As I get further into my internship I often am stopped and taken back by the new perspective that I am gaining throughout this experience. Currently, most of my hours are being put in at sporting events and after school programs. Coming from an elementary background, it has been a lot of years since I have gone to a high school football game, pep rally or homecoming. Although things have not changed that much, my perspective on the experience has.
From a students point of view these are the moments of high school you live for, these are where the memories are made. Will you win the big game, will you get asked to homecoming, are your grades good enough, do you have enough friends, are you cool enough, do you look good, does anyone notice your pimple? All of these things were my perspective of high school up until these last few months.
Since starting my internship I have learned that these problems are small and insignificant. Standing on the sidelines I am constantly worrying about student safety, if parents are being respectful. After the game I am checking the perimeter making sure all gates are locked and the premises are securely closed. I am making sure that students have left and are on their way home.
This realization struck me even more on Saturday as I interned during the homecoming game. I finally grasped that the things I thought were cool and fun in high school are actually not very cool at all. In high school it was thrilling to get away with drinking at the dance or sneaking out to the football field and even more-so who is hosting the after party. Now as I enter into my role as an administrator I realize that these things are dangerous and a liability. We become more of a parent and a role model as we become administrators. I found myself as I wished each student a good night at the end of the dance thinking "Please go home and make good choices". This is an interesting change that I can't wait to see unfold further.
-Michelle
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