Escaping class for full-day co-op ‘transformational’
‘I never imagined I could have such an impact’ says student of work with seniors
Sitting in the Walkerville secondary school guidance office seeking advice on career pathways, Rachel Kell had her future arrive by email.
The public school board was looking for students interested in earning up to five credits through a full-day co-op program working in health care or in a retirement home.
Kell jumped at the chance to escape the classroom.
“Now I know where I want to go,” said Kell, who will study social work and gerontology at St. College Clair this fall.
“I have a goal and I know how to achieve it.
“I don’t know where I’d be without this co-op program. I’d recommend it to any student who is searching for a pathway and wants to try something out.”
Kell was sure of a couple things. She liked helping people and she had a soft spot for seniors.
After going through the interview process, Kell was placed Feb. 23 at the Village of St. Clair retirement home adjacent to St. Clair College.
The Grade 12 student is also taking a dual credit in health and wellness through the college, giving her five credits this semester.
Kell said the program has been transformational.
“I enjoy getting up early to come here on the bus (from the Walkerville area),” Kell said. “When I’m not here, I miss the people.
“For school, I’d be late and I’d think, ‘I’m going to be late, so I might as well be a little later.’
“I admit I wasn’t a motivated student. I never liked school since I was young.”
The full-day program, which is part of the Public Alternative Secondary School run by the Greater Essex County District School Board, has three students this semester.
Over the past five years, it has had up to 12 students per semester.
In addition to Kell, there are two students at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette campus. One is volunteering in general health care and the other is working in maintenance.
“The program is for students who may be at risk (of not graduating),” said Tracy Mitchell-Robinet, who heads up the board’s co-operative education program.
“A lot of students who are in fullday co-op don’t enjoy the classroom, but they thrive in the workplace setting. Co-op can change lives for those still searching for what they want to do.”
The challenge of participating in full-day co-op, which entails working for six hours per day for the entire semester, is it has to fit around any mandatory credits in a student’s timetable. Transportation can also be an issue, especially for county students.
It also requires a serious commitment in both attendance and attitude.
“The students coming to me often have 30 absences from school,” said Mitchell-Robinet, who added any high school student in the public system is eligible to participate.
“You can’t let the residents down,” she said. “It’s a serious commitment. You’re in a real workplace with expectations and are working with adults.”
Mitchell-Robinet said there’s a huge need for students in retirement homes.
Demand for workers in the health care and long-term care fields will only grow in the coming years. Statistics Canada released 2016 census figures this week showing seniors outnumber children in Canada for the first time.
“We don’t have enough students to fill the gaps,” Mitchell-Robinet said.
For those willing to make the commitment, the payoff can be a lot more than just high school credits.
“For some, it’s their first workplace experience,” Mitchell-Robinet said.
“These students all experience tremendous growth in the areas of attendance, attitude and maturity level.”
Kell, who also works at McDonald’s, is one of those.
She has excelled in her placement, prompting letters of commendation to her school.
“Rachel is a very caring person,” said 92-year-old Marie Gleason, who has been assisted by Kell in continuing her passion for writing.
“One of her characteristics is her connection to people.
“It can be holding a hand, a sympathetic arm around a shoulder, playing a game or just walking with someone up and down the halls.
“Through her touch, she seems to reach some unreachable people. I’ve seen it bring them alive.”
In addition to Gleason’s letter to Walkerville, her son Thomas wrote one expressing the family’s gratitude for Kell’s care with him working in Germany.
Recently Kell was also invited to a resident’s 90th birthday party by a family because of the trust she’s built with a resident.
“I never imagined I could have such an impact,” Kell said. “I found a career I love because of this co-op program,” she added.
“I’ve definitely found my path and I found myself. I love myself a lot more. I realize I have strengths and have grown as a person.
“I’m much happier.”