Paul Revere Middle School journalism teacher Eric Wechsler entered the school’s newspaper, The Town Crier, in the National Scholastic Press Association contest last spring. Wechsler saw it as a learning experience, using the criticism and tips the paper received to improve its quality. Imagine his surprise when the paper was one of only two middle-school newspapers in the country to win a Pacemaker Award, the highest honor the paper could win. ‘I am beyond thrilled for Eric,’ said parent Polly Bamberger, whose daughter Jacklyn had Wechsler in middle school and is now editor of the Palisades High paper, the Tideline. Bamberger’s younger daughter, Caroline, is an eighth grader and current editor of The Town Crier. ‘He is as good as it gets and then some.’ Wechsler was quick to laud his students. ‘It is all about them. They’re good communicators and good at telling stories. I work with them on accuracy, structure, discipline and fairness in reporting.’ In addition to the newspaper, Wechsler teaches three seventh-grade English classes and is the yearbook advisor. This school year’s first issue, a colorful 24-page tabloid, will come off the press today at the Palisadian-Post, as the 40-member journalism class watches. Wechsler’s love of truth and accuracy in journalism goes back to when he was eight years old. ‘The Glendale News Press sent a reporter to the park to asked kids what they thought about the 1968 presidential election,’ Wechsler recalled. ‘The woman spelled my name wrong and made up my quotes to juice up the interview, saying that I wanted to stamp out spinach and paint the White House pink.’ Wechsler, who received his degree in English at UCLA and a master’s degree in journalism from USC Annenberg in 1987, worked for Daily Variety for 13 years in production. When he turned 35, he started his own company, Grapherics, which included producing advertising-based special sections for Variety. He also did custom publishing projects through Variety for charities they were linked to and seminars they sponsored. After eight years, he felt the need to do something more meaningful. ‘My friends, my mom and sisters were all teachers and encouraged me to become a teacher,’ said Wechsler, who enrolled in LAUSD’s teaching-as-a-second-profession program. He began teaching at Revere 11 years ago. ‘I got the job because I agreed to do the yearbook,’ said Wechsler, who took over as the journalism teacher three years later. ‘I believe The Town Crier gets better every year,’ Wechsler said. ‘The kids, once they understand the format, take it up a notch.’ In order to be accepted into the journalism or yearbook class, students have to write an essay about why they want to take the class. They also must supply recommendations from teachers and students. ’I make this a professional experience for them,’ Wechsler said. ‘I try to find the kids who will have a passion for this.’ All of his journalism students conduct interviews, write, edit, snap photos and work on layout. They also discuss story ideas with Wechsler’and don’t shy away from meaty issues. ‘For example, the New York Times had a story this summer about whether algebra should be required for all students,’ he said. ‘I have a couple of reporters who are speaking to our math teachers and will do their own story on the subject. Another story students are working on is ‘How much freedom should teachers have in sharing their political viewpoint with class?” On a recent Friday, the journalism class attended a press conference held by Revere’s leadership class. Before attending, Wechsler told students ‘If you watch a press conference, every reporter has his hand up.’ He also warned his class that if they felt a response was vague or the question not fully answered, they should follow up and hold the ‘politicians’ responsible. ‘This school has so many opportunities to report on,’ Wechsler told the Post. ‘The music program has won multiple awards. We have a great drama program, the farm area and our horticulture. Our sports program has won championships.’ He emphasized, ‘In journalism, kids learn the importance of deadlines. They also learn how to be a constructive member of a team. If they can learn that in middle school, they’ll be golden in life.’ The first edition, which may be viewed at paulreverems.com, will also carry a fashion page; a feature on a new after-school offering’ultimate Frisbee; profiles and pictures of student athletes; and entertainment reviews.
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