Kristen Scott, a journalism teacher at Kealing Middle School, has been named a Rising Star by the Journalism Education Association.

Rising Stars are scholastic journalism advisers with five or fewer years of experience that are already exceeding expectations in the education field. Scott will be one of 11 finalists honored at national convention in Denver

“We are so proud of the time and energy Kristen puts into her classes to give our students the best possible learning experience they can have,” Kealing Middle School Principal Robin Lowe said. “We just couldn’t be prouder to have such a dedicated teacher as part of the Kealing family.”

She advises the Kealing yearbook staff, whose latest production was named a Crown Finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the highest recognition given to a student print or digital medium for overall excellence. The 2015 Kealing yearbook has also already been selected to be a national example for other schools by balfour.com.

“The Rising Star Award is a wonderful way to recognize the talents of new teachers and advisers,” JEA President Mark Newton said. “Journalism teachers and student media advisers work behind the scenes, and this recognition from JEA is a nice reminder to them, their colleagues, their students, their administration and their community that good things are happening because of the talents, ambition and work ethic of this educator.”

Scott will be recognized at the National High School Journalism Convention in Denver on April 18.

For more information on the Rising Star award or the JEA, please check out their website.