Naomi Friese, a NUHS senior, interns in Ms. Page’s classroom for her first-hour digital photography and fifth-hour advanced art classes during the second semester to gain experience as an art teacher.

Naomi has a love for art and took that as a reason to intern with Ms. Page. “Art is something I love to do, and I would love to teach it,” Naomi said. She plans to attend school to become an art teacher, and this internship has reassured her of her desire to make that happen. “It has solidified my desire because I had no experience before this.”

She has not only been getting experience but also learning new things. “Literally everything I’ve learned is new to me. I didn’t even know what a pug mill was or how to recycle clay until my internship,” Naomi said. She gets to help in different ways in the classroom. “First hour, I usually help kids with camera issues and checking in and out their cameras, and working on projects. The fifth hour is more of an independent class, so I work on other things like recycling clay.”

When Ms. Page was asked about having Naomi as an intern, she said yes right away. “I was excited to be able to have somebody similar to a student teacher, but not as intense as a student teacher,” Ms. Page said. She was excited to teach Naomi skills and have her as extra help in the classroom. “It is nice to have an extra set of hands and eyes, and teach her things that I wish I had known before going into teaching, good and bad.”

Naomi’s internship with Ms. Page has been a very positive experience for both of them. “She’s been great, especially in digital photography. Having her help frees up a lot of my time, allowing me to help students that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to get to,” Ms. Page said.

Naomi has been enjoying this experience. “It’s fun. I like that I get to be on my feet and work with my hands,” Naomi said.