by Nichole Smith, Montverde Academy
Brooks Garner, the Chief Meteorologist from Fox 35 Orlando, visited Mrs. Amy Napoles’s Natural Disasters elective at Montverde Academy via Zoom to discuss the role of broadcast meteorology in society and provide career advice for those expressing an interest in the field. In his presentation, Mr. Garner described his unconventional path toward becoming a meteorologist. As a child, he always loved spending time researching the causes of hurricanes as a hobby, but when he entered college, he chose to study filmmaking and graphic design during his undergraduate studies. It wasn’t until after college when he began work creating weather graphics for a local TV station in Boston that he reignited his childhood passion for the weather and enrolled in graduate school to study meteorology.
He shared a powerful, personal example with Mrs. Napoles’s class about the impact of weather broadcasting. In March, a woman in a nearby neighborhood survived a tornado because she had heeded the warnings of the news station. “It’s an example of one of the ways that the communications business can be really impactful,” shared Mr. Garner. “In real time, it’s not just a matter of investing in the future or purveying ideas and concepts that can help people down the road – it can actually help them in the moment. So it can be very rewarding in the short term, and then the long term can be really rewarding to help a community – as far as just general preparedness – and getting ready for their day.” Mr. Garner explained how journalists and meteorologists are intermediaries between scientific knowledge and the public; they must convey evidence and warnings clearly, amid social-media skepticism and misinformation.
At the end of his presentation, Mr. Garner held a Q&A session, giving students the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to meteorology. Students were curious about the current hurricane season, as well as doppler dead zones and the speaker’s personal experiences with storms. “Talking with Mr. Garner was a great experience,” said sophomore Landon Garcia. “The way he explained his job as the Chief Meteorologist for Fox 35 Orlando inspired me so greatly. I learned that having a career based on passion is the best thing you can do for yourself. It will lead to a healthy and enjoyable career.” “I learned that it’s more than just telling the weather – it’s a lifestyle and way of thinking,” said junior Zyair Devallon. “It’s an outlet to do what you love while being yourself.” After the Q&A session, Mr. Garner left students with a word of advice. “Whether you go into something like journalism, meteorology, or something entirely different, interaction with the public, I think, is the most important thing that happens, and it applies to almost every discipline. Whether you’re a politician, a doctor, or a healthcare worker, communication is the key because our clients, no matter what your business, are people.”
