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Students work as a team working to put out seven monthly issues of a newspaper while developing close friendships with other homeschool students around the country (and sometimes the world.)
No previous journalism experience is required; this is a “learn as you go” experience, but high school students are welcome to register for the fall journalism class called ‘Intro to Ink.’
Training for the student newspaper will begin in the summer, but it won’t interfere with vacation, camp or work. Therefore students are encouraged to register in April in May, but regislation won’t close until the end of June.
During the school year, there is one hour-long monthly staff meeting (usually the last Thursday of the month at 9pm ET.) However, student writers and artists can easily watch the recording and still participate. Students will work on each monthly issue, writing, editing, copyediting, illustrating or designing, based on their interest and/or skill level. Besides the work, there is unlimited communication and opportunity for making new friends!
The faculty advisor, Mrs. Jamie Anderson, has more than a decade of experience with online homeschool student-run newspapers. Her journalism degree, 15 years of radio and public relations work experience, and homeschooling her own sons give Mrs. Anderson a wealth of knowledge to share with student journalists.
SPECIAL NOTE #1: There is no charge to reserve a space in a club although you must have paid your family registration fee. If you have already paid the registration fee, simply add the club purchase to the cart, and your teacher will be in touch soon. Club memberships are not purchased as a family; each student represents one club member.
SPECIAL NOTE #2: Please be advised: There are no refunds for clubs. If club attendance dwindles during the course of the year making the club unviable, there are no prorated refunds of club membership(s).
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Jamie Anderson is passionate about helping homeschool students become better communicators. As a homeschool mom herself, Anderson combines several years of online homeschool teaching experience with a career in radio broadcasting and public relations to offer a unique experience to students at Excelsior Classes.
Since September 2012, Anderson has taught speech communications online, after a decade of working with homeschool students in-person; this follows a public relations career that included training adults across the country how to confidently communicate their message in front of an audience or with a news reporter.
Since 2013, Anderson has worked with homeschool students each school year to guide them in producing a monthly newspaper. Many of those students graduated, went on to college and used the skills they gained under her tutelage to work on a college newspaper, major in journalism or just use the team-building skills in their college and career endeavors.
In September 2019 Anderson was invited back into the world of broadcasting to co-host an award-winning morning drive show on a Michigan adult contemporary radio station, but that job was cut short by the pandemic. Using those newly-honed radio production skills, she helped a friend produce a podcast production, voicing the Graceful Dawn devotionals.
Anderson graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and Mass Communication. After working at radio stations in Iowa and Minnesota, she moved to Colorado for twelve years, working in public relations for the National Cattlemen’s Association.
Kathy M. –
I just wanted to pop in and say how much I appreciate Mrs. Anderson and the time she spends with the students on the Beacon. This is an incredible labor of love and my student has learned a TON about planning articles, interviewing, working together on a journalistic team, and the journalistic style of writing. We are not planning to go into the field, but the concepts learned will impact for a lifetime. The team is such a special and fun group of kids that even get together online to do team bonding activities, have some laughs and just chat about life as homeschoolers. I am so thankful that my student could be a part of it.
Rebecca –
Our son is in 10th grade and is wrapping up his first year with The Beacon. It has been an extremely positive experience. He chose to become involved because he wants to pursue a career in sports broadcasting/journalism. Mrs. Anderson is very encouraging and offers guidance through the entire process – while also allowing students to gain independence. One thing we appreciate is that the meetings are held in the late evenings, so they don’t conflict with other classes or a busy schedule. Being involved with this club offers some social opportunities through monthly meetings and chances to be involved with other Excelsior events. Skills like time management, planning, and written and verbal communication can all be fine-tuned through this experience. Even though he was not previously involved with Excelsior or taking other classes this year, joining went smoothly. He will remain with The Beacon next year and plans to take some other Excelsior classes as well. Highly recommend it!
Laura D. –
3 of my 4 daughters have been involved with the Beacon newspaper. It has been such an incredible growth experience for all of them. From leading team meetings where they communicate the vision for a particular issue, to writing/editing and designing the layout for the paper, my girls were stretched in so many ways. They practiced time management and had to meet deadlines and contribute their part for the team, as newspaper publication truly is a collaborative effort! They had to learn how to work with all sorts of different personalities and resolve differences of opinion tactfully. Mrs. Anderson is an excellent mentor for these kids and she genuinely knows how to motivate and get the best out of them. Highly recommend getting involved! My girls grew in so many valuable ways. The life lessons learned will benefit them through college and beyond.
Renee R. –
The Beacon Newspaper Club has been an outstanding experience for my daughter. The learning opportunities this club offers are numerous; professional communication, personal goal setting and project management all come to mind. My daughter has expressed this is a really great community that has offered a place of belonging and satisfaction in working toward something greater than an individual project. Ms Anderson’s leadership and direction is generous and spacious. She intentionally offers support and help while allowing this to be a student led endeavor.
Elicia –
My daughter has been part of the Beacon for the past 3 years. Although she’s not planning on going into journalism she has enjoyed each position she’s had on the newspaper and I feel her writing skills have improved tremendously. Now that she’s an editor she’s growing in leadership skills as well. Mrs. Anderson is an incredible mentor. As a bonus my daughter has also made friends in the newspaper staff !