Bringin’ in Guests
After living in Arizona for three years, there are many reasons why I am thrilled to be back in Colorado and working as a journalism teacher and publications adviser.
Because I worked in journalism for four years prior to becoming a teacher, I made many contacts within the profession, and I can now utilize them in the classroom.
Sure, I can tell my students about my “past life” as a journalist, but they can’t see it. They just see me as a teacher who, like most teachers, hasn’t really done anything they talk about. Seriously, how many science teachers have actually ever split an atom? How many history teachers have made their own history?
That said, it’s always nice to bring in some real world perspective to the classroom. Students get a tangible reflection of what the real world is like, and how they may fit into that realm.
Supplementing our unit on photojournalism, today’s class was privileged to have Boulder Daily Camera photographer Cliff Grassmick on hand to discuss the evolution of his profession while sharing images from his massive photographic portfolio.
Cliff and I worked together from 1998-1999 when I served as the editor for the Buffalo Sports News. Cliff is legendary in Boulder and can be found at just about every University of Colorado sporting event. He worked as our primary photographer and supplied some great images.
It was great to catch up with Cliff. He is an awesome photographer, an honorable journalist and a good friend. To check out some of Cliff’s work, visit his website at www.cliffpix.com.
