March 28, 2025- A cohort of career professionals including scientists, educators, military personnel, entrepreneurs, writers and more visited Silver Bay Elementary 乐鱼体育 yesterday afternoon to chat with fourth and fifth graders about their career paths, lives, and inspirations.
It's called the Career Human Library, the brainchild of Silver Bay teacher Joy Danelson and Principal Anna Kasper, with support from media specialist Erin Turnbach.
"This is an opportunity," Danelson said to visiting professionals, "to share your unique or inspiring career journey, whether you took an unconventional path, faced challenges and overcame them, or pursued a passion that led you to your current career."
The mission of the day, therefore, was to inspire the school's fourth and fifth graders, to get them thinking about life and the future, and provide them the opportunity to ask questions of those who might represent a path they could take.
The Career Human Library took the form of informal roundtable discussions with small rotating groups of 8-10 students. Professionals had about 20 minutes with each group, time they took to talk about their path in life, answer questions, and hopefully provide some insight and inspiration.
"Think of yourselves as the author of your autobiography," Danelson encouraged her guests. "Start your story wherever you like."
What ensued were meaningful, interactive conversations with students: The small group discussions offered insights into everyday work in various fields, challenges, and motivations that keep people going.
This library, since it was comprised of humans, was fluid and fleeting鈥攁fter all, professionals eventually have to get back to work!鈥攂ut it left students with knowledge that will hopefully last a lifetime, and help guide them toward that life's calling.
Photos from the event are below.