Shows
The Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, Mid January 2024It's roughly halfway through another school year - and for many schools ROUGH is a good term to use again this year. That goes with another key word, CULTURE. Schools everywhere - and many yearbook staffs - are struggling through another year.
One man who knows all about good yearbook and school culture is veteran adviser Mitch Eden. Now retired after 25+ years of teaching and advising, Mitch is a new Jostens Yearbooks Ambassador, working with schools across the country to improve their journalism and marketing efforts.
Listen to this episode of the Report for insights a...2024-01-1359 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, Mid November 2023We're back and talking about one subject that many yearbook staffs avoid - writing. Photos will always be the #1 element of the book, but writing is a close #2, filling in the information that the photos miss. And that's a LOT of information.
Listen for great ideas and advice from veteran adviser Sharon Kubicek from Texas as she shares the importance of writing in the yearbook, the different ways to do it, how school has gone in Texas this year, and sage advice for any adviser but especially for rookie folks.
2023-11-1257 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, late August 2023It's a new school year, new energy, but eventually one same struggle will rise again. That's page designing - GOOD designing, never random or haphazard. Is your staff designing or just decorating?
Listen to a great conversation with veteran adviser Brenda Field, a former JEA National Yearbook Adviser of the Year from Illinois, with ideas and advice on good page design. It's one of her favorite topics and Brenda offers wisdom for any yearbook staff.
And for teachers, hear Brenda's thoughts for everyone after 28 years of experience, including these last three tougher campaigns.
2023-08-2655 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, Mid May 2023 - TRANSFORMATIONAs we go into a much needed summer break, what about yearbook and next year's effort? Those who plan early often have a smoother time of it - but a lot of yearbook advisers and staffs had a struggle this year. It's time for a TRANSFORMATION.
Listen for tips and ideas from former top middle school adviser and current Jostens Education Specialist Kristen Scott. If you want or need to reset the table for yearbook - at any level, elementary to college - Kristen has some thoughts to share on how to transform your yearbooking e...2023-05-191h 06The Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, Late March 2023For yearbookers it's time...for the BIG FINISH. The end of the school year is approaching and there's plenty to do, for both now and looking to the future. Distribution, organization, student leadership, planning for next year, etc.
New Jostens Ambassador Marci Pieper, a recent JEA Lifetime Achievement Award winner, goes over many ideas and strategies she used during her decades long tenure in Missouri. Take notes, you'll get some new inspiration here!
2023-03-2449 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, Mid January 2023Continuing our theme episodes this season we'll call this The Motivation Report. Many advisers report kids just not working hard this year, and in some cases it may be the adviser! What to do to get your group doing their best work?
Listen to a conversation with yearbooking legend Margaret Sorrows, now a Jostens Ambassador and the former 36-year multi award winning adviser at Bryant HS in Arkansas. Margaret shares her expertise on yearbook but also on motivating young people to tell the stories, take the photos and create a great yearbook THIS year.
And e...2023-01-1648 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, Mid November 2022Your yearbook staff is probably very busy with page designing right now. But WHAT designing? HOW are you designing? and WHY those choices? Listen to a fact filled interview with Rick Brooks of Jostens, a nationally known design concept expert. Be ready to take notes as Rick offers ideas, advice, trends and inspiration on the FEEL of a yearbook theme and look, not just on the cover but throughout your book. For any level of yearbook - it's time for a real upgrade!
2022-11-1652 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, Early October 2022It's the PHOTO Episode with great ideas, advice and inspiration from veteran freelance photographer and photo instructor Mike McLean. This one goes a little long because Mike has so much great information and stories to share, all tied to improving your photography this year. Get ready to take LOTS of notes...
2022-10-091h 13The Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, Late August 2022Welcome back to a new school year - and we're ready no matter what challenges may come. Are YOU ready? This episode will help you get there with great advice, ideas and inspiration from guest Sarah Nichols, one of the top student journalism advisers in America and president of the Journalism Education Association (JEA.)
Listen for thoughts on effective student leadership and organization for yearbook, as well as thoughts on student journalism today and education in general. This is an hour that will help any yearbook adviser to get the new year off to a good start!2022-08-291h 01The Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, May 2022Happy End of School Year and Summer Break! But it never quite ends, does it? And active use of social media is one easy way to stay in touch with your audience all year long from wherever you are.
