Atlanta Public Schools Educators Visit The Atlanta Voice to Discuss Journalism and Media Trends

Teachers from APS middle and high schools meet with local newspaper to explore collaboration and ways to engage students in reading and reporting.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A group of Atlanta Public Schools (APS) audio, video, technology, and film (AVTF) teachers visited the offices of The Atlanta Voice, a local Black-owned newspaper, to discuss the future of journalism, the changing media landscape, and opportunities for collaboration to better serve students as future media consumers. The educators, who work at various middle and high schools across the city, highlighted the importance of reading and getting students engaged with local news and reporting.

Why it matters

With national media outlets cutting staff and resources, local newspapers like The Atlanta Voice have an opportunity to play an even greater role in covering community news and issues. By partnering with educators, the newspaper can help inspire the next generation of media consumers and creators, particularly in Atlanta's Black community.

The details

The APS teachers met with The Atlanta Voice team at the newspaper's WAREhouse Studios on Presidents' Day, when school was out of session. The discussion touched on ways to expose students to Atlanta's landmarks, historic neighborhoods, and civil rights legacy, as well as concerns about students' short attention spans and the influence of social media as a news source. Potential solutions included arranging meet-and-greets between students and journalists, creating internship opportunities for students to shadow reporters, and having students write stories about local events and issues.

  • The APS teachers visited The Atlanta Voice on Monday, February 16, 2026, which was Presidents' Day and a school holiday.
  • Students at Mays High School have been assigned to write stories about a recent 'ICE out' protest that took place across multiple campuses in the city.

The players

The Atlanta Voice

A local Black-owned newspaper serving the Atlanta community.

Atlanta Public Schools (APS)

The public school district for the city of Atlanta, Georgia, which includes middle and high schools that participated in the discussion.

APS Audio, Video, Technology, and Film (AVTF) Teachers

Educators from various APS middle and high schools, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Young Middle School, BEST Academy, North Atlanta High School, Benjamin E. Mays High School, Maynard Jackson High School, and Midtown High School.

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What’s next

The educators and The Atlanta Voice team discussed potential next steps, including arranging meet-and-greets between students and journalists, creating internship opportunities for students to shadow reporters, and having students write stories about local events and issues.

The takeaway

This collaboration between Atlanta Public Schools and The Atlanta Voice highlights the importance of local journalism and the need to engage the next generation of media consumers and creators, particularly in the Black community. By working together, the two institutions can help inspire students to be more informed and involved citizens.