Ragsdale named 2020 GSPA Adviser of the Year

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Adviser David Ragsdale, center, is pictured with staff members of ODYSSEY Media Group at the 2019 GSPA Awards, which was held on April 17, 2019, at the UGA Georgia Center.

David Ragsdale, center, is pictured with staff members of ODYSSEY Media Group at the 2019 GSPA Awards, which was held on April 17, 2019, at the UGA Georgia Center.

David Ragsdale, adviser of ODYSSEY Media Group and iliad literary magazine at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, has been named the 2020 Georgia Scholastic Press Association’s Adviser of the Year. He was recognized during the virtual awards ceremony on April 30.

The Adviser of the Year award honors a journalism adviser who goes beyond the “call of duty” in supporting his or her staff.

Ragsdale was selected by a panel of judges from a pool of deserving nominees who represent the best of high school journalism advisers, each with their own remarkable accomplishments and unwavering commitment to their students.

A nomination comprised of a half dozen student testimonials paints a strong picture for why Ragsdale’s years of tireless work for his students, their publications and the community make him stand out. According to one student, "he fights for underrepresented students to see themselves in our magazine, and he puts systems in place to ensure accuracy so that we can be the unbiased, fair reporters that our school depends on." Another student noted, "he is often at school from 7 a.m until 6 p.m. He utilizes every second of every day to grow this program and to grow his students." Added another: "he has truly taught me how to think properly, not necessarily what to think." And one more summed up Ragsdale’s lasting legacy with these words: "I know that the lessons I have learned from him and his programs will impact me for the rest of my life. I say this with confidence because I have seen countless alumni come back and say it." 

As a teacher, Ragsdale works to provide a space that empowers students to both succeed and fail, while engaging them in assignments designed to foster the critical production and consumption of text and media. As a departmental co-chair, he works to provide meaningful feedback to departmental colleagues and facilitates professional development ranging from student literacy to re-envisioning the teaching of canonical and YA texts. He serves on numerous committees within Clarke Central High School. Additionally, Ragsdale serves on advisory boards and evaluates student publications for various scholastic press associations, including GSPA and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA). During summers, Ragsdale teaches at the Georgia Governor's Honors Program, a residential academic enrichment program for Gifted and Talented students, within the Communicative Arts department and offers a Journalism elective within the program.

Ragsdale was the GSPA of the Year in 2007, was named an ASNE Reynolds High School Journalism Fellow in 2014 and was named a Distinguished Adviser by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in 2019.