Why Workshops are a Must for Your Staff
Written by Danielle Finch
With summer fast approaching, spring and summer workshops should be a consideration before closing shop. Yearbook staffs should plan to attend workshops and camps to improve their skills and prepare for the upcoming school year. Workshops provide inspiration, training and team bonding opportunities that help staffs hit the ground running in the fall. The latest episode of That Yearbook Podcast with “those yearbook people” Mike Taylor, CJE, Jim Jordan and Sabrina Schmitz, CJE, focuses on the opportunities and value workshops hold for you and your staff.
Types of Workshops
Several different types of workshops happen throughout the spring and summer. Spring inspiration workshops focus on generating theme ideas and seeing trends, while summer camps allow staffs to start designing using the feedback of instructors and getting ahead with their theme packages for next year’s book. Be sure to talk with your rep about the local workshops available to you.
Skills Learned
Students learn valuable skills at workshops like photography, design, writing and leadership. Many now offer training in InDesign and Yearbook 360 – Online Design, Walsworth’s in-house design platform. Attendees also learn the latest trends and begin their theme development. Advisers can take classes too while their students learn hands-on. Workshops make sure students leave with the skills needed for the yearbook process.
Benefits for Students and Staff
Beyond skills, workshops provide time for staff bonding. Living together at overnight camps forces students out of their comfort zones to work with new people. This helps them gel as a team for the year. Seeing other award-winning books also inspires students to aim higher. Workshops provide a fun way for staffs to spend time together outside of school.
Listen and Learn
Yearbook workshops throughout the spring and summer months play an important role in the development for both students and advisers. The layered approach of different types of workshops ensures continuous learning and improvement. Students gain skills and inspiration to create their best book yet. Overall, workshops are well worth the investment of time and money to kick off a successful yearbook season. Listen to our latest episode of That Yearbook Podcast to learn more about workshops and why they are a must for yearbook staffs.
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