My externship project consisted of two components. First, I assisted with a week-long youth camp in Coeur d’Alene focused on promoting drug-free lifestyles. The camp brings together students in grades 8–12 from across the state of Idaho. While the camp educates youth about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, its greater purpose is to help students develop the self-confidence, resilience, and supportive relationships they need to make healthy choices and resist harmful substances and activities. Throughout the week, students participated in activities designed to build confidence, strengthen connections with their peers, and demonstrate that they can have fun, meaningful experiences without drugs or alcohol. As an adult staff member, I was paired with an older high school student, and together we led a group of students through a variety of team-building activities and experiences throughout the week.

The second component of my project was developing curriculum that can be used by iDFY chapters across Idaho. Many iDFY chapters are based in schools, and their advisors are often teachers who are already balancing numerous responsibilities. As a teacher myself, I understand the challenges of finding the time to plan and implement meaningful activities. My experience creating lesson plans and curriculum allowed me to develop resources that advisors can use to make iDFY activities more accessible, engaging, and educational. My hope is that these resources will help chapters provide students with meaningful opportunities to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles without placing an additional burden on already busy advisors.

My externship experience will have a lasting impact on me as a high school teacher. One of the things I value most about iDFY is the overwhelming sense of support, acceptance, and encouragement that is woven into its culture. The iDFY model focuses on positivity and empowerment while helping every student recognize that they are valued and important. This experience has shown me the power of creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and connected.

I will bring the vocabulary, methodology, and mission of iDFY into my classroom as I continue to build a culture of care. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel accepted and supported, are willing to take academic and personal risks, and understand that growth often comes from stepping outside of their comfort zones. Ultimately, my externship reinforced for me that education is about more than academic achievement; it is also about creating relationships and environments that empower young people to make positive choices, recognize their own worth, and grow into confident, healthy individuals.