Listen for great ideas and insights from Kristen Johnson of Jostens Social about WHY to use social media, HOW to use social media and all the basics. Plus find out about the cool new Jostens student influencer program - yes, earn while you post about yearbook and more! Great advice here for folks who are social me...2022-05-0455 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, April 2022We're all looking ahead to the end of this challenging school year - but then we're concerned for the future, not of yearbooking but for education in general. Students and teachers are struggling, and schools may need years to rebound. What to do?
This episode feature comments and insights from Sara Sausker, Jostens yearbook pro who recently became a leader of the Jostens Renaissance effort. Renaissance could be the game changer for every school looking to make that rebound - and yearbooking can be an integral part of that. We'll toss out some challenging opinions and stats...2022-03-2857 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, February 2022What does the future hold for education, and for yearbooking? Especially - WHO will handle the effort, advisers or students? And WHERE can these people be found? The issue of recruiting for next year and the future is a key one for every yearbook staff.
Listen to a great conversation with Jostens Creative Accounts Manager Lizabeth Walsh who offers great ideas and advice, but also pulls no punches. Liz offers some realistic views on how to get your staff for next year, which could include new advisers as well. Take plenty of notes on many parts of...2022-02-0254 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, December 2021It's halfway through the school year but not too late to try some new creative design ideas with your yearbooking effort. Get ready for a LOT of them with insights from Jostens Creative Design Manager Rick Brooks. What's hot and trendy, how has the pandemic affected design, what are some new cool cover treatments, and much more - you'll be taking notes on what's popular with design for this year and next year!
2021-12-1355 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, October 2021In a year of continued challenges, covering people and getting student reactions to news happening around them can be two big keys to a successful yearbooking effort. Yearbooks are always about telling stories, and this episode of TYR features great ideas and insights from veteran adviser Mitch Eden from Kirkwood HS in Missouri. Hear how his staff reports on Kirkwood students with their thoughts and feelings on a host of topics, both hard news and softer features. It's time to "timestamp" this school year, one like no other, and telling stories in the yearbook and elsewhere is the way...2021-10-2053 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, September 2021Now that school is rolling everywhere, has your yearbook staff come up with a new theme for this year's edition? Maybe you've never tried to develop a theme before?
Listen to a great conversation with veteran adviser Jess Hunziker from Castle Rock, CO as she describes the steps in really working a theme on the inside of the book, why coming up with a unique local theme may be the best of all, and other great ideas and advice for any yearbook adviser and staff.
In yet another challenging school year, here is some inspiration f...2021-09-2454 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, August 2021Welcome back to a new school year, and probably another challenging start to a school year. Many yearbook advisers and staffs struggled last year - will it happen again? How to avoid this?
The start of Season 4 of the Report features adviser Emily Hockenberry from Towanda, PA. Last year Emily was a rookie adviser who took on the challenge of not only yearbooking but leading in a pandemic. And she and her staff nailed it with perhaps the best overall book in school history.
Listen to this episode as Emily details how...2021-08-2257 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, May 2021To wrap up the most challenging school year EVER and the third season of the Report, TYR did something new: we talked to three excellent yearbook student editors about how they dealt with this year, the difficulties they faced, what they learned from it, and some advice for next year's yearbook staffs. The round robin conversation shows the resilience of young people and how they all created terrific yearbooks this year. Enjoy their ideas and views!
2021-05-1057 min
MANNAMANNA S4 EP. 12 - SCOTT GEESEYKeeping it light with George Churchgoer.2021-05-0246 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, April 2021As we approach the final weeks of this school year (YAY, finally!) this is a great time for yearbook advisers and staffs to begin some advance preparation for next year's effort. What to do? What to handle? HOW?
Listen for some great advice and ideas from award winning adviser Ava Butzu from Grand Blanc HS in Michigan. Better have a pad and pen for note taking, along with interesting opinions and views on yearbooking and education for 2021. Great conversation.
And stay tuned for a great FREE service for teachers and students everywhere no matter where y...2021-04-1453 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report,March 2021We're back - and in this episode we're looking back but also looking forward with repeat guest Erika Lin Payne. Erika appeared last August in our episode about leading a staff remotely from 2,000 miles away which she's been doing since BEFORE the Virus That Shall Not Be Named showed up. After seven months of this situation this school year, what has she learned about yearbooking and education in general? What does the future hold? Listen for some interesting thoughts and observations - and a special treat at the end, what makes for an authentic taco recipe? NO BEEF?? See...2021-03-211h 00The Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, February 2021As yearbook staffs navigate this very challenging school year, what are the technology tools that keep Jostens schools ahead? And how did they come about? Listen to a fascinating interview with Jostens Product Director John Dalke as we talk some tech, find out more about some great yearbooking tools and look to the future.
