Great Falls High School educator named National Journalism Teacher of the Year

The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund has named Great Falls High School’s Linda Ballew its National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year.

The 30-year teaching veteran believes in the power of words.

"I would go to the ends of the Earth to give (students) voice," Ballew said. "They deserve to have voice. They deserve to be heard."

Ballew, who oversees student publications at Great Falls High, is the 47th award recipient and the first Montanan to win the honor, according to the New Jersey-based foundation’s Web site.

The Montana native led a consistently good journalism program and nurtured quality work from students, said Linda Waller, Deputy Director for the newspaper fund.

"That’s what we’re looking for — excellence," Waller said.

By KEILA SZPALLER
Tribune Staff Writer

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