Schools

Brookfield Central Educator Wins Journalism Award

Ithaca College selects teacher Jill Cook for its Media Mentor awards.

Brookfield Central High English teacher Jill Cook is one of five teachers nationwide to be honored with Ithaca College's S'Park Media Mentor Award for her work inspiring students to media careers.

The recognition comes just months after byΒ Youth Journalism International.

Cook, a 1990 Marquette University graduate who has taught at Elmbrook School District for seven years, has been invited to an all-expenses paid trip to Ithaca College to receive the award Oct. 10.

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"As with the first award, I had no clue I was even nominated," Cook said. "These newspaper students are amazing!

"I am truly humbled. What an honor to know they appreciate my hard work and recognize my passion for writing," she added.

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Cook has advised Central's student newspaper Tyro since 2006. She has taught many English courses at Brookfield Central, including journalism; Advanced Placement English: language and composition; literature studies; Honors 9 English; and research and composition.Β 

Diane Gayeski, dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College, wrote in a letter to Cook that the college was impressed with the Youth International Award and the awards won by Tyro contributors in student newspaper contests.

Ithaca College created the award last year, recognizing high school teachers in California, Connecticut, Oklahoma and Texas.

Cook said if she does travel to New York, she will try to visit former Tyro editors attending Cornell University.


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