writing
Who carries the biggest child care burden in San Francisco?
SF Examiner | October 20, 2022
Nearly 60% of San Francisco children live in families that struggle to afford child care, which can run up to $4,000 per month for a family with two kids between the ages 0 to 5. Our story examined the affordability crunch for parents and how some are making ends meet.
San Francisco police increase citations for open-air drug users
SF Examiner | August 5, 2022
San Francisco police dramatically increased citations for people for possession of drug paraphernalia, in some cases moments after drug users were legally supplied syringes and pipes from publicly-funded harm-reduction programs, The Examiner uncovered.
Feds force patient relocations at Laguna Honda, deaths follow
SF Examiner | July 21, 2022
A federal mandate to close California’s largest nursing home led to the death of nine residents and distress for hundreds more.
California districts attempt to revive outdoor education programs slashed during the pandemic
Bay Nature | June 1, 2020
Nearly a third of outdoor education programs in California have shut down in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Now some schools are incorporating outdoor science education into their distance learning strategy to mitigate the loss of students’ exposure to natural environments.
Oakland students organize protest following George Floyd death
EdSource | June 1, 2020
Through protest and classroom conversations, thousands of Bay Area youth and adults are speaking out in support of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died last week after a police officer in Minneapolis kneeled on his neck.
More California students are online, but digital divide runs deep
EdSource | May 1, 2020
Approximately 1.2 million California students lacked broadband or a computer to access distance learning when schools closed in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. State officials have launched several initiatives to help close the digital divide, but data shows there’s much more to do.
List of California K-12 districts closed for in-person instruction due to coronavirus
EdSource | March 25, 2020
As school districts across California announced closures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, I created a full database detailing when more than 1,000 districts planned to shut their doors by scanning through district websites and calling hundreds of district officials.
Why internet stops once school ends for many rural California students
PBS Newshour | December 31, 2019
Only a third of California households in rural areas are subscribed to internet service, making homework, applying to college and communication between teachers and parents a struggle for students and families in rural parts of the state.
Scooting to Class
Slate | September 7, 2018
Colleges and universities are among the latest points of interest for e-scooter operators, which have taken major cities across the country by storm after deploying the dockless scooters.
Robert Reich on Student Brains, Civic Education and Restoring Pathways to the Middle Class
EdSurge | August 3, 2018
Robert Reich, a chancellor's professor of public policy at UC Berkeley and former Secretary of Labor, talks about the need to restore a “common good,” technology’s role in education today, and preparing students for the future.
Are You Still There? How a ‘Netflix’ Model For Advising Lost Its Luster
EdSurge | March 15, 2018
“Netflix for education” has become a cliché for edtech companies using predictive analytics. Here's how one Tennessee college that helped pioneer the technology is finding its flaws and limitations.
This Company Wants to Gather Student Brainwave Data to Measure “Engagement”
EdSurge | October 26, 2017
Edtech startup BrainCo is developing a headset to report students’ EEG information to measure student engagement. But scientists say there is little evidence to support the device, and the company has not disclosed policies around how biometric data will be used. All of this has experts concerned.
Edtech's Hidden Shortage: Women Directors
EdSurge | July 25, 2017
Women make up less than 7 percent of board directors among the highest-funded edtech startups. Without underrepresented voices in corporate decision-making, companies struggle to understand, let alone serve diverse populations and learners.
Cover Feature: Virgie Tovar
East Bay Express | August 9, 2016
A renowned author, activist, and East Bay native, Virgie Tovar is and bringing down diet culture one bite at a time.
Access Denied
Cover Feature, East Bay Express | April 27, 2016
Berkeley neighbors attack homeless community members on Nextdoor.com, but the website won't let homeless people fight back.
The Art of Data-telling
East Bay Express | April 13, 2016
Housing displacement in Oakland, Alameda, Fremont, and Berkeley will soon be added to the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project.
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Guerrilla Arborists Are Determined to Make S.F.’s Trees Grow Food
San Francisco magazine | February 12, 2016
Undercover urban arborists are fighting for fresh produce in the city, one tree at a time.
The Super Bowl 50 Charity Raised a Record Wad of Cash. Will It Make a Difference?
San Francisco magazine | January 28, 2016
The 50 Fund, a pop-up fundraiser that’s pouring millions into local charities, is changing the way sports give back. Will it make a lasting impact?