When Leah Robinson’s husband got a job at Alcorn State University, she was uprooted from her home in Florida, but fortunately she was able to find a similar job in her field.

In Florida, Robinson was a college-level bibliographic instructor and reference librarian.

In Vicksburg, she landed a job as a library media specialist at Redwood Elementary.

“I’m always trying to figure it out, how do I break this down for them,” she said. “I’m making sure I’m not taking it too elementary, but also that they understand what I’m saying. I have to slow down and make sure they understand what I’m saying.”

Teaching the younger children has been an adjustment, Robinson said.

“One of our teachers here said, ‘at this level, you’re still funny,’” she said.

“The elementary kids still find you funny, which is something I can appreciate. I’m a big kid at heart, so that makes it fun as well.”

Robinson said her interest in the library stems from an interest in literacy.

“I know too many kids and adults who didn’t get the attention they needed as kids or there was some sort of break in the link along the way where they didn’t get the resources they needed to become fluent in reading and writing,” she said. “I even saw it at the college level, so it all trickles up.”

Literacy is important because it leads to opportunities, Robinson said.

“I’ve always enjoyed it because I know that you can learn a lot from reading,” she said.

“You can teach yourself so many things from reading. If you can’t read, you’re going to be lost in life. I want our students to be prepared.”

Moving from the college level to an elementary school has caused some adjustments for Robinson.

“I saw at the college level a lack of literacy, so I feel like I’m in a position now where I can help catch that so these students are better prepared for middle school, high school and hopefully college,” she said.

Robinson said another aspect of her work is making sure students know how to do research.

“We want to make sure they know how to conduct research,” she said. “They need to know how to use the resources available to them, primarily the online resources. We’re excited to have our students be competitive with the county, the state and everybody else.”

Robinson said her inspiration for teaching is to create a better future.

“I just want to try to help shape and mold the students so they have a better future,” she said. “Just like my own kids, I want them to have a better future, and I want them to be even better than I am.”

Before teaching, Robinson worked in media, which is something she is trying to incorporate in her current position.

“My background is media, and I’ve transferred from media to teaching broadcast video production on the high school level,” she said. “We’re working on bringing that here. We’re trying to order some equipment so we can start doing our morning announcements through video.”

Outside of school, Robinson enjoys spending time with her family, reading, roller skating, taking walks and enjoying nature.

“I like being outside on these nice days so I can enjoy nature,” she said. “That’s just the best thing to do sometimes.”