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Hernando Today

Shadowing at Springstead

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By LINNEA BROWN, Hernando Today

Published: December 14, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Being a secretary isn't as easy at it looks.

That was the lesson learned Wednesday by Rosetta Presley, 15, a sophomore at F.W. Springstead High School in Spring Hill, who spent Wednesday morning learning the "ins and outs" of secretarial work from Nilsa Toro, an employee in the school's front office.

"When you answer the phone, say 'Springstead High School student aid. May I help you?'" Toro instructed.

Since she is interested in pursuing clerical work as a career, Rosetta said getting hands-on training from Toro was just what she needed.

"I like helping people," she said.

A student in the school's career preparatory and community-based vocational education classes, Rosetta was one of 19 students who signed up for the school's annual Job Shadow Day, designed to provide students with real-life experience in positions similar to those they'd be interested in applying for, either during or after high school.

"This school is full of professionals with a wealth of knowledge to share with students, so what better place to start than here?" Timmerman said.

She explained that the event is meant for high school students who are "alternative learners," or those with learning difficulties ranging from emotional issues to degrees of mental retardation. Many will graduate with special diplomas.

"The commonality is that they are all hands-on learners," Timmerman said.

She said a more traditional job shadowing day would have taken place in the community, but that many businesses are reluctant to participate because of the risk of injuries, and arranging transportation for students.

But the kids didn't mind.

Freshman Walter Hunter, 15, said he enjoyed observing Cynthia Moss' food and nutrition class because it ties in with his lifelong dream of becoming a pastry chef.

"I like cooking because it's easy to 'dig in' and experiment," he said.

Sophomore Esteban Cantero, 18, said he found out quickly that librarian Mary Kathleen Hicks' job consists of more than just "organizing books."

"She does a lot of walking. It's a fast-paced, full-time job," he said.

Freshman Edwin Figuaeroa, 16, agreed that attendance secretary Maritza Barreto's job also seemed difficult.

"There's a lot of paperwork, and people won't stop calling. There aren't any breaks," he said.

Edwin, a member of the school's Air Force ROTC, said he hopes to eventually become an ROTC instructor.

However - while he wanted to shadow his own instructor - the students were encouraged to go outside their comfort zones, Timmerman said.

"We tell them to pick something new and different. Something they're not already in," she said.

This also helps students break the stereotype of jobs traditionally thought of for alternative learners, such as bagging groceries at Publix or doing custodial work, Timmerman added.

But even custodial work can be hard - as senior Adam Tran, 18, soon learned from an exhausting hour of shadowing head custodian Frank Rossomano.

"I thought custodial work would be easy," Adam said, peering dubiously upward at Rossomano, who stood on a raised platform in the school's gymnasium, fixing the mechanics of a basketball hoop.

Adam expressed amazement at Rossomano's credentials, which included more than 10 years of electrical experience with ongoing schooling, prior to coming to Springstead.

And his daily tasks at Springstead are no small feat.

"Next I have to get those down," he said, nodding toward basketballs knocked near the gym's ceiling, stuck on top of lighting panels.

Adam cringed.

"Maybe if I could get used to balancing and heights," he conceded.

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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