There are a few programs that place individuals as classroom teachers or interns in schools to gain experience in teaching. Many of these programs are in private school settings, although some public alternative schools are developing similar programs.
Some examples:
The Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center in Colorado was founded by the Honda Corporation in 1993 as a year-round, tuition-free, residential high for up to ninety-six 15- to
18-year-old students from diverse backgrounds across America who have not been successful in conventional school settings. Students are nominated through a participating school district or community organization and must have strong support from an adult sponsor.
Environmentalism and outdoor education are combined with active learning and community service in a unique residential setting. Eagle Rock's full-time teaching internship program involves participants in student activities and campus life as well as classroom
teaching and administration.
The Town School for Boys in San Francisco, is an independent K-8 school that supports a New Teacher Institute to train educators. The two year program involves teaching, curriculum planning and professional
development in partnership with a mentor teacher and a group of other new teacher interns. Contact Anne Ayers, Institute Director, for more information.
Hands-on Teaching Programs that Lead to Certification
There are school-based teaching programs that also provide an opportunity for participants to earn teaching certification while they teach. Again, several of these are based at private or independent schools, but a growing number of charter and public school
certification programs are emerging. Some programs see themselves as graduate programs and charge tuition, others offer stipends to participants.
Some examples:
The City on a Hill Teacher Institute in Boston seeks to prepare new urban public high school teachers. Associate Teachers enrolled in the Institute will spend one full year working at City
on a Hill School, a public charter school. Associates will teach four days per week in a classroom and after school and will participate in weekly day-long seminars leading to Massachusetts teacher certification. Associate Teachers will receive a stipend for
living expenses and can receive financial assistance for tuition. For more information call (617) 262 9838.
Expeditionary Learning Teacher Preparation Program, a partnership of the University of Denver and Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound, offesr a teaching internship for college graduates
leading to a master's degree in curriculum leadership and initial certification (K-12).
Inner-City Teaching Corps places recent college graduates as teachers in inner-city Chicago parochial school classrooms. Corps members receive training from Northwestern University and mentoring
throughout the year, live in community residences, and can opt to enroll in coursework leading to certification.
Far Bound: The Teaching Apprenticeship recruits outstanding college graduates for full-time placements in New York City public schools with a Mentor Teacher. All apprentices participate in seminars and
workshops that lead to certification and a Master's degree.
The New Teachers Collaborative is a year-long program preparing new secondary school teachers to work in small and innovative schools. Participants work at one of three Massachusetts public schools,
receive certification, a stipend and benefits. The program emphasizes the principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools.
