SHS partners with community to offer opportunities to students
Salem Schools has teamed with more than 20 local businesses to offer real world experiences for seniors providing both internship and work experience.
Karen Barry, SHS Career Coach, enjoys the opportunity of getting to match a senior with an experience that will not only benefit them, but mean something to them.
“It is so exciting to see our students get the opportunity to see what a day-to-day experience looks like in a field they are interested in,” said Barry. “Putting what they have learned into action makes them excited for their next step.”
Senior Natalee Boutelle is interning at the elementary school with Pam Barry.
“I absolutely love all the kids and the opportunity to have a small group that I work with every day,” she said, adding that she appreciates the opportunity to get a real taste of what it will be like to have her own classroom one day.
“The experience has definitely made me realize this is what I want to do in the future!”
Boutelle said it has been eye opening for her to see all the different backgrounds and situations students come from. She added that having a brother who is in first grade helped her prepare for the age group.
“The best part has been seeing how fun it is to teach someone something new!”
Senior McKenna Miller is also interning at the elementary school and is in first grade with Jill Little.
“I hadn’t planned to do elementary, but that’s where I landed and I absolutely love it!” she said. “It is so amazing! The kids have big minds and they are amazing thinkers. They inspire me to be curious and want to learn more!”
Miller said Little has been a great mentor and has given her so much information and opportunities so far. She said the experience is definitely preparing her to go to school for education.
“I didn’t realize I would love elementary school so much,” said Miller. “I get a lot of hands-on experience and I’m learning classroom management.”
Senior Bailey Smith is interning at Salem Family Dental and said she is still deciding what she wants to study in college.
“It’s been fun to learn more about dentistry and get to shadow my aunt, who works there,” she said. “It’s definitely giving me insight into other options after high school and giving me confidence in knowing what I want to do.”
Senior Delana Nolan is interning in the physical therapy/rehabilitation department at St. Vincent-Salem.
“I love it!” she said. “It is so much fun and I get to work with so many different people!”
She said it has been eye opening to see how different people react and handle their injuries and recovery and the way they respond to their individual recovery plan.
“I really enjoy bouncing between adult and pediatric care,” she said, adding that she likes the hospital setting and the opportunity to work with swing bed patients.
“There are a lot of day-to-day experiences I get to see, giving me a great idea of what this job will look like.”
Nolan plans to attend college to become a physical therapy assistant after high school and has appreciated being able to work with someone in that position every day at St. Vincent.
“It has been a great experience so far!” she said.
Barry said she is thankful for community partnerships that provide these opportunities for SHS students.
“They are not only investing in the future of their lives, but also the future of our community,” she said.
Businesses partnering with the school include: Salem Community Schools, Walnut Ridge Tax Service, Washington County Family YMCA, Kearschner Family Dentistry, Galloway Industries, SAE, Jagged Edge, St. Vincent-Salem Hospital, The Day Company, Lucas Oil, Salem Crossings, Salem Animal Shelter, McDonald’s, Farm Bureau - Brody Pepmeier, CarQuest, Salem Family Dentistry, Cracker Barrel, Sullivan Concrete, Salem City Police Department, GKN and Zinser Properties.