“It’s easy to get a job, but it’s harder to keep it.”
That’s a line teacher Andria Bellamy uses with her students, and it’s why she started a job shadowing program. The goal is for her students to get real experience at a workplace.
“I have been teaching for 26 years, and I saw those in need of jobs, so I went out, did research, talked to different businesses, and talked to parents about getting high school kids jobs,’’ Bellamy said.
After surveying students about their interests, Bellamy placed them with employers who agreed to participate in the program. Currently, students are working at Liberty Food Market, Forgotten Harvest, Stinson Funeral Home, Jeter Funeral Home, and six other places.
“I always prep them before they go to work, I want them to start off with good vibes before they go,” Bellamy said.
Good Vibes Only is the name of the cafe Bellamy started at Mumford last year to begin giving her students job skills. The cafe was in the media center last year, but this year operates from a cart. The students who worked in the cafe last year moved up to the job shadowing program.
“The program was built on the premise that when they go out to work, they are learning in a safe environment,” Bellamy said.
Bellamy and job coach Richonda Lewis visit the students at their workplaces at least weekly.
They talk to the students and the managers and ask if they need help.
“I love being a job coach, and the kids love it when I check up on them,” Lewis said.
Senior Edmond Witcher has rotated through several workplaces and is now at Stinson Funeral Home where he does cleaning tasks inside the building and in the outdoor areas. He said he will have a paid position right after graduation.
“I like it there, and the work is easy,” Witcher said.
