Summer 2025 Faculty Externship Program
Funded through a program that supports rural education, the faculty externship program in the Coffee County School System allows teachers to enrich classroom instruction by applying real-world examples to the academic content they teach. CCBOE Superintendent Dr. Morris Leis stated, “Community partnerships are at the heart of what we do in public education. We are committed to serving and enriching our community. Through the faculty externship program, we are enhancing the understanding and opportunities our faculty have to teach students and better prepare them for life after high school. This program is instrumental in improving our learning outcomes, and we are very grateful to all the organizations that supported us this year.”
Externship hosts for the summer 2025 program included the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, General Coffee State Park, GS Media LLC, Lakeside Senior Care, Optima Chemical, South Georgia State College, the Waycross Judicial Circuit Office of the Superior Court, and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Below are a few highlights from each partnership, along with key takeaways from our faculty.
Ms. Queen McIver, a Language Arts teacher at Wiregrass Regional College & Career Academy, partnered with the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce for her externship. Throughout the week, she explored key industries and businesses that drive the local economy and learned how tourist attractions contribute to community growth. “Spending the week with the Chamber gave me valuable insight into our community’s industries and attractions,” McIver said. “By incorporating examples from local businesses, I can design lessons that connect academic skills to career readiness, strengthen students’ communication and teamwork abilities, and inspire them to explore local career paths.”
Ms. Shanna Overstreet, Coffee High School’s Project Search Coordinator, completed her externship at General Coffee State Park. She participated in a variety of duties and administrative tasks, ranging from housekeeping and operating industrial laundry equipment to animal care, campground upkeep, and assisting with educational programs for area youth. “Through my activities this week, I will now be able to better prepare my students with disabilities for employment by providing real-world examples, teaching practical skills, and helping them connect the value of their training to actual workplace needs,” Overstreet shared.
Ms. Dana Davenport, a CHS Language Arts teacher in the Academy of Public Service and Education, worked with GS Media LLC. During her time there, Ms. Davenport applied her writing and creative skills to support a community residential revitalization project. She participated in client meetings, contributed to design and creative concepts for several marketing and promotional items, and drafted press releases. “It was rewarding to see how the skills we teach in the classroom can transfer into the real-world work environment. I was delighted to partner with a former student who demonstrates a strong spirit of entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and public service in his career,” reflected Davenport.
Ms. April Doherty, a co-teacher in the Academy of Health and Human Services at CHS, completed her externship at Lakeside Senior Care, a multi-faceted assisted living facility in our community. Her experience included working in human resources, nursing and clinical programs, food preparation, safety, and life enrichment programs for residents. “This experience helped me witness the value of empathy, responsibility, and teamwork—skills that extend beyond the classroom and are essential for students to build positive relationships and contribute to their communities,” Doherty said.
Optima Chemical hosted Ms. Natalie Lugo, a CHS Science teacher in the Academy of Public Service and Education, for her externship. Lugo worked with the research and development department and laboratory, where she observed science in action. She witnessed several laboratory tests, including chemical purity analyses, and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of experiments and quality control in real-world applications. “I am looking forward to sharing what I observed and how companies must adhere to strict policies and protocols to ensure high standards and quality in the products they make,” Lugo stated. “This externship will enable me to connect theory with practice and show my students how science is applied in everyday careers.”
Ms. Michelle Evans, a Freshman Seminar teacher at Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy, joined South Georgia State College for her externship. During the week, Evans met with several department heads to learn about academic pathways, admissions processes, scholarships, and support services available to students. “This opportunity will have a direct impact on my work in the classroom,” Evans shared. “With firsthand knowledge from South Georgia State College, I am better equipped to guide my students as they make decisions about their futures. My goal at Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy is to ensure that every student is enrolled, enlisted, or employed after graduation, and I feel better prepared with knowledge about the college after this week.”
A Language Arts teacher in the CHS Academy of Fine Arts, Business, and IT, Ms. Rachael Griffis was paired with the Waycross Judicial Circuit Office of the Superior Court. During her externship, she observed criminal and civil courtroom proceedings, seeing firsthand how carefully words are chosen and evidence is presented. “I realized that what I teach in ELA—crafting a clear argument, supporting it with evidence, and reading closely for meaning—is exactly what attorneys, judges, and witnesses do every day,” Griffis said. She reflected, “Spending a week inside the justice system reminded me that words can change lives. I’m excited to bring that truth into my classroom so my students can see that the skills we practice aren’t just for a grade—they’re tools for real impact in the world.”
Ms. Julie Siegrist, a co-teacher in the Academy of Engineering, Agriculture, and Mechanics at CHS, was paired with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College for her externship. During her time on site, she toured each campus and learned about the specific programs offered at various locations. She also attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony that highlighted the economic partnerships and impact Wiregrass has in the region. “There are so many offerings—from academic pathways to skilled trades and career-focused certificates—available at Wiregrass; there truly is an option for everyone,” Siegrist shared. “I am now prepared and excited to ensure all students realize there are multiple paths they can pursue upon graduating.”
