Coppell High School newsroom D115 — the home of The Sidekick. Walking into the newsroom, you are immediately greeted by the rhythm of rapid typing, the shuffle of paper and steadiness of deadline pressure. 

At the center of it all is Sidekick newspaper adviser Chase Wofford, a seasoned journalist turned mentor, who for the past 20 years has inspired young storytellers to find their voice and make it heard. 

For Wofford, teaching journalism was not a traditional path. Prior to becoming The Sidekick adviser in 2005, Wofford worked as a reporter for various newspapers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including the Arlington Morning News, The Dallas Morning News, Frisco Enterprise and Celina Record. His professional background brought a unique perspective to his classroom, and his approach to teaching was grounded in values that guided his reporting career.

“Journalism teaches you more than how to write a story – it teaches you how to listen, how to be curious, how to care about the people you’re writing about,” Wofford said. “And that’s what I want my students to walk away with. Not just skills, but the understanding that stories matter.”

Under his leadership, The Sidekick has become more than just a high school publication; it has been a training ground for young journalists. Principal Laura Springer has watched Wofford’s impact unfold over the years.

“Mr. Wofford doesn’t just teach journalism,” Springer said. “He creates an environment where students grow into leaders, where they learn responsibility and teamwork. He’s a role model for his students, and his ability to connect with them is what makes his program so successful.”

Wofford’s approach to teaching goes beyond the mechanics of writing and reporting. Former students recall his newsroom as a place where expectations were high, but so was the support.

“Mr. Wofford made us feel like real journalists,” former Sidekick editor-in-chief and 2016 CHS graduate Rachel Buigas-Lopez said. “He ran The Sidekick like a professional newsroom, which prepared me so well for the real world. The way he held us to industry standards made me a better journalist.”

For Wofford, this high standard was about more than just deadlines and accuracy — it was about helping students find their place in the community. He pushed them to look for more than seemingly necessary, to dig deeper, to ask the questions that mattered and to tell the stories that would make a difference. 

Wofford’s high expectations were paired with an unshakable belief in his students.

“He’s the kind of teacher who makes you want to push yourself, not just because you have to, but because you know he believes in you,” Buigas-Lopez said. “Even after graduation, I’ve found myself going back to him for advice.”

For Wofford, seeing students utilize skills learned in his classroom and thrive in the real world is the most rewarding aspect of his job.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a student go from doubting their abilities to realizing their own potential,” Wofford said. “To see them take what they’ve learned and apply it, whether in journalism or something else — that’s why I do this.”

His impact stretches beyond the classroom with students who continue to ask for his guidance even after they graduate. 

KCBY-TV adviser Irma Lazos-Kennedy has worked closely with Wofford, knowing him for the past 19 years. She appreciates the professionalism and hard work Wofford builds in his students, noting that his newsroom runs with a level of expectation that follows that of any professional newsroom.

“He teaches students how to communicate, how to meet deadlines and how to handle real-world pressure,” Lazos-Kennedy said. “He holds his students to the same expectations as professional journalists because he wants them to leave the program as better communicators, better thinkers and ultimately, better people.”

However, what sets Wofford apart is not just his teaching methods; it is his personal approach to mentorship. 

“At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t exactly sure how he would be,” Sidekick sophomore staff writer Hannah Vipin said. “I thought he’d be really strict because it’s such a huge program, right? But then, I realized he’s really personal — everyone has a nickname, and he always takes time to check in with us. He really cares. Even when my stories didn’t work out, he actually understood. He’d say, ‘It’s OK, I get why it didn’t work, we’ll figure it out.’ That support means a lot.”

For many students, Wofford’s ability to alter his guidance to each individual makes a lasting difference.

“Mr. Wofford is very good at focusing on every student individually,” Sidekick senior executive editor-in-chief Sukirtha Muthiah said. “That helps with each student’s growth because he focuses on how he can help every student in their own way instead of generalizing his lessons for everyone. He does a good job of mentoring us rather than just teaching us — he teaches us the skills we need to succeed rather than doing things for us.”

As he commemorates his 20th year, Wofford looks back at the large multitude of stories written, edited and published under his mentorship. His influence is seen not just in The Sidekick’s legacy, but in the numerous alumni who have carried forward the lessons they learned in his classroom.

For Wofford, that’s always been the goal.

“I want my students to understand that storytelling is everything,” Wofford said. “The way we communicate, the way we connect with others—that’s how we change the world. I hope they leave The Sidekick not just as better journalists, but as better people who understand the power of their voice.” 

Executive news editor Sahasra Chakilam contributed to this report.

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