Independent journalist | remote | 2003-present

• Worked as an editor, writer, or consultant for clients including the Institute for Nonprofit News, The Emancipator, The Kansas City Beacon, California State University, Northridge, Poynter, and Hechinger Report
• Advised on story framing and humanizing data about racial disparities in pedestrian deaths; made edits to ensure the article focused on people on the wrong end of the statistics
• In an essay for Poynter, I explained potential red flags that job seekers should watch out for during the interview process.
• Produced user personas for a furniture company’s internal use, highlighting the culture, experiences, and lifestyles that might influence customers’ personal styles
• Designed mock magazine covers for a private client
• Explained the impact of stagnant funding of Mississippi elementary and secondary public schools for The Hechinger Report. PBS Newshour also picked up this article
• Covered the Guilford County Board of Education and wrote news features for the News & Record and 1808 magazine in Greensboro
• Reported on breaking news in northern Mississippi, such as a fatal lift crane accident, while an undergraduate at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)

Managing director, senior editor –  One Day/ Teach For America | remote| December 2020 – May 2023

• Coached, advised and edited writers — staff, contributors and freelancers — to produce more than 125 articles and op-eds focused on educational equity and that aligned with the organization’s stated mission and values
• Amplified TFA alumni who are thought leaders by soliciting and shepherding the production of timely op-eds. One alumnus thanked me on LinkedIn for my “thoughtful revisions and laser edits.”
• Helped lead the production of digital journalistic articles and essays on topics related to the intersections of K–12 education, educational equity, and social justice
• Edited stories for thoroughness, narrative quality, clarity, and structure
• Wrote articles and produced other journalistic stories related to educational equity that aligned with brand goals.
• Managed staff writers, freelance writers and edits stories from them and other contributing writers
• Planned editorial packages for important milestones such as the back to school season, Black History Month, and Native American Heritage Month
• Moderated a live webinar about addressing the issue of student loan debt

Managing editor – EdTech: Focus on K-12 Magazine/ Manifest | Washington, D.C. | June 2019 – December 2020

• Oversaw content creation and production for a quarterly magazine about education technology in K–12 schools, which was a finalist for the Content Marketing Association’s award for best digital publication in 2021
• Planned and strategized editorial campaigns around topics and events—content that drew significant increases in audience traffic and engagement
• Managed freelance writers and a related budget
• Analyzed and consolidated research into a quarterly marketing insights brief
• Wrote articles, columns, social media posts and pitches, ensuring they align with client goals and branding
• Ghostwrote op-eds for subject-matter experts
• Drafted scripts and led production of the occasional case study video.
• Produced articles, live tweets and video from industry conferences and events

Program manager – Education Writers Association | Washington, D.C. | May 2017 – June 2019

• Collaborated with the rest of a small team to plan and promote events as well as content targeted to journalists who cover education
• Shepherded the content planning and programming for Diving Into Data, an annual grant-funded seminar focused on data-driven journalism.
• Strategized and produced newsletters, marketing emails, social media copy and other campaigns to promote the organization’s events, achievements, and members
• Ideated, organized and sometimes moderated monthly webinars on timely education topics that would appeal to journalists
• Produced a digital newsletter three times a week using Salsa Labs marketing software
• Produced Member Spotlight, a monthly feature of organization members (and designed the logo/image)
• Engaged an online audience of more than 30,000 people as a social media manager. Initiated the use of audiograms and  used multiple programs for graphic design, video and audio editing to create social media content.

Education reporter – News & Record | Greensboro, N.C. | May 2013 – July 2016

• Reported primarily on Guilford County Schools, a district of about 72,000 students that is the third-largest in North Carolina
• Analyzed data using Microsoft Excel to inform reporting on topics such as student discipline, fire code violations, and budgets
• Spurred the creation of an alumni association at Kiser Middle School by reporting on the school losing its drama program and a popular teacher due to budget cuts

Education reporter – The Clarion-Ledger | Jackson, Miss. | August 2008 – May 2013

• Covered seven school districts — including three of the largest in the state — and the state Department of Education
• Spurred changes to state law and state Board of Education policy by reporting on an increased number of teachers accused of having sexual relationships with students or other minors
• Broke news on a local basketball coach who whipped players with a weightlifting belt in violation of the school system policy banning corporal punishment. This story was picked up by national news outlets such as USA Today and ESPN.

Reporter – The Roanoke Times | Roanoke, Va. | September 2005 – August 2008

• Covered the city of Salem, Roanoke College and Hollins University
• Helped cover the mass shooting at Virginia Tech
• Wrote feature stories, shot photographs and recorded videos for the Neighbors section before being promoted to a city beat