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Advice from Advisers
Advice from an Adviser
Clear and timely communication is the key to a successful yearbook project. -Jennie, Lifetouch Board of Adviser Member, High School Yearbook Adviser
Work smarter...not harder. Take lots of pictures and upload them into the correct groups as soon as you can. This little tip will make things easier in the end when creating pages. -Shelby, Lifetouch Board of Adviser Member, Elementary Yearbook Adviser
Let students do the work. It’s really easy to fall into the trap of taking most of the photos, designing most of the spreads, and rewriting most of the copy; sure, you can do it faster, and often you can do it better. But in the end, everyone loses. The students don’t learn and you stay overworked and overwhelmed.
Because you work them hard, reward them well. Food is a great motivator. Celebrate birthdays and holidays. Let them plan a secret Santa exchange at Christmas. Decorate pumpkins at Halloween. Bake a batch of cupcakes and bring icing and let them decorate them. Aim for something fun once a month.
And while spending time with the students creating the book is fun, you need to be able to communicate with other adults, too. Go to workshops when you can. Join your state’s journalism organization and attend events when offered. Create a network of adviser friends and email them for advice and help and ideas when you need it. Other advisers and workshops and conferences all provide new, fresh ideas and plenty of positive energy to keep you going!
Start the year off on an organized foot, ask your senior staff members to come up with theme ideas ahead of time. Then meet with them over coffee, or something else fun, and sketch up the theme, elements, cover design, and end sheets. That way you are hitting the ground running when the year starts! -Patti, Lifetouch Board of Adviser Member, High School Yearbook Adviser
