The students in Marlene Rickerby’s classroom at Dodd Elementary School in Allentown participated in the “Tools of the Trade” program Jan. 16 as part of a district-wide initiative to introduce younger students to early career awareness. Students learn how to build foundational vocabulary, discover how these terms relate to various jobs and see the tools that make these jobs possible.

The Allentown School District established career awareness tools to help educators focus on matching individual strengths such as logic and patterns with suitable roles in the trades and technology. A hands-on learning approach and clear communication skills are also emphasized.

Acting Director of College and Career Nicole Singer organized volunteers with classrooms for this first-time, three week initiative. Singer is developing a college and career readiness curriculum for students in third and fourth grades. Similar opportunities await students in prekindergarten through fifth grade.

William Allen High School alumna (Class of 1987) Dr. Lisa Draper volunteered to spend the morning with Rickerby’s third grade class. A retired public schoolteacher, Draper currently works as a freelance reporter and photographer for Lehigh Valley Press.

Draper said her interest in writing began with a journalism class in high school as a freshman. Her teacher, the late Marguerite Finizzi complimented her work during a classroom interview activity and she remembered how that encouraged her to pursue additional Journalism II and Advanced Journalism classes.

Draper served as associate news editor during her junior year and continued to write for the student newspaper while serving as an editor for the student life section of the Comus yearbook.

Even though Draper pursued education in college, she always enjoyed writing and had numerous articles published throughout her teaching career.

She also shared her dissertation with the students that helped her earn her Doctorate in Philosophy from Penn State University.

The Press donated newspapers for students to each have his or her own copy. Draper chose an edition to share because it included a front page feature story she wrote as well as various types of photographs she could discuss with the students.

Draper showed her camera and zoom lens and explained how filters are used for certain types of pictures. However, she also noted the cell phone cameras today work just as well (and sometimes better in certain environments) when taking pictures.

Draper pointed out specific vocabulary used with newspapers such as a headline, byline, copy and caption. She had the students looking at headlines, bylines and captions. “It’s you!” student Faith said, who recognized Draper’s name in the byline.

After sharing her book, magazine, journal articles and the newspaper, Draper had students interview a partner in the class. Draper wanted to inspire students the way her high school journalism teacher had inspired her. Draper said additional tools of the trade include a notepad and pen always in her car for her to take notes and names for her stories.

The office of U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-7th, donated notepads for students to use to interview each other.

Draper and Rickerby demonstrated a “mock interview” for the students.

To emphasize communication skills as tools, Draper explained how questions can be shaped to find out more about the person to develop the story.

Draper said that while newspapers might not be as popular as they had been three decades ago, the need for writers and reporters will continue to exist using different forms of media. News outlets and social media platforms are used for digital reporting. A number of the students shared how they enjoyed learning about being a newspaper writer. One boy shared, “I want to be a writer like you.”

Singer plans to host an additional event in the spring. Singer envisions guest speakers interacting with the elementary students every nine weeks throughout the year. Singer wants to build on the list of different individuals as well as broaden the fields. Interested individuals who would like to participate in May can contact her at singern@allentownsd.org or 484-765-4098.