On Monday, May 10, 21 Rock Island High School students who are in the high school’s Education Internship program will sign letters of intent to further their careers at the college or university level to pursue a degree in education.
The course started this school year and 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.
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.
"Although this year in education has been one full of uncertainty and difficulty adapting to the situation, our education interns have shown tremendous dedication and passion for the teaching profession. They have worked hard to learn more about how they work towards addressing issues in education and have gained hands-on experience working with teachers and students throughout the school district. This inaugural year of the program has planted the seed for the long-term benefit of growing our own teaching force that represents the community we live and serve," said Mike Mertel, the program's coordinator.
The new course is providing 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.
“I am so anxiously awaiting four or five years down the road when we have some of these interns coming back into our building not as students but as teachers," said Mr. Mertel.
