Angle

Issue date: 5/28/07 Section: Cougar's Tale

Media Credit: Robert Cundiff Shannon with students [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Shannon Markovitch Partial Cast Photo [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Shannon Markovitch Shannon looking authoritative [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Shannon Markovitch Shannon and Mrs. Grabill [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Shannon Markovitch Shannon helping student Crystal [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Shannon Markovitch Saturday Morning Rehearsal [Click to enlarge]

Since my salvation in 2002, the Lord has given me a burden for young people. In the amazing way that only God can work, he showed me that I can use my love for drama as a vehicle to teach teenagers.

This semester, I had the awesome opportunity of interning in the drama department at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, Fla. As a Communication Arts major, I thought interning at a school would be an excellent experience and better prepare me as a high school teacher.

The internship started in early January; my class was ten students, grades 9-12. I did not know what responsibilities to expect, but hit the ground running.

Working with Donna Grabill, a full-time music and drama teacher at NCS, I have learned from her wisdom and considerable experience in theater.

I soon learned that I would be directing and producing their spring play, "But Why Bump Off Barnaby," a play I also helped to select. Mrs. Grabill gave free rein to me in the classroom, but was always available for help and guidance. I quickly built relationships with the students, realizing that I missed them when they were not around.

Unfortunately, halfway through the semester, a student had to withdraw from the class because of illness, changing the dynamics of my internship; I would have to step in as an actor to play her role.

I believe that God used Rebecca's illness to remind me what it was like to be in high school so that I might better empathize with my students. Directing the play then came very difficult because I was also acting in it; so Mrs. Grabill stepped in.

The students, Mrs. Grabill, a few parents, helpers and I successfully produced a show that at times we thought was never going to happen. We learned together and grew together. Most of all we had a whole lot of fun together.

At times I was discouraged and to quit. However, the Lord kept me going and has used the trials and stress of this semester to show me that there is nothing I would rather do than be a teacher. I have been forever changed by the 13 weeks at Northside and would not trade my experiences this semester for anything else.

For that, I would like to thank my students: Crystal, David, Heather Jared, Josh, Kimberly, Rebecca, Rosa, Sarah, and Shenira for accepting me, keeping me on my toes, and for being my "guinea pigs."

I would also like to thank Mrs. Donna Grabill, Mr. Nathan Farrell, and Mrs. Rebecca Cate for treating me like an equal and leaving room for my sometimes air-headed mistakes, and to the Communication Arts department at Clearwater Christian College for preparing me for such an opportunity. What an amazing semester.

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