I’ve spent more than two decades teaching students how to ask better questions, find credible information and tell stories that matter.

This fall, I have an incredible opportunity to take that work to a national audience.

I’ve been selected to present at the National News Literacy Conference, where educators from across the country will gather to explore one of the most important challenges facing our classrooms: helping students navigate a world of misinformation, artificial intelligence, social media and an overwhelming amount of information competing for their attention.

My session will focus on practical, classroom-tested approaches to teaching news and media literacy, drawing on my experience teaching journalism, broadcast journalism and yearbook at a public high school.

Conference registration for presenters is complimentary, which is fantastic. However, presenters are responsible for their own travel, lodging, meals and related expenses. Attending and presenting will also require me to take unpaid time away from work.

I’m raising funds to help offset those costs and make this opportunity possible.

Fundraising goal: $1,500

My estimated expenses include:

• Airfare and associated travel costs

• Approximately $250 for lodging

• Transportation to and from airports and the conference

• Meals while traveling

• Unpaid time away from work

• Other necessary travel expenses associated with attending and presenting

The $1,500 goal represents my estimated total cost of making the trip. Conference registration has already been generously provided to me as a presenter.

If my actual expenses come in below that amount, or contributions exceed what I ultimately spend on the trip, any remaining funds will go directly toward supporting journalism and media literacy education in my classroom.

Being selected to present is an opportunity not only to share what I’ve learned during my career, but also to learn from educators from across the country and bring new ideas, resources and connections back to my students and fellow educators.

At a time when students can access more information in seconds than previous generations encountered in days, knowing how to determine what deserves their trust has become an essential skill.

That’s the work I get to do every day.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent my students, my school and public-school journalism education on a national stage.

If you’d like to help me get there, I’d be grateful for your support. And if donating isn’t possible, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much.

Thank you for supporting journalism education, news literacy and the next generation of informed citizens.