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Real-world experience
Published 8:29am Tuesday, July 6, 2010By JAN GRIFFEY / Editor
Forty Shelby County teachers spent three days learning about the workings of 28 county businesses.
Those teachers will take what they learned back to their students through lesson plans they develop from their real world of work experiences.
The Teacher Internship Program is an education initiative of The Partnership, a division of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
Heather Stripling, initiative coordinator, heads up the program for The Partnership.
“Teachers tell me they are so happy to be able to step into the business world versus the education arena and gain some real business experience to take back to their students, who will be entering the business world,” Stripling said.
Business owners and managers, who host the teachers in the internship program, benefit, too.
“They tell me they enjoy having teachers here and building those community relationships,” Stripling said. “It’s beneficial to all parties involved.”
The Partnership has sponsored the Teacher Internship Program for about eight years, she said, as part of its mission to improve education and therefore the quality of life in Shelby County.
Teachers spent time learning about the “real world” in a variety of county businesses, from banks to law offices to restaurants to newspapers.
Here is a list of all of the teachers who completed the program, listed with their school and business at which they did their internships.
Allison Bassett, Wilsonville Elementary, McWane.
Allison McKeller, Wilsonville Elementary, Barfield, Murphy.
Amy Miller, Oak Mountain Intermediate, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center.
Ashley Richardson, Oak Mountain Intermediate, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center.
Ashli Polizos, Oak Mountain Middle School, Shelby County Legislative Office.
Brooke Brewer, Wilsonville Elementary, Panera Bread.
Carla Harrell, Montevallo Elementary, Easter Seals.
Dianne Cline, Oak Mountain Middle School, Shelby County Newspapers.
Erica Robinson, Vincent Middle/High School, Personal Staffing Inc.
Ginger Hewitt, Linda Nolen Learning Center, Shelby County Newspapers.
Jana Lee, Riverchase Middle School, Elizabeth Roland, PC.
Jeff Norris, Chelsea Intermediate, Discount Frame Shop.
Jerry Riley, Montevallo Middle, Minuteman Press.
John White, Calera Middle School, Alabama Power.
Judi Roberson, Creek View Elementary, Texas Roadhouse.
Julie Godfrey, Oak Mountain High School, Superior Bank – Greystone.
Julie Hart, Oak Mountain High School, Shelby County Newspapers.
June Winslett, Creek View Elementary, Bryant Bank.
Kathy Hester, Chelsea Park, Hispanic Interest.
Kelly da Paz, Montevallo High, Montevallo Chamber of Commerce.
Kevin Pughsley, Calera Middle School, Children’s Hospital.
Kim McCown, Helena Elementary, McWane.
Laura Alvord, Shelby County High, Montevallo Chamber of Commerce.
Laura Calhoun, Linda Nolen Learning Center, Shelby Baptist Medical Center.
Lela Harris, Linda Nolen Learning Center, American Red Cross.
Marlana Hodo, Wilsonville Elementary, Regions Bank.
Michael Jones, Linda Nolen Learning Center, YMCA.
Natalie Jackson, Vincent Middle, Sirote & Permutt, PC.
Nicole Naro, Oak Mountain Intermediate, Oak Mounain Interpretive Center.
Pam Clay, Helena Elementary, McWane.
Rena Watkins, Calera Elementary, Superior Bank – Chelsea.
Rita Granger, Oak Mountain High School, Stevan Grebel for Dance.
Ronna Sanford, Thompson High School, Shelby Baptist Medical Center.
Tanya Wilson, Calera Middle, Alagasco.
Terri Harris, Helena Elementary, RBC Bank.
