A Special Visitor

Conversation with Award-Winning Journalist

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, our Middle School students had a captivating virtual visit with Jenna Kunze, a staff reporter from Native News Online. Specializing in stories that resonate with Indigenous communities across the U.S. and Canada, Jenna engaged in a 45-minute dialogue with our students.

From probing questions like, “What challenges did you face while reporting in the northernmost part of the U.S.?” to inquiries about her most compelling stories, our students delved into the world of journalism. Jenna shared a poignant story she covered about the repatriation of a 16-year-old girl’s coffin, buried a century ago during her time at a Native American boarding school. Additionally, she recounted her experiences covering the impactful story of how Alaska Natives are adapting to environmental changes caused by climate change. This series, supported by the Pulitzer Center, paved the way for this enriching virtual visit to our school.

These virtual journalist visits serve as a dynamic avenue for our students to explore global issues with empathy, gaining insights into the function and impact of journalism.  As part of Critical Media literacy, Middle School students are learning to navigate complex news cycles, discern misinformation, and tackle information overload. They are acquiring skill sets to be empowered digital citizens.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]