Portfolio

The following are samples of my writing on a variety of topics. If you would like similar topics for your publication, please contact me about my freelance writing services.

Arts & Culture

STL Mosaic Stories: Lucia Landa

STL Mosaic Stories: Angela Zeng

Homegrown Talent: Where Are The Muny Kids & Teens Today? 

The Wee Heavies

Dance Teacher Magazine: Bringing the Past to Life

Dance Teacher Magazine: One Class Fits All, Designing Classes For Mixed Levels

Inside ChiArts: Chicago Artists in the Making: Bruce Bennett and Gabby Ochoa

Inside ChiArts: Chicago Artists in the Making: Harlan Ballogg

Inside ChiArts: Chicago Artists in the Making: Shaquita Reed

Inside ChiArts: Chicago Artists in the Making: Madeline Finn

Celebrating Intersectional Identity: Three Women Share Their Experiences 

National Deaf History Month 

LGBTQ Pride Month: Honoring LGBTQ and Ally Activists Who Led the Fight Against AIDS

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 

New Study Points to the Widespread Benefits of Arts Education for Young Students 

Beyonce’s Homecoming Documentary Celebrates HBCUs

Performance Studies Teach Students To Value Underrepresented Communities 

Chekhov: A Biography and The Signature of All Things

Nora Webster

Aloha to Love

2016 Season Muny Show Guidelines

Analysis of the Characters in “Troilus and Cressida”

Into The Woods 

“Will You Take Me as I Am,” and Other Joni Musings

“Will You Take Me As I Am,” Part Two

New Dance Horizons

Reading Wonder 

Diving Into Quiet 

Lila

K-12 Education

The Urgency for Gender Inclusivity 

All Means All at Saint Louis Public Schools

Educating for Change

Cradle-to-Prison Pipeline Becomes Cradle-to-College Pathway Under Groups’ Efforts

Teaching Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities: Lessons from an Independent School Specifically Designed for These Creative, Complex Individuals 

Youth Activism at Independent Schools Transforms Communities, Schools 

Engaging Diverse Learners Through an Individualized Approach to Reading Instruction

Laying the Groundwork for Courageous Conversations: A Beginner’s Guide to Socratic Seminars

Teaching Gifted Learners

School Is No Place for Hate: Implementing ADL’s Yearlong Anti-Bias Education Initiative

Co-Teaching: A Best Practice that Benefits Emergent Bilinguals and Entire Classrooms 

Teacher’s Toolkit: Improve Organization and Cut Back on Handouts with Evernote

Enrich Classroom Discussions with NowComment

Encouraging Teachers: Three Easy, Inspiring Reads for the Beginning of the School Year 

Social Justice Poetry: Books of Poetry Empower Students to Enact Change

The Race Factor: Three Handbooks Address Race in the Classroom 

Math Anxiety and Strategies for Making Numbers Fun 

A Beginner’s Guide for Practicing Diversity: Two Icebreaker Activities that Emphasize Values of Diversity and Inclusion 

A Beginner’s Guide for Practicing Diversity: Build Community Relationships by Having Teachers Regularly Observe Each Other 

College Admissions GPA Weight Vs. Standardized Test

Good Science Research Topics for Ninth Graders

Five Tips for Teaching College Level Study Skills

Large Class Sizes Deter Female Participation in STEM, New Research Shows

New High School Course Aims to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Youth with Disabilities

Despite Investment in Girls’ Math and Science Education, Their Interest in STEM Is Waning

When School Leaders Are African American, Black Teachers and Students Benefit

Online Credit Recovery Courses Help Students Graduate But Lower Learning Standards, Researchers Say 

The Lack of Foreign Language Classes in US Schools Hurts Workforce, Immigrant Students 

School Shooter Drills Can Be Traumatizing, But There Are Options for Empowering Students 

Experts Offer Stricter Guidelines, Further Evidence on Need to Restrict Screen Time 

High-Quality Preschools Create Healthier Adults, Yet Few Children Have Access to Programs 

Studies Provide Further Proof that African American Students Benefit from Having Black Teachers

Study Suggests Selective High Schools  May Thwart Students’ Long-Term Success

New Study Examines Relationship Between Teacher Effectiveness and Student Behavior

Opportunities and Approaches to Facilitating Conversations about Sexual Assault in K-12 Classrooms 

Study Illustrates Severity of ‘Homework Gap’ for Underrepresented and Underserved Students

Dozens Charged in College Admissions Conspiracy, Including Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin

Creative Teaching and Learning: Food for Thought

“Divine Sonnet X” Analysis

Higher Education

Religious Diversity is the Missing Piece in Campus DEI Work 

Journalists as First Responders: Educators Teach Trauma-Informed Reporting, Self-Care

