NSPA recognizes 5 advisers and 2 consultants in Pioneer 2024 class

NSPA is proud to recognize seven recipients for this year’s Pioneer class. The Pioneer is the highest award NSPA presents to journalism educators. 

Pioneers are individuals who make substantial contributions to high school publications and journalism programs. Judy Allen, Michelle Coro, Sandra Coyer, Justin Daigle, Heather Nagel, Jed Palmer and Mike Taylor are this year’s honorees.

“This year’s class is extraordinary,” Laura Widmer, executive director, said. “The years of commitment to high school publications spans 46 years. These Pioneers have committed themselves and their staffs to journalism excellence. We are honored to be able to recognize their contributions to scholastic journalism and give them this award.”

The Pioneers will be honored at either the fall conference in Philadelphia Nov. 9 or the spring conference in Seattle April 26.

NSPA maintains a composite plaque of Pioneers and displays it at its headquarters in Minneapolis. Previous Pioneer winners and NSPA board members nominate candidates. 

Please join us at the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention Nov. 7-10, 2024, at the Philadelphia Marriott.

The convention offers hundreds of instructional sessions, keynote speakers from national newsmakers, dozens of media critiques, JEA’s popular on-site media contests and the announcement of NSPA national winners for Pacemaker Awards and Individual Awards. NSPA also offers a convention Best of Show competition that celebrates current student media work.

Judy Allen

“My first teaching job was at Western Oaks Junior High in Bethany, Oklahoma. when a great teacher left on maternity leave,” Judy Allen said. “I took over in October 1978. Thank goodness the theme was finalized, and the cover was in production . . . I had a great deal to learn, and my editors were incredibly patient teachers.  I also inherited a tradition of taking staffs to the Oklahoma Scholastic Press Association’s Summer Workshop for training with Jim Paschal, Col. Savedge, John Cutsinger, Judi Coolidge and Pat Clark (aka the Polish Princess).”

Those summer workshops in Oklahoma is where Allen learned from the best of the best in scholastic yearbooks. After WOJH, Allen was selected to be the adviser at Highland Park High School in Dallas. She immediately turned the program around.

In her nomination letter Judi Coolidge wrote, “Judy has dedicated and devoted not just her career, but also her life to the advancement of scholastic journalism in a host of roles successfully taking on countless challenging responsibilities. As an adviser of both junior high school and high school publications, Judy led her staffs to top state and national award winners setting a high bar for all student journalism. What ‘her kids’ experienced was a role model who exemplified excellence in both her professional and personal lives.”

Matthew LaPorte said after he had been “volun-told” that he would be advising the yearbook, Allen showed up with camera in tow to give him the lowdown on everything he would be doing as a yearbook adviser. He nominated Allen because she helped him to be a better yearbook adviser. 

Coolidge added, “To this day, her audiences engage with her because the students know she’s genuine, she cares, but most importantly, she shows up. Above all, Judy is generous, a selfless person who gives her time and energy and shares her creativity and knowledge.”

Allen said, despite the transition from classroom teacher to yearbook representative, she never abandoned her commitment to the standards of scholastic journalism. The importance of creating an honest, memorable record of the school year, both visually and verbally, has always been a foundational philosophy and driving passion of Allen’s. She said, it’s always been about truth in reporting.”

Michelle Coro

Michelle Coro has been a journalism influencer inside and outside of the classroom for more than three decades. 

Her influence to cultivate future journalists and content creators extends into numerous regional and national summer journalism camps, including serving as the director of the prestigious Cronkite Summer Journalism Institute at Arizona State Univeristy, the PBS Student Reporting Labs and Stanford’s Newsroom By the Bay.

In her nomination letter, Kathryn Campbell said, “I met Michelle when I joined the NSPA Board, during her tenure at Desert Vista High School, and, as a fellow ‘all the things’ adviser, I admired Michelle’s ability to offer newspaper, yearbook, broadcast, photography and website through the Desert Vista Thunder Media group while also balancing a number of volunteer gigs.

Michelle brings energy ‘on deadline with a smile’ and shines as she offers students the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. Multimedia curriculum development is a particular gift; she has an inventive spirit. Michelle’s ability to work and rework pedagogy to meet students where they are is only paralleled by an ethics barometer that inspires students to make a positive impact on the communities where they report.”

“Student media advising is part of my DNA,” Coro said. “It’s not just about teaching the craft, but about empowering students to tell their stories and understand the impact they can have.”

This passion has been a cornerstone of Coro’s career, inspiring countless students to pursue journalism and media or apply the versatile skills to success in other professions.

Michelle’s leadership and dedication have been recognized with multiple honors, including being named Arizona Journalism Teacher of the Year and receiving the Journalism Education Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. 

She has served on the boards of the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association, in addition to being AIPA President. As a relentless advocate of scholastic journalism, Coro has built a career that stands as a testament to her unwavering, passionate commitment to student success and empowering young media.

