JOHN CUTSINGER

Yearbook Jedi

John Cutsinger is a freelance consultant after 16 years in the classroom as a yearbook, newspaper and magazine adviser and 27 years as a Jostens educational and creative manager. A JEA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner and Certified Journalism Educator, John takes great pride in his CSPA Gold Key, his NSPA Pioneer, his JEA Medal of Merit and Friend of Scholastic Journalism, his SIPA Distinguished Adviser Award, and Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Journalism Teacher of the Yeah. “It is amazing that my entire life has revolved around capturing and preserving memories that last a lifetime for millions,” he said.

ABBY COLE

Nationally Recognized Adviser

Abby Cole advises the Plano East Senior High School (Plano, Texas) yearbook, newsmagazine and online news. She critiques yearbook and newspaper publications for CSPA and NSPA. She was awarded Teacher of the Year for 2015. Abby has also taught as an adjunct professor for the University of North Texas and currently teaches visual communications as an adjunct professor for Southern New Hampshire University online. Before teaching, she enjoyed two years working in advertising and marketing in the Dallas, Texas area. She holds a Bachelor of Advertising from the University of North Texas and a Master of Journalism Education from the University of Missouri.

DEREK GOWER

Photojournalism Expert

Derek Gower has worked as a photographer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for 7-years and has been part of photojournalism education for even longer. Derek mentored under a professional photojournalist, helped military-dependent youth find their voice through photography, co-founded a wedding photography business, and currently works freelance for a variety of clients in the fields of healthcare, education, business, and advertising. Derek also teaches photography and photojournalism skills to high school students and their advisers around the country, is a co-author of Jostens’ Grow Your Know photojournalism curriculum, and has a passion and patience for working one-on-one to help students develop their skills and understanding of photography.