BHS’s Justin Daigle named Teacher of the Year

By Kathy Gaber – CHSPA board member and Teacher of the Year Coordinator

Brighton High School’s Justin Daigle has been named 2009 Teacher of the Year by the Colorado High School Press Association.

Adviser for the Reflections yearbook, Daigle said, “the students are the leaders, a team, a family whose purpose is to provide the most important and relevant information to their peers and the Brighton community.”
Under Daigle’s advisement the “Reflections” yearbook has won several state awards from the Colorado High School Press Association, First Place from the American Scholastic Press Association, Bronze and Silver Medal Certificate from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and a First Place rating from the National Scholastic Press Association.


“I have been in awe of the work he and his yearbook staff have done each year, said English co-worker, Shelly LaTerra. “It takes a considerable amount of time, dedication, and passion to create a great yearbook.”
Daigle is a role model to other teachers and students. “He is a role model not only in my pursuit as a journalist, but also in my entire life. His ethics are passed down to the students he teaches and the lives he touches,” said Carria Wilkinson, “Reflections” editor-in-chief.

“It is important to model and set forth standards and ethics that I want my students to put into their own lives as well as their publication,” Daigle said.

During the three years Daigle has taught for Brighton High School, he has also been an instructor at the Herff Jones Rocky Mountain Spirit Camp and a speaker at the Colorado High School Press Association Summer Adviser’s Workshop and Journalism Day.

“To truly understand the work that Justin does each day, one must spend a little time in his yearbook room. At the beginning of the year as students enter his room, there is an immediate sense of excitement and energy not felt in any other area of the building,” LaTerra said.

Daigle has been recognized as Rookie Teacher of the Year and the 2009 Most Influential Teacher by Brighton High School and was nominated as a Journalism Education Association Rising Star.

“He created trust and respect, hand in hand, allowing for him to push his students not only in English or yearbook class, but also in life,” wrote parents Laura and Matt Devich. “Mr. Daigle is the type of teacher that not only impresses the children he teaches, he also touches the lives of the families. He does this through helping the student realize his or her potential.”

Daigle is currently a member of the Colorado Council International Reading Association for which he has presented at the state conference for the past two years. Daigle is also a member of the Journalism Education Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Colorado High School Press Association for which he serves on the board as the current Yearbook Sweepstakes Coordinator. Daigle values state and national organizations and upholds the First Amendment Rights these organizations stand for. “Students need to understand why they are doing journalism and the importance of making good journalistic decisions,” Daigle said.

“(Daigle) models to his staff, early, the importance of ownership. He tells his kids every day that this is their book, not his. He fosters awareness about the rights and responsibilities tied to the first amendment. Justin believes in instilling the importance of journalistic ethics early and revisiting it every year,” LaTerra said.
Daigle’s passion for the craft of teaching is obvious to his students and is enthusiasm rubs off on all of those around him. “The only way a person could ever measure his passion would be stepping into his shoes for a day; eating, breathing, living yearbook,” Wilkinson said.

Daigle embodies what makes an excellent journalism instructor. He exhibits strong instructional practices and supports students’ right to a free and responsible press. Matthew Devich’s parents say it best: “Thank you Mr. Daigle, please continue to do what you do best … teaching kids to be their best in no matter what they do.”