The Yearbooking Report Podcast

As another school year winds down (YAY!,) things have a habit of just slowing down or stopping. That includes yearbook work, and it really includes doing some preparing for next year's effort and looking to improve. For our final podcast of the 2025-26 school year we talked to Tina Cleavelin, a Creative Accounts Manager for Jostens Yearbooks. A 37-year yearbook veteran, Tina gave us great advice on what to look out for, the value of attending a yearbook camp, and things for any staff to do better next year. We also tackled subjects like dealing with a death at school, what AI can and SHOULDN'T do for yearbook, the real importance of having a theme and more. Enjoy the listening!

What are some concerning topics in the yearbook world today? A lot, right? We had a great chat with yearbooking veteran Jim Jordan, Special Consultant for Walsworth Yearbooks and formerly a 35-year adviser in California. Listen to a terrific back and forth on issues like adviser stress today, why design is so difficult (and how to solve that,) how will AI figure in the yearbook future, and much more.  If you are one of the many advisers considering quitting yearbook for next year, hear Jim's advice on why you are NEEDED and how to handle stresses today. It's an hour of talk, many tips and some laughs among our yearbooking tribe - you are not alone...

Let's be honest, most yearbooks at all levels are just picture books. When it comes to yearbook writing - well, not interested. Yet yearbook writing is a crucial part of any good yearbook. Words fill in the blanks that the pictures don't tell us, and that's a LOT. We talk with award winning adviser Justin Daigle of Brighton HS in Colorado about the need for writing, why kids seem to hate it so, what writing to add, how to do it and much more. Also the Vice President of the Journalism Education Association, Justin was the National Yearbook Adviser of the Year in 2024.

When we look at good yearbooking we see a 50-50 proposition: 50% creating the book and 50% marketing and sales. Yet for most yearbook advisers it's probably more like 90-10...or less. Yet if you make an awesome yearbook but few people buy one - you've failed. What is good yearbook marketing? Why is it so important? And how can any staff really get attention for their efforts (that's marketing) that leads to sales success? For this episode we went for a company person, in this case Shaun Stapleton - he's the VP of sales and marketing for Entourage Yearbooks. Listen to our wide ranging conversation on the what, why and how for any yearbook adviser working with any company. This one is a bit long but it is filled with insights, inspiration and ideas. Never too late to get started with new efforts to promote your book and boost your sales.

Pictures will always be the #1 element of any yearbook - but what KINDS of pictures? Just random snapshots, or those that tell a story just by looking at them? From our TYR archives we went back to a great interview with Mike McLean, a professional freelance photographer and trainer from Texas who has been helping yearbook staffs for many years.  Listen as Mike goes through some basic steps to improve your photo shooting, along with in-depth information on lens usage, better lighting and more. Get some great advice for rookie photogs and also students/advisers who really want to up their picture taking game.

Advisers and staffs can't just do anything with their yearbook - some legal issues come into play. We run down the legal world and student journalism with Mike Hiestand, Sr. Legal Counsel for the Student Press Law Center in Washington, DC. What can be used from other sources? What is prior review and prior restraint? And a school got nailed for a $10,000 penalty? Yes, watch this rundown for things to try - and avoid...

Every yearbooking effort has a staff, even solo acts. Especially for student staffs, how to organize them to produce a great book every year? How to establish student leaders so advisers lower their stress without making every decision? We talked to Mike Simons of Corning-Painted Post HS in NY, one of the top advisers in the country, who shared great ideas and advice from his 20+ years at the helm. You'll be taking notes here... 

We start a new school year by looking at the state of yearbooking and student journalism in general today with a conversation with Gary Lundgren, associate director of the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) and a longtime student journalism pro. How are things right now around the country? What makes a great yearbook, any level? How to use AI as part of a modern effort? Enjoy a great conversation for any adviser...

We discuss the future of yearbooking with one of the best, former award winning adviser Ava Butzu. Now a Jostens education specialist, Ava discusses some top yearbook issues as well as what to do in the final months of the school year. And then we pull out the crystal ball to think about yearbook in the future - no book? Using Social Media. What about AI and how to use it right now and later. We dream some dreams for any level of yearbook, for rookie advisers to veterans. Great listening anytime but especially into summer break...

It's an issue that plagues too many schools today - poor climate and culture, which then leads to problems like low morale, bullying, lack of relationships and poor performance. What is climate and culture anyway? We talked with a Jostens Renaissance legend, Stand Tall Steve Bollar, who has been a leader on climate and culture for over two decades. A Renaissance Hall of Famer, Steve gets clinical in breaking down what school climate and culture really are, how to change them, how the Renaissance 6 R's formula can make that change, and other ideas to improve any school, any level. More from Steve at https://www.standtallsteve.com/. Call this MUST HEAR PODCASTING if your school is struggling with these issues. Stand Tall Steve is one of the best, a great conversation...

What's it like to start using Jostens Renaissance ideas at a school? How to get that ball rolling? What's the impact on both students and staffulty (faculty and staff) to improve a school? What are ideas to use? We talked with Principal Eric Underhill of Carl Sandburg Middle School in Alexandria, VA - his school just began using Renaissance ideas in the 2024-25 school year and it immediately made a BIG difference in the life of their building, a very diverse community. Eric gives us the full rundown, all aspects - and what about Renaissance ideas at a MIDDLE school? How has that age group (and their teachers) reacted? HINT - really well actually, listen for the full story...

