I'm in Seattle, WA for vacation this week! I really like it tbh!

Our New York members took their lunch outside today to demand that @propublica.org management agree to a fair discipline and performance evaluation system ✊

With @sammiesmylie.bsky.social: Illinois lawmakers offer no quick solutions for CPS during district finances hearing www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...

A rule change treats the federally funded preschool program like a welfare program and bars undocumented children from enrolling. Head Start providers condemned the departure from longstanding practice.

In this week's politics roundtable, that feud between President Trump and Elon Musk, as told by Washington Correspondent Linda Kenyon. Also, @sammiesmylie.bsky.social talks us through what came out of the spring's Illinois legislative session in education. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCzc...

As of today, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Vox Media only has 30 days to negotiate a new contract with the Vox Media Union before our current one expires.

Our GoFundMe to assist our former colleagues at @polygon.com is now live! Please support them if you can, and share widely even if you can't! Thank you all for the kindness and care you've shared with Polygon and the union over the last 2 days — it means the world to us all. gofund.me/a21cbbdc

Before the day ends, I have to say Happy May Day!! S/o to my union for helping our so many people in our workplace to get better pay, parental leave, and other workplace protections.

New story: Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would create a new committee to come up with guidelines for using AI in the classroom. Also! Teachers let us know how AI is being used in your classroom in the survey at the end of the article!

— @GovPritzker wages a timed attack on Trump's tariffs. — @RahmEmanuel teases a political future and has some advice for Dems. — A guilty verdict closes chapter on the 2022 Highland Park mass shooting. politi.co/3F32TgN via @politico

March 3, 2020 is when I started at Chalkbeat Chi. It's been a wild ride over the past 5 years covering the state ed beat, but pretty fun. I covered some cool stories and met some dope people.

In our Friday Politics Roundup, we talk with @sammiesmylie.bsky.social about what the proposed state budget means for education. Plus, Linda Kenyon takes us through the news out of Washington this week.

Condé Nast management will start requiring employees to be in the office 4 days a week on 3/3, allegedly to make us more productive. Yet for months, many of us have gone without desks, often being forced to work from the cafeteria, HR floor or hallways.

I believe both of the Joann's stores in Chicago are closing and I'm just sad. As a beginner crochet/fiber artist, it was the only way for me to experiment with different yarns for a decent price :/. 🧶

I'll be in Springfield tomorrow to report on the Gov. JB Pritzker's budget and State of the State! It'll stream at noon! I can't wait to run into all the amazing reporters at the Capitol. They do amazing work throughout the year! #twill

If possible, please consider donating to the talented reporters, editors and designers impacted by this decision ✊#SolidarityForever www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...

There are literally not enough journalists employed in the US to cover the bad shit that is happening right now. We are now going to experience the social consequences of a weakened news industry--which are the same as the benefits of a weakened news industry, to those who weakened it.

Happy first day of Black History Month! I am a descendant of those who were enslaved in this country and grandchild of elders who endured Jim Crow. I am thankful for their resistance, their creativity, their ability to find happiness in the darkest of times. I have hope bc of them. ❤️

Reema and I are looking into how Trump's EOs on immigration is impacting school communities. Here is just a first of many stories to come from us this year Also, feel free to send us tips!

Do I have to share my child's immigration status with the school? No. Can ICE enter the school? Yes, but the bar to entry is high. Useful info from @reemadamin.bsky.social & @sammiesmylie.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...

I wrote a story about the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship that pissed a few people off. Someone even claimed that I was pushing leftist propaganda. 🤣 Stay mad.

Going back go work tomorrow like:

Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su’s fierce advocacy for workers has been such a bright spot, and losing her is a real blow for labor. For @inthesetimesmag.bsky.social, I spoke with her about unfinished business and what still gives her hope for the battles ahead: inthesetimes.com/article/kim-...

There has been so many layoffs across journalism. I think most of us are waiting until the end of each quarter to see if we have a job. It is terrifying.

Sunday Civics Podcast w/ L. Joy ( @ljoywilliams.bsky.social )Williams "Episode 259: A New Chicago School Board" Samantha( @sammiesmylie.bsky.social )Smylie, Che “Rhymefest” Smith www.sundaycivics.org/episodes/epi...

Happy New Year, Chicago! I know that this year is going to be hard for many of us. I hope we all have or will find community that will support us in our darkest moments.

Illinois scholarship program aimed at getting more teachers of color faces court challenge https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2024/12/19/illinois-minority-teachers-scholarship-lawsuit-14th-amendment-diversity/

I talked to Joshua Long who has been serving as a the head of the Office for Students with Disabilities for this quick story!

Making crochet star ornaments to unwind from the work week. 🧶

Every journalist contemplates going to law school, right?

Y'all know any current students or early career teachers who received the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship? Tell them to DM me or email me at [email protected]

Um... that's illegal AF.

My favorite part of the job is getting to visit local schools in Chicago. It's nice to get inside classrooms to observe what students are learning and how they are absorbing the information. If you're a teacher in Chicago feel free to invite me to your class!

Forgot to mention that I crochet as one of my few hobbies! Looking to follow more #crochet girlies.

THREAD: Since I'm close to 1,000 followers, I should reintroduce myself. Hi, I'm Sammie (They/She). I report on K-12 education in Illinois for Chalkbeat Chicago. I often cover news coming out of the Gov's office, state board of ed, & the general assembly. Sometimes I cover Chicago Public Schools.

I'm late, but I would like to thank me for getting through the year despite depression, imposter syndrome, and anxiety kicking my ass all the time.

I saw Wicked last night in theaters and it'll be my entire personality for the next week. Sorry not sorry

There was an actual conversation/debate about school choice and school vouchers on The View this morning. I was like 😱 this is actually happening!

good story by @sammiesmylie.bsky.social on the status of physical restraint and seclusion in Chicago Public Schools the Illinois State Board of Education continues to underperform and any analysis should include this context www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2024...

HB 793, known as the "Dignity in Pay Act," which would phase out the subminimum wage for workers with developmental and intellectual disabilities by 2030, passes out of the Senate Executive Committee. Heads to the floor. #twill

Last month, our reporter @adamlmahoney.bsky.social spent time on the grounds of a former slave plantation that is now the nation’s largest prison. He was there for the last prison rodeo, but after talking to a dozen incarcerated people, he left with more questions than answers. bit.ly/3YU2R0X

Hey friends ✨ Our art director @ash.thetriibe.com is on Bluesky now. Help us welcome her with a follow, please ✊🏾 Ash penned this personal essay after covering the DNC in Chicago this past August. She's the mind behind the visuals for a lot of our coverage. thetriibe.com/2024/08/figh...

As a Black femme journalist, I always have to explain why my work matters, beg people to listen to my ideas, and hype up my own accomplishments because I'm often overlooked and mostly sidelined. I don't want to give up on my work or myself just because other people can't see my value.

I feel less stressed about looking at my Bluesky feed. This is pretty nice.

This is weird starting on a new social media site. But hi everyone! I'm Sammie Smylie. I'll be on here just sharing what I know about education news in Illinois/Chicago, dog pics, crochet projects, and a few other things. Please be nice. lol