Our internship program began 23 years ago as a way in which graduate teachers could spend a year of experience with master teachers. Over these years we have been privileged to welcome women who have represented a rich diversity of professional and personal backgrounds. Some have come to us straight out of undergraduate programs while others have completed Masters degrees. Some have had many years of experience teaching in other settings, raising their own children, working in related fields such as social work or nursing, or pursuing careers in the business sector. Some come in order to further clarify professional goals. For example, several who have had specific training in the field of psychology have used this internship year to decide whether clinical work, teaching or research suits them best.

While it is a year of intense personal and professional growth for the interns, we have found that it is an invaluable and constantly rewarding gift to the Child Study Center. Each of these women is qualified to be a Lead Teacher and is highly sought after for employment in the field. Each has decided to dedicate a year of her life to interning for its intangible professional and personal rewards. Each of them work extremely hard and is indispensable to our staff.

Classroom Teaching

The intern assists the teacher in classroom management and curriculum planning as designated. She develops relationships with up to 16 children in the classroom, and to a lesser extent, with all children in the school. She interfaces with parents, Wellesley College faculty, and students. She assists in the implementation of student research at the Child Study Center and at the Science Center. She is responsible for management of the classroom in absence of head teachers. She assists the teacher in supervision of student teachers and volunteers.

(approximately 15 hours per week)

Organization and Arrangement

The intern assists the teacher in classroom management and curriculum planning as designated. She develops relationships with up to 16 children in the classroom, and to a lesser extent, with all children in the school. She interfaces with parents, Wellesley College faculty, and students. She assists in the implementation of student research at the Child Study Center and at the Science Center. She is responsible for management of the classroom in absence of head teachers. She assists the teacher in supervision of student teachers and volunteers.

(approximately 4 to 8 hours per week)

Staff Meetings, Team Meetings, Workshops

The intern meets daily with the Lead Teacher and classroom team (Team meetings). She will meet three times weekly with the Staff and Director (Staff meetings). She will meet weekly with the Educational Director and other interns (Intern seminar). She will meet weekly with the team for a Friday Planning meeting. She will meet monthly with the Clinical Consultant and Staff, and with the Psychological Director. She will attend afternoon Staff meetings on ad hoc basis.

In addition, interns will keep a journal of their teaching and learning experience. She will participate in parent conferences, assist in writing parent conferences reports twice a year, and progress reports once per year. She will attend approximately four evening meetings per year. She will participate in annual set-up of classes and inventory at the close of the school year. She will read assigned materials in Child Psychology and Early Childhood Education.

(approximately 4 to 8 hours per week)

A stipend is provided for this position.