By Jordan Hanford
Television viewers see celebrities and news reporters all the time on their television screens, but they never expect to see them in person, for example, at the grocery store.
When English and communications teacher Lindsey Martin is recognized in public, she insists that she only looks familiar.
Mrs. Martin, who formerly anchored the television news, is a career switcher.
As a college student, she focused on sports writing. Her first job as a news reporter was at an NBC affiliate in Roanoke on April 16, 2007. On that day, she was in the building next to the shootings at Virginia Tech. She heard all of the commotion, but was unaware of what had happened for three hours.
She said the event made her realize nothing is guaranteed, and it changed the way she had thought about life.
She said the most exciting part of being a reporter is pitching and covering the story that no one else has.
“I’ve covered a wide range of stories from murders to accidents to elections,” Mrs. Martin said. “I would say the murder of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington was a very special story to me. I developed a relationship with Harrington’s parents, and I hope the murder is one day solved.”
After college she accepted a job at Channel 8 in Richmond as anchor on Saturday evenings at 6 and 11. Two years later, the grueling hours caused her to change her career to teaching. As a teacher, she could devote more time to her husband Reid and their son Connor, who is six months old.
“This was a great opportunity to merge my passion for working with people and helping people with my communication background,” Mrs. Martin said.
As a girl she dreamed of being a teacher. After graduating from Atlee High School in Hanover in 2003, she started college majoring in education.
Communications director Beverley Lanier said that Mrs. Martin, who wanted to be an English teacher, found her. Ms. Lanier admired her enthusiasm and credentials.
“She brings knowledge of the field and a genuine interest in working with the students, and I think those are the qualities you need to have,” Ms. Lanier said.
The Center for Communications has often employed teachers with media backgrounds, but it has never had a news anchor.
“Her experience is invaluable,” communications teacher Melissa Carothers said.
Mrs. Carothers, who worked behind-the-scenes at a pre-production and production house, said she looks forward to having Mrs. Martin’s input for “Varina 411 Live,” the news show that the sophomores produce. She is looking forward to having Mrs. Martin work with the onscreen talent.
Mrs. Martin teaches the Center sophomores in English and communications. The seniors have her as a communications teacher.
Sophomore Rachael Buck said she was surprised that her teacher was an anchor. She looks forward to having Mrs. Martin as a teacher because she will help her with writing news stories and conducting interviews.
“Whenever she is reading, we can hear her reporter voice come out,” Rachael said.
Fourth-year communication student Justin Bartlett is excited to have Mrs. Martin as his teacher.
“Mrs. Martin will add her experience as a news journalist, as well as her teaching abilities, helping us to succeed in communications and English,” Justin said.
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