Essential education reporting across America
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Caroline Bauman

Community Engagement Manager

Caroline Bauman connects Chalkbeat with our readers as the Community Engagement Manager. She previously served as Chalkbeat Tennessee’s community editor and reported on the state-run Achievement School District. She first came to Chalkbeat as a reporting intern. Bauman has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri as a Thurgood Marshall Fellow, and you can find her bylines in the Kansas City Star and Financial Times.

School administrators speak with a family on the first day of school as other parents walk by them outside a brick school building.
From Chalkbeat New York Meeting the Moment
Tell us: How has your relationship to school changed since the pandemic started?
Chalkbeat wants to hear from you. How has your relationship with your school community changed since the roller coaster ride of campus closures and openings?
By Amy Zimmer and Caroline Bauman
 
A child wearing a backpack walks toward a school building. Other children and parents can be seen behind him.
Meeting the Moment Meeting the Moment
In 2023, what will be the biggest education issue in your school community?
Help inform our reporting this year.
By Caroline Bauman
 
Bold, white text sits atop a blue background and reads, “Chalkbeat Colorado’s 2023 Legislative Preview.” Accompanying the text is a picture of the Colorado capitol building.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado General Assembly
You’re invited: Chalkbeat’s 2023 Legislative Preview
By Caroline Bauman and Erica Meltzer
 
Shreya Ganesh stands before a crowd in a white shirt and is holding a microphone. She stands before a brick wall.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee The Comeback
The Comeback: Memphis students and teachers share stories of resilience after pandemic
By Caroline Bauman and Dan Lyon
 
A promotional image for an event displays the title, “Detroit school board virtual candidate forum” in black against a purple background.
From Chalkbeat Detroit District management
You’re invited: Attend the Detroit school board candidate forum
Join Chalkbeat and WDET as we hear from the candidates vying to oversee Detroit public schools.
By Caroline Bauman
 
A woman behind a voting screen that says IndyVOTES
From Chalkbeat Indiana Indianapolis Public Schools
IPS school board forum: RSVP to hear from candidates
There are four candidates for three positions on the IPS board.
By Caroline Bauman
 
Some students are standing, while others are sitting in a classroom.
From Chalkbeat New York Meeting the Moment
NYC: What’s the No. 1 thing you’d like your school to provide this year?
Chalkbeat wants to hear from students, parents, and educators: What are you looking forward to this school year? What are your hopes? Concerns?
By Amy Zimmer and Caroline Bauman
 
The event title, “The Comeback: An evening of stories from Memphis educators and students “ is displayed in white text against a blue backdrop. Next to the title is a photo of a storyteller from a previous event.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee The Comeback
The Comeback: An evening of stories from Memphis educators and students
RSVP to attend Chalkbeat’s event on Aug. 24.
By Caroline Bauman
 
The event title, “NYC is promising to overhaul literacy in NYC schools. What will it take?” appears in white text against a purple background. Next to the text is an image of a student reading.
From Chalkbeat New York Teaching & Classroom
Event: NYC is promising to revamp how students learn to read. What will it take?
RSVP to join the virtual conversation on Aug. 10.
By Caroline Bauman
 
Promotional image of event with title “Forum: Who is running for the Memphis Shelby County Schools board?” against a blue backdrop.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy
Forum: Who is running for the Memphis Shelby County Schools board?
RSVP for our MSCS candidate forum on July 21 and get informed
By Caroline Bauman
 
Illustration of people against a grid backdrop
Inside Chalkbeat Inside Chalkbeat
We’re launching a free tool for journalists to track source diversity
Here’s how other newsrooms can sign up.
By Caroline Bauman
 
A college graduate with a blue cap and gown stands in a photograph. The photo captures the back of the graduate’s head, featuring the blue cap, against a dark room. The graduate faces a stage.
From Chalkbeat Colorado After high school
Reading list: How Colorado could improve college access for students
Colorado is a highly educated state, yet there are large gaps in degree attainment. Here’s a reading list on the efforts to improve college access.
By Caroline Bauman and Chalkbeat Staff
 
The title of an upcoming event, “Two Colorados: How we can get more students to — and through — college” is displayed against a blue background. Next to the words, a photo displays a person walking on a college campus.
From Chalkbeat Colorado
Event: How we can get more Colorado students to — and through — college
Too few students of color and from rural areas graduate college. Join Chalkbeat’s May 18 event to talk solutions.
By Caroline Bauman
 
Art teacher Elizabeth Velasquez begins a Zoom class in her empty classroom. The chairs are stacked neatly on desks as she sits at a small desk in the front of the dark classroom.
Teaching & Classroom Teaching & Classroom
Tell us: Did you quit teaching this year? What led to your decision?
The daily reality for teachers has shifted during the pandemic. Chalkbeat wants to hear your stories.
By Caroline Bauman and Eba Hamid-Rivera
 
