2022: Magazine Writing
Freelance articles for national publications for you to view and enjoy
Below are magazine articles I’ve written (with links and descriptions) published in 2022. Link not working? Send me an email here:
Features
Moving Forward (December): Four years after a shooting on a high school campus left 10 dead and 13 injured in one of the worst mass casualty events in U.S. education history, a Texas district perseveres despite enduring reminders of a day no one can forget. Written for American School Board Journal (ASBJ), the story received a Silver Excel Award in Feature Writing in June 2023 from Association Media & Publishing.
This story is a follow up to my December 2018 feature — After It All Falls Apart. Expanded features on five of the people interviewed for Moving Forward as well as the district’s “unfinished business” can be found by clicking on the link below.
The Great Reset (October): The pandemic shined a harsh light on long-standing issues — such as achievement and opportunity gaps, food insecurity, student mental health, and technology access — that disproportionately affect high-poverty school districts. Now, with schools in their fourth year of dealing with the pandemic’s disruptive effects, there’s increased acknowledgement that a pre-COVID approach to education will not address students’ needs moving forward. That has prompted calls in some circles for a collective reset. Written for ASBJ.
Matching Talent and Clients (September-October): The way staffing companies source talent has changed — and it continues to shift — as supply and demand continues to favor candidates over employers. How can employment service providers meet the needs of both? Sponsored content feature written for Staffing Success, the magazine of the American Staffing Association.
Let the Sun Shine In (August): School districts are starting to look at solar power as a viable alternative as they struggle to deal with skyrocketing energy costs—the second largest expenditure after personnel—crumbling infrastructure, and increased pressure to address their role in climate change. Today, more than 7,300 schools serving 5.3 million students utilize solar, an 81 percent jump over the past five years. Written for ASBJ.
Survival of the Fittest (July): As scientists warn of the devastating effects of climate change, physiologists are studying how organisms are responding and how that will impact human and animal populations. In the process, they are moving away from tried-and-true research models. Written for the American Physiologist Association’s magazine, The Physiologist.
Vital Connections (June): The mad scramble to mitigate the digital divide and institute virtual learning was seen in school districts across the U.S. at the start of the pandemic. But the problem was particularly acute in low-income and rural communities, especially those with large numbers of Native American students. Written for ASBJ, the story received a Gold Excel Award in Feature Writing in June 2023 from Association Media & Publishing.
Mental Health to the Forefront (June): Pre-pandemic, concerns about the mental health of youth were on the rise. But in the two-plus years since COVID shut down schools across the nation, officials have seen “soaring rates” of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness and suicidal ideation. What can schools do? Written for ASBJ.
Streamlining Benefits, Fast-Tracking Growth (May-June): In today’s competitive hiring environment, staffing firms that can quickly and effectively deliver quality benefits win talent and keep them longer. That gives these firms the momentum they need to leave their competitors behind. Sponsored content written for Staffing Success.
Staffing Shortage Woes (April): As the nation grapples with the “Great Resignation,” school districts across the U.S. also are in an ongoing battle to hire and retain staff who are overwhelmed, exhausted, and feeling disrespected and underpaid. While the hardest to fill positions have been noncertified or part-time—bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, substitute teachers— numerous districts also are fearful that teacher and administrator turnover will further stress the education ecosystem. Written for ASBJ.
Achieving Dreams (February): Souphak Kienitz’s path to success was not clearcut. There were setbacks, hardships, and compromises. But one thing the National Staffing Employee of the Year never compromised on was working hard to get to a place where she could be her true authentic self. Written for Staffing Success.
Student Voice (February): Giving students opportunities to share their perspectives and make their voices heard is increasingly essential as districts continue to navigate a pandemic that has increasingly put youth at risk—especially those in high-need communities. Written for ASBJ.
Staying Afloat (January): Completing a postdoctoral fellowship is a rite of passage in research careers, allowing early-career researchers to hone their skills and prepare for becoming an independent researcher while under the direction of more experienced scientists. However, the grind of postdoc life, combined with the aftereffects of a pandemic still being felt throughout academia and the workplace, has left many in the field feeling uneasy about their future prospects. Written for The Physiologist.
Columns
I write a communications/public advocacy column six times a year for American School Board Journal.
Are the Kids OK? (December): As the nation struggles with a series of high-profile mass shootings in communities and schools, parent concerns about their child’s physical safety on campuses are the highest since 2001. Adding to the fears: Gun incidents on K-12 campuses in 2021-22 were nearly quadruple the number reported in 2013, according to research by Everytown USA, a nonprofit that tracks school shootings. What can be done?
Mending Disconnects (October): On some days, it may seem like building trust is more difficult than raising test scores (and often it is). Getting to the root of misinformation may seem impossible (and sometimes it is). But, while acknowledging that every community is different, you have an opportunity to mend most of the disconnects that exist by relying on some simple rules and solid, honest communications.
Pulse of the Community (August): Sound communication requires two-way input from both parents and schools. A Virginia superintendent prioritized communication in his approach, adding staff and leveraging social media to both reach and solicit feedback from families.
True Civil Discourse (June): School districts have become mired in battles over COVID-related policies, mask mandates, virtual education, and issues such as critical race theory. In the eyes of a former school board member who also served on the National PTA board of directors, districts have become “another political arena, another stepping stone for people with agendas.” And that, he says, “doesn’t help anyone.”
Healthy Connections (April): School communications can be isolating work. Even though you serve as a conduit of information from all areas of the district, chances are you are the only person doing this work unless you come from a large urban or suburban school system. And in highly stressful times, when threats and TikTok challenges pop up out of nowhere, finding work-life balance is difficult at best.
Closing the Trust Gap (February): In some areas, closing the trust gap between parents and schools is proving almost as daunting for districts as narrowing student achievement disparities among racial groups. Training is available on how to close these gaps. Here, a former school board member and longtime trainer provides perspective and tips on how to communicate with increasingly fractured communities.