Shadow day offers students glimpse into future Published Jan. 16, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Students at Spangdahlem Middle School have the unique opportunity to spend a school day outside of the classroom learning about careers that interest them during Job Shadow Day Feb.1. The goal is to help young people explore firsthand the skills and education needed to succeed in todays and future job markets, and to encourage the development of relationships between students and caring adults, said Dr. Elizabeth Childs, SPMS principle. To do this SPMS students in sixth through eighth grade are able to choose from a variety of careerfields volunteers belong to while fifth graders will spend the day with a parent on the job. "Volunteers should expect their shadow to follow their instructions as they are learning about the volunteer's career," Dr. Childs said. "Our youth need to start early making career decisions and this is one of the best ways to learn about the volunteers' career - hands on." The SPMS has run the Shadow Day program for the last five years. "Each year the program has grown," Dr. Childs said. "The students and the volunteers have always returned with extremely positive comments and a great learning experience. Our students really look forward to going to work with adults especially since they can choose where they want to go." The day begins when the volunteers pick up their shadows at 8:15 a.m. At noon the volunteers can either have lunch with their shadows or return them to the school. Shadows who have lunch with their volunteer are not required to be back to the school until 2 p.m. "Some of the volunteers treat our students a to special lunch or they grill for them, some are even given commander's coins," Dr. Childs said. Sequoia Montgomery, daughter of Master Sgt. Lindsay Montgomery, 52nd Mission Support Group, will be participating in Job Shadow Day for the first time this year. "I would like to shadow public affairs because I like to write and when I go to college I would like to major in journalism," the sixth grade student said. "I may work at a newspaper and would like to experience what that would be like." The opportunity for his daughter to participate in this experience is one that Sergeant Montgomery believes is important. "This event give students an opportunity to interact with various professions and careers available to them in both civilian and military sectors, enabling them to possibly make a more informed career choice or spark an interest for an area not previously known to them," said Sergeant Montgomery, superintendent of geographically separated unit support. "Events like this strengthen the partnership within our community while providing a wonderful opportunity for students, parents and professionals to interact. However the biggest benefit is equipping our youth with the tools to make an informed career choice while emphasizing the important role education plays in any future career choice." To volunteer, contact Dr. Childs no later than Jan. 25 at 452-7255 or 06565-61-7255 or e-mail Elizabeth.childs@eu.dodea.edu.