2021-02-2251 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, January 2021It's a new year but the same problems - how to make a great yearbook during a crazy pandemic? In this episode we talk with a true award-winning yearbooking legend, Jostens Ambassador and retired adviser Margaret Sorrows. The conversation goes from tips on great yearbook making and motivating kids to do good work to dealing with stress in this insane year, with some valuable adviser for newer advisers as well. Grab a good beverage and get some terrific advice and inspiration from Margaret!
2021-01-1850 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, December 2020Whew, what a year. Many folks are essentially stumbling into the holiday break. This month Scott has a special edition filled with tips, ideas, advice and more for yearbook advisers right now and some just for educators anywhere. Is your school or yearbook staff considering these ideas?
How can teachers get re-motivated? How can struggling students get rewarded? How can you possibly finish the yearbook this year?
Sit back, relax, grab a beverage and enjoy the listening. This crazy year 2020 can't end soon enough - and we'll get back to our regular programming in mid Ja...2020-12-1946 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, November 2020As we head into holiday season in the most bizarre year ever, many yearbook staffs are beginning to create their page layouts for their historic 2021 book. But how to do that well? Get lots of great tips, ideas and inspiration from Jostens Creative Account Manager Tina Cleavelin in this month's episode, along with some great advice for rookie advisers this year and for ALL advisers on just how to hang on this year during this COVID madness. Listen, learn and enjoy!
2020-11-1652 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, October 2020What's it like to be a yearbook cover artist? This month Scott talks with Jostens artist Dylan Rush on a series of art topics - what's it like this challenging year? How is work different? What should a yearbook staff do to prep for their cover session? Are you born with artistic talent or is it learned? Hear some interesting insights on one of the key elements of any top yearbook, plus information on two great new Jostens innovations especially for this crazy year - Yearbook+ and Yearbook Express. Great listening for any yearbooker!!
2020-10-1851 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, September 2020In this craziest school year ever, what to do with your yearbooking efforts? This month Scott is joined by Jostens Creative Accounts Manager Jeff Moffitt, a veteran yearbook journalist who shares lots of ideas and inspiration for any yearbook adviser and staff during this tumultuous year. Listen also for some thoughts about the future of education and yearbooking, see if you agree!
2020-09-2451 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, August 2020Welcome back to a new school year. and perhaps the most historic school year EVER. With all of the challenges facing teachers and students this year, how can a yearbook adviser lead their group if they're not all together? Listen for some great advice from adviser Erika Lin Payne of The Rock Academy in San Diego, CA, although for the past year she's been living in Kentucky, over 2,000 miles away! And she's about to do it again!
Listen to how Erika led her staff remotely long before the "virus" showed up and disrupted everyone. Get some tips...2020-08-1856 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, July 2020Here's a second SPECIAL summer edition of the Report as yearbook advisers and staffs prepare to take on storytelling in what will be the most disrupted school year EVER. And instead of just the spring, this time it could be the entire school year. Rookie advisers could be overwhelmed by the challenges, while veteran advisers will hit problems they've probably never encountered before.
Host Scott Geesey discusses the situation and offers some simple advice on how to get things started and how to handle some of these possible roadblocks, along with key changes especially for this year...2020-07-091h 04The Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, June 2020It's a special edition of the Yearbooking Report as host Scott Geesey talks about this continued crazy situation we're in and looks ahead to the new school year, one that will be like no other. Could the disruptions to school happen all year long? Scott shares some laughs, some views, insights and ideas on how yearbook staffs can handle this new environment and how the idea of good storytelling may be perfect - and crucial - for 2021.
Also listen and see how you can get a quick resource to help with a new storytelling strategy!
2020-06-1654 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, May 2020WE MADE IT to the end of the most historic school year ever! As we conclude our season and school year listen for some great ideas and tips from veteran adviser Matt LaPorte from Las Vegas, NV. Probably one of the "coolest" advisers around, Matt shares some great ideas for any staff but we also take some time to look to the future - what will school be like in the fall? Will yearbooking somehow change now? Grab a pen and paper and take some notes from an outstanding young adviser, and also listen for more info on some...2020-05-2150 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, April 2020This is a special episode of the Report, an hour long segment with Scott sharing ideas, insights, opinions and predictions about this now historic school year 2020 and a look to the future - what happens now? Grab a pen and paper for plenty of notetaking and see if you agree with some of Scott's thoughts...
