The following remarks were given by KEMPA president April Van Buren at the fall conference to honor the award recipients for adviser of the year in their respective publications.
Newspaper Adviser of the Year 2025
Robert Wysocki
The 2025 Nancy Becker Newspaper Adviser of the Year award goes to Robert Wysocki, adviser of The Oracle at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, IL.
Bob was selected for this award because of his never-ending commitment to scholastic journalistic excellence, which is matched by his dedication to his students: past and present.
Bob’s former student and current journalism student at Syracuse, Mia Carr mentioned how Bob blended professionalism and high expectations with connections and care. She began her recommendation letter stating that no other educator “has left a greater impression” on her than Bob.
She noted that The Oracle is a place “where students were expected to take ownership of their work and rise to real-world expectations.” Mia appreciated that Bob was ever present as a “steady and insightful guide” who knows when to push so his staff “takes creative risks while remaining grounded in ethics, clarity and accuracy” as she put it. The staff benefited from Bob’s patience and perspective as deadlines neared and group dynamics became strained.
Glenbrook Instructional Coach Marshall Harris noted that often Bob “intervenes in difficult situations” not by stating his opinion but by “asking pointed questions and helping STUDENT leaders think through what THEY can learn.” Mr. Harris sees this as a way to “increase the young journalists’ growth exponentially” which prepares them for the “complicated and challenging adult world.” Mr. Harris goes on to mention that Bob “actively discourages them from pre-emptively censoring themselves out of fear and guides them in making sure their coverage of sensitive topics is complete and responsible.”
As important as his adviser work may be, Mia specifically mentioned how Bob works tirelessly to build real connections with his students. Mia recalled a simple moment where her “quiet ‘fine’” in response to his “how are you doing?” was a moment of connection as she appreciated that Bob noticed her “in a room full of students and responsibilities.” She loved his simple gestures and words that she called “generous.” Mr. Harris recalled moments when Bob handled difficult dynamics in his newsroom. Bob strategically helped the students. Using lessons from Bob, students rehearsed how to approach each other so that process remained collaborative and sensitive. Mr. Harris said he could “share dozens of additional anecdotes” that show Bob’s “student-centered approach to advising.”
Bob’s own letter is less about his work and more about the lessons he’s learned and the ways he’s grown. From AI controversies to guest speakers, Bob works endlessly to build a program of the highest journalistic ethics and fearless reporting while continuing to find ways to build the strongest relationships such as creating a parent booster club where parents can tour their son or daughter’s newsroom.
Bob began his letter talking about how he had never considered teaching until (as he put it) “a gift was presented to me…a gift that continues to confirm that teaching both Journalism and English are by far the best career choices I ever made.” Bob notes that if he knew then what he knows now years ago, someone asked him if he would consider being a teacher, he would have answered ‘yes, a teacher of journalism students.’”
All of Bob’s work has led to numerous awards for The Oracle and his students. They have been recognized by regional and state organizations like KEMPA, NISPA and IJEA. They’ve earned awards at the IHSA competitions. They’ve been recognized by national organizations like JEA and NSPA as well.
While Glenbrook Instructional Supervisor David Adamji wrote that “in every sense Bob is a model of what it means to be an educator, mentor, and advocate,” it is fitting to give his student the final word. Mia closed her letter stating that Bob’s approach is “intentional, generous and deeply human.”
Bob, it is my honor to congratulate you on being awarded KEMPA’s Nancy Becker Newspaper Adviser of the Year.
Yearbook Adviser of the Year 2025
Joseph Maffey
The 2025 Jan Kohls Yearbook Adviser of the Year award goes to Joseph Maffey, yearbook adviser at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, IL.
Over the past six years, Joseph has taken a program with twelve students on staff to a regional and nationally recognized program with over 65 students applying to join each year. In addition, Joseph has dedicated himself to hours of professional growth via Kent State and summer workshops, assisting organizations as a judge and critic and bringing his students to conferences across the country. For this and more, Joseph has earned this recognition.
Joseph’s principal Jennifer Tyrrell remembers meeting Joseph early in her new role at Lyons. She said Joseph had the “it factor that not a lot of people have.” She saw an adviser and educator that was “a rare combination of intellectual, connected, fun and empowering.” While she was struck by him as a colleague, it was Joseph’s work with students that Ms. Tyrrell celebrates. She sees Joseph as a “builder of student leaders.” She knows that he believes in the power of student voices as he “prepares students to make a difference in all areas of their lives.” Ms. Tyrrell notes that Joseph’s impact goes beyond the classroom and his lucky students. She said that Tabulae “distribution day is a day that unites our entire school community.” She knows that Joseph has created a culture in which “students lead all efforts” and appreciates that student growth is more than the work they produce. Ms. Tyrrell said that Joseph’s students demonstrate a “level of sophistication in their assessment of pages they lovingly produce.” She summarizes Joseph’s work that when his students share memories, “they talk about the people, relationships and connections” that Joseph helps them form on Tabulae.
Joseph’s students are forever-changed for their time spent with Joseph on Tabulae. Emily Bruebach remembers Joseph as “never overbearing…but he was always there to encourage us when we were stumped.” Emily also remembers time spent at conferences as she returned to school invigorated and excited to try new ideas – an opportunity Joseph provided her. Josie Menna echoes Emily’s thoughts as she describes Joseph as “unfailingly generous” whose “passion for his work surpasses any teacher” she’s ever encountered. Both carry the lessons Joseph taught them today. Emily said that Joseph “saw something in me, and put his trust in me to bring something new and pivotal” while Josie is “eternally grateful” that she had two years with him. Josie ended her letter saying that Joseph “is the type of teacher that I hope everyone gets to have at some point in their lives.”
Joseph’s letter shows a never-ending desire to grow and improve. In the past year alone, Joseph earned his CJE and became a JEA Mentor. It is this mix of pride in his students, a yearning to be better, and a generosity towards the scholastic journalism community that is evident in each component of Joseph’s nomination.
In his letter, he discusses the many important, and sometimes controversial, stories he encourages his students to tackle. He “believes in empowering students to their own editorial decisions” with autonomy and critical thinking. Knowing that journalism must be pursued, Joseph takes his staff to conferences, invites in guests and enters their work in workshops and competitions. His staff has been recognized both locally and nationally. Joseph listed the many honors his students and Tabulae have won during his time as adviser. It is vast – including awards from KEMPA, NISPA, CSPA, JEA, and NSPA. The honors are representative of “[Joseph’s] belief in the transformative power of student storytelling.”
Joseph ends his letter by stating his belief in the power of scholastic journalism. He writes “it is my belief that through dedication, passion, and continuous professional growth, we can inspire the next generation of journalists and storytellers.”
Joseph, it is my honor to congratulate you on being awarded KEMPA’s Jan Kohls Yearbook Adviser of the Year.
