Kyra Miles
Report for America Education Reporter
Kyra is a Report for America Corps Member that covers education for WBHM.
Kyra is originally from Greenville, North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
Through Report for America, Kyra also engages in service projects around the community and is dedicated to highlighting local journalism. Outside of WBHM, Kyra loves traveling, reading fantasy novels, and connecting with people in her community.
Kyra wants to know what's on your mind. Let her know what education questions you have.
School resource officers turn to mental health to make kids safer
Parents’ school safety concerns carry more weight this year after the mass shooting in May at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. School resource officers in Hoover are adjusting by placing a greater emphasis on mental health.
The story of ‘the Colony’: How a small, Black community thrived, survived in Cullman County
The Colony, Cullman County’s only Black community, has a rich history of resilience and self-made success. Its current residents are working to continue it.
New aviation high school in Bessemer aims to help students soar
At the Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School, students, parents and teachers are excited as they prepare for the school’s take off on Monday.
How one Birmingham custodian preps for the first day of school
When the kids are away, the custodial and maintenance staff in schools work all summer long. One custodian told WBHM about what it takes to keep the kids happy and healthy as they trade sunshine for fluorescent lights.
American b-girl wins silver at The World Games. Hopeful for the 2024 Olympics
Sunny Choi is a New York corporate professional by day and a top-ranked, back-spinning, floor-flipping b-girl off the clock. She medaled this past weekend at the World Games.
The World Games kicks off in Birmingham
Thousands of athletes from around the world have gathered in Birmingham to compete in The World Games. The eleven-day competition is a chance for non-Olympic sports to shine.
Buttigieg announces funding aimed at reconnecting communities divided by road projects
The program is designed to unify neighborhoods which have previously been displaced by discriminatory infrastructure decisions. The $1 billion initiative will fund projects that give people more access to their communities like paving more sidewalks, creating new greenways and adding public transportation.
Food is more than what’s on the plate for this Birmingham urban farmer
Fernando Colunga says it’s important to understand how food is grown and the culture it comes from. He’s a farming and cooking instructor at Jones Valley Teaching Farm in Birmingham and is passionate about teaching the significance of food to young people.
Birmingham awards diplomas to students who died before graduation
Not every student who starts school lives to graduate. It’s estimated nearly 2,000 children and teens die from gun violence every year in the United States. This week Birmingham City Schools awarded diplomas to the families of some of those lost students.
What do Birmingham students think about race, college, even periods? Listen to these podcasts
WBHM’s education reporter Kyra Miles, along with two Report for America colleagues at al.com, worked with students at Birmingham’s Ramsay High School to create podcasts.
Some teachers and LGBTQ families feel censored by Alabama’s “Don’t Say Gay” law
Alabama passed its own so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law in April following states like Florida. It bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in K-5 classrooms.
Judge’s ruling a “sigh of relief” for families of transgender youth
A federal judge in Alabama ruled to block part of a law that makes it a felony to provide gender-affirming care to minors on Friday. Families with transgender kids tell WBHM they are cautiously relieved.
Judge hears testimony in challenge to Alabama’s ban on gender-affirming care
A group of parents and doctors want the judge to stop the law from going into effect while a lawsuit continues.
Families with trans kids prepare for the ban on gender-affirming care
A new law in Alabama would make it a felony to provide gender-affirming treatments for transgender minors. The law is forcing some families with transgender kids to choose between staying in the place they love and protecting their children.
Lavender Celebration honors LGBTQ students at UAB
Lavender Graduations, or Lavender Celebrations, are ceremonies that honor LGBTQ college graduates and their accomplishments. UAB has hosted an annual Lavender Celebration since 2017, but this year’s took on new meaning with new laws targeting transgender students.
New report shows math proficiency continues to lag in Alabama
This week, officials released an update to the annual Kids Count Data Book which measures the well-being of kids in Alabama. Advocates are hopeful spending on children's healthcare and education recently approved by state lawmakers will improve indicators.
‘Divisive concepts’ and school ‘bathroom bill’ advance to the Alabama Senate
An Alabama Senate committee gave two bills affecting schools the go-ahead Tuesday as lawmakers aim to end the legislative session this week. One requires students to use the bathroom that matches their biological sex. The other bans teaching students “divisive concepts.”
What is korfball? A look into the World Games sport and Birmingham
In about 100 days, Birmingham will host the World Games. It’s an international competition for non-Olympic sports. Some are more well-known and others you’ve probably never heard of. One of those more obscure sports is korfball. It was created in the Netherlands, but WBHM found the sport has some interesting ties to Birmingham.
Alabama’s ‘ultimate school choice’ bill gets complicated when considering race and poverty
Parents could get about $5,600 per kid in state money to use for other schooling options. The proposal is currently in a legislative study committee. But experts told WBHM school choice brings up concerns around equity.
Vestavia Hills schools and city face a lawsuit for allegedly withholding public information
The Vestavia Hill City Schools along with the superintendent and the city face a lawsuit alleging they’re improperly withholding public information on COVID-19 masking and safety protocols. The lawsuit was filed by two parents last month.
How a Birmingham art educator makes art feel accessible and inclusive
Angie May wants art to reach everyone who visits the Birmingham Museum of Art. As the associate director in learning and engagement, she heads inclusive and innovative initiatives to open art history to younger generations.
Jewish family faces death threats after complaining about Nazi salute performed in class
A teacher at Mountain Brook High School allegedly led students in a salute that mimics how Nazis raised their arms in World War II. A Jewish student in the class complained and his family says they’re now receiving death and arson threats.
Birmingham teachers stage sickout due to COVID frustrations
Some Birmingham City Schools employees staged a sickout this week to bring attention to their concerns with how COVID-19 is being dealt with in their schools.
Critical race theory divides Gulf South educators and state leaders
Critical race theory is a hot-button issue for politicians in the Gulf South. Alabama and Mississippi are attempting to pass new laws prohibiting it.
Some parents express frustration with schools’ responses to the omicron surge
As students across Birmingham return to classrooms after the winter break, schools must contend with the COVID-19 omicron variant. With cases surging, WBHM heard from some parents who are frustrated with the response from school leaders.
Field trips look a lot different for students this year. But that’s not entirely bad
As public schools adjust to all in-person classes, educators have found value in welcoming accessible field trips through virtual tours.
How a Birmingham shop owner brings memories to life through books
Jim Reed has collected books and writings for more than 40 years and believes books keep memories alive.
Birmingham Promise gets a $1.8 million grant to boost students’ careers
Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded the Birmingham Promise a $1.8 million grant specifically to support internships and apprenticeships for Birmingham City Schools seniors.
Kids age 5 and up can start getting vaccinated in Jefferson County
Over 400,000 kids in Alabama aged 5 to 11 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, after the CDC approved Pfizer’s low-dose vaccine for kids. Several families in Jefferson County told WBHM they’re eager to get their shots and move towards normalcy.
3 things to watch for in the new Birmingham school board
With over half of its members new and millions of dollars in federal pandemic relief funding, the new Birmingham City school board is ready to tackle education with a fresh perspective. WBHM talked to incoming, outgoing and returning members about what Birmingham teachers, students and residents can expect.
More Black families in Birmingham find freedom in homeschooling
The face of homeschooling is changing and diversifying. In just a year, the number of Black families has increased five-fold— and for more reasons than COVID-19. Several families told WBHM they see homeschooling as a way to protect their children from educational racism.
Alabama Board of Education cements state’s ban on critical race theory
At the October meeting, the Alabama state board of education cemented its ban on critical race theory into policy. But, attendants of the meeting reacted in disapproval.
