Em Espey is the new Bethesda Beat MCPS reporter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow one poster sure has an axe to grind with Caitlynn. Bethesda Beat with its shoestring budget had the strongest reporting on MCPS in the region. Very happy to have Em take over.

Which means nothing when the stories are just reworked press releases.

Keep grinding. Soon you'll have no axe left.

I am a professionally trained and experienced journalist. Caitlynn hustled and she broke stories and she had enough courage to back her assertions with her name. You clearly have a personal beef with her and I’m a little embarrassed for you.

She did, but she also did a lot of parroting for Smith and Turner during the pandemic.

I don’t know. I feel like I read everything she wrote (and tweeted) but I’m not sure what her personal feelings are re: the length of the closure.

You could tell me she was on either side, and I’d believe you. I think that’s a sign of a good journalist

+1. I felt very well-informed by reading Caitlynn's articles and the newsletters. She never seemed one-sided to me.

That's the beauty of excluding parents. You have no idea what she censored.

Caitlynn did not exclude parents. I am one she talked to and texted with frequently. I know of many others, some on the same side of an issue as I was, and others who were on the opposite side of what I was advocating for.

Except she wasn’t talking to you as a parent. She was talking to you as an MCEA leader.

I posted that (the parent who talked/texted with Caitlynn), and have nothing to do with MCEA or any other initialed group, other than having given some money to my local PTA. So you can keep making stuff up and bashing Caitlynn, but you are in the minority: the rest of us know that she did a great job in a tough environment.

What was the issue you were advocating for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow one poster sure has an axe to grind with Caitlynn. Bethesda Beat with its shoestring budget had the strongest reporting on MCPS in the region. Very happy to have Em take over.

Which means nothing when the stories are just reworked press releases.

Keep grinding. Soon you'll have no axe left.

I am a professionally trained and experienced journalist. Caitlynn hustled and she broke stories and she had enough courage to back her assertions with her name. You clearly have a personal beef with her and I’m a little embarrassed for you.

She did, but she also did a lot of parroting for Smith and Turner during the pandemic.

I don’t know. I feel like I read everything she wrote (and tweeted) but I’m not sure what her personal feelings are re: the length of the closure.

You could tell me she was on either side, and I’d believe you. I think that’s a sign of a good journalist

+1. I felt very well-informed by reading Caitlynn's articles and the newsletters. She never seemed one-sided to me.

That's the beauty of excluding parents. You have no idea what she censored.

Caitlynn did not exclude parents. I am one she talked to and texted with frequently. I know of many others, some on the same side of an issue as I was, and others who were on the opposite side of what I was advocating for.

Except she wasn’t talking to you as a parent. She was talking to you as an MCEA leader.

I posted that (the parent who talked/texted with Caitlynn), and have nothing to do with MCEA or any other initialed group, other than having given some money to my local PTA. So you can keep making stuff up and bashing Caitlynn, but you are in the minority: the rest of us know that she did a great job in a tough environment.

Espey following suit. First article. Doesn't fact check important statement. Doesn't correct article.

You are happy with that type of story. False statement made, not checked, printed and now permanent record that will be used in the future. That makes you happy. Trump likes
that kind of reporting too.

[Anonymous]

I think bitter PP lost the BB reporter job to Em.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think bitter PP lost the BB reporter job to Em.

You'd be wrong. Actual journalists fact check their work.

[Anonymous]

Lol Caitlynn if you see this thread open the wine and be glad you have moved on to (hopefully) greener pastures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol Caitlynn if you see this thread open the wine and be glad you have moved on to (hopefully) greener pastures.

I’m sure she knows what she did. She knows how ridiculous some of MCPS’s statements were, whether they were said to her directly or she heard them during board meetings. I have little doubt she knew what was going on. But I’m sure she also knew she’d lose access to MCPS and MCEA if she actually called out their lies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lol Caitlynn if you see this thread open the wine and be glad you have moved on to (hopefully) greener pastures.

I’m sure she knows what she did. She knows how ridiculous some of MCPS’s statements were, whether they were said to her directly or she heard them during board meetings. I have little doubt she knew what was going on. But I’m sure she also knew she’d lose access to MCPS and MCEA if she actually called out their lies.

Which is how press releases are written, not news reports. .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow one poster sure has an axe to grind with Caitlynn. Bethesda Beat with its shoestring budget had the strongest reporting on MCPS in the region. Very happy to have Em take over.

Which means nothing when the stories are just reworked press releases.

Keep grinding. Soon you'll have no axe left.

I am a professionally trained and experienced journalist. Caitlynn hustled and she broke stories and she had enough courage to back her assertions with her name. You clearly have a personal beef with her and I’m a little embarrassed for you.

She did, but she also did a lot of parroting for Smith and Turner during the pandemic.

I don’t know. I feel like I read everything she wrote (and tweeted) but I’m not sure what her personal feelings are re: the length of the closure.

