Behind the Lens: A View into Darby and Reach and Teach

At Reach and Teach, the most meaningful moments don’t always happen under the spotlight. They happen in the small, in-between space, right before a student steps on stage, during a quick conversation between teammates, or in the quiet confidence that builds after something new is accomplished. For Darby, a photographer and videographer mentor with Reach and Teach, those are the moments she looks for.

Her journey into this role didn’t just start with a camera but with a job as a wedding videographer. When she first got involved with Reach and Teach, she didn’t just see it as another opportunity; she saw something different. “My mom is the co-founder of Reach and Teach, and so I’ve been volunteering with them for a really long time,” and she shared her favorite part of the job, which is “When they start doing something and they realize they’re doing it right." From her early volunteering days, it was clear that this work was about more than creating content. It was about being part of something that truly impacts students.

What stands out most to her isn’t just what she captures but what she is able to witness. She gave an example of such moments in her interview: “My favorite part is when a lightbulb goes off and the kids get it." She cherishes the opportunity to witness students grow in real time, stepping into roles they may have never imagined for themselves.

There really is no “normal” day in her position. Each event brings new energy, new challenges, and new moments to capture. Darby gave insight into her day, which involves an early day, lots of teaching, and later a concert. “We get to the school when it starts, and then we group our kids; we work with them one on one for two days. We teach them everything: how to run the cameras, sound, and all of that kind of stuff. Then, on concert day, they come back and we run the whole thing. I just have to supervise them because we train them on that first day. " Whether she’s moving through a crowd, teaching students how to work the cameras, or trying to catch a moment before it’s gone, her work requires her to stay present and aware at all times.

Through her lens, she sees transformation happen right in front of her. Students who may have started off unsure begin to find their place, their voice, and their confidence. “I hope they’re more open-minded on what jobs they can do. Just because a lot of people don’t think about the behind the scenes of the entertainment industry,” she explained. The shift she captures isn’t just about technical skills; it's about learning about jobs that otherwise students might not have ever considered. 

When she talks about Reach and Teach, it’s not just as a program; it’s as an experience. “The mission is really just exposing kids to different things that they wouldn’t know otherwise." It’s a space where students are trusted to learn, take the lead, try, fail, and succeed in ways that feel real.

Being part of that environment has changed the way she sees education altogether. “I’ve realized how many kids have no idea what’s out there, and so many of them think that their ways are just set in place.” She explains how her view of education has changed from kids thinking college is the only option to seeing the many options beyond that. 

In many ways, her camera doesn’t just capture events; it captures students' change. It holds onto the moments where students realize what they’re capable of, even if it’s just for a second.And while those moments might pass quickly, the impact behind them doesn’t. Through her work, they’re remembered, shared, and given a chance to inspire someone else.