NSPA is proud to recognize seven recipients for this year’s Pioneer class. The Pioneer is the highest award NSPA presents to journalism educators.

Pioneers are individuals who make substantial contributions to high school publications and journalism programs. Judy Allen, Michelle Coro, Sandra Coyer, Justin Daigle, Heather Nagel, Jed Palmer and Mike Taylor are this year’s honorees.

“This year’s class is extraordinary,” Laura Widmer, executive director, said. “The years of commitment to high school publications spans 46 years.These Pioneers have committed themselves and their staffs to journalism excellence. We are honored to be able to recognize their contributions to scholastic journalism and give them this award.”

The Pioneers will be honored at either the fall conference in Philadelphia Nov. 9 or the spring conference in Seattle April 26.

NSPA maintains a composite plaque of Pioneers and displays it at its headquarters in Minneapolis. Previous Pioneer winners and NSPA board members nominate candidates.

Michelle Coro has been a journalism influencer inside and outside of the classroom for more than three decades.

Her influence to cultivate future journalists and content creators extends into numerous regional and national summer journalism camps, including serving as the director of the prestigious Cronkite Summer Journalism Institute at Arizona State Univeristy, the PBS Student Reporting Labs and Stanford’s Newsroom By the Bay.

In her nomination letter, Kathryn Campbell said, “I met Michelle when I joined the NSPA Board, during her tenure at Desert Vista High School, and, as a fellow ‘all the things’ adviser, I admired Michelle’s ability to offer newspaper, yearbook, broadcast, photography and website through the Desert Vista Thunder Media group while also balancing a number of volunteer gigs.

Michelle brings energy ‘on deadline with a smile’ and shines as she offers students the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. Multimedia curriculum development is a particular gift; she has an inventive spirit. Michelle’s ability to work and rework pedagogy to meet students where they are is only paralleled by an ethics barometer that inspires students to make a positive impact on the communities where they report.”

“Student media advising is part of my DNA,” Coro said. “It’s not just about teaching the craft, but about empowering students to tell their stories and understand the impact they can have.”

This passion has been a cornerstone of Coro’s career, inspiring countless students to pursue journalism and media or apply the versatile skills to success in other professions.

Michelle’s leadership and dedication have been recognized with multiple honors, including being named Arizona Journalism Teacher of the Year and receiving the Journalism Education Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

She has served on the boards of the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association, in addition to being AIPA President. As a relentless advocate of scholastic journalism, Coro has built a career that stands as a testament to her unwavering, passionate commitment to student success and empowering young media.

About Tempe Union High School District
Tempe Union High School District (TUHSD) proudly serves approximately 12,000 students across six comprehensive high schools, all of which have been recognized with A ratings by the Arizona Department of Education. This distinction reflects the district’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching, and a supportive learning environment. TUHSD envisions every student graduating fully prepared to thrive in college, careers, and life. By fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills, the district empowers students to reach their highest potential and become confident, capable contributors to their communities.
For more information, visit www.tempeunion.org.

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