Community Policing Drives Buffalo State’s Approach to Improving Officer-Student Relationship

Labor of Love: Doctors of Color Strive to Address Shortage of African American Male Doctors Through Mentorship 

Institutions Ease the Transition to Higher Ed for Overlooked Student Groups 

Experts Explain the Continuing Drop in International Enrollment and What Higher Ed Can Do to Help 

An INSIGHT Investigation: Accounting for Just 0.5% of Higher Education’s Budgets, Even Minimal Diversity Funding Supports Their Bottom Line 

Recruiting International Students from Africa Is a Worthwhile Challenge

Public Policy Schools Create Research Centers to Help Solve Some of the Nation’s Most Pressing Problems 

Nonprofits and Journalism Schools Aim to Diversify the Profession by Developing New Talent 

Law Schools Across the Country Train Students to Fight for LGBTQ Rights

Three Institutions of Higher Education Support Students Who Grew Up in Foster Care

In Lieu of ‘Objectivity,’ Journalism Professors Argue for Credibility and Directness 

Higher Education Leaders Rally to Advocate For Undocumented Students Under Trump Presidency

Creating Safe and Supportive Campus Climates for Individuals with Invisible Disabilities

Three Public Policy Grads Make a Difference in Underrepresented Communities

University of Louisville Institute ‘Builds a Bridge’ Between Research and Action for Social Justice 

#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholars Share Their Experience Studying in the United States

The University of South Carolina Models a Collaborative Approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Law School Recruitment and Assistance from Legal Groups Help Firms Diversify the Profession

Healthcare Suffers When Medical School Graduates Don’t Match 

Challenging Legacy Admissions: The Role America’s Top Universities Play in Perpetuating Socioeconomic and Racial Inequality

Trump’s Tense Relationship with HBCUs

Two Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions Aim to Serve Growing Latinx Communities

Teachers Pursue Public Policy Degrees to Better Advocate for Their Students

Incubators and Accelerators Open Doors for Female, Immigrant, and Underrepresented Entrepreneurs

BDS Movement Causes Backlash Against Jewish College Students and Employees

CASE Launches National Residency Program to Diversify Higher Education Fundraising Profession 

New App Aims to Make Classroom Discussions More Inclusive 

$1.75 Million Grants Help HBCU Combat Shortage of Rehabilitation Counselors 

American Dental Education Association Supports Multiple Paths to Diversity 

Veterinary Technicians Advocate for Their Profession Amid National Shortage 

Toeing the Line: Christian Colleges Send Mixed Signals to LGBTQ+ Students

An Interview with the Experts: How Colleges Can Support Title IX During Tumultous Change 

The Role of Diversity Leaders at US Business Schools 

Work Experience, Specialized Services Are Key to Reducing Unemployment Among People with Disabilities 

Universities Join Forces for Special Education PhD Program 

A Q&A with Joelle Murchison: Comparing Diversity and Including Work in Higher Education and the Corporate Sector 

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Argos for Autism at the University of West Florida 

Three Universities Strive to Recruit Underrepresented Groups at All Levels of Academia

Andrew Mellon Foundation Awards $3.3. Million to Prison Education Programs

As DACA’s Fate Remains Unknown, New Study Shows How It Transforms Lives 

Experts Say Arming Teachers Would Put Students, Especially Minorities, at Risk

Study Reveals Need for More Support, Flexibility from Institutions to Ensure Success of Adult Female Students

Institutions Reassess Policies for Bestowing and Rescinding Honorary Degrees, Awards in Wake of Sexual Misconduct Scandals

MUSC College of Pharmacy Alumni Create Two New Scholarships for Minority Students

Greek Organizations Face Crisis on College Campuses Across the Country

Notre Dame Embroiled in Controversy over Contraceptive Coverage

African-American Student Athletes Experience Record-Setting Graduate Rates

Perceived Gender Bias Leads More Women to Pursue Lower-Paying Fields, Study Shows

Students in Veterans Affairs Residency Program Gain Clinical Experience While Serving Veterans

U.S. Institutions Struggle to Serve Low-Income and Minority Students Amid Government Skepticism 

What Is the Difference Between M.Ed. & MAT? 

