open for the JEA Rising Star Award, with submissions due by July 15.

The Rising Star Award is given to teachers in their first five years of advising a media program, who have shown great dedication to scholastic journalism and have had success advising at least one media program.

While JEA membership is always encouraged, neither the nominator or nominee need to be members to be eligible for this award. Nominations may come from scholastic press associations, yearbook companies, fellow teachers, students and/or parents.

Learn more about the entry criteria: https://jea.org/awards/rising-star/

(Curious who you should nominate? Check out the handy-dandy flow chart linked on the award webpage to determine if you or your candidate would be a good fit!)

Photo by Chris Waugaman.

JEA and the Society of Professional Journalists are pleased to announce the three scholarship winners of the 2026 SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest.

🥇 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, $𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫: Olivia Shin, 11th grade, Maria Carrillo High School, Santa Rosa, California
🥈 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, $𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫: Natalia Todorovich, 11th grade, Hopkins School, New Haven, Connecticut
🥉 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, $𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫: Celina Chen, 10th grade, Newark Academy, Livingston, New Jersey

145 students participated in this year's nationwide contest, which was judged by 11 journalism educators from around the country.

Read the winning essays: https://jea.org/news/2026-essay-contest-winners/

What JEA members do you know who have made significant contributions to scholastic journalism at a local, state, regional or national level? Consider nominating them for JEA’s Medal of Merit!

The application is now open and submissions are due by July 15. Both the nominator and nominee must be current JEA members.

Learn more about the entry criteria: https://jea.org/awards/medal-of-merit/

Photo by Chris Waugaman.

DEADLINE TOMORROW! Don't forget to submit your entry for the spring 2026 JEA Adviser Photography Contest.

Any current JEA member can submit a photo related to this spring's theme: Take a Break. Entries will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. CDT Friday, May 29.

Submit now: https://jea.org/awards/jea-adviser-photography-contest/

Do you have an administrator at your school or in your district who shows consistent support of your scholastic journalism program? Are they dedicated to student press rights? Consider nominating them for JEA’s Administrator of the Year award!

The application is now open and submissions are due by July 15. The nominator must be a current JEA member, but membership is not required for the admin nominee.

Learn more about the entry criteria: https://jea.org/awards/administrator-of-the-year/

Photo by Chris Waugaman.

ONE WEEK LEFT!

The JEA Adviser Photography Contest provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding photojournalism amongst student media advisers.

Any current JEA member can submit a photo related to the spring 2026 theme: Take a Break. Entries will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. CDT Friday, May 29.

Submit your entry today: https://jea.org/awards/jea-adviser-photography-contest/

JEA and NSPA were proud to partner with Pulitzer on the Road for the keynote panel at the Fall 2025 National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville. They recently released a podcast episode featuring the conversation from that event. Go check it out!

Listen here: https://pulitzerontheroad.pulitzer.org/podcasts/local-news-matters-toluse-olorunnipa-alissa-zhu-jessica-gallagher

Photo by Chris Waugaman.