Peyton Kehr recently learned that she doesn’t like surgery and enjoys a friendly work environment.

Kehr, a Columbia Falls High School junior, did several job shadows for her health class. She went to the radiology department of North Valley Hospital and observed a surgery at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. That was memorable, but the job that really stuck out the most was in Columbia Falls. She shadowed Dr. Roger Newman in his Columbia Falls dentist office for four hours. Well, it turned into six hours because she was enjoying it so much.

Health instructor Betsy Funk requires her health students to complete job shadows. Funk, in her 32nd year of teaching, is also the sponsor for Graduation Matters Montana at the school and is working to get the job shadow program available to all high school students. The goal is to help students learn what they are interested in, but also what sort of degrees and training are required to get there. The job shadow can be anywhere from one hour to 16 hours depending on the student and the ability of the business. Teachers may also integrate them into the curriculum and require a report after the student completes the shadow.

The job shadow program is also a way to help at-risk students, Funk said.

“When kids are engaged and have a voice they then start to feel that something matters, like graduation,” Funk said. “If kids are disengaged, why would they show up?”

She’s especially looking to pair students with local businesses this spring or next school year. It will be an ongoing program.

“Instead of working strictly out of a document, you are working with real-world activities and encounters and experiences,” Funk said. One of her health students changed her mind after the shadowing experience and is now studying fine art. It helps young people look at their future more clearly.

Dr. Newman has had several students job shadow with him over the years. He said that he’s doing his part in strengthening the community and getting high school students successfully down the road whether or not they end up in dentistry.

“I have the opportunity to explain the advantages and disadvantages of a career in that field,” Newman said. He also widens their knowledge about other specialty areas in dentistry.

Kehr is used to visiting Newman’s office because he works on her teeth as a patient. Spending a whole day at the dentist gave her new appreciation for the welcoming environment. She said she likes that he gets to know his patients personally and asks them questions about their family or their hobbies.

“Everyone there is soft-spoken, and kind and outgoing,” she said. She also knows that Newman is a big part of the community.

She wants to have a similar work experience in her own career. She enjoys getting to know people and likes the flexible schedule that allows Newman and his staff to take Fridays off.

Kehr is the daughter of Dave and Robyn Kehr who are both physical education teachers.

Her parents’ careers have influenced her into going into a career in health.

She wants to do more job shadows. Although, she won’t be going back to the operating room anytime soon.

“I almost threw up, I just had to leave the room,” Kehr said. No matter where she ends up, the job shadow experience confirmed that she enjoys the health field.

Interested employers can participate in the job shadows by filling out an application by contacting Scott Gaiser, [email protected], or Betsy Funk, [email protected].