2020-04-191h 02The Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, March 2020Welcome! Hear the latest news and notes, including dealing with the coronavirus shutdown. And listen to an informative interview with Jostens soclal media specialist Jordan Weber with many ideas and insights on using social media for yearbooking and how to get started. Few yearbook staffs use social media, yet it could make a huge difference in your yearboooking efforts from sales to storytelling. Get ready to take notes...
2020-03-1649 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, February 2020Along with news and insights for late winter, listen to the views of Jostens Creative Accounts Manager Lizabeth Walsh, a former veteran award winning adviser and now a Jostens national workshop presenter and instructor. Grab a pad and pen for some notes on questions ranging from organization to the importance of yearbook to any school. It's a great listen for any adviser, rookie to veteran.
2020-02-1746 min
The Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, January 2020Welcome to a new calendar year! Halfway through the school year now, do you and your staff do a good job of yearbook promotion? Not just book sales but also letting your school know about all the hard work you do every single week? Do you do ANY promotion at all? Most yearbook staffs DON'T. If not, it's time to start - listen to some great views from veteran yearbook adviser Rebecca Pollard from Lovejoy HS in Texas. Her staff works all year long to tell student stories in many different ways - and you can too! Get ready...2020-01-2055 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, December 2019Let's face it - everyone has a smartphone in their pocket. How can that little item be used as part of any yearbooking effort?
Check out this episode with comments from Penn State University associate professor John Beale, also an experienced veteran photojournalist who teaches a course on smartphone usage for journalism. Pick up a bunch of tips on using your mobile device for yearbooking, along with some discussion on journalism today. Then let's go use those phones - for good!
2019-12-1647 min
The Parting Schotts PodcastStillwater girls' soccer, Arena Football, college football and reminiscing with Scott Geesey“The Parting Schotts Podcast” returns after a week off.
Host and Associate Sports Editor Ken Schott has a jam-packed show. He talks with Stillwater girls’ soccer coach Christine Ihnatolya about the team’s second straight Class C state title. Times Union Center general manager Bob Belber then joins the show to discuss the demise of the Arena Football League.
Schott previews the Capital Region college football teams that are in the playoffs. He speaks with Union coach Jeff Behrman as the team gets set for its NCAA Division III second-round game at Salisbury (Maryland). Then Gazette S...2019-11-281h 01The Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, November 2019How's your yearbook page making going? No matter where you are, listen to this episode for a LONG list of great advice and tips from Jostens ambassador and yearbook legend John Cutsinger. John has been helping yearbook staffs for decades to improve their look and design with cutting edge ideas like freeform design. Listen to see what we mean!
And John also shares nearly five decades of yearbooking wisdom for advisers from rookies to veterans. This episode runs a bit longer than others but only because John's advice on all things yearbook is thorough and outstanding.
2019-11-1855 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, October 2019It's our October 2019 episode, and get ready for some great thoughts on what should be the chief reason for making a yearbook - storytelling. Everyone at school has some story to tell, and everyone WANTS their story told.
Listen for great ideas and wisdom from Casey Nichols, recently retired as the outstanding adviser at Rocklin High School in Rocklin, CA. Now a traveling ambassador for Jostens, at Rocklin Casey always stressed good and frequent storytelling with his staff which resulted in an outstanding yearbook every year - and a happier and more understanding student body. One helps...2019-10-1654 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, September 2019In the September 2019 episode of The Yearbooking Report, hear some good ideas on staff organization with top adviser Kristen Scott from Kealing Middle School in Austin, TX. Kristen helped to write the Jostens Yearbook Adviser Guide and has one of the top middle school staffs in America, a book that rivals many high school efforts.
Listen for tips and inspiration on both organizing your staff, and that kids at ANY level can create a top notch yearbook! Yes middle schooler advisers, you can do this!
2019-09-1643 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, August 2019Welcome to a new school year! Check this our first episode of the new year with thoughts on building your new yearbook team with veteran adviser Kelly Shearer from South Williamsport HS, PA. Building a great team will mean ultimate success for your effort. Also be sure to listen for lots of other ideas and tips from Kelly, along with news on a new exciting portrait photo option slowly sweeping the country - is it right for your school?
