Why Teaching Journalism is like Playing Roller Derby

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Video by Paul D. Piche

Roller derby is fast paced, action packed, and hard hitting.  If this doesn’t sound like the life of a journalism teacher, you may not be part of the pack. 

As I began my roller derby journey in March of 2014 I found myself going into it with misguided perceptions.  Kinda like that time I jumped right in to take over a failing Yearbook program.

I remember learning that I would need to progress through 8-week cycles, in which I would have to pass a series of assessments, in order to be placed on a team.  We are $10, 000 in debt...no problem.

Awesome!…I thought as I carefully mapped out that I should be suited up and ready to go in 24 weeks time.  Just in time for a new school year to begin.

Not exactly how the story played out.

Here we are 14 months later and I am still skating for my life. Coincidentally, so are my added journalism programs.

I am in the final phase of the cycles and seeing a glimpse of light in the longest tunnel of my life.  Am I really teaching Yearbook, Newspaper, and Broadcasting all in the same class period?

My derby journey has taught me more than I ever expected about drive, determination, and mental strength. I have experienced this first hand in growing and sustaining my programs.

Sound familiar?

As journalism teachers we are in constant game play with students, staff, admin, state agencies, and most of all ourselves.  All too often we become our worst enemy. 

We are constantly being blocked by our own self-doubt and struggle to break through the pack to make it to the next jam. 

What if we don’t make the deadline?

Will admin censor this story?

Will I have the numbers for my classes to make next year?

Will this publication be award winning?

Without a doubt…

It takes drive, determination, and mental strength to fight to the finish. 

By taking the time to immerse ourselves in cutting edge journalism content and connecting with other educators in their journalism journeys we can form a pack in order to play both defense and offense to the obstacles in our way.   Strategic game play and practice will catapult our programs to the top.

As journalism educator’s, just like roller derby athlete’s, we must prepare ourselves for the big game in order to be victorious in this face paced, action packed, hard-hitting, profession we have been so privileged to experience.

I will continue on the seemingly never ending journey Likah RWKSTR, so that I may make a difference in the lives of those around me, like those that have shaped me into the individual I am today both on and off the track.

Photo Credit Heather Eaton

Heather Eaton
La Joya Community High School
Avondale, AZ