Author Archives: Becky Z. Dernbach

Becky Z. Dernbach is the education reporter for Sahan Journal. Becky graduated from Carleton College in 2008, just in time for the economy to crash. She worked many jobs before going into journalism, including substitute teaching in the Minneapolis Public Schools and community organizing. She earned a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism in 2019 and worked as an editorial fellow for Mother Jones before joining Sahan Journal in June 2020 through Report for America.

bdernbach@sahanjournal.com

Strikeblog Day Four: Negotiations continue, educators canvass, and district outlines school makeup day policy.

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 7, 2022March 11, 2022

Classroom duties are piling up. Mental health needs are skyrocketing. But pay hasn’t budged. Why Minneapolis and St. Paul educational assistants are ready to strike.

by Becky Z. Dernbach February 25, 2022December 22, 2022

Minneapolis and St. Paul educators plan to strike March 8 if no agreements are reached before then. What you need to know.

by Becky Z. Dernbach February 18, 2022March 10, 2022

DEMOCRACY & POLITICS

Former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels explores Congressional run against Representative Ilhan Omar.

by Hibah Ansari and Becky Z. Dernbach February 11, 2022August 9, 2022

‘A joyful moment’: For the first time, some Minnesota school districts add Eid to the calendar

by Becky Z. Dernbach February 11, 2022April 29, 2022

Half of all Minnesota community college students struggle to pay for housing. And now, a pandemic rental-assistance program is ending. Students of color and college administrators say they need solutions.

by Becky Z. Dernbach February 7, 2022February 7, 2022

Burnsville charter school director takes leave of absence following fraud allegations in Feeding Our Future investigation.

by Becky Z. Dernbach February 3, 2022February 23, 2022

BUSINESS & WORK

Men tied to alleged Feeding Our Future fraud donated to reelection campaign of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, records show.

by Andrew Hazzard and Becky Z. Dernbach January 26, 2022September 20, 2022

BUSINESS & WORK

Feds investigate nonprofit incorporated by Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman in alleged Feeding Our Future food fraud.

by Hibah Ansari, Andrew Hazzard and Becky Z. Dernbach January 24, 2022December 22, 2022

With the Omicron variant, teacher absences are way up. But what’s happening with students is… interesting.

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 21, 2022January 21, 2022

Teach in person? COVID causes chaos. Teach remotely? Kids suffer. Minnesota’s teachers of color say that Omicron presents schools with bad options and impossible choices.

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 13, 2022January 13, 2022

Moriah Stephens, special education teacher: ‘We just had a staff member die of COVID that was contact-traced to school.’

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 13, 2022January 14, 2022

Averi M. Turner, second-grade teacher: ‘Seven students showed up yesterday. I’m hoping for better tomorrow’

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 13, 2022January 14, 2022

Grisel Vidal, English language development teacher: ‘I woke up on Monday and I thought it was 2020’

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 13, 2022January 14, 2022

Jeff Garcia, special education teacher: ‘We don’t need to spend the rest of the year in distance, and I don’t want to.’

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 13, 2022January 14, 2022

Omicron will hit Minnesota schools like a ‘viral blizzard.’ We need to prepare for mass absences, building closures, and more.

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 7, 2022December 21, 2022

St. Paul Public Schools is one of the most diverse districts in the state. Increasingly, parents prefer segregation.

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 6, 2022January 7, 2022

Students of color know that having diverse teachers can make a huge difference. Last year, Minnesota finally took real steps to expand its teaching corps.

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 5, 2022March 10, 2023

Midwestern community colleges work to lure, and keep, students struggling with poverty and other barriers

by Becky Z. Dernbach, Mario Koran / Wisconsin Watch and WPR, Olivia Lewis / Bridge Detroit and Ata Younan / Borderless Magazine December 21, 2021December 21, 2021

Hunger on campus isn’t a joke about ramen: How unmet needs keep Minnesota students from enrolling in community college.

by Becky Z. Dernbach December 16, 2021December 20, 2021

St. Paul school board spares three schools from closure after outcry from immigrant families. Six other schools will close in district consolidation plan.

by Becky Z. Dernbach December 2, 2021December 2, 2021

St. Paul has a plan to pursue more equitable education by closing and merging schools. But immigrant parents say it would hurt their communities.

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 24, 2021November 24, 2021

Immigrant students rally to save a small St. Paul high school from closing. ‘It feels like you belong in this country,’ a recent graduate says of the program.