2019-08-1846 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, May 2019To wrap up the school year, hear a great interview on the importance of student journalism with Sarah Nichols, president of the national Journalism Education Association (JEA) and one of the top yearbook advisers in the country. Sarah leads an outstanding media group at Whitney HS in Rocklin, CA where trained students do the reporting and decision making.
Hear Sarah's thoughts on good student journalism, inspiration to get there, dealing with administrators and journalism, and advice on yearbooking. It's a great way to end the current school year!
2019-05-1351 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, April 2019Welcome back! With the end of the school year approaching, your distribution day should be one of the most important days on the school calendar. But at most schools, it goes by without any fanfare. You've worked hard all year and then...nothing. Let's change that!
Listen to an interview with Maddi Hallock, adviser at Bradford Area High School, PA, on her staff's Barker Day entertainment and distribution event which is anticipated by everyone each year. Hear ideas and insights on what they do and see how YOU can do it!
And advisers, you have...2019-04-1542 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, March 2019It's March and SPRING! It's also about time for spring yearbook schools to wrap up their book work, and a popular question for them is "book's done, now what?" This month we talk with adviser Savannah Cajka of Loyalsock Township High School in Williamsport, PA on what she does with her staff once the book is completed. Last year's staff won the Jostens Yearbook Program of Excellence Award AND made the annual Jostens Look Book, a rare duo. And hear some thoughts on other yearbooking aspects, for both spring and fall yearbook schools.
2019-03-1743 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, February 2019Having trouble motivating your students to do their best work or maybe even to WORK? In the February episode of The Yearbooking Report podcast listen to veteran adviser Mitch Eden of Kirkwood HS, MO as he shares some great advice and ideas to help any adviser get the best out of their staff. EVERY journalism adviser needs to listen to this interview and episode - it's time to get the kids to WORK!
2019-02-1842 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, January 2019The January 2019 episode of The Yearbooking Report has some great discussion on yearbook promotion, something that most yearbook staffs frankly don't do all that well. We interview Ava Butzu, veteran adviser of the award winning Echo yearbook from Grand Blanc High School in Michigan. Have your note pad ready for a long list of great ideas and tips to not only sell more books and ads but also to promote the hard work that your yearbook staff performs. And see how your yearbook can boost the climate of your entire school - you can do it!
2019-01-1446 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, December 2018The December 2018 episode of The Yearbooking Report is all about yearbook production - how is a book really produced? Why have deadlines and why are they important? And you get an audio visit to the best yearbook production plant on Earth, from Jostens in Clarksville, TN. Production manager Jennifer Gee gives us the tour with lots of information and ideas for any yearbook staff.
2018-12-1746 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, November 2018We're back, and this month's interview is all about writing, one thing that most students really struggle with. Acclaimed writing instructor Bobby Hawthorne (The Radical Write) shares some fascinating insights on how writing is taught, along with some tips and ideas to change your writing game. No more inverted pyramid?
For advisers, perhaps ask your students to listen to this on their own, then report back to you on their views. You may find some new inspiration to get more students to write...
2018-11-1447 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, October 2018In this month's update we look at yearbook design, probably the toughest part of the yearbooking experience for most staffs. Need some advice? Listen to many great ideas and tips from Rick Brooks, veteran Creative Design Manager for Jostens and a 2018 recipient of the prestigious Pioneer Award from the NSPA. You CAN create a beautiful yearbook that your readers will really enjoy reading - listen in and see...
2018-10-1541 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report - September 2018Welcome back to The Yearbooking Report! No matter what new technology comes down the line, pictures will always be the key element of any yearbook. But most yearbook images are rather dull and uninspired. This month we talk to veteran photojournalist and instructor Mike McLean about taking great photos for your book - starting right now!
2018-09-1741 minThe Yearbooking Report PodcastThe Yearbooking Report, August 2018Welcome to the new Yearbooking Report podcast. I'm Scott Geesey - journalist, 20-year Jostens representative and JEA Certified Journalism Educator. I plan to have some fun once a month with great interviews and information about yearbook storytelling (what I call Yearbooking,) and this is for ANY yearbook adviser and/or staff, not just Jostens partners.
In this episode, starting the new school year - and the key is ORGANIZATION. Listen as a seven time winner of the Jostens Yearbook Program of Excellence Award shares some tips and ideas on organizing the yearbook year.
2018-08-1735 min