Rock Canyon High School journalism adviser Kristi Rathbun was recognized Monday as a 2020 Pioneer Award recipient from the National Scholastic Press Association. Four advisers were selected for the annual award, NSPA’s highest honor for journalism educators.
“This year’s class of Pioneers are veteran advisers who have made a notable difference,” executive director Laura Widmer said in the online announcement. “They are educators who go above and beyond in the classroom and newsroom. They are not only great teachers, but also are amazing student media advisers.”
Rathbun advises student media at Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, including the newsmagazine, yearbook and online site. Her staffs have won state and national recognition, including All-Colorado Awards, CSPA Crowns and NSPA Pacemakers.
“I was surprised and honored when I found out about the Pioneer,” Rathbun said. “There are so many advisers who I’ve learned from—they have inspired me throughout my advising and they continue to do so as well. I’m thankful for the connections advising provides too; there’s a giant family that exists through student media. We get to see each other at workshops and conventions and swap stories, celebrations and challenges. This community is one way to ensure lifelong learning from and with each other.”
The veteran adviser has served on the Colorado Student Media Association board since 1998 and is currently the vice president. Rathbun has been honored with numerous awards, including the JEA Medal of Merit in 2007 and a 2016 CSPA Gold Key. She was named CSMA Adviser of the Year in 2012 and a JEA Distinguished Adviser in 2014. She’s spent 25 years helping media students and advisers build successful programs in multiple media platforms around the country. Rathbun credits the student journalists over the years for playing an influential role in receiving this national award.
“They’ve allowed me to push them to create and communicate,” Rathbun said. “There is pure joy in seeing them learn and produce such meaningful products for their schools and communities. It’s fun seeing all they do after high school too.”
NSPA plans on honoring the four recipients in person at a later date. The candidates were nominated by previous winners and NSPA board members.