2023: Magazine Writing
Freelance articles written on commission for national publications
Updated: November 21, 2023
As a freelance writer and photographer, I regularly write and shoot for a variety of national publications. For the past 10 years, I also have been a contributing editor to American School Board Journal (ASBJ), writing features and a column on school communications six times a year.
Here are my articles published in 2023. The list is updated throughout the year. To inquire about my services, send me an email.
Features
Saginaw United (December): Community violence is a societal concern with no easy fix, especially in a place like Saginaw, Mich., a once prosperous industrial hub where one in 38 residents has a chance of being a victim of a violent crime, a number higher than Detroit — 90 minutes to the south — and other large urban communities. But school district leaders point to signs of hope after three decades of dramatic decline in a town divided racially and economically by a river, an interstate, and a struggling industry that largely abandoned it. Written for ASBJ.
Healing Beyond the Classroom (October): As schools nationwide grapple with student health challenges that were exposed and heightened during the pandemic, districts are looking at ways to provide system-wide services that go beyond what is taking place in the classroom. Delaware’s Colonial School District, just south of Wilmington, has a full-service wellness center and clinic in a high-poverty, majority-minority elementary school. The clinic is credited with helping to turn around the school thanks to fewer discipline and truancy referrals. Written for ASBJ.
The Great Race to Hire (September-October): Staffing firms are tasked with navigating an unpredictable and constantly shifting job market as they strive to find the best candidates for their clients, which makes every second count when they zero in on the right person for the job. That’s one reason reducing time-to-hire is—or should be—a top priority for firms searching for talent. Sponsored content written for Staffing Success, the magazine of the American Staffing Association.
Shifting Demographics (August): As schools nationwide struggle — to widely varying degrees — with declining enrollment that has still not fully rebounded after the pandemic, the effect is acutely felt in small and rural districts that already are on a financial tightrope due to inflation and growing employment shortages. Some districts have dealt with enrollment decline for years, while others are facing demographic shifts as populations age and younger families move to cities and the suburbs. Written for ASBJ.
Elevating Women in Staffing (July-August): Robin Mee worked in the staffing industry for seven years, then lost her position when her company was acquired. Instead of searching for a new job, she decided to start a staffing firm of her own—one that matched her desire for equity and diversity in a field that was largely homogenous. Today, her MeeDerby firm is one of 32 to win ClearlyRated’s inaugural “Best Staffing Firms for Women” award that will help companies boost recruitment marketing efforts and build their reputation as a great place to work. Sponsored content written for Staffing Success, the magazine of the American Staffing Association.
Taking Its Toll (July): University professors find students want to talk to them more frequently about their mental health and wellness challenges. And those challenges are acute, researchers say, with increased levels of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation as students reacclimate to college and university life following the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. But many professors feel like they are not qualified to help students who are in emotional or mental districts. Written for The Physiologist, the magazine of the American Physiological Society.
In Search of Teachers (May): Teacher and staffing shortages, especially in small and rural districts, are not a new phenomenon. But, as educators and researchers note, the problem for rural schools has been exacerbated by growing vacancies in suburban and urban districts and a steady decline in the number of students enrolling in teacher education programs nationwide. Written for ASBJ.
Breaking Barriers (March): Conversations and connections are critical for students and staff members as school districts grapple with a still-surging post-Covid youth mental health crisis. And it is especially true in small rural communities, where access to providers, treatment, technology, and transportation is limited, and schools are struggling to bridge those gaps. Written for ASBJ.
Rise of the Female Leader (March-April): Women are all too familiar with hitting the proverbial "glass ceiling" in their jobs, due to unconscious bias, lack of flexibility, poor training and support, and more. A new "Best Staffing Firms for Women" recognition program hopes to make significant change in the diversity of leadership teams by shining a light on companies offering opportunities for women to succeed and advance. Sponsored content written for Staffing Success, the magazine of the American Staffing Association.
New Heights for APS (March): The first-ever American Physiology Summit is a premiere event for researchers exploring the science behind some of the most important questions that impact life and health. More than 80 foundational science sessions and eight exclusive game-changer sessions are planned for attendees who work, learn and teach in the biomedical sciences. Written for The Physiologist Magazine.
Making a Difference for Humanity (January-February): Miechia Esco, the 2023 National Staffing Employee of the Year, is a renaissance woman with an embedded commitment to public service. A vascular surgeon and scientific researcher, she has climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, teaches yoga, goes on mission trips, and, in her spare time, is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. She also travels the country working in underserved communities for LocumTenens.com and is the company’s chief medical resource advisor. Written for Staffing Success.
Learning By Doing (January) — The “maker movement” — in which the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) are explored through hands-on learning, experimentation, and problem solving — is one way to reengage students in a post-pandemic world. While research shows these types of projects help students understand and apply what they learn, some fear schools are moving away from them as they focus on improving test scores following Covid-related losses in achievement. Written for ASBJ.
Columns
Big Picture Focus (December): Successful school communications programs are ones that “have the big picture in mind.” Developing a strategic communications plan — one that aligns with your district’s "big picture" focus — takes time and effort and can be an onerous task. One good place to start: A communications audit.
Comm Camp (October): An Arizona school district holds a day-long “Comm Camp” for administrators. They provide training on branding, crisis communications, community partnerships, ways to expand their influence in the school community, and how to recruit volunteers. The camp includes whole-group presentations and activities as well as guest speakers, videos, and various breakout sessions.
Make Your District Better (August): Like many people who work in school communications, Ryan Foran started his professional life as a journalist before making the transition to public education in 2013. But Foran hesitated, at least initially, when he was asked to provide professional development to staff on social media and media relations. Then he learned one of the mottos of school public relations: Steal without guilt.
Engagement Campaigns (May): Ideally, school districts would hire a communications staff to handle the vital work of ensuring that the district’s story is told and that the community’s voice is heard. Although many small districts do not have the resources or the community support for this type of public relations, they often have options. Written for ASBJ.
Marketing as a Force for Good (March): Over the past 50 years, Roy Spence has been the creative force behind famous marketing campaigns — “Don’t Mess With Texas” among them — and has developed advertising for brands such as Southwest Airlines, Wal-Mart, the PGA Tour, and the U.S. Air Force. Now he’s turning his attention to schools to help students “make it” once they graduate.
Chasing Ghosts (January) — School districts are facing a large increase in the number of fake social media accounts that result in the harassment, bullying and intimidation of students and staff. And the social media platforms have not been helpful in setting up a dedicated verification and reporting process for K-12 schools — yet.
Photography
