Nelson, CHS chosen for statewide initiative to revitalize journalism education

Special to The Canton News 

Destanie Nelson, a teacher at Canton High School, has been selected for the inaugural cohort of the Mississippi High School Journalism Project, a grant-funded initiative set to bolster journalism education in Mississippi public high schools. 

Led by The Bell and funded by Press Forward Mississippi, this new initiative will establish credit-bearing journalism classes and student newsrooms in public high schools across the state, closing a critical gap in media access and civic education.
Nelson, from Raymond, is in her first year of teaching. The English and journalism teacher at Canton High School holds a Bachelor’s of English Education from Jackson State University and is currently working on her masters degree. 

Nelson said she loves working with her students, whom she describes as creative, curious and full of potential. She explained that, through journalism, students are given a voice, and they learn that their words and ideas matter. 

“Being part of the first cohort of this initiative is a dream come true for my students and myself,” Nelson said. “It provides opportunities and resources that we wouldn’t have even known were available without it. By joining this cohort, we have found like-minded educators and students for us to interact and bounce ideas off of, which has created a more dynamic learning environment.”

While Mississippi boasts a rich literary and journalistic history, currently less than 15% of the state’s five hundred public and private high schools participate in the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association (MSPA). The Bell is moving to bridge this divide in cities from the Delta to the Coast, including Greenwood, Byhalia, Jackson, Gautier and Natchez.

“From every corner of our state, we received compelling applications from schools eager to expand student journalism,” said Taylor McGraw, executive director of The Bell. “School journalism programs provide vital platforms for student expression, prepare students for a wide range of careers and strengthen our civic infrastructure: a win-win-win for the whole state.”