Member advisers will elect five positions to MIPA’s executive board: secretary, treasurer, second vice president and two trustees. Candidates for these officers were nominated at the MIPA annual meeting on April 17.
Elections will take place via email ballot. Ballots are being emailed to current members on April 19. Please contact the MIPA office if you have questions about your ballot or do not receive one.
Candidates were asked to respond to a questionnaire. Their answers are below. Responses to questions about work experience, educator and honors were edited by MIPA’s director for format and length. You can learn more about these offices by reading MIPA’s bylaws.
Secretary
MIPA’s secretary serves a two-year term.
Cody Harrell
East Lansing High School
- Years at current school: 5
- Years as a teacher: 5
- Student media programs advised: Ceniad Yearbook, Portrait Newspaper
- Current MIPA office, if any: Trustee
- Previous MIPA experience: MIPA judge (2013-present); MIPA fall speaker (2016-present); MIPA summer camp assistant teacher (2017-18); MIPA summer camp floor counselor and activity assistant (2012-2016); MIPA camp teacher (2019); MIPA board trustee 2019-present;
- Past work experience: MSU School of Journalism office assistant (2013-16); Haslett High School student teacher adviser (2016-17); Lansing Lugnuts press box (2016-present); David Crumm Media copy editor (2015-present)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Michigan State University; Certified in Journalism (BX) and English (BA)
- Honors, awards & activities: JEA Rising Star (2020); Certified Journalism Educator, CJE (2019-present); Jostens LookBook Selection (2020, 2021); Spartan Award winner (2019); Outstanding Senior, Michigan State University School of Journalism, 2015; Mary Gardner Scholar, Michigan State University School of Journalism 2015 Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar, 2015; Woodrow Wilson Sr. and Lily B. Wilson Endowed Scholarship in Education recipient, 2015; Winthrop Faulkner Scholarship for Journalism Educators recipient, 2014 & 2015; Journalism Education Association Future Teacher Scholarship recipient, 2014
- Why I’m seeking this office: I have been a MIPA member for 13 years as of the 2021-2022 school year, and every year has contributed more to my personal and professional life than nearly any other organization I have ever been a part of. I’m seeking this office to be in a position to directly give back to the organization that has given me so much in those 13 years. Much of my first two years was spent pivoting and working toward advancing MIPA through the pandemic — I hope that a second term would allow me to help continue work on building membership and spreading the gospel of MIPA to all journalism teachers. Additionally, I hope to help provide more opportunities to journalism and English educators to advance their content knowledge in advising all styles of journalistic publications. I have a soft spot in my heart for those who want to take up the mantle of being an adviser — I want them to feel supported and like their teaching makes a difference.
- Here’s something else I’d like MIPA members to know about me: I am an avid barbershop quartetter, and I have a weirdly extensive list of vegetarian recipes for anyone ever looking for a good weeknight dinner!
Treasurer
MIPA’s secretary serves a two-year term.
Cammie Hall
H.H. Dow High School, Midland
- Years at current school: 13
- Years as a teacher: 15
- Student media programs advised: Update, Update Online, The Charger (yearbook), Bolt Media, Fragments (literary magazine)
- Current MIPA office, if any: None
- Previous MIPA experience: Judged for MIPA individual contest; Taught Writing and Packaging the News at MIPA Summer Workshop
- Past work experience: Long-term substitute business teacher, yearbook adviser Alma High School; Long-term substitute English teacher at Franklin Center; Long-term substitute English teacher at Sacred Heart Academy
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in business education, English, Central Michigan University; Master’s degree in journalism, Michigan State University; Master’s degree in educational technology, Central Michigan University,
- Honors, awards & activities: National Society of High School Scholars Educator of Distinction
- Why I’m seeking this office: MIPA has always been a support system for me as an adviser. For years, I have benefitted from the work of board members and now is the time for me to give back by serving on the board. I started by advising a print newspaper and yearbook. After nearly 13 years, we have added a news website, social media platforms, literary magazine, and a broadcast program at our school. I hope to be able to use my experiences to be able to help and assist other members who, like me, need a group of individuals that collectively support them on their journey as an adviser.
- Here’s something else I’d like MIPA members to know about me: No response
Second Vice President
MIPA’s second vice president serves a two-year term.
Heather Caid
Lakeshore High School, Stevensville
- Years at current school: 5
- Years as a teacher: 18
- Student media programs advised: Driftwood Yearbook
- Current MIPA office, if any: Second Vice President
- Previous MIPA experience: I have volunteered for MIPA Judging Day, and I also helped with MIPA camp this past summer. This past year, I filled a vacancy for second vice president.
- Past work experience: I began my teaching career at River Valley High School, a very small, rural school. I taught English and advised yearbook there for 13 years, slowly rebuilding the yearbook program. For the past five years I have been an English teacher at Lakeshore High School, where I am also the yearbook adviser.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in English for secondary education Grand Valley State University; Master’s degree incurriculum, assessment and instruction, Grand Valley State University
- Honors, awards & activities: No response
- Why I’m seeking this office: When I look back at every great new idea or lesson that I have implemented over the past few years with my yearbook staff, the credit goes to MIPA and all of its amazing advisers. In my professional life whenever I have wanted to improve, I have sought out and surrounded myself with educators whom I admire and aspire to be like. But since I have always been the only student media adviser in my building, I have often felt alone in my struggles — that is, until I found MIPA. Last year when an opportunity arose to join the board I decided to go for it, even though I was insecure about my lack of knowledge and experience. However, I knew I needed to put myself out there in order to continue to grow professionally. MIPA is essentially my only contact with other student media advisers, and I have found it to be my greatest source of inspiration. I am seeking this MIPA office to give back to MIPA, but also to continue to be surrounded by innovative, inspirational educators.
