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Olivia Alexander

I'm a teacher, reporter, and writer based in Chicago, Illinois. I have my undergraduate degree in journalism and American studies from Northwestern University, and I'm currently working toward my master's degree in teaching special education. 

My work centers on education and activism. I seek to make complicated issues clear for every reader. 

About Me

My name is Olivia Alexander, and I'm a high school teacher in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to delivering special education services to diverse learners in my Algebra II classroom, I support my school's journalism club. 

I am working to earn my teaching certification through Teach for America. Currently enrolled at National Louis University's teaching special education master's program, I will be fully licensed to teach in Illinois in June 2026. 

In June 2024, I earned my bachelor's degree in Journalism and American Studies with a minor in Religious Studies from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications. I'm passionate about covering some of our deepest American issues, including educational inequality and religious intolerance.

Journalism

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette •

UA professor details state’s party shift; move to Republican control over 3 election cycles called ‘amazing’

A University of Arkansas professor on Wednesday lectured about the state's rapid shift from being the ninth most Democratic state in 2009 to the ninth most Republican in 2015.

Dr. Janine A. Parry, the University Professor of Political Science at the University of Arkansas gave a talk titled "From the Bluest of Blue to the Reddest of Red? Quantifying and Contextualizing Arkansas' Partisan Earthquake" during a meeting of The Political Animals Club at the Governor's Mansion. Former Arkansas House
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette •

North Little Rock’s half-cent sales tax to continue 5 years

North Little Rock will continue to have a "half-penny" sales tax supporting capital improvements for the next five years.

Residents on Tuesday approved a tax city leaders describe as a "continuation" of the current one-half percent sales tax. In 2017, voters approved the "half-penny" tax that helped fund the city's $26 million justice center. The current one-half percent sales tax expires at the end of the year.

The tax continuation is estimated to bring in about $45 million in revenue for the
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette •

Hutchinson: Bonuses set Arkansas schools on hard path

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday told the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators the state Legislative Council's decided path toward teacher and staff bonuses will be a "curveball" for school districts to navigate.

"It disrupts your local spending priorities," he said during his speech at the association's annual conference at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. "It takes discretionary federal money away from your local decision making."

The Arkansas Legislative Council o
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette •

Arkansas film workers react to abortion protest in which Michael Shannon moves location of filming to North Carolina

Some Arkansas film industry workers are concerned they're going to have fewer work opportunities as a movie that was set to film in the state canceled in protest of Arkansas' abortion policies.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge certified a law that makes abortion illegal in all cases except when the mother's life is at risk in a medical emergency.

Shortly after, actor Michael Shannon moved the location of his upcoming film and d
The Daily Northwestern •

From The Newsroom: The Daily’s In Focus desk explained

Investigative reporters at The Daily have the opportunity to dive deep into a topic of their choosing at The Daily’s In Focus desk.

In this series, Daily staff members hope to provide more transparency about how we operate. If you would like to submit a question to be answered here, please send an email to Editor-in-chief Jacob Fulton at [email protected].

Investigative reporters at The Daily have the opportunity to dive deep into a topic of their choosing at The Daily’s In Focus desk. Stories
The Daily Northwestern •

Haven Middle School teachers and parents advocate for de-escalation training

Haven parent Lee Ann Silva raises a sign during Monday’s Board of Education meeting. She and others spoke during public comment to ask district leaders to implement measures for staff and student safety.

Following recent physical altercations at Haven Middle School, Evanston/Skokie School District 65 teachers and parents filled Monday night’s school board meeting to call for more widespread de-escalation training and restorative practices.

Many of those in attendance raised signs with messages
The Daily Northwestern •

Community members pack historic District 65 school board meeting to establish 5th Ward school

The 5th Ward has not had a neighborhood school since the district shut down Foster School in the 1960s as part of the district’s desegregation plan.

Evanston/Skokie District 65 teachers, parents and alumni filled the room at Monday’s Board of Education meeting to show support for a student assignment and school plan to construct a K-8 school in Evanston’s historically Black 5th Ward.

After the board members voted unanimously to approve the plan, the room erupted in applause.

“(The board was)
The Daily Northwestern •

Cicely Fleming departs from City Council after five years of service

Ald. Cicely Fleming (9th) stepped down from her City Council role after Monday’s meeting. She announced her decision to resign in December, citing the job’s toll on her mental health and the recent passing of her mother.

“I have been reminded that life is short,” Fleming wrote in her resignation letter. “We forget that as we are busy living. My mother was a fighter and unfortunately, she usually only had time to fight for her own life against the many systems designed to keep her oppressed.”

F
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette •

Four finalists named for 2023 Arkansas Teacher of the Year award

State leaders, educators and community members gathered Thursday morning at the Governor's Mansion in Little Rock to recognize the 13 regional semifinalists and four state finalists for the 2023 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Award.

As part of the National Teacher of the Year program, the state award seeks to identify and recognize excellent teaching in public elementary and secondary education, according to the Arkansas Department of Education. From July 2023 to June 2024, the award recipient wi
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette •

Pioneering Arkansas politician Jimmie Lou Fisher dies; was state treasurer 22 years

Jimmie Lou Fisher, Arkansas' longest serving state treasurer and a pioneering female politician, died Monday night. Fisher, who was 80 years old, died at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould.

The Democratic Party of Arkansas on Tuesday tweeted that the state lost a "true legend."

"Her grace, kindness, and passion made our party and our state a better place to call home," the tweet read. "Thank you, Jimmie Lou."

Fisher first started out in politics after being elected the treasurer o

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