Renee Spencer, Wilmington StarNews
·4 min read
Twenty-five 8-year-olds tucked the papers they had been working on inside their folders and stowed them inside their desks. Then they all turned and looked at me.
I’ll admit I was a bit nervous. I’m used to crowds of adults, and after three years as a high school English teacher, I can handle anything teens can dish out. But little kids … my experience is limited to being a mother of one son.
Sure, I can handle the “Did you do homework,” or the “This is how you brush your teeth,” or -- my favorite — “I’ve told you 500 times not to swing from the drapes because you are not a contestant on ‘Wipeout.’”
I wasn’t quite sure what I could tell them about being a journalist. Though I followed the guidelines provided by the volunteer coordinator at Mary C. Williams Elementary, I had never spoken to elementary school students about my job. Would they understand? Would they have questions for me?
I soon learned the answer to both of those questions was a resounding “yes.” Here's what 8-year-olds most wanted to know, and how I responded.
Kids: “Can I watch you on my television?”
Me: “No. We produce stories that are for a news website and a print newspaper. We do shoot still photos and videos, and those appear on our website and on our social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter.”
Kids: “Do you write stories like the ones in the library?”
Me: “While we don’t write fiction, such as novels, we do write nonfiction. Instead of books, our stories are in newspapers and on the websites, and most of the local libraries have copies of our newspaper in there.”
Kids: “Have you ever interviewed Travis Kelce?”
Me: “Umm … no. But I would like to. I’d like to ask him what it’s like to play in the Super Bowl with millions of people watching.”
Kids: “Have you ever interviewed Taylor Swift?”
Me: “Well, no. But I would like to. If I did, I would ask her about songwriting and what it’s like to travel the world and perform in front of thousands of people night after night.”
Kids: “Do you think you could interview Travis Kelce or Taylor Swift?”
Me: “If they are ever in town, I can promise you my colleagues and I will certainly try. Will you let us know if they’re coming to town?”
Kids: “But aren’t you supposed to tell us when they’re in town?”
Me: “Umm … yes. You’re right, and I promise I will if they are ever in Wilmington.”
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The kids also wanted to know how we came up with stories, and when I talked about some of my favorite stories I’ve done over the years — which included seeing how waffle cones and ice cream are made at Calabash Creamery and riding with the Cape Fear Pilots out to meet a big ship — they wanted to know what flavor of ice cream was my favorite, where I liked to get ice cream in Wilmington, and what’s on the big cargo ships that come to the Port of Wilmington. There were definitely some future journalists in the room that day.
Over the course of the morning, I had the opportunity to ask the students a few questions, as well. Here’s what I asked and how they responded.
Me: “Have any of you ever heard of Facebook or Twitter?”
Kids: (Nearly every student in all three classes raised their hands.)
Me: “Who likes to read?”
Kids: Many indicated they enjoyed reading.
Me: As I talked about research and investigative reporting, I asked, “Do any of you like to investigate and find out things before anybody else?”
Several hands shot up and most students emphatically nodded their heads. One student raised her hand, and said, “My momma does. She’s always going around the neighborhood asking what people are doing.”
Overall, the experience was a lot of fun, and I hope I get to do it again next year. I learned two important things: one, kids these days are capable of understanding and absorbing more information than you were at their age thanks to the advances in technology and the dedicated teachers in our local schools, and two, kids will tell on you in a heartbeat. (Don’t worry, momma. I like to go around my neighborhood asking questions, too. Your secret is safe with me.)
Looking for a speaker for your organization’s next meeting, or need a presenter for career day at your school? The StarNews is happy to help. Email Community Engagement Editor Renee Spencer at RSpencer@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What I learned at career day with students in Wilmington, NC
