Shannon Murphy

Shannon Murphy is a freelance writer and contributor for District Administration. She is from Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated from Tufts University in 2026 with a B.A. in English and Science, Technology, and Society.

End of free school meals led to more hunger and anxiety

Teachers preferred the pandemic shift to eating in classrooms, which were more peaceful and conducive to community building than chaotic lunchrooms.

Half of transgender students now report some discrimination

Students at schools with affirming policies reported higher GPAs and levels of school belonging. Students who face misgendering or harassment suffered poorer mental health and more absences.