David Gwizdala

[email protected]

Conant High School; Hoffman Estates, IL

Number of years advising: 13

Brief Description of your program: Our program is an extracurricular activity. We published a monthly print newspaper for decades but have been online-only at www.ConantCrier.com since 2014. In general, about 25 students work on the newspaper staff, with 10-12 of those students taking on important editing/leadership positions.

Best Advice or Hardest Lesson Learned: Especially with an online-only newspaper club—where it can be easy for much of the work to be done via email and the Internet—it is so important for staff members to have consistent opportunities to bond, such as working the concession stand at a basketball game, attending staff holiday parties, or meeting at a restaurant to complete a group review for the website.

Social Media Accounts: We’re on Twitter and Snapchat @ConantCrier and on Instagram @Humans.of.Conant