Published in the June 13, 2018 edition

By JILLIAN STRING

LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield High School Class of 2018 graduates Ashley Mitchell and Anthony Murphy discussed their experiences in the Senior Internship Program during the School Committee’s June 5 meeting. 

“The internship program was on the school improvement (plan) a couple years ago at Lynnfield High School, and I had the great pleasure of being in the gymnasium a couple weeks ago as students shared their internships with us,” Superintendent Jane Tremblay said. “I thought it was really important for the School Committee and the community to hear about some of the really rich and fabulous experiences that you have.”

Mitchell participated in an internship at Summer Street School under the guidance of her former fourth grade teacher, Kristine Percoskie.

“For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be an elementary school teacher, so when this opportunity was given to us, I knew exactly what I wanted to do,” Mitchell stated. “I reached out to my fourth grade teacher, asking if there was a way I could shadow her for my last four weeks of high school.”

HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 graduate Ashley Mitchell explains her student internship experience to School Committee members while classmate Anthony Murphy looks on. (Jillian String Photo)

Mitchell said that Percoskie was very helpful and gracious, and taught her a lot about running a classroom. Mitchell was grateful for the hands-on experience and confirmation that teaching is her chosen career path.

“I learned what types of teaching styles I liked, and what I get to take away from this experience is the way that I want to control my classroom, and how I want to go about teaching in the way that works for me,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell also stated that she appreciated getting the chance to work in a special education classroom, and hopes to pursue a master’s degree in special education some day.

“This sounds like a great opportunity,” School Committee member Dorothy Presser said. “How much of the work of setting up the internship did you take on?”

Mitchell said she felt empowered to reach out on her own to set-up the internship, but said there was no set guideline.

“It certainly sounds like you’ve learned that classroom management is the key thing here,” School Committee member Phil McQueen noted. “Good luck to you.”

A business perspective

Murphy completed his internship at Commercial Wharf West, a commercial realty company owned by his grandfather.

“I was thrilled (about the internship) because (my family) has always wanted me to learn about the business,” Murphy said. “I just never really had the time.”

According to Murphy, he learned a lot about his family business and his grandfather’s core values.

Murphy learned that in its early years, the business was less corporate and was built through “handshake” deals.

“(W)hat I was able to learn through this internship was the values and and hard work that he had,” Murphy stated. “Some of the stuff I learned was not only the paperwork and the taxes and the leases, but I also learned the nitty gritty stuff.”

Murphy has an interest in criminal justice, so his grandfather incorporated that into the internship by having Murphy shadow the maintenance crew as well.

The School Committee applauded the presentations.

“Thanks to Bob (Cleary) for getting this started a couple years ago and keeping it going,” School Chairman Jamie Hayman said.

According to the school website, the Senior Internship Program provides seniors with an opportunity to leave LHS for four weeks to explore an interest, investigate a career, invent a project or extend an existing project.

With the assistance of a chosen guide, students are required to obtain their own placement, and devote a minimum of 30 hours to the internship.

Students participating in the Senior Internship Program are required to maintain a daily journal with weekly updates given to a mentor, a guide evaluation, a panel presentation and participation in the internship exhibition fair.