RIHS Education Interns Sign Letters of Intent

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, 33 Rock Island High School students who are in the high school’s Education Internship program signed letters of intent to further their careers at the college or university level to pursue a degree in education.
 
 
A special ceremony was held at Rock Island High School's Auditorium. 
 
The course places high school students who are interested in the education field throughout the district in a range of classrooms from Kindergarten through High School underclassmen courses, English Language, and Special Education.

Since the course's inception back in 2021 its enrollment continues to grow.

The course has expanded as well. New this year the high school piloted the Future Teacher Academy after-school club at one of our elementary school buildings. Eight students in fifth and sixth grade participated in monthly meetings about education and ended up teaching mini-lessons to younger students. Each student in the program exchanged letters with a “pen pal” in the internship program. This program will expand to two more elementary schools next year.

Another new component of the internship this year was having interns participate in one school function each quarter. They volunteered at school events and activities to support learning outside of the classroom.

Education interns learn the foundations of education as well as gain hands-on experience. Interns work directly with district educators to observe and carry out a variety of classroom tasks and activities, including assisting students with classwork, teaching small groups, and leading classroom discussions.

Interns are finishing their final projects for the course, which has been identifying an issue that they have experienced or noticed in education. They have conducted research and are working on a proposal to address the issue. Several interns will be sharing their work at next week's school board meeting.

The course provides a unique, first-hand experience for students while producing the next generation of teachers. Any student who goes through the program and graduates from a college or university with the appropriate education license(s) and endorsement(s) will be guaranteed an interview with the RIMSD#41.
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