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Narrative: Dyer County High School's Agricultural Landscape class initiated a successful nine-week internship opportunity for all the members of its class. Thirteen upper division students worked in local nurseries and green houses for ninety-minute periods once a week. Thirteen businesses participated. Once the internship was complete, the experience was evaluated by both students and employers and enjoyed overwhelming success. Every employer involved rated the experience as both "beneficial to the student" and "beneficial to the business" and expressed interest in hosting a student again. The student evaluations focused on thinking critically about the positive and negative characteristics of a career in the field. Students wrote a report based on their experiences and evaluation and included discussion on skills that could be developed as part of that career. Dan Smith, Agriculture Instructor--
"The students were able to see the relevance of what they were doing in school and were able to apply the experiences to their classroom learning."
Cindy Gray, Cindy's Florist--
"Not only is it beneficial for us, but we think that it's a great way for students to get hands-on learning."
It Works! Following the internship, two of the students received part-time jobs at their host businesses. This semester Mr. Smith will replicate the project in all of his agriculture classes including Floriculture, Landscape Design, and Greenhouse Management, eventually involving from 40 to 60 students. Because of the project's tremendous success, each of the businesses involved last semester will participate again and Mr. Smith is looking for additional business partners. He has become the contact with local businesses ensuring the internship's sustainability. This time Mr. Smith will attempt to match students to the appropriate field they are studying, i.e. students in the floriculture class interning with florist shops.
Contact:
Dan Smith, Agriculture Instructor
Dyer County High School
820 Williams Street
Newbern, TN 38059
(P)901/627-2229
(F)901/627-2152