K-12 education reporter

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is seeking a passionate and experienced reporter to join our education team in a one-year grant-funded position covering K-12 education in the Milwaukee area.

This role is about more than covering schools - it's about telling the stories that matter most to the people who rely on our education system every day.

We're looking for a journalist who believes no story is too big or too small, who can spotlight what's working in Milwaukee's educational landscape - from innovative classroom practices and community-driven initiatives to programs that are boosting student outcomes. Just as importantly, this reporter will hold institutions accountable when systems fail students, parents or teachers.

Your reporting will center the voices of those most affected by education policy and practice. We're looking for a self-starter who can identify stories of interest to current readers and those that may draw in a new audience. One day, you might profile a teacher who's transforming reading scores in a neighborhood school; the next, you might investigate barriers that prevent families from accessing quality education. You'll cover key developments in Milwaukee Public Schools - such as leadership changes, budget decisions and school board actions - while also exploring broader trends and challenges across Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

This reporter will collaborate frequently with our existing reporter who covers K-12 in Milwaukee and Wisconsin, and our reporter who covers K-12 education in the Milwaukee suburbs. The education team also includes higher education and workforce pathways reporters.

This reporter will be part of our education team and work collaboratively with reporters on the team covering K-12 education in Milwaukee and the suburbs, higher education and workforce pathways.

This is a one-year position with the potential to expand into a longer-term role through additional grant support as we seek to expand our reporting capacity in this key area. Funders have no say on the stories we choose, how we report them or how we edit them. Newsroom editors have final say over all journalistic decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Report on education with a focus on impact, equity and accountability.
• Serve as a trusted source of information for Milwaukee students, parents, educators and the wider community.
• Identify and explain trends that influence student success, both inside and outside the classroom.
• Use data to uncover stories and measure the effectiveness of educational initiatives.
• Meet readers where they are with stories and information conceived and formatted to fit into their lives: listicles, explainers and videos.
• Respond quickly to breaking news while pursuing in-depth enterprise reporting.
• Collaborate with content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, videos and graphics). Capture basic photos and video as needed.
• This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
• Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer drug screen, motor vehicle record check and background check.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in journalism, preferably with a focus on education or public service reporting.
• Bachelor's degree in journalism or a related major preferred.
• Strong writing, reporting and multimedia storytelling skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret education data.
• Deep curiosity about how education systems work - and how they can work better.
• Commitment to inclusive, community-centered journalism.
• Familiarity with Milwaukee's diverse communities is a plus.
• Speaking a second language is a plus.

Application Requirements:

To apply, please submit the following:

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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The hourly rate for this role will range between $16.44 and $38.70. Variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, location, and union representation, if applicable.

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