Five years ago, as I walked out of an editor’s office shaking my head at the “Do we have to call it a blog?” conversation we’d just had, I never thought in my most-feverish dreams that we’d get to a post like this:

When I found out two years ago that The Sun would be starting an education blog, I complained that it would take up too much time. I was right that it is a huge time investment, but I had no idea how much fun or rewarding it would be. Suddenly, teachers and administrators who never would have let me quote them by name in the newspaper were speaking out about the challenges they face every day, sparking some of the most engaging and meaningful dialogue in which I’ve ever been a part.

One lede for the past several years in this business: Reporters rediscover the incredible power — journalistic power — of the conversation.

But the headline above promises bitter with the sweet, and it’s this:

After the 61 layoffs in our newsroom two weeks ago, former reporters laid off from other job classifications (i.e., columnists, copy editors) have the option of going back into the reporting lineup. As a result of that “bumping,” some of the reporters with low seniority are being laid off this week, including a friend with many more personal responsibilities than I have. That friend’s situation inspired me to offer my job…

And with that, one reporter who gets it shows herself the door.