The Sequester and Head Start Centers

I'm not a federal policy expert, I'll admit, but I've been hearing a lot about this sequestration business lately. Since the automatic budget cuts went into effect in March, most federal agencies have had to take a step back and figure out how to make more out of less. Or at least the same out of less. Education Week sent me to the Claxton West Head ​Start in Knoxville for a story about cuts Head Starts are making to accomodate their new budget constraints. Cuts that include staff.  

It wasn't the happiest assignment I've ever been given. The teachers, many of whom had been at the center for a long time, hadn't yet been told about the layoffs. It was a little spooky, looking around knowing that some of the adults on the playground, or helping children wash paint from brushes, wouldn't be returning in the fall. 

​Here are some images that I shot for the assignment. 

Cumberland Falls

​The last time I went to Cumberland Falls I was a small child. Like most things from childhood, it seems larger then. Still, though, it's pretty neat. It's one of the few places in the world where you can see a moonbow. Only at night, it turns out. This weekend we were there during the day, having passed it driving the back way from Kentucky to Knoxville. Highly recommended for a day trip. Bring a picnic and a camera. 

Reading Lamp

​Since getting a drill press last year, I've been putting holes in anything that will stay still long enough. If only my cats trusted me a bit more they'd have some awesome new body modifications. 

The drill press is great because it only does one thing, put holes in things that otherwise wouldn't have them. Unlike, say, a table or band saw, the things you can make with a drill press is pretty limited. Enter the humble desk lamp. Take some wood, drill a couples holes, install some simple hardware and voila! A lamp is born.

This one is a reading lamp. Put it beside your bed, read up a storm, then the lamp holds your place until the next time you need it. Winner!​

L&N Stem Academy

I always enjoy the assignments I shoot for Education Week. Usually the work involves portraits of the subject and some candids of them doing what they do. Last week I produced photos for their piece about Knoxville's L&N STEM Academy. ​No portraits, but I was able to given a few hours to interrupt as many classrooms as possible to watch the students work. Most of the classes seemed to be taking tests, but I found a P.E. class dancing to an Xbox game and a physical-world concepts class building pulley contraptions. So here you go...

Sutherland Corridor

I've been hopping around Knoxville for the past year shooting different neighborhoods for the Metro Pulse. Each one is a new part of the series, which, when combined, will hopefully be a fuller portrait of Knoxville's different areas. The Sutherland corridor is the latest installment. 

If you're interested, check out the North Central, Vestal, and Fort Sanders ​neighborhoods.