Top 5 tools Walsworth provides new yearbook advisers
Written by Kris Mateski, CJE
As this school year starts, we are excited to see a crop of new yearbook advisers looking for resources to help start this wonderful, crazy year of advising yearbook.
Whether you have a yearbook or journalism background or are a newbie starting from scratch, we understand the challenges that come with the first year of advising and can help you every step of the way.
Your first stop
Say hello to your new best friend – walsworthyearbooks.com/newadvisers. Our webpage for new advisers is full of helpful tools and resources for you. Bookmark this page, download an eBook or two, check out our online galleries and more. And send your editors and staffers here too; there’s something for everyone.
- Yearbook Suite curriculum
A good place to start is our yearbook curriculum. Consisting of 11 student workbooks, from coverage and design to marketing and law, our instructional curriculum makes it easy for you and your students to learn. Each unit consists of short lessons with activities to get your staffers learning and creating right away.
The Adviser Edition is made up of the 11 student workbooks, plus adviser notes and Common Core State Standards met for those schools that need it.
We also have the “New Advisers Field Guide to Yearbook” workbook, which explains everything first-year advisers need to know. Each section contains practical and time-tested suggestions, a checklist to help you stay focused and everything you need to be successful from day one. What could be better than that?
- Helpful eBooks
We have a range of eBooks on topics new advisers need most, and here are the ones I recommend you check out first:
- 12 Essential Yearbook Tips for the New Adviser
- Our Best Advice: Lessons for New Advisers from the Yearbook Experts
- The Mike Taylor Back-To-School Checklist for New Advisers
- Sooo… How am I supposed to grade a yearbook class?
When you’re done devouring these books, see what other eBooks could help you right now – theme, color, photography, etc. And if there’s a topic you would like us to consider, email us at marketingyearbooks@walsworth.com. Some of our best books came directly from adviser suggestions.
- Design Showcase
Want to show your students examples of books that have done a great job carrying their theme throughout their book or browse through awesome cover designs? Our Design Showcase can help! Browse through our Cover Gallery, Theme Gallery, Photo Contest Gallery and a selection of book spreads that Caught Our Eye. And our President’s Collection shows our national award-winning CSPA Crowns and NSPA Pacemakers yearbooks. Get inspired and let the brainstorming begin!
- Adviser Mentor Program
Advising yearbook can feel like a lonely job. Most likely, no one else at your school does what you are doing and most do not understand the work that goes into the class. Our adviser mentor program pairs you with an experienced adviser who can give you practical advice and help when you need it. We all need a little extra help at times.
- Training Events
Throughout the school year, we host numerous events to help you. In the early spring, start planning to attend our Adviser Academy in Kansas City in July. At this adviser-only workshop, you will learn from award-winning yearbook instructors, network with fellow advisers and have fun. Leave with some new friends and ready to tackle the year!
Check out Workshop Central to find summer workshops for you and your staff to attend together. The best yearbook staffs say yearbook workshops are a must for teambuilding, setting up for a successful year and learning how to do their jobs. And where else will they laugh until they cry playing Headband Hoops with dozens (or hundreds) of other teens?
When you’re ready to think about improving your next yearbook, you and your editors should consider attending a fall Elite Weekend to get in-depth training as you develop your theme package. Working with experts and getting real-time feedback from the pros is invaluable.
- Bonus!
As they say in infomercial land, but wait – there’s more! Our yearbookhelp.com site is your go-to place for answers to your yearbook questions. Available only to Walsworth customers, this exclusive site can answer your questions from how to flow portraits to how to use Yearbook AR, our augmented reality app. You have questions? Yearbookhelp.com has answers.
Also, check out our awesome podcasts when you’re on the go, and talk to your yearbook sales rep and your customer service rep. Their knowledge and experience will help you as you become a yearbook pro. We can’t wait to see your 2020 yearbook!
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