You could tell me she was on either side, and I’d believe you. I think that’s a sign of a good journalist

+1. I felt very well-informed by reading Caitlynn's articles and the newsletters. She never seemed one-sided to me.

That's the beauty of excluding parents. You have no idea what she censored.

Caitlynn did not exclude parents. I am one she talked to and texted with frequently. I know of many others, some on the same side of an issue as I was, and others who were on the opposite side of what I was advocating for.

Except she wasn’t talking to you as a parent. She was talking to you as an MCEA leader.

I posted that (the parent who talked/texted with Caitlynn), and have nothing to do with MCEA or any other initialed group, other than having given some money to my local PTA. So you can keep making stuff up and bashing Caitlynn, but you are in the minority: the rest of us know that she did a great job in a tough environment.

What was the issue you were advocating for?

Given that it was an issue related to a particular school and my child, I'm not going to reveal that.

You clearly have an extra grind, and might I suggest you let it go so you can get a good night's sleep?

[Anonymous]

Autocorrect, ax to grind

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow one poster sure has an axe to grind with Caitlynn. Bethesda Beat with its shoestring budget had the strongest reporting on MCPS in the region. Very happy to have Em take over.

Which means nothing when the stories are just reworked press releases.

Keep grinding. Soon you'll have no axe left.

I am a professionally trained and experienced journalist. Caitlynn hustled and she broke stories and she had enough courage to back her assertions with her name. You clearly have a personal beef with her and I’m a little embarrassed for you.

She did, but she also did a lot of parroting for Smith and Turner during the pandemic.

I don’t know. I feel like I read everything she wrote (and tweeted) but I’m not sure what her personal feelings are re: the length of the closure.

You could tell me she was on either side, and I’d believe you. I think that’s a sign of a good journalist

+1. I felt very well-informed by reading Caitlynn's articles and the newsletters. She never seemed one-sided to me.

That's the beauty of excluding parents. You have no idea what she censored.

Caitlynn did not exclude parents. I am one she talked to and texted with frequently. I know of many others, some on the same side of an issue as I was, and others who were on the opposite side of what I was advocating for.

Except she wasn’t talking to you as a parent. She was talking to you as an MCEA leader.

I posted that (the parent who talked/texted with Caitlynn), and have nothing to do with MCEA or any other initialed group, other than having given some money to my local PTA. So you can keep making stuff up and bashing Caitlynn, but you are in the minority: the rest of us know that she did a great job in a tough environment.

What was the issue you were advocating for?

I wasn’t. She called parents, even some who were not “advocates,” to ask what they thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow one poster sure has an axe to grind with Caitlynn. Bethesda Beat with its shoestring budget had the strongest reporting on MCPS in the region. Very happy to have Em take over.

Which means nothing when the stories are just reworked press releases.

Keep grinding. Soon you'll have no axe left.

I am a professionally trained and experienced journalist. Caitlynn hustled and she broke stories and she had enough courage to back her assertions with her name. You clearly have a personal beef with her and I’m a little embarrassed for you.

She did, but she also did a lot of parroting for Smith and Turner during the pandemic.

I don’t know. I feel like I read everything she wrote (and tweeted) but I’m not sure what her personal feelings are re: the length of the closure.

You could tell me she was on either side, and I’d believe you. I think that’s a sign of a good journalist

+1. I felt very well-informed by reading Caitlynn's articles and the newsletters. She never seemed one-sided to me.

That's the beauty of excluding parents. You have no idea what she censored.

Caitlynn did not exclude parents. I am one she talked to and texted with frequently. I know of many others, some on the same side of an issue as I was, and others who were on the opposite side of what I was advocating for.

Except she wasn’t talking to you as a parent. She was talking to you as an MCEA leader.

I posted that (the parent who talked/texted with Caitlynn), and have nothing to do with MCEA or any other initialed group, other than having given some money to my local PTA. So you can keep making stuff up and bashing Caitlynn, but you are in the minority: the rest of us know that she did a great job in a tough environment.

What was the issue you were advocating for?

I wasn’t. She called parents, even some who were not “advocates,” to ask what they thought.

Is there a reason you’re being evasive/vague? There’s clearly some relevant context you’re leaving out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow one poster sure has an axe to grind with Caitlynn. Bethesda Beat with its shoestring budget had the strongest reporting on MCPS in the region. Very happy to have Em take over.

Which means nothing when the stories are just reworked press releases.

Keep grinding. Soon you'll have no axe left.

I am a professionally trained and experienced journalist. Caitlynn hustled and she broke stories and she had enough courage to back her assertions with her name. You clearly have a personal beef with her and I’m a little embarrassed for you.

She did, but she also did a lot of parroting for Smith and Turner during the pandemic.

I don’t know. I feel like I read everything she wrote (and tweeted) but I’m not sure what her personal feelings are re: the length of the closure.