Tony Watlington sits in a gray suit and red tie at a table in front of a group of people.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Politics & Policy
Chalkbeat readers share priorities for Philly’s new superintendent Tony Watlington
Students, parents, and educators want him to focus on improving low test scores, re-establishing trust, and community engagement.
By Johann Calhoun and Caroline Bauman
 
A school official walks in front of a sign in a cavernous hall that reads “We Have a Dream.”
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia COVID & Mental Health
Reading list: How Philadelphia schools are grappling with gun violence
During a Chalkbeat Philadelphia and Resolve Philly event, students, experts, and educators will weigh in on mental health resources. Here’s our reading guide.
By Caroline Bauman and Chalkbeat Staff
 
An event promotional image with the title “The toll on students: Philadelphia’s gun violence epidemic and mental health” against a light blue background.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia COVID & Mental Health
Event: Philadelphia’s gun violence epidemic and mental health
Join Chalkbeat Philadelphia on April 20, 5-6 p.m. ET for the third event in our series on COVID and mental health.
By Caroline Bauman
 
A man, wearing a blue suit with a blue and purple striped tie, speaks into a microphone during a town hall.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Politics & Policy
Students, parents, educators: What should Tony Watlington, Philadelphia’s new superintendent, know about your school?
By Dale Mezzacappa and Caroline Bauman
 
Students raise their hands in the classroom, with the text “Plains Indians” projected on the white board at the front of the class.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee COVID & Mental Health
Reading list: CRT and book bans in Tennessee schools
Students, experts, and educators will discuss their ideas on how CRT debates and proposed book bans are affecting schools. Here’s our reading list.
By Chalkbeat Staff and Caroline Bauman
 
Promotional image for event with title: How the CRT debate and the culture wars impact students in Tennessee
From Chalkbeat Tennessee COVID & Mental Health
Event: How the CRT debate and book bans impact Tennessee students
You’re invited to join the conversation with students and educators on March 31.
By Caroline Bauman
 
Students and their teacher balance their notebooks on their heads during class on the first day of school.
From Chalkbeat Detroit COVID & Mental Health
A resource guide for mental health in Michigan schools
Want to better understand how Michigan school districts are responding to the student mental health crisis?
By Caroline Bauman and Koby Levin
 
A pink slide with the title of the event: Federal funding and mental health: What’s working in Michigan schools
From Chalkbeat Detroit COVID & Mental Health
Federal funding and mental health: What’s working in Michigan schools
You’re invited to join the conversation.
By Caroline Bauman
 
Superintendent Joris Ray speaks with reporters in 2020. He stands behind a podium in a gray suit and glasses.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Shelby County Schools
Sign up for monthly text updates on Memphis-Shelby County school board decisions
Chalkbeat Tennessee will keep you updated via text messages on important Memphis-Shelby County Schools board decisions every month.
By Samantha West and Caroline Bauman
 
A cabinet meeting at City Hall.
From Chalkbeat New York David Banks
We asked, you answered: Chalkbeat readers share priorities for NYC schools Chancellor David Banks
By Caroline Bauman and Amy Zimmer
 
A young man writes in his notebook, using a mechanical pencil with a blue clip near the eraser.
From Chalkbeat Indiana Higher Education
Tell us what you want to read about higher education in Indiana
This year, Chalkbeat Indiana is expanding its coverage of higher education in partnership with Open Campus — and we need your help.
By Stephanie Wang and Caroline Bauman
 
A man in a black coat surrounded by other people, most of them without their faces visible.
From Chalkbeat New York Eric Adams
Students, parents, educators: What should David Banks, NYC’s new schools chancellor, know about your school?
The new chancellor promised that NYC families will be seen, heard and respected.
By Amy Zimmer, Caroline Bauman, and 1 more
 
Students walk through the lobby of P.S. 89, with ornate murals on the walls and light blue doors.
From Chalkbeat New York The Comeback
NYC parents, students, and educators: How is the school year going? Chalkbeat wants to hear from you.
By Amy Zimmer and Caroline Bauman
 
Dos niñas leen libros y se sientan frente a una pared de colores brillantes en un aula.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado reading
Una guía de recursos para la educación en las escuelas de Montbello y Denver
By Caroline Bauman and Ann Schimke
 
A young boy wearing a blue face mask and a gray shirt looks at a book. Next to him a young girl with a yellow face mask and a pink shirt looks at another book. Both are at a lime green desk or table.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Curriculum and instruction
A resource guide for literacy in Montbello and Denver schools
By Caroline Bauman and Ann Schimke
 
This Chalkbeat callout shows children eating lunch at a long table in Detroit.
From Chalkbeat Detroit COVID and Schools
Lunch woes? Staff shortages? Quarantines? Tell us how Michigan’s school year is going.
Chalkbeat wants to hear from you — tell us what this school year has been like for your family.
By Koby Levin and Caroline Bauman