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 15, 2021November 16, 2021

This year, Minnesota school-board meetings endured a backlash against diversity. On Election Day, three suburban districts elected Somali Americans for the first time.

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 10, 2021November 10, 2021

DEMOCRACY & POLITICS

With St. Paul school board win, Halla Henderson becomes first Eritrean American elected to office in Minnesota

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 3, 2021November 4, 2021

DEMOCRACY & POLITICS

Minneapolis voters reject public safety amendment. Strong mayor and rent control provision pass.

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 2, 2021November 2, 2021

Unsettling messages tarnish final days of campaign in Minneapolis’ Ward 6

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 26, 2021October 29, 2021

Jim Vue: ‘The people who are leaving our district are Asian Americans.’

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 24, 2021October 22, 2021

Jeannie Foster: ‘To have an enrollment increase, we have to serve the students we currently have.’

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 24, 2021October 22, 2021

Uriah Ward: ‘Invest in the staff that work directly with students’

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 24, 2021October 26, 2021

Clayton Howatt: ‘Our high-poverty elementary schools lack the same opportunities.’

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 24, 2021October 22, 2021

Hands up, who wants to serve on the St. Paul school board?

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 24, 2021October 25, 2021

James Farnsworth: ‘We need to learn from what the successful schools are doing around us’

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 24, 2021October 22, 2021

Halla Henderson: ‘Top of mind right now for me is school closures’

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 24, 2021October 22, 2021

Jennifer McPherson: ‘Allow families to have real school choice’

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 24, 2021October 22, 2021

In White House visit, Minnesota’s top teachers bring President Biden a message from second graders in Burnsville

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 18, 2021October 20, 2021

Peggy Flanagan hails $1.3 million investment to teach K–12 students the ‘full true history’ of Minnesota’s Indigenous people.

by Becky Z. Dernbach October 8, 2021October 8, 2021

POLICING & JUSTICE

Sondra Samuels, Minneapolis nonprofit leader, reaches wrongful death settlement in the fatal drowning of a 6-year-old neighbor.

by Becky Z. Dernbach September 27, 2021September 27, 2021

On the first day of school, Minneapolis students say they’re happy—and only slightly confuzzled—to get back to in-person learning.

by Becky Z. Dernbach September 9, 2021September 10, 2021

Everything you need to know about the COVID safety plans in Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools

by Becky Z. Dernbach September 8, 2021September 9, 2021

‘There is nothing safe about Delta in schools’: How parents can plan for the pandemic this fall

by Becky Z. Dernbach September 1, 2021September 1, 2021

No school buses, abandoned homes, deep potholes: After years of neglect, Marshall mobile home park residents hope Attorney General lawsuit leads to change

by Becky Z. Dernbach August 31, 2021August 31, 2021

POLICING & JUSTICE

Confused by all the legal squabbles around the Minneapolis public safety amendment? We’ve got you covered! Your vote will count—and here’s a breakdown of what you’re voting on.

by Becky Z. Dernbach August 24, 2021September 30, 2021

Natalia Benjamin becomes first educator of Latin American heritage to win Minnesota Teacher of the Year

by Becky Z. Dernbach August 11, 2021August 20, 2021

Robots, skateboards, bike rides: Summer school helps Twin Cities kids switch back to the classroom

by Becky Z. Dernbach July 30, 2021July 29, 2021

DEMOCRACY & POLITICS

Abuse survivors speak out about domestic violence allegations against John Thompson while Black activists struggle with double standards. Progressive legislators? No comment.

by Becky Z. Dernbach July 22, 2021July 23, 2021

The diverse teachers Minnesota needs may already be working in schools—as classroom aides. New state funding promises to help them level up.

by Becky Z. Dernbach July 16, 2021July 16, 2021

As a child, Abdulaziz Mohamed looked to Barack Obama for proof he could be president. On July 1, he became the first Somali American student-body president at the University of Minnesota.

by Becky Z. Dernbach July 6, 2021July 7, 2021

Minnesota pioneered the movement for charter schools 30 years ago. Since then, one in every three statewide has closed.

by Becky Z. Dernbach June 24, 2021June 24, 2021

Cedar Riverside Community School is closing. The first big step in replacing it is understanding why it failed. Here’s what we found over a year of reporting.