- Here’s something else I’d like MIPA members to know about me: I have three children (ages 6, 10 and 12) who keep me quite busy, as well as two cats plus a puppy we rescued this summer.
Trustees
Trustees serve a two-year term and two positions are available.
Marnie Hade
Northwest High School, Jackson
- Years at current school: 26
- Years as a teacher: 26
- Student media programs advised: Northwest Retrospective (Yearbook); Mountie Nation Station (Broadcasting)
- Current MIPA office, if any: None
- Previous MIPA experience: I started my MIPA journey as a high school student in the late 1980s and rejoined the MIPA family when I was offered the opportunity to advise the Yearbook at Northwest High School in 2001. I have attended classes and workshops for years. I have judged both Yearbook and Broadcasting/Video competitions for several years as well.
- Past work experience: Northwest High School, Jackson, Michigan; English and Communication Arts Teacher (January 1996 – Present): Utilization of a variety of educational tools and instructional formats in order to tap into all learning styles through educational and entertaining lessons. Continuous dedication of energies within our classroom to creating a warm and inviting environment. Responsible for creation and implementation of curriculum for American Literature, Literature and Composition 9, Literature and Composition 10, English Workshop classes, Senior Transitions, Yearbook, Senior Forum, Speech, Digital Media/Photography, Broadcasting (both Introductory and Advanced courses), and English Summer and Night School Programs. Establishment of an ongoing and active role within my school and larger community by; establishing community’s Homecoming Parade, planning and executing disaster relief trips and leadership retreats, dedicating incalculable hours to many advising positions, founding several new organizations for both staff and student populations, implementing school and district-wide service activities, and devoting countless hours working with parent and community groups before, during, and after school; College Access Center, Jackson, Michigan, Advisor (February 2010 – December 2012): Providing leadership in determining needs of the community related to postsecondary access. Offering career, educational, and financial aid information. Performing advising services including; academic support, group presentations, technical assistance with applications, and parent educational workshops. Organizing and participating in community outreach activities for students and adults. Assisting in the overall operation and support of the Legacy Scholarship Program mission and strategic objectives. Began as volunteer in 2007.
- Education: Additional Teaching Certification in Journalism, Michigan State University; Teaching Certification in English with minor in sociology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo; Michigan Professional Certification: Grades 7-12 (English and Sociology); Bachelor’s degree in communication with minor in sociology, St. Norbert College, DePere, Wisconsin
- Honors, awards & activities: Honors and awards — Jackson County Teacher of the Year (2019-20); Jackson Area Top Five Teacher (two times – 2014, 2017); Junior Achievement Teacher of the Year; Golden Pen Nominee (Michigan Interscholastic Press Association); Walsworth Publishing (National Yearbook Publisher) Idea File Magazine Advisory Board; U.S. Education Television Broadcasting Featured Teacher; Heart of a Lion Lion’s Club Award; American Red Cross Tri-County Educator of the Year; 2011 Jackson County Distinguished Citizen Award; Multiple Service Commendations for Disaster Relief Efforts from Michigan’s Governors and several state Senators and Representatives; Northwest School District Mountie Spirit Award; Northwest School District One Candle Award; Community Action Agency Volunteer of the Year; Nominated by Students and Peers for Disney Creative Teaching Award, Multiple Years Nominated by Students for Member of Who’s Who in American Teachers, Multiple Years Local and State Recognized; Volunteer Tutor through Community Action Agency program; Honored with Staff Appreciation Award by School Administration, Multiple Times. Activities — Yearbook Adviser; Broadcasting Program Adviser; School District’s Service Coordinator; GIVE HOPE Disaster Relief Trip Founder and Coordinator; Be More Kind Club Co-Advisor; Quill and Scroll Co-Advisor; Spring MACRAO College Fair Coordinator (Countywide Event); Daddy Daughter Dance Coordinator (since its inception in 2001); Adopt a Family Coordinator; Hunger Bowl Creator; Jackson College Access Center Volunteer; Student Government Adviser; Social Leadership Program Adviser; Class of 1998 and Class of 2002 Adviser; Trained as Experiential Education Facilitator
- Why I’m seeking this office: I feel like it’s time for me to spend more time giving back to MIPA since it has given so much to my students and I over the years. I found understanding peers in high school, discovered mentors as a new adviser, found fellowship with other Communication Arts teachers throughout the years, and during the pandemic in particular, I found myself leaning even more on peers who understood the potential struggles and triumphs of a “singleton” teacher of a unique program.
- Here’s something else I’d like MIPA members to know about me: I grew up in the U.P. and feel really lucky that I had a high school Yearbook/Newspaper/Literary Magazine adviser who chose to engage in MIPA and instill its importance and opportunities in me.
Jennifer Williamson
West Bloomfield High School
- Years at current school: 7
- Years as a teacher: 13
- Student media programs advised: Spectrum (Newsmagazine), Laker Update (Broadcast)
- Current MIPA office, if any: None
- Previous MIPA experience: Contest judge; Volunteer classroom assistant at the 2020 MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop
- Past work experience: Genesee Area Skill Center, WXYZ, WKBD/WWJ, WEYI
- Education: Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts; Bachelor’s degree in English Education, Wayne State University; Master’s degree in communication – film studies, Wayne State University
- Honors, awards & activities: Secretary on DAFT board (Digital Arts, Film & Television)
- Why I’m seeking this office: I am very appreciative of everything that MIPA offers and I have utilized so much from the organization over my time as a teacher. I would like to learn more and be able to give back.
- Here’s something else I’d like MIPA members to know about: I am married and have two school aged children. I love extra large dogs and currently have an old Newfie. I enjoy triathlons even though I’m usually last.