WESA Reports: KING

After the school year ends, Ms. Hoffman takes a midday break on a summer day. Despite the momentum carrying her into the new school year, part of her is still with the eighth graders who graduated.

King celebrates honor roll students and families kick back for a night of pizza, bouncy houses and bingo. Parents grapple with challenges with work, finding childcare, and where to live.

It takes a special kind of teacher to love middle schoolers. And an even specialer kind of teacher to be loved by middle schoolers. Introducing two of King’s favorite middle school teachers.

Second grade teacher Tiffany Basinger on why she loves second graders — and what it means to be a Black teacher in a majority-Black school.

On Halloween, two months into the school year, the first-day optimism has worn off. But as the school prepares for its fall harvest parade, King’s eighth grade class is a bright spot.

On the first day of school, hopes fly high at King. It’s Principal Dawn Gordon’s fourth year as principal, and it’s been constant flux. Things can only go up from here.

“King” is a series about a year in the life of a Pittsburgh Public school. It's a kaleidoscopic portrait of one school, over one year, where people show up and care for each other.