One of the most important things about being Editor-in-Chief is making a family out of yearbook. Team building is critical to having an efficient, happy, healthy staff; which is why I take a lot of pride in having a staff that bonds well. As leader I see every day as an opportunity to give underclassmen and staffers a role model; just as other Editors-in-Chief have done for me. One of the ways that I have found to do that is to lead, not dictate. As a leader, it may seem like the easiest route is to do everything myself; but without giving others the opportunity to do things themselves, I found that it deprives them of learning. All around I find that each day brings new challenges and as a leader, I have learned to prepare and structure a class but to also embrace the spontaneous that happens each day.
Here I included some of the worksheets I created in order to run the class. Once the group finishes covering their designated week, they are to fill out the following worksheets. I found that this is a good way to keep everyone on task as well as give editors a chance to lead and guide the staffers into making new and original spreads. I also included the ladder. The spreads are on a week to week basis, each having a central focus, with mods that are used to cover the rest of the events happening that week. For me this was one of the most difficult parts of creating a yearbook. With the help of my Co-Editor-In-Chief, we were able to create a plan that covered the max amount of organizations per spread.
For me, Yearbook is not all just making the end product. It's not about the awards, or recognition for the book we make, but its about the memories I have made and the role models that have inspired me to pursue journalism as my major and career.