During the month of May, our juniors interned at organizations, businesses, schools, and non-profits all across San Diego county. They learned to step (or dive) outside of their comfort zones, be professionals, and explore fields of interest. As their teacher I was tasked with the painstaking job of visiting them at their internship sites. It was an incredible experience to watch them grow as students, professionals, and young men and women.
Here's a look at some of the visits this past month.
Here's a look at some of the visits this past month.
First site visit of the internship season! I went with Ms. Lesley & Ms. Rayna to Silverwing Elementary. There we saw Cameron, Caleb, and Alex working with students, supporting teachers, and manning the library. Above, Cameron is pointing to the "Staff Only Beyond This Point" sign. The students were students no more and instead got the see the "behind the scenes" realities of teaching.
As a San Diego native I have always heard of Tacos El Gordo, but had never actually been. Thanks to internship I frequented the various locations and fell in LOVE! Ms. Rayna introduced me to the world of adobada tacos. No shame: I always ordered four.
An especially cool visit was seeing Estevan and my advisee Tori at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum! They told me all about this awesome exhibit they were working on for Tom Hom a San Diego native, and the first non-caucasian San Diego Councilmember. Then we went into the museum and Tom Hom WAS THERE! My inner-political geek freaked out. Especially when he began to talk about redlining practices in San Diego which was a topic we studied before the students went off the internship. History came alive during this visit!
There was also a Cat Cafe across the street from the SDCHM. Obviously, I went in...twice.
One day, when I had three visits in row, I first got to see my amazing students at Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher's office. Then another student at the San Diego Contemporary museum. And finally the third student sewing away at Christian Youth Theater. Internship brings out so much pride! Students were doing incredible work all across the county.
One day, when I had three visits in row, I first got to see my amazing students at Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher's office. Then another student at the San Diego Contemporary museum. And finally the third student sewing away at Christian Youth Theater. Internship brings out so much pride! Students were doing incredible work all across the county.
I also got to live vicariously through Ms. Lesley when she would visit her internship cohort. Here is a strawberry that she brought back for me from Wild Willow Farms were Jazmine was working. It was AMAZING! I had it after eating my second round of Tacos El Gordo.
While she was there, a goat got loose! How many students get to say that they chased a goat during the school day?
At some sights, our students even ran into each other! While Ms. Lesley was visiting Allie at Living Coast, Mae was there during a delivery for her internship site. Over the course of internship, they shared stories of best practices at their sites, including how to get crickets out of their packaging without letting any loose!
Nothing was better than getting to see students in action! When Ms. Lesley went to see Nico and Cali at a vet's office she walked in right as Cali was working with a cute dog and later got to see Nico give a dog a vaccine.
Internship is also a great place for students to work on their academic skills as well. When Ms. Lesley visited Hector he proudly showed off his multiple pages of notes from a meeting he was part of.
Another first was visiting the Olympic Training Center were Zavier was interning. We got a huge tour and watched Zavier and the other intern learn physical therapy techniques. When we first walked in they were working on "cupping" so Mr. Max and I tried it. It was painful. I didn't like it. But I was proud of Zavier for learning all the intrical aspects of life as an athlete.
One of my final visits was to the Safari Park. I carpooled with Ms. Lesley and Ms. Rayna and we got to park in the staff only lot. There we visited Justin and talked with his mentor about strengths and growth areas. It's so incredible to hear the mentors talk about the incredible experiences and skills that the students have been working on.
Justin even got a name badge which made everything feel very official. What I love most about internship is that the students are not just playing the part of a professional but they are treated as one, and given all the responsibilities or a real world workplace.
At the end of the day we went on a safari and I learned so much about the animals of Africa. I also learned that I'm really bad at taking selfies.