To enhance the academy model and further the success of Coffee High’s mission, the Coffee County School System partnered with seven local organizations this summer, allowing teachers to gain hands-on experience from various sectors of the community’s business and governmental organizations. Funded by a federal grant to support rural education, this externship provides a week-long opportunity for teachers to enrich their classroom instruction through real-world applications of the academic content they teach. Now in its third year, the program has received positive feedback not only from teachers and staff but also from the participating businesses.
In 2024, Ms. Gwendolyn Cooper, a CMS Connection Teacher for Tools for College, Career, & Life Success, collaborated with the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce. She engaged with the community at several business events and learned about the Chamber’s efforts to support the community by fostering job growth. Ms. Lavette Flowers, an English and Language Arts teacher in the CHS Public Service and Education Academy, worked with the City of Douglas’ Department of Community Development. She gained insights into grant writing and its importance in funding key community projects. Ms. Flowers was also briefed on the roles of various departments within Community Development.
Ms. Rachael Griffis, an ELA teacher in the CHS Fine Arts, Business, and IT Academy, was paired with McCrary Daniels Insurance. She learned about business operations and various aspects of the insurance industry. Ms. Griffis remarked, “I gained valuable insights into industry practices and enhanced my understanding of real-world applications in our curriculum.” An Art Teacher in the Fine Arts, Business, and IT Academy at CHS, Ms. Shana Harper collaborated with Dawson Adams Photography. She developed skills both in front of and behind the camera, learning about new technology and editing software along with the importance of customer service within a small business framework.
Ms. Brittany Moore, a CHS Science teacher in the Public Service and Education Academy, worked with the UGA Ag Extension Office alongside a Field Extension Agent. During her externship, she checked cotton plots, sampled peanut and cotton fields, reviewed citrus groves, and attended a presentation on tobacco variety trials. She gained valuable insights into the challenges facing local crops and built relationships that will enhance learning opportunities for students and farmers, ensuring the highest production and quality of crops in Coffee County.
An English teacher in the Health and Human Services Academy at CHS, Ms. Brittany Sams, externed with the Waycross Judicial Circuit’s Office of Superior Court. She attended several civil and criminal court proceedings and spoke with local judges, court reporters, clerks, private attorneys, and public defenders. Ms. Sams commented, “I gained invaluable experience that will greatly benefit my classes. Witnessing court proceedings inspired new classroom ideas, particularly in developing lines of reasoning and writing meaningful conclusions. This experience has enabled me to better prepare students for real-world challenges.” Ms. Michelle Stewart, an English as a Second Language (ESOL) teacher at Coffee Middle School, was paired with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. She received an overview of several departments and their offerings, gaining insights into programs for adult education, high school education, dual enrollment, and the WRCCA.
Coffee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Morris Leis stated, “This opportunity is a win-win for our school system and community. As we continue to focus on improving the skills and readiness of our students for the workforce, this program equips our academies with new tools to achieve this goal. We are very grateful to these organizations and their representatives for their time and look forward to the positive outcomes these experiences will provide our students over the next year.”