April 23, 2024 / Adviser Academy

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Walsworth’s Adviser Academy

Written by Linsey Bove

Attending the Walsworth Adviser Academy was a transformative experience filled with valuable insights, practical advice and the forging of a strong sense of community.

Need a reason to sign up? I’ll give you 10!

1. I’m New Here

For newcomers to Walsworth or the wide world of yearbook advising, Adviser Academy provided the most impactful welcome I could’ve imagined. The focus on how to build your program and make it worthwhile, exceed industry standards and just make yearbook joyful was so refreshing. This entire event breathed new life into me and to my program, and I could not be more thankful to Walsworth for that.

2. FAQs

Curious? Confused? Befuddled? Hungry for information? This is where you need to be. I left having had so many ah-ha moments and gaps in my expertise filled in that I felt positively born again!

3. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

One of the key takeaways from Adviser Academy was the importance of learning from others’ experiences. Rather than starting from scratch, attendees were encouraged to leverage existing resources, templates and best practices to streamline their processes. I walked away with templates, guidelines, samples and a sea of resources to tap into that I never would have known about had I not attended.

4. Experts

Adviser Academy featured a lineup of seasoned experts who shared their knowledge and expertise on a wide range of topics, including design principles, photography techniques and teaching strategies. Their insights were invaluable and helped us all feel prepared and invested in. I still reach out to them and feel proud to know them.

5. Community

One of the most rewarding aspects of Adviser Academy was the sense of community fostered among attendees. Whether through group activities, networking sessions or casual chats from one side of the country to the other, we were all blessed with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals.

6. Percolating

Adviser Academy was a hub of creativity and innovation with new ideas and concepts percolating throughout the event. My pencil flew across my notepad almost every moment as inspiration struck over and over again. If you are one who needs time to process and develop and really consider all the ins and outs of an idea, this event will be the percolator to your java.

7. The More You Know

From technical tips to creative inspiration, Adviser Academy packed in valuable information we could immediately apply. I have been a yearbook adviser for five years, and I left the academy with a greater wealth of knowledge than I’ve ever had before. I felt like those two days were the crash course I never knew I needed – I never realized how much I didn’t know. I have been a better teacher and adviser this year because of it. This is absolutely the best yearbook we have ever produced, and I have all I learned from this event to thank for that.

8. Connections

One of the most valuable aspects of the academy was the opportunity to forge connections with other yearbook advisers, industry professionals and Walsworth staff. These connections not only provided a support network for attendees but also opened up new avenues for collaboration and growth. One of my favorite things about Walsworth is the intimate, family feel. This community is second to none. People know my name when I call or when they see me. Help is always a moment away. It is like no experience I’ve ever had in the yearbook world before.

9. Fun

Y’all, Adviser Academy was also a lot of fun! From interactive workshops to lively discussions, we were engaged and entertained throughout the event. There was even an entire session on making your yearbook class fun. It never once felt like PD I had to suffer through. I was there to be encouraged and taught to make yearbook better. Period.

10. Are you still here? You haven’t signed up already? 

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Linsey Bove

Linsey Bové is the Yearbook adviser for Grace School in Houston, Texas. She has been teaching for 17 years and considers it the joy of her heart, but she happily shares that heart with her husband and four-year old son. She's probably reading a book right now.