Frank Vanderslice
KENNETT SQUARE — Frank Vanderslice, a member of the Business and Technology Department at Kennett High School, was recently selected to be a participant as a fellow at the University of Missouri’s Reynolds School of Journalism.
Each year 35 high school teachers from around the country travel to the Reynolds Journalism Institute for the ASNE Reynolds High School Journalism Institute. The two-week workshop, beginning July 13, teaches the core tenets of journalism and the skills needed to produce a top-notch publication or broadcast. The workshop, provided free for teachers and schools, is funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and is administered by the American Society of News Editors.
Key topics of study at the Institute include multimedia reporting, writing, editing, photojournalism, online and digital posting, layout and design, opinion pages, journalism credibility, ethics and responsibilities, the future of journalism and business-side skills.
The two main objectives of the Institute are to enable teachers to help students start or improve a student newspaper online and/or on paper and to enhance the teaching of journalism and the understanding of First Amendment. The Institute believes that a free and vital press is a cornerstone of democracy. Independent student journalism that practices high standards informs and engages the entire school community. Critical thinking, writing, citizenship and media literacy skills are developed, along with a sense of responsibility and caring.
The Reynolds Institute pays for continuing education credits, program and study materials, airfare travel to/from the Institute, housing and meals, a journalism reference library, and memberships to the Student Press Law Center, Journalism Education Association, and state/regional scholastic press group.
“There is no cost for me as a participant or for the school district,” Vanderslice said. “I hope to utilize these new skills and incorporate them into my curriculum this fall.”
Frank Vanderslice joined Kennett High School’s faculty nearly a decade ago after many years of teaching in Delaware. In addition to teaching various levels of Video Production, Mr. Vanderslice works with more advanced students in Film Production. He is the adviser for K-TV, the school’s daily television programming station, as well as for the Senior Video.
He has previously been awarded a Kennett Education Foundation Grant, sponsored by Exelon, through which he funded the development of the film production classes and which he renewed in order to continue to build partnerships with professional groups across the nation. Students from both video and film production classes earn local and regional awards annually for work produced in Mr. Vanderslice’s classes and with the help of his expertise and encouragement. Several former students are now employed in the video, television, and film production.
