My favorite memories of school have to be those moments when we got to leave the classroom and do something out there in the bigger world. Whether it was the kindergarten zoo field trip or the high school choir singing competitions, school experiences out of the classroom are sometimes the most impactful.

The other thing that got us to perk up and pay attention in my in-a-classroom-days were hands-on experiences.

I attended a ‘media magnet’ middle school, which offered media classes with ample hands-on learning opportunities. We had the chance to play DJ with a radio station that broadcast within the school courtyard and surrounding neighborhoods. We checked out cameras to make short films. We learned how to storyboard and script. We edited together projects on those massive bubble Macs, learning the ins and outs of adjusting audio and cutting video to make an edit the audience might not notice. We learned about the messaging and manipulation used in ad campaigns—a lesson most of us could use in a world filled with ad campaigns.

We even got to meet independent filmmakers and news anchors.

At the time, I had absolutely no plans to become a journalist. After I completed middle school and other electives beckoned, I still had no plans to become a journalist. By the time I started college, moved away from home, and picked out a major, I still had no plans to become a journalist.

It still seemed to me like those media classes served me well, teaching me about industries that are abundant in the world—radio, television, film making and advertising—and improving my media literacy and writing skills.

In the present day, I can’t help but think that the long-ago crash course in media making gave me the first foundation I needed to become a journalist (working as a journalist, as is the case in many fields, really teaches you how to do the job).

I am impressed by the hands-on learning opportunities available at our local schools. This week I got to observe an agriculture class at Sarracino Middle School where students harvested plants from a professional hydroponics unit. Last semester, I was able to document the certifications earned by high school students and community members at the Community Education welding program, housed at Socorro High School.

Some of those high school students weren’t sure welding would be part of their future careers, but were excited about the skills they were able to walk away from the class with.

I know there are problems in our schools, just like there are problems in many schools.

Last semester, we wrote about the concerns the Socorro School Board had about fentanyl use. At last month’s school board meeting, the superintendent and the high school principal talked about fights being a pressing issue at the high school. I hope that those issues are addressed in ways that help our community’s kids get out of school prepared for whatever the next phase in their life brings.

Ultimately, I am impressed by the passion of Socorro’s teachers and the enthusiasm of the students. Some of the lessons they are learning may help them down the road in ways that surprise them.

Cathy Cook | El Defensor Chieftain Editor