The Washington Journalism and Media Conference

SAMANTHA SHAW

Faculty Advisor

Samantha Shaw earned her BA in English and Comparative Literature and Masters of the Arts in Teaching from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was named Student Teacher of the Year in 2022, and recognized as one of the top 10 student teachers in the state of North Carolina. Now, she teaches English at Carrboro High School. Sam loves discovering the ways she can bring her students’ passions into a project based and equity focused English classroom. She fervently believes that words have the power to change us — whether that’s a potent literary work or the unique power of the press. Her teaching has been inspired by the transformational experiences at WJMC. She is a WJMC 2016 alumna, was an intern in 2017, and worked as a JFA from 2018 – 2020; she’s ecstatic to be back again! When she’s not in the classroom, Sam is managing social media or editing books for the author Katie Cross, listening to audiobooks, or cheering on the Tar Heels with her friends and family.