Yearbook Chat with Jim

Latest Episodes:

BONUS: Courtney Hanks and the University High School yearbook editors – part 2 Mar 14, 2019

Show notes

Courtney Hanks is making her mark on the yearbook world. She and the staff of the award-winning Odyssey yearbook at University High School in Orange City, Florida, have been working hard to create an incredible 2019 yearbook. Listen in as host Jim Jordan checks in with Courtney and her staff, EIC Emily Edwards, EIC Jonathan Jackson, Managing Editor Brooke Williams, Managing Editor Jordan McKendrick and staffer Julie Annunziato.

In the first check in following winter break, Courtney and the staff reveal their theme, share the struggles they've faced so far, and discuss what they've learned on the journey.

Adviser of Note: Jai Tanner, Yelm High School, Yelm, Washington, Breaks Rules and Creates Amazing Yearbooks Wherever She Is Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

Jai Tanner’s yearbook career spans 21 years and three different states – and that’s not even counting her high school yearbook experience.

She spent the first three quarters of her career in Texas and New Mexico. Her yearbook staff at Franklin High School in El Paso, Texas, was no stranger to Crowns and Pacemakers.

Her move from the Southwest to the Pacific Northwest, from an urban high school to a rural high school, required Jai to adapt. She’s grown to love Yelm High School in Yelm, Washington, but it took some trial and error to create yearbooks that are right for her new community.

Listen in to hear host Jim Jordan ask Jai about her philosophy on life, as well as how she successfully navigated each school change.

Jim Asks Mike Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

In the Season 2 kickoff of Yearbook Chat with Jim, host Jim Jordan interviews his friend and peer Mike Taylor, CJE.

Mike works as the Journalism Specialist for Walsworth, but the story of how he got there is full of fun twists and turns. Mike shares his story with Jim as well as his thoughts on the yearbooks being created now.

If you want more Mike, check out his podcast, Ask Mike and follow him on Twitter, @yrbkMikeTaylor (and use #AskMike). You can follow Jim on Twitter, @yrbkJimJordan.

Remembering Kathy Craghead Dec 27, 2018

Show notes

Kathy Craghead was a highly respected member of the scholastic journalism community. Her death in May left a hole that will not soon be filled. She will be remembered for her dedication to the craft, her sharp wit, and how deeply she cared for her friends and family.

In tribute to this extraordinary woman, host Jim Jordan tracked down 15 of her dear friends and asked them to share their memories of Kathy.

The Yearbook Legend Himself: Charles Bruce Watterson Dec 20, 2018

Show notes

Bruce Watterson was a pioneer in the yearbook world. From working for his high school newspaper to being the first (or one of the first) schools to create a yearbook on a personal computer, Watterson is a giant in the yearbook world.

In this episode, host Jim Jordan chats with Bruce about everything from his humble beginnings in Hazen, Arkansas, to why he's so impressed with what yearbook staffs of today are accomplishing.

You can follow Jim on Twitter and Instagram at @yrbkjimjordan, and let us know what you think with #WYPN and #ChatwithJim. Send any comments, questions or suggestions to podcasts@walsworth.com.

Crystal Kazmierski's Incredible Yearbook Career Nov 29, 2018

Show notes

Crystal Kazmierski's yearbooks started winning major scholastic journalism awards before she even knew they were a big deal. She advised 24 yearbooks at Arrowhead Christian Academy in Redland, California. Twenty-two of them won Pacemakers and one of them was a Pacemaker finalist. The one year they didn't place was because they didn't enter.

In this episode, host Jim Jordan chats with his longtime friend about her amazing career. Starting with how she came to yearbook (with her college degree in theater), their conversation follows her career all the way to retirement in 2017.

During their chat, Crystal and Jim touch on how she built a yearbook program that won awards and influenced the yearbook world.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions for future episodes? Leave us a comment or review, or send them to podcasts@walsworth.com.

BONUS: Courtney Hanks and the University High School yearbook editors – part 1 Nov 21, 2018

Show notes

In this special bonus episode, host Jim Jordan follows up with Courtney Hanks of University High School in Orange City, Florida. Recorded just days before the first big yearbook deadline of the school year, Courtney and her editors share the challenges they’ve faced so far, their plans for the rest of the year and share some background on how they got where they are.

Jim will continue to check in with Courtney and her staff as the year progresses. Subscribe to receive these special bonus episodes as they are released.

Adviser of Note: Andrew Young, Woodland Junior High School, Fayetteville, Arkansas on Creating Yearbooks with Junior High Students Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

Andrew Young is the yearbook adviser at Woodland Junior High in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Despite only being in the role for a few years, he's an accomplished young adviser who leads his junior high yearbook class to create amazing, award-winning yearbooks. He believes that teaching younger students should not hinder you from producing an impressive product.

In this episode, Andrew and host Jim Jordan delve into the challenges unique to middle school and junior high yearbooks. He also shares some of the best parts of advising yearbook staffs at this age and why he believes every student should be given the chance to try everything, from photography to design to writing.

Live from the Fall National High School Journalism Convention, Chicago, Illinois Nov 02, 2018

Show notes

Recorded live at the JEA/NSPA Convention in Chicago, host Jim Jordan brings on guests Christy Porcelli, from H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, convention chair Brenda Field, from Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois, and Dr. Bradley Wilson, with JEA.

Listen in to learn fun facts about the panelists, and hear a bit about the convention and their yearbook stories.

Adviser of Note: Alyssa Boehringer, McKinney High School, McKinney, Texas Oct 18, 2018

Show notes

Alyssa Boehringer entered the yearbook advising world with a bang. Her first year as adviser at McKinney High School in McKinney, Texas, -- after taking over from the very adviser who'd taught her in high school - The Lion yearbook won a CSPA Silver Crown award.

Alyssa and Jim chat about the incredible work she and her students have done, how she manages to excel with less than three years of experience, and the incredible marketing videos she creates with her staff.

You can learn more about Alyssa in Walsworth's Adviser of Note blog post, available at walsworthyearbooks.com/blog. There, you'll also find bonus interview footage, images of her yearbook, and those awesome marketing videos.

Please send any questions or comments to podcasts@walsworth.com