Reporter’s Notebook: Black Students Need Us To Show Up 

By Aziah Siid | Word In Black (WIB) – Since I joined the Word In Black team, I’ve covered issues from the mental health crisis among Black youth to initiatives families have taken to combat the school-to-prison pipeline. Occasionally, I get an opportunity to sit in a room full of experts, educators, and other education reporters to get a better understanding of the issues facing K-12 students — and ideas on how to cover them.  Last week, I attended the Education Writers Association convention in Las Vegas. For four days, we heard from people like Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Fedrick Ingram, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, and dozens of other speakers. There were roundtable discussions about teacher burnout, school safety zones, and strategies for retaining Black teachers. My first EWA national seminar was an intensive learning experience, but it also was a welcoming environment to network with colleagues, learn more about the issues, and even connect with sources who inform and inspire us. Here are four takeaways from the conference. Schools and the Youth Vote& In a high-stakes election year, the conference kicked off with a session on youth voters and their role in civic engagement. The panel...