Each month, the FSDB Career Development Department selects a Student Employee of the Month. Students in the after-school campus work program will be chosen based on their excellent work ethic in their respective paid positions on campus after school.
For the month of November, we are recognizing Christian Leath, a continuing education student in the Blind Department. He works as a Food Service Worker. Here is what his supervisor, Dessie Oxendine, had to say about Christian:
"Christian is a very responsible young man. When he is asked to do something, he goes above and beyond to get his job done the best he can."
Employee Spotlight Interview with Christian
Why did you want to work for Food Services?
Because a lot of the time, you can see where we need help in our community. I'm glad to be able to work here at this school on a daily basis.
How do you balance your career and education?
My schedule looks like this: I have class in the morning, then I have work placement from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in MacWilliams Cafeteria as part of the Campus Work Program. After school, I go to MacWilliams Cafeteria once again for my actual paying job. I will ask teachers to send me classwork/homework assignments in Google Classroom. I have study time in the dorm. It depends on what time I finish working; I tend to finish working at 6:30 pm, so I have some time set apart for studying afterward.
What advice do you have for students who want to work on campus?
I will tell them no matter how hard you try, always do your best because whatever happens in this world, you will always learn. The best advice is to try your hardest no matter what other people try to tell you. You can be whatever you want to be.
What do you find most challenging about your job?
The most challenging part about my job is when someone makes a mess or spills something. I take the initiative to clean it up because spills happen in the kitchen. I will always go out of my way to make sure all areas are spotless to avoid anyone possibly getting hurt.
What do you like most about your job?
What I like most about my job is I learn new stuff every day. It's not always the same and I have different tasks that I do. For instance, I'll be training a new student worker today after school.
What are your plans after FSDB?
I want to return to FSDB to be the sports announcer for football games. I would like to become a radio announcer in the real world also.
If you can choose one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'm a healthy person, so I would choose salad because salad is healthier than pizza.
Any random facts you would like to share with us?
I'm a good singer. I was in the pageant and was crowned Mr. FSB three years ago.
If you could be an animal, what would you be?
If I could be any animal, I would be a fish because they have gills and can breathe underwater.
About the After School Campus Work Program
The FSDB After School Campus Work Program provides additional Career Development opportunities to FSDB students (16+) through a structured campus work program delivered outside of the academic day. Students 16 years of age or older will have the opportunity to apply for vacant positions. Students go through a competitive hiring process. They review job postings that include a detailed job description, essential functions, and qualifications.
About FSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school in historic St. Augustine, available to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind. The FSDB experience gives students the edge to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. Early intervention and outreach services are also available throughout the state of Florida. Private donations help to support programs that directly benefit students which are not covered by state funds. To inquire about enrollment, contact Parent Services at 904-827-2212 or 904-201-4527 VP. To schedule a campus tour, contact Outreach Services at bit.ly/fsdbtours. For more information, visit fsdbk12.org.