Subject area: School-to-Work
Integrated subjects: Multiple
Teacher: Sue Anne Heutink, (360) 988-2641
School: Nooksack Valley High School, Nooksack Valley S.D.
Grade level: 11-12
Abstract: Nooksack Valley High School’s School-to-Work coordinator Sue Ann Heutink coordinates a class which places up to 20 students in independent service-learning internships.
During their junior and senior years, students are placed individually in internships in nonprofit organizations. Every effort is made to connect their internship with potential career interests and pathways. Students spend two or three hours each week at the community site during the school day. Some of the internships which have strong connections to service include:
One student worked with Resources, a local company, to coordinate an environmental conference. The intern also designed a brochure which was used around the county.
Another student assisted a small company which places college students from
around the world in internships throughout the U.S. The high school intern provided
support for the staff and published a yearbook of interns.
Teachers from five different disciplines use one co-planning period where they
meet once a week to discuss ways to continue to connect School-to-Work and service-learning
opportunities into the school. They look for opportunities both for individual
students and for building connections to classroom learning.