That First Year: New Advisers Reflect

The first year as a yearbook adviser can be a challenge. In the inaugural episode of Yearbook Chat with Jim, Jim Jordan hosts three yearbook advisers who just finished their first year. These advisers discuss the challenges, successes and surprises they experienced their first year. They share what they would have done different, what they’re proud of accomplishing, and give advice to fellow advisers preparing to start their first year of yearbook.

2:00 Lori Davis

Lori Davis is the yearbook adviser at Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was a teacher for 20 years before becoming the yearbook adviser. The private pre-K through 12 school, which she fondly refers to as “Latin,” has 1400 students. Their 2018 yearbook was 416 pages.

26:30 Halie Luken

Halie Luken teaches yearbook at Marmaton Valley Junior/Senior High in Moran, Kansas. This was her second year of teaching, but her first at Marmaton Valley and her first teaching yearbook. The public school has 130 students, grades 7-12, including Halie’s younger sister. Their 2018 yearbook was 112 pages.

41:00 Lindsey Valbuena

Lindsey Valbuena is the yearbook adviser at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California. She taught middle school for six years before coming to Mira Costa High School, where she taught for one year before becoming the yearbook adviser. The public high school has 2450 students. Their 2018 yearbook was 448 pages.