New Advisers

Your Walsworth rep has added you to this group for new advisers. If you would like to be removed, please email me and let me know. A few times a month, I’ll send updates to help you in your classroom. Each update will be full of checklists, classroom help and pro tips.

• Set Up Ladder in online design (see video below)
• PEP List- This program is free, and Walsworth does all the work. Your sales will increase once you're on this program. Check out the updated PEP website.
• National Yearbook Week- Have your students complete the personality quiz for a chance to win money.
• Cover Deadline- If you don't have a start or mock-up of your cover, you're running a bit behind. Reach out to your rep about options to get the cover submitted.
• Increase Sales This Week- Print out custom flyers. Have your staff team up with the cheerleaders and/or drumline to hand out flyers to parents in the drop-off or pick-up line.

The new school year begins with the latest Walsworth Yearbook Training Video Series episode focused on one of the most essential elements of your yearbook: the ladder. It may not seem as exciting as theme or design, but the ladder is the skeleton of the book. Without it, the staff lacks a plan.

This release also pairs with Season 3, Episode 2 of That Yearbook Podcast. Hosts Sabrina Schmitz, CJE, and Jim Jordan explain why ladders matter and how staffs can make them work, regardless of their book size or coverage style.

What is a ladder?

The ladder is a page-by-page outline of the book. It shows what belongs on each spread, from student life to sports to academics. Think of it as the blueprint that keeps the staff on track. A good ladder ensures nothing is forgotten and helps everyone meet deadlines.

Starting with last year’s ladder is often the best place to begin. Advisers can use it as a framework and then update it to reflect what is new this year.

Why do you need one?

The ladder keeps the staff organized. By listing the must-have sections first, like sports, clubs and academics, advisers can then leave space for timely topics or new traditions.

It also supports workflow. With a clear ladder, editors can assign spreads, set deadlines and prevent duplicate coverage. Building the ladder early saves time later in the year.

Adviser Insights

In the new Walsworth Yearbook Training Video Series episode, three advisers share how they approach ladders in their classrooms. Each one has a different system that fits their staff, whether that means going digital, using a wall chart or finding creative ways to involve students. Their experiences show that there is no single right way to build a ladder, but every successful yearbook begins with one. Watch the full video to see how they put their systems into action.

On That Yearbook Podcast, Sabrina and Jim emphasize the same message: the ladder is not just a checklist. It should be flexible, allow room for unexpected stories and give students ownership.

Have your students watch this video about ways of setting up a ladder. Decide how you want to organize the book. Have a draft day to decide who gets which page assignment. List all things you want to cover in the book on individual Post-It Notes. Have students draw numbers for who gets to draw Post-It Notes in what order. Each staff member gets to decide what content they want in the book.

Your store should be active. Hang posters directing buyers (parents) to go to www.yearbookforever.com. I suggest going there and finding your school, so you know what the process looks like for your buyers. Posters are in your kit, the blue bag. If you haven’t enrolled in our PEP (Parent Email Program), this is a free service that emails parents. You’ll need to get a list of students, grades and parent emails submitted ASAP. Get the list to your Walsworth rep. You can also order custom marketing (posters, banners, postcards, etc).

If you haven't had your students sign a contract of expectations, you can use this as a starting point. Create a Google Form for each student to submit. Review these expectations in class and send a copy to each student's parents. This contract will help avoid any future problems.

After accidentally taking newspaper in the seventh grade, I have advised high school yearbooks and newspapers ever since. I was the newspaper and yearbook adviser at Legacy High School in Mansfield, Texas for 18 years and 7 in Big Spring, Texas. Legacy’s publications have won CSPA Crowns, NSPA Pacemakers and ILPC Stars. I served on the Texas Association of Journalism Educators board as the Webmaster for eight years. I won CSPA’s Distinguished Adviser award in 2024, the JEA Distinguished Adviser award in 2018, and Commended in 2025. In 2015 I was awarded the Max Haddick award, the Texas Journalism Adviser of the Year, from ILPC. I’ve also won the Edith Fox King Texas journalism teacher award in 2010 and the TAJE Trailblazer award in 2013. In June, I joined the Walsworth family as the Texas Education Specialist. My new job is to help you and your students create a stronger yearbook while making your job easier.

Cell- 817.253.7813

leland.mallett@walsworth.com