Keynote Trainers for 2025
Jill Chittum, MJE
Jill Chittum, MJE
Jill Chittum, MJE
BOISE
As the only yearbook rep in the U.S. who has earned a Master Journalism Educator certification from the Journalism Education Association, Jill advised journalism, yearbook and newspaper for eight years before joining Walsworth.
Prior to becoming a journalism teacher, she worked as a photojournalist at the Wichita Eagle for five years.
BOISE
As the only yearbook rep in the U.S. who has earned a Master Journalism Educator certification from the Journalism Education Association, Jill advised journalism, yearbook and newspaper for eight years before joining Walsworth.
Prior to becoming a journalism teacher, she worked as a photojournalist at the Wichita Eagle for five years. She believes that yearbook is one of the most important classes in the school. Not only does yearbook help students hone skills like communication, teamwork, meeting deadlines, writing photography and design, but it also is the only organization in the school that captures the school’s history for years to come. Yearbooks are always the thing people go to when looking for images and information about a school community, and they will be there forever.
Makena Busch, CJE
Jill Chittum, MJE
Jill Chittum, MJE
SPOKANE
Makena Busch, CJE has taught and advised at Mead High School for the past eight years. Busch teaches digital media and graphic design, and she advises both the Pantera yearbook program and Panther’s Howl newspaper club. She is a CTE-certified teacher and is currently working on her MJE. Busch has taught at numerous NSPA-JEA Conven
SPOKANE
Makena Busch, CJE has taught and advised at Mead High School for the past eight years. Busch teaches digital media and graphic design, and she advises both the Pantera yearbook program and Panther’s Howl newspaper club. She is a CTE-certified teacher and is currently working on her MJE. Busch has taught at numerous NSPA-JEA Conventions and nationwide yearbook summer camps, spreading her passion and love of journalism to students from Washington to Florida and beyond. The Pantera has earned several state and national awards including a WJEA Emerald Award, CSPA Gold Crown, NSPA Pacemaker and Best of Show awards. JEA named Busch a Rising Star in 2019, a Special Recognition Adviser in 2021 and a Distinguished Adviser in 2023. Prior to becoming an adviser, she worked professionally as both a freelance photographer and graphic designer for Spokane/CDA Living Magazine as well as Peacock Design Solutions and Rainmaker Creative Lab.
