Full Year Internship
(ATI Program)
Our Assistant Teacher Internship program began over 30 years ago as a way in which new teachers could spend a year of experience with master teachers. Over these years we have been privileged to welcome men and 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 special education, or pursuing careers in the business sector. Some come in order to further clarify professional goals. For example, several Assistant Teacher/Interns (ATI's) 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 men and women gain valuable work experience and become highly sought after for employment in the field. Each ATI dedicates a year of her/his life to interning for its intangible professional and personal rewards. Each of them work extremely hard and are indispensable to our staff.
A stipend is provided for this position.
ATI Description
Classroom Teaching
The ATI assists the Lead Teacher in classroom management and curriculum planning as designated. She/he develops relationships with up to 16 children in the classroom, and to a lesser extent, with all children in the school. She/he interfaces with parents, Wellesley College faculty, and students. She/he assists in the implementation of student research at the Child Study Center and at the Science Center. She/he is responsible for management of the classroom in absence of Lead Teachers. She/he assists the Lead Teacher in supervision of Student Teachers and volunteers.
(Approximately 18 hours per week)
Organization and Arrangement
The ATI 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 ATI meets daily with the Lead Teacher and classroom team (Team meetings). She/he will meet regularly with the Staff and Director (Staff meetings). She/he will meet weekly with the Educational Director and other interns (Intern seminar). She/he will meet weekly with the team for a Friday planning meeting. She/he will meet monthly with the Clinical Consultant and Staff, and with the Psychological Director. She will attend afternoon Staff meetings on an ad hoc basis.
In addition, the ATI will keep a journal of their teaching and learning experience. She/he will participate in parent conferences; assist in writing parent conferences reports twice a year, and progress reports once per year. She/he will attend approximately four evening meetings per year. She/he will participate in annual set-up of classes and inventory at the close of the school year. She/he will read assigned materials in Child Psychology and Early Childhood Education.
(Approximately 8 hours per week)
Opportunities For Students
Student Teacher
This is a non paid opportunity to train and work as a Student Teacher in any one of our classrooms. We typically require a minimum of four hours/week, usually from 8am-10am, 10am-12noon, 8am-12noon, 12noon-3pm, or 1pm-3pm. Orientation and training will be provided.
Education Department
Students share the same responsibilities as regular student volunteers, along with meeting with a professor in the Education Department once each semester. They write a short letter describing their experience and keep a private journal.
Wintersession Internship
This is a non-paid opportunity to work as a Student Teacher in during Wellesley College’s Wintersession. Our preschool is in session from 8:30AM-11:30AM on Monday, Wednesday & Friday and from 8:30AM-2:30PM on Tuesday & Thursday. Wintersession Interns are required to volunteer a minimum of 12-hours per week. This internship is available for up to ten Wintersession Interns.