Clippings

Matt Arado

Writer, editor, storyteller, communicator

I'm an award-winning communications professional with high-level experience as a writer, editor and storyteller in the print and digital realms. (Resume available above.) I work as the Associate Director of Communications at GEMS World Academy-Chicago, a private independent day school in downtown Chicago, where I lead efforts to establish and communicate the school's narrative/storyline. Previously, I was a staff writer at the Daily Herald, a regional daily newspaper based in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, where I won multiple awards for investigative reporting, feature writing and arts reporting. In 2014, I earned my Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Columbia College Chicago.

United States

Portfolio

Blog posts and marketing work

Print ad
09/01/2017
Advertising copy -- GEMS World Academy
GEMS World Academy
06/22/2017
'Flash mob' ends first grade's unit on Public Art
The first-graders at GEMS World Academy Chicago finished off the 2016-2017 school year with a "flash mob" performance in Millennium Park.
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
06/20/2017
THE SKILLS TODAY'S STUDENTS NEED TO BE LEADERS TOMORROW
Every year, global finance company Bloomberg conducts an exhaustive survey of recruiters to find out what skills are most in demand by employers, and what skills are the hardest...
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
05/23/2017
HOW SCHOOLS, PARENTS CAN HELP KIDS IDENTIFY 'FAKE NEWS'
The phenomenon of "fake news," while not new, became a popular topic of conversation during the 2016 presidential campaign, when numerous fabricated stories were shared as...
GEMS World Academy
05/12/2017
Students record trout release during joint Field Study
Our first- and fifth-graders recently collaborated on a Field Study that had the younger students releasing trout into Lake Michigan and the older ones recording the release...
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
Weekly Parents Newsletter; 5/4/17
Those of you who attended the "GWA Connect" summit held in early March will remember the robust conversation with my fellow heads of school and other GEMS colleagues about...
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
05/04/2017
FOCUS ON A TRANSDISCIPLINARY UNIT: ACCESSIBILITY
A key component of the academic program at GEMS World Academy Chicago is that we tie disciplines together in our daily inquiries. This "transdisciplinary" approach makes...
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
Monthly Newsletter; April 2017
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
Weekly Parents Newsletter; 3/23/17
GEMS, a young school, is already establishing school traditions.
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
04/26/2017
WHY FEEDBACK FROM PEERS HELPS STUDENTS LEARN
Peer feedback - students offering constructive critiques of each other's work - is a key component of the learning process at many schools. Education experts say peer feedback...
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
03/24/2017
WHY WE TEACH WRITING IN THE AGE OF TWITTER AND SNAPCHAT
At a time when so much information is shared via video content, hashtags or 140-character posts, it might seem that schools should devote less time to the teaching of writing....
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
02/21/2017
THE 'STEAM' CONCEPTS BEHIND OUR NATIONAL PASTIME
The Chicago White Sox, the world champion Chicago Cubs and every other Major League Baseball team have reported to Spring Training, which means the opening of the 2017 baseball...
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
01/19/2017
VALUE OF ROBOTICS GOES BEYOND SCIENCE CLASS
For years, the use of robotics in science and math lessons has been heralded as a way to bring an innovative and exciting teaching model to the classroom. This unique teaching...
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
12/07/2016
DIGITAL OR PRINT, ENGAGEMENT WITH BOOKS IS WHAT MATTERS
The experience of reading has changed dramatically during the past decade or so. Traditional print books remain the format of choice for most American readers, but a growing...
Gemsworldacademy-chicago
06/08/2016
WHY RISK-TAKING IS IMPORTANT IN EDUCATION
Taking risks is part of the academic culture at GEMS World Academy-Chicago. In keeping with the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile, which cites "risk-taker" as one of...
GEMS Viewbook
GEMS World Academy Viewbook/Prospectus

Journalism

Daily Herald
05/10/2017
Iconic '80s band Tears for Fears joins Hall & Oates for Allstate show
It's been more than 30 years since new wave/pop band Tears for Fears conquered the world with the monstrously successful record "Songs From the Big Chair." Their creative energy...
Daily Herald
01/13/2017
Life 'Stories': Robbie Fulks looking toward Grammys
Daily Herald
09/09/2015
Suburban band The Academy Is... re-forms to play Riot Fest
Band reunions have become common occurrences at big rock festivals, but Adam T. Siska, bassist for the local pop-rock band The Academy Is..., says he's not sure that particular...
Daily Herald
11/27/2014
Suburban businesses counter Black Friday with Small Business Saturday
As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear this weekend, local business leaders are urging suburban shoppers to think small. Big national stores and online retailers...
Daily Herald
04/17/2014
Record Store Day expected to rock in the suburbs
The lines could start forming as early as 6 a.m. on Saturday as dozens of suburban music fans eagerly wait for their local record store to open. Such a sight would have been all...
Daily Herald
02/17/2013
Suburban libraries go digital, add services
Libraries across the suburbs have evolved in recent years to stay relevant in an increasingly digital age. Many have incorporated sophisticated new technology that allows users...
Daily Herald
12/23/2012
Mentally ill say more suburban housing options needed
Having a home of their own is one more struggle for those living with mental illness. "People with mental illness in this area are forced to live with their parents or in...
Daily Herald
12/03/2010
Former 'Six Million Dollar Man' fan dives into DVD set
Daily Herald
04/27/2010
Pension argument pits 'haves' and 'have nots'
Coming tomorrow: Increase taxes or cut benefits? What to do next. Madge and Jim Pierce spent years scrimping and pumping nearly 40 percent of their income into a 401(k), only to...
Daily Herald
07/28/2008
New drug gives hope for those with multiple sclerosis
Daily Herald
05/29/2008
Here's the pitch: Wiffle Ball a big hit with old and new players
PopMatters
Ha Ha Tonka: Lessons
This excellent indie quartet from Missouri broadens its sonic palette and creates its richest album yet. Light and darkness spar with each other throughout Lessons, the striking...
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