A thank-you from our education reporter

Hi Reader,

I am so thankful that for almost five months now, I have been able to cover important education news, dive into underreported topics, spotlight local programs and people making a difference, and connect with and meet so many of you! People in Henrico care about local news, especially education news. Parents, educators, students, families, and community members want to know what is happening in Henrico’s public schools, private schools, community colleges, school board, teacher unions, and within school administration.

And a lot has happened!

Henrico’s teachers union made a plea for collective bargaining, new candidates joined the school board after fierce races, weapons scanners were installed at all high schools, SOL scores declined, Montrose Elementary and Elko Middle became accredited, and more.

Some of my favorite stories I’ve worked on include reporting on the vacancies that existed among teachers and support staff – which schools were hit the hardest and what is being done to fill positions, efforts from gun violence survivors to address firearms being brought to schools and other gun-safety efforts, and how Henrico Schools is helping its growing English learner population succeed in school.

And there is so much more I want to work on – covering immigrant students and how they adapt to a new environment, looking into the population of homeless students in Henrico and how the schools are responding, following the new-look school board and what it will decide on transgender student policies and other relevant issues.

But my work would not be possible without the contributions you have made to our local the Citizen – one of the last independent, local news sources in the area – and to our cause. Every donation helps us expand our coverage, hire more reporters, focus on more stories, and keeps us in your email inbox every day to inform you about what is happening in your community. 

And through our partnership with Report for America, the national service program that places reporters (including me!) into local newsrooms to keep local news alive and thriving, you can make a 100% tax-deductible contribution to support my position.

In the past few months, we have received so many generous donations from dedicated readers that we cannot thank enough for helping us continue our mission in Henrico.

Thank you again for all of your support, your kindness, and your passion for local news.

Sincerely,
Liana Hardy, education reporter