Kay D. Phillips's Page

First Name:

Kay

Last Name:

Phillips

Hometown:

Henderson NC

School/Organization Name:

School of JOMC UNC Chapel Hill (retired)

Job Title:

Former Director, NC Scholastic Media Association

City:

Chapel Hill

State:

NC

My Story:

As a high school teacher at Vance Sr. High in Henderson, NC, I became the subject of the story for which the 1994 high school journalism study, Death by Cheeseburger, was named. After 18 years of advising the award-winning student newspaper and yearbook and helping begin the lit. mag., I was named first director of NCSMA, from which position I retired in 2002. I have received JEA's Towley, Teacher Inspiration and Pioneer awards and Medal of Merit; twice received AEJMC's Lawrence Campbell Research Award, CSPA's Paschal and Gold Key awards; and SIPA's, SPLC's and NCSMA's Distinguished Service awards. Ongoing DS awards in my name are given by NCSMA to valued supporters and by SIPA to administrators noted for their support of student journalism.

My Ideal School is a Place Where:

Students are at the top of the educational pyramid; their voices are valued through teacher and administrative respect; and the student newspaper, yearbook and other publications reflect that value.

My Religious Views:

Each person should be free to worship or not worship as he or she believes. I believe in a higher power.

My Political Views:

Generally Democratic

My Favorite Freedom:

The First Amendment. Of those six, speech being uppermost

My Personal Heroes:

Teachers who have prepared themselves with the subject knowledge and the love of students that allow them to give unstintingly every day of their excellence and caring.

My Personal Motto:

I will do my best for everyone's sake.

My Favorite Journey:

I've thoroughly enjoyed my own journey through journalism.

Recommended Reading:

The New Yorker magazine, especially the October issue on the Presidential election

Recommended Web sites:

JEA