Duval Times

Florida Career College-Jacksonville issued the following announcement.

Growing up in Jackson, Alabama Shandriece Shine was drawn to serve in the U.S. Navy from an early age.

“I remember telling my mom when I was young that I would join the Navy when I grew up” she said. Being fascinated with ships and her love for being around water started this journey for Shandriece but the pride that a service member displays and the respect that people have for those in the military service drove it home for her.

ENLISTED IN THE U.S. NAVY AS A SEAMAN APPRENTICE

August 19, 2002 Shandriece fulfilled her childhood declaration and enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Apprentice; she was only 17 years-old at the time. “The honor of serving my country was something I wanted for myself” she expressed. Two of her sisters also sought that same honor and enlisted in the U.S. Army, where they both still serve on active duty.

After boot camp, the newly trained sailor pursued a career path as a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy. “The training was not easy, but it was a rewarding decision that led to a fulfilling career beyond my military service”, she said During her military service, Shandriece served in various roles including being a part of the Auxiliary Security Force where she became weapon certified and earned marksmanship ribbons for the M-60 machine gun, M-16 rifle, shotgun, and the M-9 pistol. She also served as a member of the command color guard and funeral detail.

According to the U.S. Navy website, Navy corpsman are members of the Navy’s enlisted Hospital Corps. They serve at sea, with aircraft squadrons and on shore with Navy units, including Navy and other military hospitals. Navy Hospital Corps members work in many medical technician specialties, including laboratory, radiology, emergency medicine and combat field medicine. Members of the Navy Hospital Corps also serve with the U.S. Marine Corps, which relies on the Navy for its medical support.

During her active duty service, Shandriece was stationed at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, CT, and then at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC.  After five years of meritorious service on active duty, she began her civilian career working as a Medical Assistant and then shortly after enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves for another three years.

“My training in the Navy qualified me to become a Registered Medical Assistant,” Shandriece said. Because of her discipline and the pride she took in her work, she was able to work her way up throughout various departments in the hospital setting as well as in private practice.

After taking a break from military service for a few years, Shandriece re-joined the Navy Reserves in January of 2017 and is currently assigned to the Operational Health Support Unit DET H at NOSC Pensacola where she serves as the unit Leading Petty Officer.

Having earned the rank of Petty Officer First Class as a Hospital Corpsman, she has served a total of 12 years of Naval service. Shandriece is also an instructor in the Medical Assistant Technician (MAT) program at Florida Career College (FCC) in Jacksonville.

Shandriece said that her military training and experience in civilian healthcare provided her a strong background for becoming an educator in the MAT program.

“When you serve in the military, you’re there with people from all walks of life. You learn to communicate with others with different cultures and backgrounds. You become a family. You rely on each other, sometimes for your very survival,” she said.

“Throughout working in the medical field after the Navy, I acquired the Lead position within my department and trained a lot of people. My experience has taught me that everyone does not learn the same, and I bring that to the classroom here at FCC,” she said.

WELCOME TO FLORIDA CAREER COLLEGE

“Ms. Shine joined the Florida Career College campus in Jacksonville in January and was then deployed shortly thereafter. She returned a few months later and quickly demonstrated a passion for the students and a desire to improve as an educator,” said Wyman Dickey, FCC Jacksonville Executive Director.

“I always stress to my students the importance of compassion for patients. In some cases, you are the only person they can rely on – that is a serious responsibility,” she said. 

In addition to her medical experience, Shandriece seeks to inspire students to be the best version of themselves through all she has personally gained from her time serving in the Navy. “I tell my students all the time that you are your best representation of yourself. How you present yourself, how you carry yourself – that portrays who you are. That will impact your career,” she said.

“The thing I love most about being an instructor is watching the growth in my students. Seeing the ‘ah-ha’ moments during their learning that inspire self-confidence,” she said. “Teaching them problem-solving skills that they then also apply to other areas of their life is very rewarding as well.”

Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “shine” as “to be a source of bright light or a quality of brightness.” Students and colleagues agree that Shandriece lives up to that surname.

“She creates an inviting classroom for her students which reflects her desire for them to succeed. Her impact and influence is seen through the growth of her students, not only into medical professionals, but also better individuals,” Wyman added.

“It’s never dark and gloomy in Ms. Shine’s class. Her military training and work experience has prepared her well to assist our students in becoming future medical assistants. Her contributions to the academic team include promoting a professional, fun and safe working environment that is conducive to learning,” said Beatrice Lewis, Director of Education at FCC Jacksonville.

In a comment on a recent Facebook post, MA student Kia Jackson wrote “I’m so thankful for Ms. Shine because she goes above and beyond to ensure we have all the knowledge and necessary tools to be successful in our careers.”

“Ms. Shine is very inspirational and an awesome teacher. I’m blessed to have her as my teacher. Thank you for all you do Ms. Shine,” wrote MA student Patricia Ann Reader.

“A natural leader, Ms. Shine’s ability to establish herself as a leader encourages her students to exude the same level professionalism, they experience with her in the classroom/lab environment,” Beatrice added. “The Jacksonville campus is not only proud to have her as an instructor, but the way she inspires her students is an inspiration to us all. We salute you, Ms. Shine!”

Original source can be found here.