#MediaMonday – Carrie Watters

Carrie Watters was a high school social studies teacher who ended up teaching in a different way – through the written word.

The concept is the same: Grab folks’ attention at the start and work to maintain their interest all the way through. Hopefully, at the end, they walk away more informed.

She’s spent 17 years in journalism at newspapers in Ohio, Illinois and, for the past 11 years, The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, where she’s currently the community contributions editor.

Carrie, time to share.

What do you want to tell the blogosphere about yourself today?

Maybe it’s the social studies teacher in me, but I’m a believer in the power of conversation in strengthening our communities. News outlets can play a powerful role.

The Republic and azcentral strives to share meaningful stories of our communities, whether geographic or interest-based. And to spur conversation on important issues our communities face. Any idea becomes better when debated by many voices.

As contributions editor, I help people tell their own stories – with their own byline.

That includes a retired Air Force colonel in Goodyear who shared what it was like to be a young African-American pilot in Selma, Ala. in 1965.

A Buckeye gentleman who sent me a gripping letter in the mail (snail mail) about his friend in Oregon choosing to die.

And Phoenix’s first female police chief talking about her plans.

A contribution can be a letter to the editor or something larger, but it’s always about conversation – giving some ink back to readers to share insights on important issues in our communities.

If you know someone who has a great story to tell, or an issue to take up, email carrie.watters@arizonarepublic.com.