THE GOLD KEY AWARD
The CSPA Gold Key Award is given in recognition of outstanding devotion to the cause of the school press, encouragement to the student editors in their several endeavors, service above and beyond the call of delegated duty, leadership in the field of education, and support of the high ideals from which the Association has drawn its strength and inspiration. This year the CSPA Advisers Association has selected David Cutler, of Brimmer and May School, and Kori James of Fresno Christian School, as award recipients. Learn more about the award here.
CITATIONS:
David Cutler
Faculty Adviser, Brimmer and May School
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association is pleased to present David Cutler with the Gold Key Award. Cutler is a dynamic educator at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, Mass. He is known nationwide for his generosity in sharing his ideas and strategies about critical and timely subjects, such as the emergence and use of AI in journalism.
An avid participant in the Journalism Education Association Advisers Institute for the past two summers, Cutler has been instrumental in recording events there that were conducted as a group assignment and subsequently presented to the group at large. He is also active in the New England Scholastic Press Association.
During the past year, Cutler has authored several pieces which highlight both the benefits and perils of AI in both classroom instruction and in journalism. His thoughts are routinely praised by fellow advisers and educators for their accuracy and commitment to journalism ethics. His recent article in Edutopia explored practical guidance for teachers to share and communicate on social media.
Cutler serves as the executive director of the Private School Journalism Association (PSJA), and his articles are available on Medium, the Huffington Post, Edutopia, and PBS in the Classroom. In these, he shares his thoughts about education and politics as he teaches young people in an increasingly complex world. He is a fierce advocate of the First Amendment and recently organized a virtual session for others to learn about ways to support student press rights in private and independent schools. He also created the Facebook group “AI in the Humanities–Teachers Driving the Conversation,” a place for advisers to help support and educate each other and share knowledge.
As the founding adviser of The Gator, the official student news site of Brimmer and May School, Cutler was proud that the publication is a CSPA Crown Finalist for Digital News—its sixth consecutive award nod. In addition, the National Scholastic Press Association has recognized his editors with multiple individual Story of the Year awards. He also works with the Student Press Law Center to publicize New Voices legislation. This summer, he will serve as an instructor at the CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop.
Cutler is also honored this year as a CSPA Special Recognition Adviser in the 2026 National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year Program. His advising philosophy is to give his students the authority and responsibility of their newsroom, a key to their success.
Kori James
Faculty Adviser, Fresno Christian School
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association is pleased to present its Gold Key to Kori James, who is an innovative educator at Fresno Christian Schools in California. She is a leading influence in the integration of digital media within scholastic journalism.
As an adviser, educator, photographer, and entrepreneur, she brings both professional expertise and contagious enthusiasm to everything she does. James’ background as a small business owner and professional photographer uniquely prepared her to mentor young journalists. Before entering the classroom, she trained and worked with professionals in real-world settings, an experience that now directly benefits her students. For more than 20 years, she has served as an educator, combining industry knowledge with a hands-on teaching style that challenges students to think critically and produce work at a professional standard.
James advises the award-winning Feather Online, the school’s digital news publication. Under her leadership, students learn not only reporting and storytelling, but also the technical and visual skills they will need in today’s multimedia landscape. Her forward-thinking approach has positioned her program at the forefront of digital scholastic media.
James also teaches history and digital photography at Fresno Pacific University, where she continues to inspire students with the same energy and dedication she brings to her high school classroom. Whether she is teaching journalism fundamentals, visual storytelling, or historical analysis, she fosters curiosity, independence, and excellence. She will be teaching this summer at the CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop.
Said scholastic educator Jenny Dial Creech, “Beyond awards and accolades, what truly distinguishes James is her always-upbeat demeanor, adventurous spirit, and genuine love of storytelling. With her camera always in hand, she models for her students what it means to pursue passion with purpose. Her authenticity, creativity, and unwavering commitment to student growth have made a lasting impact on countless young journalists.”
James embodies the innovation, leadership, and dedication that define the very best of scholastic journalism.
JAMES F. PASCHAL AWARD
The Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association honors state or regional school press association officials who have distinguished themselves in the field with an award named for the late James Frederick Paschal, a former director of the Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association and a former editor of The CSPAA Bulletin. This year the CSPAA has chosen to honor Dr. R.J. Morgan. More about the award may be found here.
Citation:
Dr. R.J. Morgan
Executive Director, Mississippi Scholastic Press Association
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association is pleased to present Dr. R. J. Morgan with the James F. Paschal Award for his outstanding service to the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association and scholastic journalism overall.
Nominated by Larry Steinmetz, the Journalism Education Association (JEA) State Director for Kentucky, Steinmetz and Morgan met through the Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA). They collaborated on the presentation “Southern Storytelling,” which they presented at national conventions, including CSPA.
An educator at heart, Morgan helps journalism educators prepare for their certification exams by instructing the course, “Get Certified: Writing.” He also serves on the JEA certification committee.
State directors know they can count on Morgan to judge, critique or consult with other teachers. In a recent conversation, Morgan shared that he has helped in this capacity in more than 25 states, not including his work on the national level. In 2018 Morgan was awarded the Elizabeth B. Dickey Distinguished Service Award by SIPA in honor of his dedication to that regional organization.
However, his best work perhaps takes place in support of journalism at home, where he is the executive director of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association (MSPA). He carefully curates speakers for the spring and fall MSPA convention that he plans and hosts, as well as organizes retreats for summer advisers, which have been a boon for Mississippi educators.
Mississippi journalism is in Morgan’s blood. As a student reporter at Pearl High School, as a staff member of The Reflector at Mississippi State University, to his time as adviser at Starkville High School before becoming a professor in the School of Journalism at Ole Miss, he has had an impact at every level. He credits the mentorship of Beth Fitts, another Paschal recipient.
Always looking for ways to grow journalism both nationally and within Mississippi, Morgan is the founder of IMCA, the Integrated Marketing and Communications Association, which is housed at the University of Mississippi.
A tireless advocate who has also spent time in the trenches as a high school adviser himself, Dr. Morgan understands the needs of Mississippi and its advisers.