Administrative+Internship

media type="custom" key="15673604" align="center" The one-year full time internship has provided me opportunity to "test drive" a higher level of responsibility. During the first few weeks, I felt I am riding the highest skyscraper. Not so long, then I realized I am already riding a roller coaster. For me, it is still scary because I am afraid of heights. Then, finally, I landed off- road riding in a motorcycle and my journey of travelling different types of terrain began. Not bad, but there were days that the road is slippery and I lose control of the brake. This caused me to bump other motorcycles.

There were days that I have to cross sandy places. This required a certain amount of finesse and technique. I’ve discovered that my bike stop much more quickly in sand than on harder surfaces, so I need to adjust my brake. I need to keep my speed up, which allowed my back to speed rise on top of the sand. Some days I passed by rocky areas. It was very intimating for a new rider like me. Since it is very intimidating, I drove carefully and I slowed down only to discover that it’s not the best way to do it. I still need to keep my speed and watch for sharp-edged or jutting rocks that could damage my tire, my engine case or my feet. Travelling into the woods and forests is much like travelling rocky terrain but it is much less forgiving of driver mistake, with stiff, winding trails demanding precision. Quick, side-to-side transitions, coupled with evasion of such obstacles as roots, logs, fallen trees and rocks, are the norm. In climbing or descending the hills, I used a lot of common sense. Some hills are to steep for my ability while others are too steep for my motorcycle’s capability, regardless of my own skill level. I learn to never ride past my limit of visibility—if I can't see what's on the other side of a hill's crest, I need to slow down until I can. Riding on whoops created a roller coaster effect as I experienced riding up one bump and down the next. The water/mud crossing taught me to drive more cautiously. Water and mud can hide obstacles like roots, ruts, rocks on the trail and the mudholes can be deeper than they appear.

Riding on different terrains taught me how important to use the brake. No matter what terrain and type of bike I am riding, using the brake is very important. In our relationship with people, I compare respect to the brake. No matter what position we hold, no matter what important task we need to accomplish, it is very important to show respect to the people we are working with and even to the people who work for us. Without brake, we lose control of the wheel and who would want to ride with us.

In this journey, I learned not to overestimate myself and underestimate others. Sometimes this kind of mindset increased my brake fluid big time. What I failed to do is to balance. I overestimate others and in the process I underestimate myself, not a good combination.

Some simple things that I have changed:



**Internship School:** Belmont Elementary School **Address:** 1517 Bolling Rd., Roanoke Rapids,  NC, 27870 **Phone:** 252-519-7500 **Fax:** 252-537-0166 **Character Traits:** Respect, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Courtesy **School Colors:** Black and Yellow **School** **Motto:** 212 degrees the Extra Effort **Principal:** Kelvin M. Edwards **Asst. Principal:** Susan Boulden

**School Emblem:** The Happy Bee

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 * The Belmont Pledge **

//"To ensure that "Greatness is the rightful destiny of every child", we must have committed teachers who firmly believe that all children can learn."// **Kelvin Maurice Edwards**