by Becky Z. Dernbach June 17, 2021June 17, 2021

‘We were able to achieve what we thought was impossible’: In a senior year like no other, these graduates found a way to thrive

by Becky Z. Dernbach and Aala Abdullahi June 14, 2021June 11, 2021

Too hot for school: Minneapolis and St. Paul close school buildings during June heat wave

by Becky Z. Dernbach June 7, 2021June 10, 2021

POLICING & JUSTICE

‘We’re evidence that the healing is happening’: How five people in Minneapolis experienced the cataclysm of George Floyd’s killing—and what they did next.

by Hibah Ansari, Andrew Hazzard, Becky Z. Dernbach and Joey Peters May 25, 2021September 30, 2021

‘I want to wear the gown, I want the cap, I want tassels’: Minneapolis high school seniors want to walk the graduation stage—even if they’re missing credits.

by Becky Z. Dernbach May 18, 2021May 18, 2021

For almost three decades, Somali children in Minneapolis’ Riverside Plaza could attend school in their apartment complex. The historic school will close permanently June 30.

by Becky Z. Dernbach May 13, 2021May 14, 2021

Showdown at school board meeting: Elk River alumni of color say they ‘never felt safe,’ parents decry ‘woke mob’

by Becky Z. Dernbach May 12, 2021May 12, 2021

A landmark Minneapolis charter school may close forever in June. Its leadership debated the school’s fate in a meeting without Somali parents, community politicians, or the press.

by Becky Z. Dernbach May 7, 2021May 7, 2021

Students in Elk River asked the school’s equity specialist to explain looting. Now their parents want him fired.

by Becky Z. Dernbach May 6, 2021May 6, 2021

POLICING & JUSTICE

No one has more power to change the Minneapolis Police Department than Mayor Jacob Frey. We asked him what he’s accomplished.

by Becky Z. Dernbach May 3, 2021September 30, 2021

POLICING & JUSTICE

After guilty verdict in George Floyd’s murder, families of Isak Aden and Dolal Idd ask, ‘What about us?’

by Hibah Ansari and Becky Z. Dernbach April 26, 2021September 30, 2021

POLICING & JUSTICE

Minneapolis will soon have the opportunity–or competing opportunities–to vote on the future of the Minneapolis Police Department. We made this cheat sheet to help.

by Mike Mosedale and Becky Z. Dernbach April 21, 2021September 30, 2021

The killing of George Floyd

After an anguished wait, Chauvin verdict brings a flood of emotions, pledges to do better—and food.

by Andrew Hazzard, Logan Carroll, Ben Hovland and Becky Z. Dernbach April 20, 2021April 21, 2021

The killing of George Floyd

For George Floyd, justice. For Minneapolis, a long-delayed reckoning with racism and police violence

by Becky Z. Dernbach, Joey Peters, Hibah Ansari and Andrew Hazzard April 20, 2021April 21, 2021

Mass protests against racism spur statewide student walkout

by Becky Z. Dernbach April 19, 2021April 19, 2021

Asian American history is rarely taught in schools. Educators say that fuels anti-Asian violence—and are pushing for change.

by Becky Z. Dernbach April 16, 2021April 16, 2021

How you can help people in Brooklyn Center right now, in the aftermath of Daunte Wright’s killing

by Becky Z. Dernbach April 12, 2021April 22, 2021

Minneapolis nonprofit may face ‘corrective action’ for flawed supervision of 21 charter schools.

by Becky Z. Dernbach April 6, 2021April 6, 2021

Pillsbury United announces intent to close landmark Cedar Riverside Community School

by Becky Z. Dernbach April 1, 2021April 1, 2021

A bird's eye view shows George Floyd's memorial at 38th and Chicago following a candlelit vigil on Sunday, March 28, 2021.

The killing of George Floyd

‘We all knew it wasn’t right’: The children who saw Derek Chauvin kill George Floyd, in their own words.

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 30, 2021March 30, 2021

Diversity debate over teaching licenses creates confusion for Minnesota’s teachers of color.

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 29, 2021March 29, 2021

Race

It was just another morning stroll to the school bus stop with his grandson for Tsong Tong Vang. Then the hate speech erupted.

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 19, 2021March 19, 2021

Race

‘People can’t turn their backs anymore’: Asian American women often feel invisible. After Atlanta spa killings, they’re making their pain public

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 19, 2021November 17, 2021

A senior at Macalester College found a trick to represent the complex identities of other students of color: He asked them to talk about themselves.

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 15, 2021March 16, 2021

Musab Hussein needed to rent a laptop to take a University of Minnesota exam. Instead he was told, ‘You do not look like a U of M student.’ And then things got worse.