You could tell me she was on either side, and I’d believe you. I think that’s a sign of a good journalist

+1. I felt very well-informed by reading Caitlynn's articles and the newsletters. She never seemed one-sided to me.

That's the beauty of excluding parents. You have no idea what she censored.

Caitlynn did not exclude parents. I am one she talked to and texted with frequently. I know of many others, some on the same side of an issue as I was, and others who were on the opposite side of what I was advocating for.

Except she wasn’t talking to you as a parent. She was talking to you as an MCEA leader.

I posted that (the parent who talked/texted with Caitlynn), and have nothing to do with MCEA or any other initialed group, other than having given some money to my local PTA. So you can keep making stuff up and bashing Caitlynn, but you are in the minority: the rest of us know that she did a great job in a tough environment.

What was the issue you were advocating for?

I wasn’t. She called parents, even some who were not “advocates,” to ask what they thought.

Is there a reason you’re being evasive/vague? There’s clearly some relevant context you’re leaving out.

There are at least 2 parents you are responding to, and, as I've already said, "Given that it was an issue related to a particular school and my child, I'm not going to reveal that."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow one poster sure has an axe to grind with Caitlynn. Bethesda Beat with its shoestring budget had the strongest reporting on MCPS in the region. Very happy to have Em take over.

Which means nothing when the stories are just reworked press releases.

Keep grinding. Soon you'll have no axe left.

I am a professionally trained and experienced journalist. Caitlynn hustled and she broke stories and she had enough courage to back her assertions with her name. You clearly have a personal beef with her and I’m a little embarrassed for you.

She did, but she also did a lot of parroting for Smith and Turner during the pandemic.

I don’t know. I feel like I read everything she wrote (and tweeted) but I’m not sure what her personal feelings are re: the length of the closure.

You could tell me she was on either side, and I’d believe you. I think that’s a sign of a good journalist

+1. I felt very well-informed by reading Caitlynn's articles and the newsletters. She never seemed one-sided to me.

That's the beauty of excluding parents. You have no idea what she censored.

Caitlynn did not exclude parents. I am one she talked to and texted with frequently. I know of many others, some on the same side of an issue as I was, and others who were on the opposite side of what I was advocating for.

Except she wasn’t talking to you as a parent. She was talking to you as an MCEA leader.

I posted that (the parent who talked/texted with Caitlynn), and have nothing to do with MCEA or any other initialed group, other than having given some money to my local PTA. So you can keep making stuff up and bashing Caitlynn, but you are in the minority: the rest of us know that she did a great job in a tough environment.

What was the issue you were advocating for?

I wasn’t. She called parents, even some who were not “advocates,” to ask what they thought.

Is there a reason you’re being evasive/vague? There’s clearly some relevant context you’re leaving out.

There are at least 2 parents you are responding to, and, as I've already said, "Given that it was an issue related to a particular school and my child, I'm not going to reveal that."

But there were parents on the other side of the issue? Or was that the other poster?

Btw, there are at least two people (probably more) here being critical of Caitlynn’s reporting. You seem to think they’re all/mostly from me.

[Anonymous]

Em Espey just announced that they are leaving MoCo 360 as Education Reporter. So she lasted about a year. Looks like we'll have to start all over again with a new reporter learning the lay of the land and building up their sources....That's a shame. Seems like they can't hold on to their education reporters for long at MoCo 360.

Here's the note Em included in her newsletter, "School Notes" today:

On a personal note, it’s with great bittersweetness that I let you know this is the last School Notes I will write, as Friday marks my last day with MoCo360.

I’ve accepted a position as the senior media relations manager for the Center for American Progress, a progressive policy research and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Reporting on MCPS this past year has been an adventure and an honor, and I wish I could personally go back and thank every single person who’s entrusted me with their story along the way. MoCo360 is committed to keeping you informed on all things local education, so please stay tuned and keep sending your thoughts and tips to the team by writing to [e-mail].

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Em Espey just announced that they are leaving MoCo 360 as Education Reporter. So she lasted about a year. Looks like we'll have to start all over again with a new reporter learning the lay of the land and building up their sources....That's a shame. Seems like they can't hold on to their education reporters for long at MoCo 360.

Here's the note Em included in her newsletter, "School Notes" today:

On a personal note, it’s with great bittersweetness that I let you know this is the last School Notes I will write, as Friday marks my last day with MoCo360.

I’ve accepted a position as the senior media relations manager for the Center for American Progress, a progressive policy research and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Reporting on MCPS this past year has been an adventure and an honor, and I wish I could personally go back and thank every single person who’s entrusted me with their story along the way. MoCo360 is committed to keeping you informed on all things local education, so please stay tuned and keep sending your thoughts and tips to the team by writing to [e-mail].

Honestly, this sounds good all-around. It seems like Em would be better suited for, and probably more fulfilled in, a position with more of an advocacy role.