SchoolTube nominated Michelle Hoch the Journalism Teacher from Washington High School located in Washington, MO. I know from first hand experience that Michelle is a dedicated teacher with a passion for advancing the skills and knowledge of her journalism students. "The Blue Jay Journal" is a National Award Wining program and has Michelle to thank for their success. You are doing a great job at Washington High School, keep up the awesome work!!!

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SchoolTube: How long have you be teaching?
Michelle Hoch: I have been teaching 12 years. Two years in Warrenton, Missouri - at the middle school - and the past 10 at Washington High School in Washington, Missouri.

ST: How long have you been teaching video?
MH: I have been teaching broadcast journalism for ten years now.

ST: What subjects do you teach/have you taught?
MH: Currently, I teach English I, Introduction to Broadcast Journalism, TV/Radio Production, and Photojournalism (Yearbook). I also am the Renaissance sponsor and work with an internship program our school has with KLPW 1220 All-Talk AM. In the past at Warrenton, I did two years of Middle School Drama, too. What a trip that was!

ST: Did you always want to be a journalism teacher?
MH: I have always wanted to be an English and/or Journalism teacher. I even taught journalism (print only) at the middle school I first taught at.

ST: What is your favorite part about teaching journalism?
MH: MMy favorite part of teaching journalism are the stories. Everyone has a story, they really do, and getting to teach students how to find and tell those stories is VERY rewarding.

ST: How did the journalism program at your school start? How old is it?
MH: I am not sure how long the broadcast journalism program has been at WHS. I know it was started by our current mayor's wife, Mrs. Karen Stratmann about 25 to 30 years ago. It was the "Voice of WHS" on the local radio stations. Reel to reel tapes were the staple. The TV portion started in the mid to late 80's with the local cable access station. Can you say Beta? Beta! Lots of Beta tapes... I only know these two tidbits about the history of Blue Jay Journal TV/Radio because I have cleaned out many closets, drawers and shelves over my ten years at WHS.

ST: Why do you consider journalism a class worth offering at the K-12 level?
MH: I consider journalism courses as a must for any school. It's the only profession valued by our forefathers enough to make the first amendment. Pretty cool, eh?

ST: Do you have any advice for other video/ journalism teachers?
MH: My advice for video teachers is this: don't just do fluff. Do journalism, too. It's much more rewarding than you'd ever imagine and the lessons your students will learn from practicing pure, honest journalism will stick with them for a lifetime.

ST: Do you have memorable stories from my teaching experience?
MH: Wow. Do I ever. Too many for this, but maybe someday you guys can buy the book at Amazon or Borders.