Author: Marcey Wright

What do you do for a living? Surprisingly, I found it somewhat challenging to answer this question while standing before students during a recent visit to Lucy Elementary School.

I began my presentation…

“If I told you that I worked at a library, what do you think that I do all day?”

I received answers like, “You probably put books on the shelf, tell people ‘SHHHH,’ and get people who don’t bring their books back on time!”

When I revealed that I didn’t do any of these things, their replies were quite comical, to say the least. “It’s probably because you don’t care about your job, and you just want to get a check,” one little girl said. “You probably don’t do any work at all,” another boy added. “You probably just sit there all day!”

Attempting to keep a straight face, I explained that I do “public relations” for the library. Their eyebrows went up. “I promote different programs and events that happen there, like Bookstock, storytimes for deaf children, and several other events for 18 different libraries in Memphis.” :::Crickets::: :::Crickets::: “Well, I’m kind of like a reporter and photographer for the library system,” I explained. Then, I saw light bulbs begin to go off. (Maybe that was an icebreaker.)

I showed students in grades 1 – 5 the different types of technology that I use – my “digital briefcase” for example and my trusted Canon camera. I taught them how to take photographs as a professional photographer would, using the rule of thirds, depth of field, and perspective. Many of them just wanted to take pictures. Others wanted to leave my table altogether to go to the ice cream factory’s table across the room; they had goodies.

Gladly, a few students were quite interested, however. One little lady – around 8 years old – was very well spoken and very well put together too. She said, “So, you are a journalist, aren’t you?” I delightedly answered, “Yes, absolutely!” (She made my day!) I used her question as a springboard to introduce the term “journalist.”

Parents, it’s probably a good thing that I never entered the classroom as your child’s teacher. Educating youth was never my strong point, per se, but leaving the office to speak to these smiling faces was the best “field trip” I could have ever had. Thank you, Lucy Elementary students!

By: Marcey Wright
marceywright@marceywrite.com