Dear members,
Preparing to join you at the Education Writers Association over the last few weeks has felt a bit like getting ready for the first day of school: A mix of curiosity, anticipation, and ultimately, gratitude for the incredibly warm welcome this community has already shown.
I’m thrilled and humbled to lead EWA through this pivotal moment for journalism and for education.
Strong education journalism matters. It shapes how people understand the institutions that serve their children, the policies that affect their communities and the workforce, and the decisions that shape their own lives.
The education information ecosystem is bigger and more diverse than it was even a few years ago. More people are contributing meaningfully to — or sometimes disrupting — the public’s understanding of education across platforms, communities, and audiences. That creates challenges, but it also creates an enormous opportunity for EWA.
We can help define what quality education journalism looks like in this evolving landscape, not simply respond to it.
That means being intentional about how we grow and strengthen the EWA community without losing sight of our mission. It means ensuring that our programming, resources, and professional networks continue to meet the needs of the journalists and communicators EWA is here to serve. It also means building the financial strength to sustain and protect this organization for the long haul, for you.
My job is to work with the EWA board, staff, and members to do all of that while respecting and protecting what makes this organization so valuable to you in the first place. I’m not coming to EWA with a list of things that need to be fixed. I’m coming to you with a lot of questions, probably too much energy, and a deep respect for what you have built.
As a former journalist, transparency, clarity, and timeliness shape how I communicate. I believe that organizations should be willing to experiment when the moment demands it, while being careful not to change the things that matter most to the people we serve.
So, you’ll hear from me. You’ll see me listening. And you’ll see EWA speaking up.
Right now, that includes standing up for press freedom and for you: education journalists who are doing the essential work of informing your communities.
We are seeing growing attacks on education journalists and access to public information at all levels of coverage. We’re seeing hostility spill into local school board meetings and everyday interactions between reporters and sources. And we’re seeing the devastating effects of newsroom layoffs, which are especially damaging to local school coverage when the reporter covering the beat was the only journalist in the area doing it.
When education journalism disappears or is stunted, communities lose more than a news story. They lose context, accountability, and someone whose job it is to ask the next question.
EWA’s role is clear: We will continue to respond to the urgent challenges our members face, and we will work just as hard to build the networks, resources, and opportunities that help education writers succeed.
So, there’s a lot of work ahead. I’m excited about it. And I want to do it with you.
I’ll be spending the coming months listening to members, education journalists, our partners, and those who rely on this work. I want to hear from you what EWA does exceptionally well, where we can do more, and what you think we should be paying attention to next.
That’s why I’m hosting virtual meet-and-greets for all EWA members on Oct. 15 (1-2 p.m. Eastern) and Oct. 21 (4-5 p.m. Eastern). No formal agenda: Just a chance to connect and get to know each other. Stay for the full hour, or just pop in when you’re able. If you’re not able to join, I’ll also hold regular “Member Hours” on Friday afternoons starting in November.
EWA belongs to its members. My job is to help make sure it is strong enough, bold enough, and ready to serve you for whatever comes next.
I’m honored to join you. Now, let’s get started.
With admiration,
Beth
