The Journalism Education Association presented Bronx River High School teacher Debbi Porterfield with its “Rising Star Award” for new journalism advisors at the National High School Journalism Convention in Philadelphia over the weekend. Porterfield, a special education teacher at Bronx River High School, also serves as faculty advisor to the school paper, the Bronx River News.
Press Pass NYC Founder and Director Lara Bergen praised Porterfield’s work in educating student journalists.
“Along the way, Debbi grew her program exponentially and created a true newsroom in a school that had never dreamed of having such a thing before — but which now has a monitor at the school entrance proudly displaying their news site,” Berben said in the announcement of the award.
The “Rising Star Award” recognizes educators in their first five years of journalism advising who show a commitment to educating student journalists, encouraging responsible reporting, and supporting a fully student-led publication. She is the first journalism advisor from New York City to ever win this award, according to Press Pass NYC.
Eight student journalists who staff the Bronx River News traveled to Philadelphia to attend the convention with Porterfield and over 5,000 other student journalists and educators from across the country.
Before becoming a special education teacher, Porterfield reported for both regional and national outlets. She is also an author of three books on career pathways for high school students.
The “Rising Stars” are chosen by a national panel of journalism educators who review nominations coming from students, parents, other teachers, or scholastic press associations. The panel evaluates samples of the student produced media along with letters of support detailing why their nominee is a rising star in Journalism advising. Porterfield was one of nine advisors who was honored with the “Rising Star Award” over the weekend.
