Katie
MORENO
My journalism journey began in 8th grade, when I joined the yearbook staff on a whim. Little did I know just how much that decision would affect my life. I continued yearbook through high school, and found my way back into the classroom (but this time, as a teacher) after I graduated college and realized I wasn’t built for the cubicle life that my corporate marketing job offered.
I was a high school journalism adviser for 6 years in Katy, Texas and (with the help of some of the best kids on the planet) built an award-winning journalism program from the ground up.
Back in 2017, I found that advisers were happy to share resources, but there was a need for a central hub to host these resources with a permanent link. So, I created Organized Adviser to host shared files… but it has grown into so much more.
Today, we equip advisers with the tools they need to confidently build thriving journalism programs through creating highly-interactive and hands-on learning experiences.
Some fun stuff about me – I am a certified scuba diver, solid Enneagram 7, collect pins from every city I visit, and drink waaaay too much iced coffee.
SHORT VERSION
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
University of Houston
B.S. in Digital Media
Teaching Certification
Journalism 8-12, Texas
JEA Certified Journalism Educator (MJE)
CJE since 2018, MJE since 2022
JEA Critique Training
Completed 2019
Adobe InDesign Certified Professional
recognition
2018, Rising Star Award
Journalism Education Association
2018, Pathfinder Award
Texas Association of Journalism Educators
2016, Life-Changing Educator
Katy Magazine
WHAT I LOVE TO TEACH
DELICIOUS
DESIGN
In this hands-on lesson, we teach basic layout design, spread requirements, terminology, and software interface using candy and snacks!
DESIGN
THINKINg
How to lead your staff through the design thinking process to solve problems such as deciding your yearbook theme, or developing a social media marketing plan.
personality
tests
Using tests like Adobe Creative Types, Enneagram, and Meyers-Briggs we can learn how our students work best, and what role on staff they would be best at (and enjoy most!)
Putting the YEA
in yearbook
How to build a family-like culture to make being on staff fun, increase staff retention, and recruit new staff members without even trying.
"Katie Moreno worked with my magazine staff at a journalism camp in Kansas City. They learned so much, not just about writing and interviewing, but they also worked on leadership and planning. She got to know the kids and what they wanted to accomplish with their magazine, and she also helped them branch out and be more willing to make big changes. They have a new cover style, style guide and big plans for this idea. I also have used many of her templates and lesson plans back at school, and even on my 15th year of teaching, she has improved my resources tremendously. We appreciate Katie so much, and our school is getting a better publication because of her help."
“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Katie on multiple projects, most recently our National Yearbook Workshop. We were thrilled with her energy, creativity, and commitment to the event budget & timeline. It’s rare to find someone with extensive knowledge of scholastic journalism, with the technical & creative skills to match. Katie has both. Two thumbs up!”
"Katie’s understanding of the entire yearbook production process has helped her assist numerous advisers complete their yearbook. Her ability to both coach and mentor advisers through the difficult process of completing a yearbook, especially during the pandemic, was remarkable."