Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/138130
> SWETT WINNERS John Swett Awards CTA honors 19 journalists for public education coverage STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE MYSLINSKI News stories about a Fremont teacher whose efforts raised $80,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, how the governor's Proposition 30 spares school districts from dire new cuts, and student suspension controversies at a San Francisco middle school are among the works honored by CTA's 54th annual John Swett Awards for Media Excellence. "These journalists captured the successes and challenges that teachers and students experience across the state. Their insights deserve this special recognition," says CTA President Dean E. Vogel. The winners were honored at CTA's State Council of Education May 31. CTA is listing the winners in a full-page advertisement in the July/August issue of Columbia Journalism Review to give them national recognition. "It was a teacher who put me on the path to journalism," said Swett winner Richard Bammer, Vacaville Reporter, who comes from a family of teachers. "I am happy to express my gratitude for my award to a roomful of teachers." The award is named in honor of the founder of CTA, who was California's fourth superintendent of public instruction and a crusader for public education. This year's awards come as CTA celebrates its 150th anniversary. Take a look at some of the winning entries at www.cta.org/mediaawards. 24 Len Ramirez, a reporter with KPIX-TV (CBS) in San Francisco, won for his segment about lowerincome East Palo Alto students attending a free social media academy at the nearby headquarters of Facebook. Rose Aguilar, center, is honored for hosting her KALW "Your Call" talk show that often includes teachers. Nominated by United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), she stands with, from left, UESF Executive Vice President Emeritus Linda Plack; CTA Secretary-Treasurer Mikki Cichocki; CTA State Council Communications Committee Chair Lysa Sassman, and UESF Political Director Ken Tray. NEWSPAPERS: Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle; Katy Murphy, Oakland Tribune; Claudia Meléndez Salinas, Monterey County Herald; Richard Bammer, Vacaville Reporter; Heather Murtagh, San Mateo Daily Journal; Shannon Barry, Milpitas Post; Cosmo Garvin, Sacramento News and Review; Dick Sparrer, Los Gatos Weekly-Times; Los Gatos Weekly-Times. RADIO: Ana Tintocalis, KQED Public Radio; Rose Aguilar, KALW Public Radio in San Francisco. TELEVISION: Len Ramirez, KPIX-TV (CBS) in San Francisco; Lyanne Melendez, KGO-TV (ABC) in San Francisco; KXTV News 10 (ABC) in Sacramento. JOURNALS, MAGAZINES, WEBSITES: Anthony Cody, Education Week blogger; Trey Bundy, Bay Citizen in San Francisco; Lisette Mejia, Mission Local; Chelsi Moy, Mission Local; Lisa Schiff, Beyond Chron blog. California Educator June/July 2013 Educator 06 June 2013 v2.0.indd 24 6/14/13 9:30 PM