By engaging directly with local industries and organizations, Coffee County educators gained valuable knowledge and are well-prepared to connect academic content with career readiness this school year. For more information about the faculty externship program or the Academies of Coffee High School, please contact Ms. Walda Kight, Academy Director, at 912-389-6888.
Externship hosts for the summer 2025 program included the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, General Coffee State Park, GS Media LLC, Lakeside Senior Care, Optima Chemical, South Georgia State College, the Waycross Judicial Circuit Office of the Superior Court, and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Below are a few highlights from each partnership, along with key takeaways from our faculty.
Ms. Queen McIver, a Language Arts teacher at Wiregrass Regional College & Career Academy, partnered with the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce for her externship. Throughout the week, she explored key industries and businesses that drive the local economy and learned how tourist attractions contribute to community growth. “Spending the week with the Chamber gave me valuable insight into our community’s industries and attractions,” McIver said. “By incorporating examples from local businesses, I can design lessons that connect academic skills to career readiness, strengthen students’ communication and teamwork abilities, and inspire them to explore local career paths.”
Ms. Shanna Overstreet, Coffee High School’s Project Search Coordinator, completed her externship at General Coffee State Park. She participated in a variety of duties and administrative tasks, ranging from housekeeping and operating industrial laundry equipment to animal care, campground upkeep, and assisting with educational programs for area youth. “Through my activities this week, I will now be able to better prepare my students with disabilities for employment by providing real-world examples, teaching practical skills, and helping them connect the value of their training to actual workplace needs,” Overstreet shared.
Ms. Dana Davenport, a CHS Language Arts teacher in the Academy of Public Service and Education, worked with GS Media LLC. During her time there, Ms. Davenport applied her writing and creative skills to support a community residential revitalization project. She participated in client meetings, contributed to design and creative concepts for several marketing and promotional items, and drafted press releases. “It was rewarding to see how the skills we teach in the classroom can transfer into the real-world work environment. I was delighted to partner with a former student who demonstrates a strong spirit of entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and public service in his career,” reflected Davenport.
Ms. April Doherty, a co-teacher in the Academy of Health and Human Services at CHS, completed her externship at Lakeside Senior Care, a multi-faceted assisted living facility in our community. Her experience included working in human resources, nursing and clinical programs, food preparation, safety, and life enrichment programs for residents. “This experience helped me witness the value of empathy, responsibility, and teamwork—skills that extend beyond the classroom and are essential for students to build positive relationships and contribute to their communities,” Doherty said.
Optima Chemical hosted Ms. Natalie Lugo, a CHS Science teacher in the Academy of Public Service and Education, for her externship. Lugo worked with the research and development department and laboratory, where she observed science in action. She witnessed several laboratory tests, including chemical purity analyses, and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of experiments and quality control in real-world applications. “I am looking forward to sharing what I observed and how companies must adhere to strict policies and protocols to ensure high standards and quality in the products they make,” Lugo stated. “This externship will enable me to connect theory with practice and show my students how science is applied in everyday careers.”
Ms. Michelle Evans, a Freshman Seminar teacher at Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy, joined South Georgia State College for her externship. During the week, Evans met with several department heads to learn about academic pathways, admissions processes, scholarships, and support services available to students. “This opportunity will have a direct impact on my work in the classroom,” Evans shared. “With firsthand knowledge from South Georgia State College, I am better equipped to guide my students as they make decisions about their futures. My goal at Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy is to ensure that every student is enrolled, enlisted, or employed after graduation, and I feel better prepared with knowledge about the college after this week.”
A Language Arts teacher in the CHS Academy of Fine Arts, Business, and IT, Ms. Rachael Griffis was paired with the Waycross Judicial Circuit Office of the Superior Court. During her externship, she observed criminal and civil courtroom proceedings, seeing firsthand how carefully words are chosen and evidence is presented. “I realized that what I teach in ELA—crafting a clear argument, supporting it with evidence, and reading closely for meaning—is exactly what attorneys, judges, and witnesses do every day,” Griffis said. She reflected, “Spending a week inside the justice system reminded me that words can change lives. I’m excited to bring that truth into my classroom so my students can see that the skills we practice aren’t just for a grade—they’re tools for real impact in the world.”
Ms. Julie Siegrist, a co-teacher in the Academy of Engineering, Agriculture, and Mechanics at CHS, was paired with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College for her externship. During her time on site, she toured each campus and learned about the specific programs offered at various locations. She also attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony that highlighted the economic partnerships and impact Wiregrass has in the region. “There are so many offerings—from academic pathways to skilled trades and career-focused certificates—available at Wiregrass; there truly is an option for everyone,” Siegrist shared. “I am now prepared and excited to ensure all students realize there are multiple paths they can pursue upon graduating.”
By engaging directly with local industries and organizations, Coffee County educators gained valuable knowledge and are well-prepared to connect academic content with career readiness this school year. For more information about the faculty externship program or the Academies of Coffee High School, please contact Ms. Walda Kight, Academy Director, at 912-389-6888.
