After weeks of waiting in anticipation to learn what school she would be interning at, Shannon Griffith let out a sigh of relief when she learned that she would be returning to the familiar hallways of her old school.
Determined to graduate from John Brown University with a musical education degree in voice, Griffith is interning for choir director Clint Pinalto.
“I’m not really sure how the school has changed, from a teacher’s standpoint at least,” said the former-student-now-intern. “Personally, I still feel like a student here because I am still learning.”
To Griffith, returning is a very odd experience because of the position she is in. It’s hard for her to stop looking at past teachers like they’re still her teachers or that she is that different from the students because of the slight age difference.
“However, I do feel like I will be able to bring something to these students that most teachers will not be able to. I’ve been in the exact position they’ve been in; same school, same hallways, same teachers, same books, same assignments, same drama. I can really relate to most of you,” she said.
Griffith expressed what she has learned from just graduating high school.
“Really focus on yourself and find out who you are before you leave these hallways. Not many people realize how important it is to know where you’re going and what you want to do with your life after high school,” she said. “Don’t forget to really pay attention in English class. Out in the real world knowledge really is power, and you need to be able to reflect on what you have learned.”
Griffith will have to leave the school Oct. 7 for a second time in her life to complete her internship and college experience.