Several private schools offer the opportunity to be teacher interns. The terms vary from school to school but basically the idea is that you sign on for a limited time, usually a year. You have your degree, but you have no classroom experience or education courses. Here's your chance to teach your subject under the watchful eye of mentors assigned to guide and assist you.
Apprentice Teacher Duties
The teaching load is light, typically one class a term. You are required to observe several teachers as they teach their courses. You will attend regular discussion sessions where your work will be reviewed. The advantage to this kind of practice teaching is that you are very much hands on while at the same time carefully monitored. Good habits can be shaped. Bad ones addressed quickly.
There are extra duties such as coaching a sport or advising a club activity. You will be actively involved in just about every aspect of school life, including things like study hall, dorm supervision, dining hall and so on.
Application Information
A couple of schools with teaching intern programs are listed at the end of this article. Their application details vary so start the process early on. Expect to have your application submitted by January 1. Stipends are modest (approximately $25,000) but housing, most meals and medical insurance are often included.
Apprentice Teacher Benefits
You will receive a total immersion in the profession of teaching in a private school. Not having education courses will not be a disadvantage. Having a solid degree in your subject will be a big plus. You will learn how to teach children who want to learn in an environment where it's cool to be smart. Excellence in everything is expected and appreciated. In short apprentice teaching is a delightfully quaint idea which will get your teaching career off to a fine start. Good luck!
Institute for Recruitment of Teachers
IRT offers another route to becoming a teacher. An intensive summer session culminates in recruiting session attended by major universities.
From the mission statement of IRT:
"The Institute for Recruitment of Teachers was founded in 1990 by Kelly Wise, current executive director and former dean of faculty at Phillips Academy, with a mission to 'deepen the pool of talented minorities entering the teaching profession in our country.' The institute was designed to increase the number of African American, Latino/a and Native American students pursuing advanced degrees for teaching, counseling and administrative careers so the pool of potential faculty members at both the K-12 and university levels will become more diverse."
Schools With Teaching Internships
