Each year, MIPA presents the Golden Pen Award to an outstanding adviser of a scholastic student media outlet. To win the award, an adviser is judged according to documentation and evidence — in portfolio form — provided by students.
A Golden Pen Award nominee must be currently teaching/advising at a junior high, middle or high school. The number of years of service to student media staffs as well as consistent excellence of a newspaper, yearbook, magazine, video program or news website advised by the candidate will be considered. Also a factor is the contribution to scholastic journalism beyond the school. Receiving a Golden Pen is similar to being named “Coach of the Year.”
The recipient is chosen by a committee of previous Golden Pen honorees.