Mr Smith Comes to Tolland

Steve Smith, that is, of the Reminder News.

In search of the cutting edge in education, the latest in pedagogical technique, Steve found his way to our ComMedia classroom. He spoke to the class about the paper, his background and experience, then took questions from the class. Afterwards he sat down for one-on-one interviews with a few of the class.

The article, in keeping with the Reminder News' business model, accentuated the positive in the class.

The students have found that the class has given them a better sense of the world around them, including issues that affect them locally, statewide, and on a national level.

“Instead of reading something and taking it as it is,” said Amanda Michaels , “I wonder more about what’s behind the scenes—like how the stories are made.”

The students interviewed went on and on about how much they have enjoyed the class,

“I feel more aware about what’s going on since I’ve taken this class,” said Elizabeth Giangrande,

or how much it has improved their personal lives,

“The economy never really interested me,” [Lauren] Hunt said, “But I understand it more now. I can talk with my parents about issues,”

or how their friends look at them with a new found respect

"Out in the world, I can have a discussion about politics with somebody, but before I felt like I didn’t have that same knowledge.”

And while I'm not one, personally, to brag, or to compare ComMedia to other classes, according to Mr. Smith of the redoubtable Reminder News, Tori Simmons feels that it's

"it’s the class I learn the most in,"

and that Connie Donais said

she took journalism classes at both THS and her previous high school. “I like this class better,” she said, adding that she has become more aware of news programs, and watches them far more intently than before.

All in all, I think one student put it best, though

“I love it,” said Tori Simmons.