Sandra Coyer

Sandra Coyer, MJE, is the director of student media at Puyallup High School. She has been advising media for more than 25 years, currently advising the Viking Vanguard newspaper, Vanguard online website, The Viking yearbook  and Vanguard News Network along with co-advising the literary magazine. Her students consistently produce content through their various mediums, including podcasting and social media. They also consistently place in National Student Media Contests and several have gone on to work in the industry.

In her nomination letter, Kathy Schrier said, “Of the incredible advisers I’ve known in my years with the Washington Journalism Education Association, one truly stands out as meeting the criteria for the Pioneer Award. I’m proud to nominate Sandra Coyer, MJE, for this prestigious honor.”

Coyer is currently on the Board of Directors with the Journalism Education Association as a director-at-large. She has served on the Washington Journalism Education Association in various positions, including two terms as president. She was the 2024 CSPA Special Recognition Journalism Teacher of the Year, the 2023 JEA Special Recognition Broadcast Teacher of the Year and a 2018 JEA Medal of Merit recipient. At the state level, Coyer helped to begin the WJEA Emerald & Critique service, which she continues coordinating each year.

“Being a media adviser the past 26 years has defined who I am as a professional and afforded me lifelong friendships that push me to be better in every facet of my life,” Coyer said. “I can’t imagine teaching without advising, which I tried to do 20 years ago and came running back as quickly as possible. I firmly believe that teaching was what I was meant to do and that advising media was an added benefit to a career I love.” 

Schrier added, “She is an outspoken advocate for the importance of journalism in our schools. She demonstrates it daily in her work with students and with her many acts of volunteerism locally and nationally to strengthen the impact of scholastic journalism in schools and society.”

Justin Daigle

Justin Daigle, MJE, advises the Reflections yearbook at Brighton High School in Colorado. Over 19 years, his students’ publications have earned state and national awards including CSPA Silver and Gold Crowns, NSPA Pacemakers, and Best of Show trophies. Daigle has received CSPA Gold Key (2024), CSPA Distinguished Adviser of the Year (2024), CSMA Adviser of the Year (2009), JEA Rising Star (2010), Special Recognition (2014) and Distinguished (2016) Yearbook Adviser of the Year, and Medal of Merit (2022).

In her nomination letter Debra Klevens said, “Like many previous Pioneer honorees, Justin understands that the lessons on journalistic fundamentals are just the beginning of a meaningful experience for his staff members. Justin’s 20 years of advising have positively impacted his students as they also master life skills they’ll take well beyond the halls of Brighton High School. His lessons are woven deep within the skills he teaches daily and he supports students using their time with the Reflections staff to hone them to a degree impossible in other academic areas.”

“My colleagues, friends and family used to think I was crazy,” Daigle said. “They would ask why I spend my evenings and weekends and summers working on all-things journalism when not working on my other teaching preps or taking some time off. Over the years, they have started to understand. They have seen me find my home in a job that speaks to my passions, my heart and my belief that this is how I contribute to my little corner of the world. It might sound like a peculiar calling, but it makes sense to me.”

In her nomination letter, Meghan Percival said, “Justin Daigle is a scholastic journalism educator whose selfless service to the journalism community and his students is richly deserving of recognition. Justin demonstrates a passion and enthusiasm for scholastic journalism and a true commitment to improving journalism education beyond his classroom. Justin attends national and regional workshops to improve his skills as a journalism educator and encourages his students to take advantage of similar opportunities. Justin also shares his expertise by

presenting sessions at a number of different workshops.”

Mary Kay Downes added, in his nearly 20 years as an adviser, he first learned the intricacies of creating a solid yearbook, then challenged his staffs to set increasing more ambitious goals. He began actively participating early on and simply never stopped giving back to the organizations that helped him along the way.

“Justin Daigle is the real deal; he’s genuine, generous to a fault and most gracious,” Downes said. “He is more than worthy to be named an NSPA Pioneer.”

Heather Nagel

Heather Nagel, CJE, has advised the Lion’s Roar Yearbook at Christ Presbyterian Academy since 2004 and has served as the Tennessee State Director for Journalism Education Association since 2010. As well, Nagel has been a part of NSPA/JEA Conventions in Nashville, being the chair in 2020, future chair in 2025 and a committee member in 2004. At Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nagel is the chair for the Visual Media and Publication Center, part of her school’s Institute for Cultural Engagement. Nagel has advised the Illumine literary magazine since 2022, and it has been a Pacemaker finalist, a CSPA Crown winner and recognized in NSPA’s Best of Show. 

In her nomination letter, Ann Akers said, “A talented writer/designer/photographer who is generous with her time, knowledge and passion, Heather Nagel creates unprecedented opportunities for her students and shares with staffs from coast to coast. She’s a respected  leader who worked hard to learn alongside her students in the early years and

has made a difference by helping others do the same ever since. To me, that makes her a great candidate for NSPA’s Pioneer Award.”

Carrier Faust said, “On the scholastic journalism speaking circuit, I meet a lot of advisers and their kids each year. While each group is great in their own way, Heather Nagel and her kids from Christ Presbyterian Academy are extraordinary examples of everything that is so special about student media.

