Baldwin High School students get internship experience through special partnerships with local businesses
Valentina Prochotsky always knew she wanted to be a dentist, but was unsure of committing to eight years of schooling.
So when the 18-year-old learned in her junior year she could shadow a dentist through the Senior Experience class at Baldwin High School — a yearlong program intertwining curriculum with real-life experiences that includes an in-person internship — she jumped at the opportunity.
"Through this program, I had guidance," said Prochotsky, who worked two days a week at Cosgrove Dental in Rockville Centre. "I really found a passion for it, and I do want to continue with my education and dentistry."
Prochotsky is one of the more than 40 students who gave 20-minute presentations about their internships on Friday, showcasing what they learned to their peers, family members, and business and community partners.
English teacher Chris Soupios said student internships include a variety of fields, such as education, medical, business and the arts.
"We try to work with the students’ interests as well as communities," Soupios said.
At the beginning of the year, students indicate their interests, and then teachers reach out to local businesses to form a partnership.
The yearlong class meets either Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday and Thursday, depending on which section students are placed in. On the days students are not in class, they work at their internship.
Baldwin schools Superintendent Shari Camhi said Senior Experience, which started two years ago, teaches a combination of social studies, English language arts, business, and civics and government lessons that meet state graduation requirements and integrate school curriculum.
Overall, the program encourages students to think critically, express themselves through public speaking, and collaborate with others, Camhi and Soupios said. For instance, students are divided into groups who read a book that has been challenged; then they discuss reasons it should or should not be allowed in classrooms.
Students also take part in a Shark Tank-like experience, in which they must create and pitch an app to "sharks," or community members, and present a full business plan. A capstone project requires them to provide a solution to an issue related to their chosen field.
"One of the skills that every single student should have when they graduate high school is the ability to think critically," Camhi said. "That is a skill that is missing in our world."
Prochotsky said before taking the class, she was insecure in public speaking. But now she feels confident when expressing herself and she's ready to apply these skills as a college student. She will attend SUNY Cortland in the fall and plans to major in biology.
Justin Victor, 17, of Baldwin, said Senior Experience was more than just a way to gain hands-on experience.
Without the class, it would have taken him longer to decide on a career in physical therapy. His internship was at Professional Physical Therapy in Baldwin.
He will be enrolled in the Life Sciences/Occupational Therapy program at New York Institute of Technology in the fall, where students obtain Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Occupational Therapy degrees in six years.
Victor said the class provided a positive community, where his teachers encouraged him and his peers to be their best selves.
"It’s like a family," he said.
Valentina Prochotsky always knew she wanted to be a dentist, but was unsure of committing to eight years of schooling.
So when the 18-year-old learned in her junior year she could shadow a dentist through the Senior Experience class at Baldwin High School — a yearlong program intertwining curriculum with real-life experiences that includes an in-person internship — she jumped at the opportunity.
"Through this program, I had guidance," said Prochotsky, who worked two days a week at Cosgrove Dental in Rockville Centre. "I really found a passion for it, and I do want to continue with my education and dentistry."
Prochotsky is one of the more than 40 students who gave 20-minute presentations about their internships on Friday, showcasing what they learned to their peers, family members, and business and community partners.
From left, Baldwin High School students: Valentina Prochotsky, 18, wants to be a dentist and interned at Cosgrove Dental in Rockville Centre; Kaylah Santesteban, 18, interned at Debra Designs interior design then switched to an elementary school teacher internship; Justin Victor, 17, interned at a professional physical therapy clinic in Baldwin; Lauren Bregel, 18, who wants to be a teacher, interned at Meadow Elementary School in Baldwin. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
English teacher Chris Soupios said student internships include a variety of fields, such as education, medical, business and the arts.
"We try to work with the students’ interests as well as communities," Soupios said.
At the beginning of the year, students indicate their interests, and then teachers reach out to local businesses to form a partnership.
The yearlong class meets either Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday and Thursday, depending on which section students are placed in. On the days students are not in class, they work at their internship.
Baldwin schools Superintendent Shari Camhi said Senior Experience, which started two years ago, teaches a combination of social studies, English language arts, business, and civics and government lessons that meet state graduation requirements and integrate school curriculum.
Overall, the program encourages students to think critically, express themselves through public speaking, and collaborate with others, Camhi and Soupios said. For instance, students are divided into groups who read a book that has been challenged; then they discuss reasons it should or should not be allowed in classrooms.
Students also take part in a Shark Tank-like experience, in which they must create and pitch an app to "sharks," or community members, and present a full business plan. A capstone project requires them to provide a solution to an issue related to their chosen field.
Baldwin High School student Megan Lopez presents her internship project to students, administrators and professionals at the school in Baldwin on Friday. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
"One of the skills that every single student should have when they graduate high school is the ability to think critically," Camhi said. "That is a skill that is missing in our world."
Prochotsky said before taking the class, she was insecure in public speaking. But now she feels confident when expressing herself and she's ready to apply these skills as a college student. She will attend SUNY Cortland in the fall and plans to major in biology.
Justin Victor, 17, of Baldwin, said Senior Experience was more than just a way to gain hands-on experience.
Without the class, it would have taken him longer to decide on a career in physical therapy. His internship was at Professional Physical Therapy in Baldwin.
He will be enrolled in the Life Sciences/Occupational Therapy program at New York Institute of Technology in the fall, where students obtain Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Occupational Therapy degrees in six years.
Victor said the class provided a positive community, where his teachers encouraged him and his peers to be their best selves.
"It’s like a family," he said.
Maureen Mullarkey is a breaking news reporter at Newsday. She previously worked as a reporter for Patch, where she covered a range of Long Island stories on topics such as the Diocese of Rockville Centre bankruptcy and the Babylon School District abuse scandals.
