The Florida Times-Union

I started at The Florida Times-Union in May of 2019 full time as an education reporter, but quickly my responsibilities expanded. From running digital and serving as a lead reporter during large events and emergency coverage, to managing social media campaigns and town halls. Along with enterprise stories on youth culture and education in the South,  a big part of my role is covering government, community and systemic issues and explaining to readers why they should care. Here are some of my favorite pieces:

Race, gender, inclusion and equity

• • Coach wouldn’t let a transgender student join the boys soccer team. Now Duval Schools is apologizing
  • Girls to the Front: Lady Skate Day welcomes underrepresented groups to skateboarding
  • ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill raises concerns among Florida LGBTQ community and allies
  • ‘We’re not done’: How students forced Duval Schools to amplify Black History Month
  • Douglas Anderson school cancels race-separated student diversity meetings after outcry
  • Jacksonville private school discontinues part of racial literacy curriculum citing ‘angst’
  • Year of protest carries over to business world in confronting racial gaps
  • Duval Schools Police Department lambasted by grand jury in statewide safety report
  • ‘Our voice is crucial’: How Jacksonville’s young people are fighting for Black lives
  • ‘A look at the real world:’ How Duval County teachers confronted the Capitol attack with students
  • Students at Jacksonville’s elite schools discuss racism — often anonymously
  • Drag Queen Story Hour prevails at UNF
  • ‘A look at the real world:’ How Duval County teachers confronted the Capitol attack with students
  • UNF Interfaith Center hosts candid conversation on antisemitism on campus after Passover Incident

Confederate-tied schools renamed

• • • Duval School Board votes to rename 6 Confederate-tied schools 
    • Duval schools named after colonizers raises ‘connection of oppression’ 
    • The story behind a push to rename Lee High School 

Transphobic Teacher Series:

• • Jacksonville teacher who sparked inclusion training continued posting homophobic memes. Duval Schools says it will investigate
  • Jacksonville teacher who prompted inclusion training won’t return to classroom — for now
  • Sandalwood teacher suspended for slew of transphobic, anti-LGBTQ Facebook posts

Misc.

• • Department of Health not giving schools guidance puts Duval in ‘double bind situation’
  • Duval County teachers work multiple jobs to make ends meet
  • Bodycam video shows Jacksonville girl, 6, ‘pleasant’ on ‘field trip’ to mental health facility
  • Is $150 million payment to charters needed to pass Duval Schools’ tax referendum?
  • Maintenance woes plague Duval schools
  • Generation Lockdown: School safety drills aim to prepare students for the worst
  • Senate takes up bill to arm Florida’s teachers