Teachers’ plates are full. In fact, they’re overflowing at times, especially when they advise the yearbook. From writing lesson plans to learning new technology, it often seems that a teacher’s job is never done.
Starting early, well before school begins at the end of the summer is the way to survive challenges and meet deadlines.
As you begin your yearbook advising journey, meet your students as soon as possible after the spring semester ends.
Attending a summer workshop, with or without your staff, will help you grasp the knowledge that you need to become a successful adviser. Summer workshops are available online with sessions recorded for those who could not attend at the time they were presented. Lifetouch yearbook account managers and other resources are also available to assist advisers.
An early start in summer will save hours of work in the fall after school opens. In summer, advisers and editors can brainstorm for theme ideas and meet with artists to create their cover, endsheets (if applicable) and the overall look of their yearbook. If the staff is available to contribute to that discussion, you may want to involve those students.
Advisers and editors can host summer staff meetings to assign ad sales, develop story ideas and cover summer activities to include in the book. A head-start benefits the entire staff, especially advisers.
The calendar on pages 3-25 is meant to inspire and guide yearbook advisers and editors. Although it may not adhere to every school’s schedule, it will provide direction on tasks and duties necessary to finish your yearbook on time. The calendar is based on spring-delivered books. Staffs producing summer and fall-delivered books should adjust the calendar to fit their deadline schedules.