Michael Bragg’s Journalist Portfolio

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Study could help Albemarle County address teacher pay concerns

Study could help Albemarle County address teacher pay concerns

The Daily Progress — Jacquelyn Brownlee says she is going on nine years of teaching. It's been 10, her husband chimes in. She thinks about it, as the two go back and forth for a minute on a Wednesday afternoon, sitting in a coffee shop. Eventually, they come to the conclusion that, yes, next school year will mark a decade of teaching.

Yancey's proud past, uncertain future

Yancey's proud past, uncertain future

The Daily Progress — Lorenzo Dickerson is a local filmmaker who's spent a significant time documenting the history of Albemarle County's historically African-American schools. He's also an employee of the county school division, and frequently visits sites across the division creating videos that highlight student achievement and changes within the school.

Yancey closure fits Virginia, national trend; joins long list of statewide school closures

Yancey closure fits Virginia, national trend; joins long list of statewide school closures

The Daily Progress — Yancey Elementary School's closure fits a national trend of shuttering rural schools with low enrollment, and adds to a list of several dozen small schools that have closed across Virginia in the last decade. Yancey, situated in the Esmont community in the southern portion of Albemarle County, closed Friday.

'It's been a fun ride': Students, teachers head home on Yancey Elementary School's last day

'It's been a fun ride': Students, teachers head home on Yancey Elementary School's last day

The Daily Progress — It's a tradition on the last day of school at Yancey Elementary School for the teachers and staff to cheer the students on as they board the buses and head home. It's normally an emotional day for many students, but Friday was exceptionally harder for them, as well as for some of their teachers.

Yancey principal leaving amid questions about school's future

Yancey principal leaving amid questions about school's future

The Daily Progress — Yancey Elementary School's principal announced Wednesday that he will leave at the end of the school year, less than a week after the School Board discussed the possibility of closing the school. Craig Dommer, who has been at Yancey since 2012, is transferring to Henley Middle School next school year to be an assistant principal, according to a news release from Albemarle County Public Schools.

Making school better by making music

Making school better by making music

The Daily Progress — Sam Bwiseze has spent the last few years at Albemarle High School learning how to make beats. Every time he goes to the recording studio, located at the back of the school's media center, Bwiseze sits in front of an enormous monitor in the middle of the room.

Western student made science project her personal and philanthropic mission

Western student made science project her personal and philanthropic mission

The Daily Progress — When Meg Richey was in ninth grade, her bus driver suddenly stopped showing up to work. Through most of middle school and into the beginning of high school, Mike Morris had been the driver whom she and many other students loved and knew they could count on to listen to them and take a genuine interest in their lives.

Galvanized for a pick-up in pay

Galvanized for a pick-up in pay

The Daily Progress — Lamar Lewis has been driving a school bus for Albemarle County Public Schools for 20 years, making connections with students and their parents along the way. The hours are long, as are some of the routes Lewis drives in the spacious county, but it's his job and it's what he loves to do.

Universal broadband internet access is sought for Albemarle students

Universal broadband internet access is sought for Albemarle students

The Daily Progress — Kassidy Keyton, a fourth-grade student at Brownsville Elementary School, typically has a handful of homework assignments throughout the week that require her to access the internet. Problem is, she lives in an area of Albemarle where broadband internet access is spotty and isn't as reliable as it is in other parts of the county.

Monticello student embraces theater's inclusiveness

Monticello student embraces theater's inclusiveness

The Daily Progress — One Tuesday afternoon in mid-October, Courtney Grooms paces back and forth in front of Monticello High School's stage during an after-school rehearsal of her play, titled "Necessary Trouble." At this point, they are less than two weeks away from their opening night.

Supporters of transgender students say more work needs to be done

Supporters of transgender students say more work needs to be done

The Daily Progress — Sipping from Starbucks cups with their names hastily scribbled on the sides, Mac Callan and Jesse Case sit at a table in the middle of a shopping mall discussing the previous school year and upcoming events in their lives. It's mid-April, and Mac has a lot going on.

Red Hill's long road to renovation

Red Hill's long road to renovation

The Daily Progress — Red Hill Elementary School has been a hub for its surrounding community in some way, shape or form for many years. Located in rural, southern Albemarle County a little bit off U.S. 29, the school building is one of only a few public facilities in the area, serving the needs of both students and neighbors.

Albemarle teachers using students' backgrounds to close the achievement gap

Albemarle teachers using students' backgrounds to close the achievement gap

The Daily Progress — Four teachers in Albemarle County recently became the first in their school division to earn certifications for mindful teaching practices that show considerations to their students' diverse backgrounds on individual levels and their efforts to close the achievement gap.

Hundreds pay respects at downtown vigil

Hundreds pay respects at downtown vigil

The Daily Progress — Following the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, hundreds of people came together for a candlelight vigil on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall to mark the tragedy in Orlando, Florida, and reflect on the lives of the victims. Organized by Cville Pride, the vigil took place at the Free Speech Wall on Monday evening, ending after the crowd marched to the federal building on the opposite end of the downtown area.

'Whatever you Feel'

'Whatever you Feel'

The Daily Progress — Leilani Keys draws a straight line across the dry erase board. On the far left are feelings of trust, goodwill and appreciation toward the police. On the far right are feelings of distrust, uneasiness and anger toward the police. Keys - "Ms. Keys" to the 11 students in this Albemarle High School classroom - seizes the moment in Ethnic Studies.

Albemarle's Moran making lifelong connections through learning

Albemarle's Moran making lifelong connections through learning

The Daily Progress — Pam Moran eyes a group of 18 first-graders, sitting on the carpeted floor in a school's media center. She sits on the edge of a small, bright-orange, child-sized chair behind the students and listens intently to a teacher read from a book.