Pulitzer Center Update May 19, 2025
Meet the Teacher Fellowship Alumni Connecting Students to Local News
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Ten alumni from the Pulitzer Center’s Teacher Fellowship Program have joined our K-12 education team for the Spring 2025 Teacher Fellowship program, “Global Issues, Local Contexts: News for Civic Knowledge and Engagement." These educators were selected from Fellowship alumni applicants across the U.S. to explore how Pulitzer Center news stories produced by regional outlets in the U.S. reflect issues present in their own communities, and to explore the way that engagement with local news can inform civic knowledge and engagement.
"My goal for this fellowship is to enable students to feel empowered by examining how journalism can be a way for young people to make sense of and also share the important stories in their communities.”
Ken Hung, a high school social studies educator in Philadelphia, PA
“My goal for this fellowship is to introduce my students to the power and importance of local news. I want them to understand that journalism is not something that happens “out there”—it is something that reflects and shapes their own communities.”
Renee O’Connor, a high school English Language Arts educator in Miami Gardens, FL
This year’s Fellows represent 10 public high schools from eight states. Their courses include Science, AP Human Geography, Creative Writing and Vocal Justice, American Literature, English Language Arts, Global Politics, Asian American Studies, African American History, US History, Bridge to College English, and Government & Economics.
Learn more about these amazing Fellows in our slideshow below (click on the image to advance slides).
Over the course of three workshops and one orientation, teacher fellows analyzed the goals that drive local news outlets in the U.S., the challenges they face, and the unique role that local journalism and engagement play in informing and mobilizing society. Fellows also connected with Pulitzer Center CEO Lisa Gibbs and grantees Jasmine Aguilera, a senior health equity reporter with El Timpano and Michelle Lotker, a producer, cinematographer, and editor with PBS North Carolina.
Then, Fellows designed short learning experiences (one-three class periods) that engage a Center-supported news story by a local or regional news outlet in the U.S., and culminate in a civic engagement activity. The learning experience leverages the following questions:
- What role do local and regional outlets play in encouraging civic engagement?
- How do we engage with the issues affecting our communities?
- How can local reporting connect us to global, underreported issues?
- How can we leverage journalism as a first step in promoting student civic knowledge and engagement?
Fellows are teaching their lessons throughout spring 2025. Their lessons will be available in our lesson library starting in the Fall of 2025.
“The power of local news to activate people and bring the community together to solve an issue is so impressive and empowering.”
Rivanna Jihan, a high school educator from Chicago, IL wrote in a mid-program survey.
“I learned that local news plays a crucial role in keeping communities informed about issues that directly affect them, from education and health to environmental concerns. It fosters civic engagement by empowering people and my students to make informed decisions and take action in their neighborhoods.”
Andre Pineda, a middle school science educator from White River, AZ.
For more information on our fellowship program and to explore units by the 106 amazing educators who have participated in our teacher fellowships over the past four years, click here.