JOURNALISM
Telling Stories That Matter
As a journalist, I produced fair, accurate reporting that shaped the conversation on issues that mattered. Through investigations, features, and daily coverage, the mission was always the same: tell the truth and make an impact.
Reactions to My Work
“As a fiduciary who was asked to approve it, I shouldn’t be hearing about it from an investigative reporter.”
“It frustrates me a little bit to find this stuff out in the newspaper ... the General Assembly needs to do a better job of digging into contracts.”
“It is pretty astounding this happened without being in the public light.”
(Graphic by Will Houp.)
Investigations
The Pa. agency that looks for wasteful spending wasted $160,000 on guns and ammo it can’t use // Spotlight PA
Pa. teachers’ pensions are invested in a NYC skyscraper linked to Jared Kushner, but they probably don’t know it // Spotlight PA
Virginia Beach board member's business with schools raises questions // The Virginian-Pilot
School Board member plans to cut business ties with Virginia Beach schools after Pilot investigation // The Virginian-Pilot
From lewd text messages to sexual abuse: The top reason Virginia educators lose their teaching licenses // The Virginian-Pilot
Review: Which school board members have the worst attendance in Allegheny County? // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
EDITORIAL: Truant board members: Want to serve on a school board? Show up // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Why are some banned Pa. educators still collecting pensions? // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
EDITORIAL: Forfeiture for good reason: Diminish pensions for disgraced public servants // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Emails reveal internal struggle over North Allegheny security consultant's Facebook posts // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Good moral character? In Pa., drunken driving and other crimes don't mean you can't teach // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Email exchange reveals rifts on West Mifflin Area school board over embattled superintendent // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
EDITORIAL: Muzzling the public: West Mifflin board gets poor grade for civics // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Survey shows Landstown High staffers complained about principal before removal // The Virginian-Pilot
Features
Woodland Hills, a district scarred by violence, copes with tragedy // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Antwon Rose II told friends he was getting out of Rankin. He never got the chance // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
After Tree of Life attack, holocaust teachers believe educators can do more to prevent hate crimes // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Squirrel Hill Synagogue Massacre: Remembering the Victims // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Walking the line between consequences and trust: School officials seek discipline that is fair // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Press
'I owe Springfield a lot': SHS grad, part of Pulitzer Prize-winning team to address event // State Journal-Register
Knox’s alumni journalist chronicle COVID-19 crisis // Knox College
Springfield native Matt McKinney shares in Pulitzer Prize // State Journal-Register
Knox Senior Lands Journalism Internship and Front-Page Story // Knox College
A Strong Foundation
In March 2024, I had the honor of delivering a keynote to the Springfield (Ill.) Public Schools Foundation on the power of great teachers. Mine emphasized reading, writing, and current events — even allowing me to skip class to cover an Illinois governor’s impeachment for our student newspaper. Together, they inspired me to pursue a career in journalism, public affairs, and communications. Read more here.