She began by restructuring the existing health careers curriculum. She designed and implemented a youth apprenticeship program that enables students to be mentored by health professionals. Americus has a growing health care community and Ms. Griffith's contacts provide valuable links for her students. It has been helpful. In 1996 the Sumter County School System received a grant to establish the first career academy program for health and medical occupations in Georgia.
Students apply to the academy after completing a year in health occupations classes.
Acceptance into the program is not automatic. Students have to be dependable and responsible. Each student is evaluated on his or her grade point average, attendance and discipline records, and teacher recommendations. The career academy offers students an opportunity to observe 30 different health professionals at work. During the shadowing experience, a student may find one area in which he would like to work the next year in the Youth Apprenticeship Program.