Casting A Big Shadow

West Ashley High School recently hosted the third annual Senior Shadow Day. This year, more than 90 seniors participated. The goal of the project is for seniors to learn about the job application process from start to finish. The seniors have to apply for the job, interview for their desired position and then are hired for a particular position. Senior Shadow Day, from the early planning stages through the upcoming Senior Takeover Day in February, was carried out by the West Ashley High Teacher Cadets.
Any senior interested in participating in Senior Shadow Day submitted their application online as if they were applying for the job for real. They had to choose the top three positions they would like to shadow in case their top choice was already taken. Once their application was reviewed by the Teacher Cadets, each senior was assigned a time during third period to be interviewed in the Media Center; all interviews took 10 minutes or less. The Teacher Cadets developed a set of interview questions so that it was fair for all students. The entire interview process for all 90 seniors took two days. “Senior Shadow Day was a cool way to see the classroom from a different perspective,” said Teacher Cadet Breanna Moody.
Students could shadow anyone in the school such as teachers, staff, school counselors, student concern specialists, police officers, or cafeteria staff. “I love seeing students make the connection between education and careers,” said CTE Department Chair Sandra Pennekamp. “I think Senior Shadow Day allows them to make that connection and become leaders in their school.” Students were assigned a teacher based on their personal interests and the relationship that they have formed with a particular teacher during their high school experience. Students were also matched up with a teacher that could benefit their future career path.
“I think that this whole Senior Takeover Day process helps students in several areas and teaches them the process of obtaining a job,” said Pennekamp. “Senior Shadow Day gives students the practice and prepares them for interviews. We stress professionalism throughout the whole process and it puts seniors in a position of leadership!”
Senior Shadow Day is the precursor to Senior Takeover Day. Senior Shadow Day allows the student to get a grasp of what their selected teacher does each day. Senior Takeover Day allows the student to teach their own lesson based on their selected teacher’s classroom material. Each student who participated in Senior Shadow Day on November 17, will receive a t-shirt to wear on Senior Takeover Day. Students in the past said it was fun to perform the job of their teacher for the day. Senior Takeover Day will take place on Feb. 7.