Walking into the journalism room, the typing of keys, the click of a pen and instant laughter greet you. The atmosphere is electric, sometimes loud and inviting. Not many people truly understand the responsibility it is to document the stories and history of the school each year. Journalism provides a natural environment for students to be engaged with what they are learning and an opportunity to try something new but also it’s scary to write knowing the entire student body and community can judge one’s work. But walking into Room 1305 feels like entering the security of a home away from home.
Journalism teacher Jasinia Frausto makes all her classes a safe place for students to nourish their skills, showing exactly why her peers selected her as Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025.
“It was definitely a surprise to even be a finalist for Teacher of the Year,” Frausto said. “I believe my 1300 hallmates nominated me, but the votes had to come from all over campus for me to be selected and that’s a really humbling experience.”
During her freshman year Frausto’s dreams of being a soccer star were shattered right along with her ankle after a sledding accident on a church youth ski trip. But that’s how she ended up in the journalism program at Canyon High and began taking photos and working on the yearbook staff.
“It’s funny to come full circle,” Frausto said. “I started as a student looking for a place to call home to fill my time with something productive and I ended up loving journalism. Now twenty-something years later it’s my classroom and program where students land to capture and tell stories.”
As a high school student, Frausto took journalism and business classes. Her former business teacher, Marcie Cook, is now a colleague and said it’s a joy to watch her handle different areas of her life, personal and professional.
“Mrs. Frausto is an inspiration to me with how she builds relationships with her students,” Cook said.” With her leadership, I have seen the journalism program evolve into an even more student-centered program and increased student engagement through social media. She has taken the journalism program to the next level.”
After graduating high school in 2003, Frausto attended Bible college in Missouri but eventually ended up attending WTAMU studying mass communication and rejoining the journalism world by writing for WT’s newspaper The Prairie News.
“I loved my time at WT,” Frausto said. “I learned valuable lessons by being the editor-in-chief for The Prairie, lessons that I like to think I pass on to my students now. Sometimes these lessons had to do with journalism, sometimes they just had to do with life.”
Before taking over the journalism program in 2020, Frausto taught 5th grade science and social studies at Canyon Intermediate for three years. Current Social Media Co-Editor Berkley Foster was in Frausto’s class as a 5th grader.
“I was surprised when Frausto was teaching at the high school,” Foster said. “When she asked me to join the journalism program I didn’t know what I was committing to, I just wanted to have another class with her. I can’t believe our time together is coming to an end, over the years we’ve made a lot of memories.”
Berkley said that Frausto has pushed her to learn new skills that will help her as she moves into the next stage of her life. These lessons include truths about leadership, working on a team, communication and learning difficult things.
“Over time you learn that every memory with Frausto will be your favorite.” Foster said, “I think Frausto should get teacher of the year every year. I’ve never met a teacher that makes me like a class like Frausto does. She sees your potential before you do and then she helps you get there.”
According to Frausto’s hallmates, she not only impacts the classroom, but she’s constantly impacting the workplace around her and earning the favor and respect of all her peers.
“She is always so kind and has a smile on her face. She lifts up our entire 1300 hallway with her smile and genuine love for her students,” Cook said. “I admire her as a mother, teacher and colleague. Even when she is faced with difficulties in her personal or professional life, she faces them head on and doesn’t let it affect her work. She wears so many hats and I can’t pinpoint just one thing that she does to make a difference.”
Frausto said her favorite part of the job is watching students grow into the best versions of themselves and then seeing them chase their dreams.
“I try to put who the student is way above what they are turning in. I think that’s just being human,” Frausto said. “Inspiration to do what I do comes from my students. My job is different every single day, every single class period. But I love that it’s different. This is more than a job for me. In a lot of ways I feel like it’s a calling. I never wanted to have a job. I wanted to feel like I had a purpose. I love what I do.”
