Students learn the ropes at Job Shadow Day

Published 5:43 pm Thursday, February 16, 2017

More than 30 students had a taste of the real world Thursday.

As part of the annual Job Shadow Day, students were paired with workers in a variety of fields, from health care and cosmetology, to teaching and law enforcement, to gain insight into what a particular career is like day to day.

The event is made possible through a partnership between Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and area high schools. Students from Northside, Southside and Washington high schools participated, as well as students from Pungo Christian Academy, Unity Christian Academy and Beaufort County Early College High School.

Jennifer Walker, a kindergarten teacher at Eastern Elementary School, was partnered with Northside 10th-grader Sheena Columbus on Thursday morning. The school had two students visit yesterday.

“(Sheena) did get to see some station time and some guided reading groups. … She got to see a little bit of whole group,” Walker said. “They assisted with work, they read with kids, they played with them in centers, and just got to experience the life of a teacher.”

In an atmosphere where students often don’t see the benefits of teaching, Walker said she was glad to be a part of Job Shadow.

She said she thinks it was positive for the two high school students to have some first-hand experience in the classroom.

“I think getting to see just the variety of learners that we have, that come into kindergarten, and the different levels and to see how much goes into every lesson and every plan,” Walker said of the benefits. “You never stop going. You never stop learning.”

Columbus said she enjoyed her Job Shadow Day experience. She has always had an interest in teaching younger students.

She said she enjoys teaching her niece and nephew basic concepts, and it’s a good feeling to know she provides that foundation for someone. Columbus said she was surprised to see how eager the students at Eastern were to learn and how well behaved they were when answering questions.

“It was fun. I liked it,” she said. “I hope I get a chance to experience that again.”

Walker spoke highly of Columbus, and in the future, she said she would like to see the students spend a full day there, instead of just a few of hours.

“I was very excited to finally get to be a part of it,” Walker said. “She did a wonderful job and worked well with the kids.”