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 11, 2021March 11, 2021

The killing of George Floyd

What would ‘Justice for George Floyd’ actually look like? A community discussion with Sahan Journal.

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 8, 2021March 10, 2023

Why 2021 might be the year Minnesota addresses its teacher of color shortage

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 6, 2021March 8, 2021

‘Almost like getting permission to be a kid’: Even through the pandemic winter, Eden Prairie teacher helps first graders connect with nature

by Becky Z. Dernbach March 1, 2021March 1, 2021

‘I won’t be the last Black woman to leave the college’: At St. Olaf College, resignations of Black faculty and diverse staff leave students seeking answers

by Becky Z. Dernbach and Eli Tan February 18, 2021November 29, 2022

Summer school in the park: Walz administration proposes expanded programs and more flexible venues to ready kids for the next academic year.

by Becky Z. Dernbach February 15, 2021February 15, 2021

As Minneapolis classrooms reopen, white students most likely to return to in-person learning

by Becky Z. Dernbach February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

We toured a Minneapolis school to see new COVID safety measures. Then we asked an expert how well they’d work. Here’s what we found.

by Becky Z. Dernbach February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

As Minnesota elementary schools reopen, teachers say they hope to hear students giggle again. They’re also preparing their wills.

by Becky Z. Dernbach February 1, 2021February 2, 2021

Everyone wants to close Minnesota’s achievement gap. Students say it starts with hiring more teachers of color.

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 27, 2021January 27, 2021

DEMOCRACY & POLITICS

In D.C., a mob tried to overturn multiracial democracy. In St. Paul, the most diverse Minnesota legislature ever is just getting started.

by Becky Z. Dernbach and Hibah Ansari January 21, 2021January 25, 2021

A violent white mob and a Black woman vice president: In tumultuous two weeks, Twin Cities educators teach history in real time

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 20, 2021January 20, 2021

Everything you need to know about whether to send your kids back to the classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

by Becky Z. Dernbach January 18, 2021January 18, 2021

POLICING & JUSTICE

Black protesters in Minneapolis have encountered tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons. White pro-Trump crowds took selfies with U.S. Capitol police.

by Jared Goyette, Joey Peters and Becky Z. Dernbach January 7, 2021September 30, 2021

Uproar over Somali flag

Minnesota media consultant, right-wing bloggers question Somali flag raising at Dolal Idd protest

by Becky Z. Dernbach and Joey Peters January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

POLICING & JUSTICE

Police informant and dangerous gun bust led to fatal shooting of Dolal Idd, according to newly released search warrant.

by Jared Goyette and Becky Z. Dernbach January 4, 2021September 30, 2021

These doctors from immigrant families are some of the first Minnesotans to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s what they want the rest of us to know.

by Becky Z. Dernbach and Joey Peters December 23, 2020December 23, 2020

St. Paul Public Schools data show the devastating effect of pandemic and distance learning on students of color.

by Becky Z. Dernbach December 21, 2020December 21, 2020

Nausheena Hussain cast one of Minnesota’s presidential votes for Biden. As she performed her electoral duty, she brought a special Qur’an and inspired her community.

by Becky Z. Dernbach December 14, 2020December 14, 2020

Minnesota’s first generation students are working three jobs, supporting their families—and figuring out how to apply for college during a pandemic.

by Becky Z. Dernbach December 14, 2020December 11, 2020

Arts

As a teen, J.P. Der Boghossian didn’t know any queer Armenians. Finally, in his 30s, he found them in books—and started his own library.

by Becky Z. Dernbach December 3, 2020December 3, 2020

The ultimate 2020 Thanksgiving menu is a turkey sambusa with cranberry dip, delivered free to our health care workers

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 25, 2020November 27, 2020

CHANGING MINNESOTA

Northfield has long called itself the town of ‘cows, colleges, and contentment.’ After Election Day, it’s becoming something else: a model for rising Latino power in rural Minnesota.

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 23, 2020November 23, 2020

Minnesota’s 2020 Teacher of the Year read her class a picture book to help them understand the George Floyd killing. Minnesota’s largest police association didn’t like it.

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 18, 2020August 24, 2021

Somali American educator Ibrahim Mohamed brings diversity to school board as Shakopee’s first Black member

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 10, 2020November 9, 2020

Meet the Latina and Hmong candidates who won school-board seats in Minnesota’s three biggest cities.

by Becky Z. Dernbach November 5, 2020November 10, 2020