The Recommended Schools for a Degree in Stage Management

International Recruitment Organizations Connect US Schools to Students Overseas

Pharmacy Students Play Crucial Role in Combating COVID-19

Nursing and Pharmacy Schools Cultivate Students’ Cultural Competency Skills Through Community Outreach 

Month of May Marks 50th Anniversary of Oft-Neglected Tragedy at Jackson State University

Diverse Group of Women Academics Launch ‘Dear Pandemic’ Facebook Page

Coronavirus Interrupts Education Plans for Thousands of Students

Free Speech Center Launches Publication About First Amendment Issues in Higher Education

President of Johns Hopkins University Emerges as Vocal Critic of Legacy Admissions

At Princeton, Portraits Honor African American Blue-Collar Employees

Public Policy and Administration by the Numbers

Universities Commemorate MLK Day by Reflecting on the Past and Present 

Several Colleges and Universities Announce Plans for Reopening in Fall 2020

Study Shows that Women of Color Face Highest Barriers to Employment in STEM

University of Alabama Returns $21.5 Million Gift to School’s Largest Donor

‘Degrees When Due’ Helps Students with Partial College Credit Cross the Finish Line

Ohio College Launches Smartphone Navigation App for Blind and Low-Vision Students

National Foster Care Month 

Making History: Barbara Ross-Lee

Remembering Dr. Wanda Mitchell

K-12 Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan: Why Is It Offensive? History of Blackface, Modern-Day Cultural Appropriation

Lesson Plan: ‘Feminism is for Everybody’: Celebrating Women’s History Month and How Gender Intersects with Other Identities

Creative Ideas for Celebrating International Women’s Day 

Grand Center Creative Writing

ODonnellGCAA

Hook, The Crucible 

Final Project, The Crucible 

Handmaid’s Tale Project

High School Musical Theatre Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan for “Growth Mindset” 

Lesson Plan, Persuasive Essays 

Thanksgiving Creative Writing Lesson Plan 

Education & DEI Legislation 

Several States Restrict Travel to Those with Anti-LGBTQ Laws

2018 U.S. Women’s Marches Focus on Midterm Elections, Call for Women to Vote and Run for Office

Higher Education (PROSPER) Act: Free Speech or Discrimination? 

GOP’s Final Tax Plan Proposes Excise Tax on Some Private University Endowments

New GOP Tax Plan Places Heavy Financial Burden on Students and Universities 

Supreme Court Says Transgender Military Ban Will Go into Effect, For Now

Trump’s Recent Immigration Proposal Puts All Students’ Health at Risk, Doctors Say

Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Address Shortage of Qualified TESOL Instructors

2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates and College Affordability 

While Supreme Court Weighs LGBTQ Equality, Some States Are Ahead on Inclusion

Idaho Lawmakers Debate Merits of Diversity Funding at Boise State Event

Senate Education Chairman Blocks FUTURE Act for Minority-Serving Institutions 

Lawsuit Against UNC Broadens the Debate Over Race-Conscious Admissions

Mental Health, Wellness, & Spirituality 

Experts Challenge Educators to Implement School-Wide Mindfulness Practice 

Colleges and Universities Expand Suicide Prevention Efforts Thanks to Federal Grant 

Young People Are Committing Suicide in Record Numbers, Research Shows

New Framework Guides Institutions in Supporting Mental Health Needs of Students of Color 

Dave Nee Foundation Supports Lawyers, Law Students Who Suffer from Depression

College Students Form Their Own Advocacy Groups to Shape Mental Health Education on Campus 

When Things Fall Apart 

Students Report that Disability Status, Mental Health Diagnoses Correlate to Different Types of Peer Harassment Victimization

Body Respect 

Kentucky Independent Schools Implement Digital Tool to Address Students’ Mental Health Needs 

Mark Twain, Mark 8:35 

Food

How to Use Apple Juice Instead of Apple Cider

Cookbooks Are For Collecting 

Easy Cooked Carrot Recipes 

A Chance of Meatballs

Ringing in the New Year with “Quick and Easy Chinese” 

Getting Creative with Salmon 

“Healthy Dish of the Day” 

Winter Brunch Menu 

Eating The Veggies

Two Flank Steak Suppers

Festive Summer Supper

Chicken with Coconut Curry

Goat Cheese and Onions Part 1

Goat Cheese and Onions Part 2 

Gratitude and Roasted Red Pepper Soup 

A Sandwich for a Rainy Day 

In Praise of Peasant Food

Comfort Food 

What’s Cookin’, Good Lookin’

2017 Recipe Scrapbook

Travel

Reading in Iceland

Recommendations for Sanibel Island… and Beach Side Musings

Farewell Chicago

Musings

Mountain Wisdom

The Meaning of Michelle

Daring Greatly 

Embracing the Selfie Ethos

Zero to Thirty 

On Hospitality 

Sleeping Baby Post

Strong and Wrong

Between The World and Me

Grateful Wednesdays

A Few Takeaways from “Hard Choices” 

Poetry

Making Plans

Other

Extremist Groups Spread Hate During COVID-19 

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