Many years ago, Heather and I first met in passing at various JEA conventions. While we didn’t know each other well back then, I was always so impressed by her absolute generosity of resources and spirit, and overwhelmed by the genuine kindness and dedication shown by her students. The thing is, there is no better calling card for an adviser than who her kids are. And Heather’s kids are one in a million.”

Nagel received the JEA Distinguished Adviser honor in 2019, the JEA Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser honor in 2012 and was Tennessee High School Press Association’s Bonnie Hufford Outstanding Adviser in 2012. She also received Journalism Education Association’s Medal of Merit in 2022. Since 2010, Heather has taught and consulted at yearbook camps from coast to coast, and she’s a presenter at national and state conventions. In addition, Nagel has critiqued publications for NSPA and CSPA since 2009 and has done on-site critiques at conventions since 2011. Nagel served on the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications Panel for high school journalism in 2014, and she participated in JEA’s Partner Project at Kingsbury High School in 2019.

Jed Palmer

Jed Palmer advised middle school journalism programs for 22 years. He spent 19 years at Sierra Middle School and three years at Ranch View Middle School. He said he started working with the yearbook program at Sierra during the 2002-2003 school year because the adviser at the time was struggling with the technology side of production. He was a computer teacher and had a background in student journalism. His “temporary” help with the Sierra yearbook turned into a new class assignment in the 2003-04 school year when he became the official adviser. 

He had about 20 students on staff. Over the next several years, he built the program to include a broadcast program, a print newspaper/newsmagazine, an online news source, a literary magazine and a yearbook staff of 65-90 kids, depending on the year.

The Eagle Eye View yearbook went on to earn numerous state and national awards. The book was named to the NSPA Hall of Fame and the Pacemaker 100 list. The Sierra book was the first middle school yearbook to be named to the Colorado Student Media Association Hall of Fame.

In his nomination letter Mike Simons said, “I think it’s Jed’s experiences mentoring young student journalists in his classroom, where he has also advised broadcast and online news and taught photojournalism for two decades, that have made him a much sought-after instructor, critiquer, judge and contributor at camps and workshops nationwide. Jed is a gifted educator, able to break down complex theory and mechanics of photography for novice audiences of all ages — middle and high school students and advisers new to photojournalism alike.”

Palmer writes, “I have always tried to advise my students with a few things in mind. First, and most importantly, the publications are created by the students. I had a great opportunity in college to use my voice through the newspaper, and I saw that my words had an impact. I always focused on making sure that all my students had a voice in our publications. Second, I am a firm believer that we should strive for excellence in our publications. It was a belief in the staff room that doing journalism the right way was hard, but always worth the work. The reward was in knowing that we could say for the rest of time that we did the best publication that we could do. The accolades would take care of themselves if we did the work. The awards were never the goal. Third, I have always had a belief that middle school students could do journalism at the same quality and meet the same benchmarks, as any high school student. When given the right framework and the right foundation, my kids could create incredible publications that were expressive, honest and timeless.”

Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor, CJE, is a Journalism Specialist/Key Accounts Manager with Walsworth Yearbooks. He taught yearbook, newspaper and television production at Lecanto High School, Lecanto, Florida, for 13 years, where his publications staffs won numerous awards. Taylor has been awarded the JEA Medal of Merit, CSPA Gold Key and Florida Scholastic Press Association Gold Medallion. As a well-known instructor at workshops and conventions across the country, he has consulted with countless yearbook staffs to help them realize their potential in creating journalistic yearbooks.

In her nomination letter Becky Tate wrote, “No matter the yearbook company he’s working for – Mike is still the man my students turn to. They know he will work to find the magic they need to create the best book for our school. And amazingly he doesn’t just do this for our school. Hundreds of students across the country count on Mike to be their educator, cheerleader, honest critiquer and friend. I’d bet there are thousands of teachers who feel the same way.

Mike is the embodiment of a true mentor. His enthusiasm for journalism is contagious, inspiring both seasoned advisers and students who are just beginning their journey. He approaches every interaction with a positive, can-do attitude that motivates others to strive for excellence. Whether he is leading a workshop or providing one-on-one guidance, Mike’s passion for journalism shines through, making even the most challenging tasks seem achievable and exciting.”

Jim Jordan wrote, “It’s hard to imagine that Mike Taylor does not already have a National Scholastic Press Association Pioneer Award. He may work for a yearbook company, but what he does in the world of scholastic journalism goes far beyond the parameters of his job at Walsworth. Mike lives, breathes, loves all things yearbook and he will do any and everything to help any adviser, staffer or administrator succeed. He’s fun, funny, always up; he lights up any room he enters. He has a presence that is unmatchable. After you have been with Mike, you will without a doubt love yearbook more.”

Taylor gets his energy and creativity working with students either in a workshop or classroom environment. 

“I love working with teachers and students,” Taylor said. “There is nothing more fun, than to see light bulbs going off when they latch on to their own creativity.”