Ms. Brooke Auguste, Winchester, NH Out-of-School Program, ACCESS:
"What I have left behind at the Winchester ACCESS program are good connections with the children and my own image as a role model. I gave the children a chance to see that there is more out there for them, especially in the performing arts. They were able to visit Keene State College and even dance at a huge event: Pumpkin Fest. I tried to give the children something to look forward to everyday. I taught them how to dance with one another without always wanting to be in the front and how to be a leader. I will try my best to get some of my dance team members involved with the program in the future because the girls and boys are really talented in dancing." Site Supervisor: Ms. Angie Dorcus
"The weeks at Saint Joseph's Regional School in Keene have been very fast paced. I have been spending much of my time in the classroom, which I love. It has been a lot of fun to work with the various grade levels and learn first-hand how and what the teachers are handling every day. I have a new perspective on the time crunch that these teachers face. There is very little, if any down time." - Ms. Stephenie Konopka, St. Joseph Elementary School Site Supervisor: Sr. Laura Della Santa
Ms. Ryanne Hemming, RISE for Baby and Family: "I spent time working with the children in the child care center and became a part of the team at RISE. I also went on home visits and became involved in the early supports and services that the program offers. I had the opportunity to apply skills in a career setting of particular interest to me... Being outside of the classroom allows you to interact and become more knowledgeable. It is an experience that is worth your time and effort as it will prepare you for the future, no matter what path you choose to take." Site Supervisors: Ms. Kathy Torrey and Ms. Katherine Feist
Ms.
Jessica Stone, Compassionate Staffing:"From this experience I had the chance to learn about the medical and the business fields. I now understand how much effort it takes to run a small business. Having a small business in this economy is something that is not easy and you have to go above and beyond the effort and time you put in, even before this recession hit. Everyone is having hard time with their small businesses... I like work that allows me to get away from the desk, move around and interact with people. I would not change anything about this semester and I can’t wait to see what next year brings to the internship." Site Supervisor: Ms. Rose Bochicchio
Ms. Caitlin Glenn, Antrim Girls Shelter: "In the past few months I have left an impression that the girls at the shelter can relate to as they continue to grow and find their way in life. The girls really enjoyed asking me questions and I am hoping that my answers will stick with them and give them the courage and drive to go to college once they finish high school...I would like to be remembered as someone the girls felt they could talk to and express their feelings with because I had the time to listen to them because I did not have as many responsibilities as the rest of the staff. I truly cared for the girls and wanted to help in them in any way I could." Site Supervisor:
Ms. Melissa Echavarria
Ms. Kim Ferris, Cheshire County House of Corrections "The staff, volunteers, and inmates of the Cheshire County Department of Corrections have taught me a great deal about myself and the world. I think that I have left an impression on the staff and volunteers that I am eager to learn. Fo example, I helped put together a lesson plan for the academy. I find that not all days are the same at the jail. I am really looking forward to being involved in some criminal justice partner agencies such as victim witness advocacy and alternative sentencing programs in the future." Site Supervisor: Captain Hank Colby
Ms. Heather Martin, Head Start:"I have left my internship with more understanding of how things work at the Head Start office. I know the struggles and the rewards of working at an organization such as Head Start. I feel I left the work that I have done neat and organized. I prepared and updated documents for all the children that attend the school." Site Supervisors: Ms. Vikki White and Ms. Jen Dragon
Ms. Annelies Spykman, Monadnock Family Resource Center: "The Monadnock Family Resource Center is a division of Monadnock Family Services, a community nonprofit organization that focuses on helping maintain healthy families by offering services supporting alcohol and drug rehabilitation, mental health services, parenting classes and support, and referrals to other services in the area... [Through my work] I have left an awareness of the need for services directed at young moms...This has been such a remarkable opportunity for me, and I hope that it is just the beginning of a long relationship not only with the MFRC, but with the non-profit world in general." Site Supervisor: Ms. Mary Lavalley Mullen
"At the historical society of Cheshire County I am cataloging and archiving new acquisitions as well as researching for an upcoming exhibit about immigration to the region. I’m getting really excited about my practicum because I will be doing a lot of new things that I’ve never done before... In the library I checked out a few books to help me prepare for my practicum, including a book is about historical sociology, which will hopefully help me bridge the gaps between historical work in archiving and researching and my background in sociology." -Mr. Rob Coleman, Cheshire Historical Society, Site Supervisor: Mr. Alan Rumrill"In these short weeks I have learned a lot about different families and their backgrounds. Some children sign up to be Littles because they come from less fortunate homes and others just need a little extra TLC. Regardless of why they are here, every child gets very excited to be with their big brother or sister." -- Ms. Lauren Johnson, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Monadnock Region, Site Supervisor: Ms. Peg Monahan
Ms. Kathleen Barnard, The Mountain Children's Care "As the practicum comes to an end, I reflected on when I started and how much I think I have overcome and have improved. I have learned how to act in a professional environment and in a field I may go into in the future. I also have developed better communication skills and positive relationships with my supervisors and the parents of many of the children. I have also learned how to create relationships with the childre -- no matter what the age. I have also realized how much I really can make a difference." Site Supervisor: Ms. Meg Jones
Ms. Kathleen Barnard, The Mountain Children's Care "As the practicum comes to an end, I reflected on when I started and how much I think I have overcome and have improved. I have learned how to act in a professional environment and in a field I may go into in the future. I also have developed better communication skills and positive relationships with my supervisors and the parents of many of the children. I have also learned how to create relationships with the childre -- no matter what the age. I have also realized how much I really can make a difference." Site Supervisor: Ms. Meg Jones
Note: These quotes are excerpts from students' electronic journals which have been condensed and edited for clarity.
