celebrated at luncheon

By Amanda R. Bradley

Staff Writer

Published Aug. 2, 1999

A "Celebration" luncheon was held yesterday at The Pines for the interns who recently completed their internships with local businesses as part of the School-To-Work program.

The School-To-Work program allowed middle school teachers to participate in two-week internships at local businesses to see what needs to be taught in the classroom.

"These internships allow a relationship to develop between the classroom and local businesses," said Sherry Key, program director. "Then the teachers can bring real world applications back into the classroom."

The highlight of the luncheon was the presentation given by Randy Dorn from Washington State, who has held several positions concerning education. He served seven years in the Washington State House of Representatives, past Chair of the K-12 Education Committee, served six years on the Appropriations Committee, a past elementary school teacher and a past elementary and high school principal.

Dorn continues to help reconstruct schools and reform the learning process.

"Classrooms can no longer deliver everything these students need to know," said Dorn. "Businesses have the technology to offer to students and we need a partnership between the two."

Part of the interactive presentation involved asking the interns, principals and business representatives present to participate in different activities.

One of these activities involved the people clapping their hands and then standing up while clapping.

"When we double the complexity of the activity, we lose about 25 percent of the participants," said Dorn, relating the activity to students. "Somewhere along the line these students learned to not take risks, to not try new things. We have to change that."

Dorn explained that students are just like everybody else, if they don’t like what they are doing, they don’t want to do it.

"We need to get these students the education they need for what they truly want to do," said Dorn. "When they are happy with what they are doing, they will go to work."

Dorn encouraged businesses to continue to participate in the program.

"There has got to be a partnership between schools and businesses to make a difference," said Dorn. "I encourage every business to get involved."

At the end of the program each intern received a plaque, as well as the business representative. The business also received a copy of the intern’s lesson plans, to see how the "real world" applications will be used in the classroom.

Those participating this summer were: Marie Davidson, interned at The Messenger; Jo Anna Barron and Eric Spoto, Sikorsky; Nancy Barr, city of Troy; Paul Gilbert, Pike County Courthouse; Karla Johnson, The Citizen; Betty Crook, SouthTrust; John Evers, South Al Electric Cooperative; Sheila Ballard, Regions; Darla Bostick, Pike County Chamber of Commerce; Paige Spivey, Troy State University College of Communication and Fine Arts; Sally Thomas, Troy Bank & Trust; Sara Hatfield, Edge Regional Medical Center; Regina Booth, H.B. & G.

Next year the participants in the School-To-Work program will be high school teachers.