Rachel Alexander
Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers education, economic development and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for over a decade and is a past president of Oregon's Society of Professional Journalists chapter. Outside of work, you can often find her gardening or with her nose buried in a book.
Salem-Keizer schools face ‘urgency’ to improve elementary education
Students line up outside Highland Elementary School (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) In spite of the effort by educators, Salem-Keizer’s high-poverty elementary schools perform on average worse than others in Oregon, even when accounting for the high number of English…
With teachers staying put, Highland students make progress
Highland Elementary principal Christi Cheever watches as Callie Williams, 8, shows her progress on a computer math program Wednesday March 13, 2019. (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) Christi Cheever’s office at Highland Elementary School has room for little more than her…
Hallman Elementary turns federal money into student success
Hallman Elementary principal, Jessica Brenden photographed in her office Wednesday March 13, 2019. (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) Jessica Brenden is always brainstorming. The Hallman Elementary School principal’s office walls are covered in whiteboards and notepads, where she sketches out thoughts…
AGENDA: Chemeketa board to consider contract for new agricultural complex
The Chemeketa Community College board on Wednesday will consider awarding a contract for the college’s new agricultural complex after hearing recommendations from staff. Construction on the complex is expected to begin later this year, with the building opening in 2020.…
Four Corners educators fight the odds to boost student literacy
Four Corners Elementary principal Phil Decker photographed on the playground with students on Wednesday March 13, 2019. (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) Raquel Rodriguez sat at a table facing half a dozen kindergarten students. The instructional aide at Four Corners Elementary…
How Salem Reporter brought you the story of Salem’s most challenged schools
Reporter Rachel Alexander outside Four Corners Elementary (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) This week, Salem Reporter is publishing “Nine into Six,” a five-part series highlighting the challenges facing Salem’s high poverty schools that are tasked with getting kids who come…
Salem schools struggle with shifting politics, challenging demographics, lagging students
Bailee Moore, center, and classmates work on a computer math exercise in Becky Montgomery’s second grade class at Highland Elementary School in Salem Wednesday March 13, 2019. (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) One hour before school started, eight educators sat around…
At Youth ERA, Salem teens find peers to talk about mental health, suicide
Simon Hobson sits at a table at Youth ERA’s Salem drop center. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Simon Hobson didn’t know what to expect when employees at Salem’s psychiatric crisis center referred him to Youth ERA. After graduating from high school in…
Forgot to renew your books? Salem-area libraries will now do it for you
A man browses books at Salem Public Library. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Library users who rack up fines from overdue books are in luck. Starting this week, Salem-area libraries will automatically renew checked out materials that can be renewed.…
AGENDA: Salem-Keizer School Board considers buying county park to expand Auburn Elementary
The Salem-Keizer School Board (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Salem-Keizer School Board members will consider buying Auburn Park from Marion County to expand neighboring Auburn Elementary School. Board members will vote Tuesday night on purchasing a little over 4 acres of county…