Teachers and students are interested in using Jostens Renaissance ideas - but what does this look like from the superintendent level, the top office? We talked to superintendent Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder of Central Regional School District in New Jersey about that view. She's also a Jostens Renaissance Hall of Famer and the Renaissance Champion for the northeastern corner of the U.S. She's been using Renaissance ideas since her days as a special education teacher.  Proof? Got that. Ideas? Have those too. Motivation? You won't get a better story than Michelle's. Listen in and see how Jostens Renaissance can be a district wide strategy to benefit ALL students...

For any school looking to improve their climate, culture and morale, the Jostens Renaissance School of Distinction Award offers a template of activities to help meet that goal. And the Platinum School of Distinction Award is the ultimate. State College High School in State College, PA decided to make that their target for 2023-24. They nailed it and it's made a real impact on the life of their building, a large school in central PA. Students AND adults. Renaissance/PBIS leaders Jennifer Evans and Danielle Ambrosia sat down for a chat with us about their diverse school, why Renaissance, ideas they've used to reach the Platinum level and much more. They went for it and crushed it - and your school can too...

Student leadership is often overlooked at many schools. And even more at middle schools. Teaching good student leadership is something that our guest this episode has excelled at. Listen as we talk to veteran educator Christina Onuskanich from Mill Hall, PA. Christina was a 2023 Jostens Renaissance National Educator of the Year and a national leader in using the Renaissance student leadership curriculum. Her kids LOVE their student leadership class. She also talks about using Renaissance at the middle school level, those unique ages when students begin to assert themselves. Watch and note the many ideas that Christina's school has used over the last several years.

You can't discuss education today without talking about mental health, for both students and adults. It's a real issue - and Jostens Renaissance ideas can help any school to improve the situation for all involved.   We talked with educator and administrator Mark Brown from Newburg HS in Oregon about mental health in schools and how to change the game for the future. Mark is a Renaissance Champion for the U.S Northwest, and also has a personal story which motivates him to improve mental health for anyone who asks. Get some ideas and insights for your own school situation.

How's the adult leadership in your school building? Stresses on administrators and teachers have never been higher. How to really LEAD your group to success this year? Listen for insights and ideas from former administrator Dr. Darrin Peppard, also a Jostens Renaissance Hall of Famer, on how to positively affect the climate, culture and morale of any school. Also check out his website at roadtoawesome.net !

Renaissance ideas are for any school at any level - so what about elementary school? Listen to the story of Robb Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA, a school that went all in for Renaissance and it's made a huge difference for their students and staff. School facilitator Brad McCloskey gave us the full story, from getting started to the acclaim they've received from parents, the media and even the PA Secretary of Education. And Brad shares a lot of ideas that his school has used in the last couple of years - take notes and see how they can help YOUR school.

Can a large school succeed with Jostens Renaissance ideas? YES and in this episode we talk to Laura Tobias, principal at State College High School in State College, PA. Her large school began using Renaissance ideas in the summer and fall 2023 and it's already made a HUGE difference in their building while also achieving the Renaissance Platinum School of Distinction award in just one year. Listen to their story, ideas they've used, reactions and proof that a change has been made. You can do it too!

It'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 and advice on not only improving yearbook culture but school culture as well during tougher times, and how your yearbook work could also boost the entire life of your school and everyone in it. This one's a keeper because every school out there can use some of Mitch's advice to have a better year - and have FUN doing this valuable work. 

We'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. 

It'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. 

As 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 effort into one you'll enjoy next year while making your best book ever. Take plenty of notes!

For 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!

Continuing 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 even if your staff is doing fine the wisdom from Margaret is worth a listen for any adviser. Be ready to take notes from a master...

Your 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!

It'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...

Welcome 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!

Happy 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 media rookies to veterans, no matter who you work with. 

We'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, but then also offer some answers. Be ready to take notes!   Find out more about Renaissance at www.jostensrenaissance.com.

What 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 yearbooking and get some much needed inspiration from Liz. And yes, it's not too early to start planning for next year; in fact, this year's it's imperative to start NOW...

It'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!

In 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 to do it. Plus get some other ways to tell those stories beyond the pages of your book.

Now 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 for all - and a reminder that yearbooking is all about the stories...

Welcome 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 they did it - with more writing, better photos, good page design, no fear of pushing the kids, and the key to everything - STORIES. Have a pad and pen ready for tons of notes, ideas and inspiration - it's a great start to another great yearbooking year. No matter your situation, rookie or veteran, you can DO THIS!

To 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!

As 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 you are or who you work with. Did you know this is available to you?

We'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 if you agree...

As 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. 

It'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!

Whew, 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 January!

As 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!

What'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!!

In 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!

Welcome 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 and ideas for any adviser because, sure enough, schools are going remotely again. Erika did it - you can too!

Here'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 to insure that your yearbooking effort is a great one. These ideas and tips are especially for yearbook staffers and rookie advisers, but successful veteran advisers can find some useful thoughts as well. The key word here is SIMPLE - with teachers already overloaded by dealing with the COVID situation, what are some simple ideas to help make a great 2021 yearbook while juggling the other challenges brought on by the virus and health? It will mean some basic changes along the way but changes that will ultimately mean a better yearbooking effort now and then for years into the future...

It'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! 

WE 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 great new yearbook tools this year from Jostens as well!

This 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...

Welcome! 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...

Along 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.