Herold joins Notebook staff in partnership with NewsWorks

Photo: Dale Mezzacappa

Herold interviews state Sen. Shirley Kitchen outside District headquarters.

Benjamin Herold joined the Notebook as a staff writer in July.

Herold’s hiring is part of an innovative new partnership with WHYY, which is helping to fund the position. In addition to covering the local education beat for the websites of the Notebook and WHYY’s NewsWorks.org, Herold will also regularly produce radio pieces for WHYY and appear on newscasts.

Herold, 35, has spent the last ten years focusing on the experiences of children and families in Philadelphia public schools as a researcher, freelance journalist, and award-winning documentary filmmaker.

“I’m thrilled to join the Notebook team. There’s no better voice in the city on the educational issues that matter to Philadelphia’s families,” he said.

Herold has been involved with the Notebook since 2002 as a volunteer, editorial board member, and freelance writer. His film “First Person,” which followed six city teens as they pursued their dreams of attending college, won best documentary and best new director awards at the 2007 Philadelphia Film Festival.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Herold has a B.A. degree from the University of Delaware in history and political science and a master’s in urban education from Temple.

He lives in South Philadelphia with his wife and two young daughters.