Internship Requirement

The intent of this requirement is to help students explore teaching or other education-related professions in an in-depth manner. The internship must be education-related and can be fulfilled in a variety of ways. For those interested in teaching or other school professions, an internship in a school setting is recommended. For those who do not intend to teach, there are multiple ways to fulfill this requirement.

Typically, this takes place in a student’s home community at a school they previously attended. Students arrange to shadow a former teacher or other school professional who works with the age and subject matter they plan on pursuing. Interns may work in one classroom or split the time between several classrooms, offices, or programs within the school.

Important themes to focus on while thinking about classroom experiences:

• Developmental issues concerning the age group with which you interact;
• Setting of the school;
• Collaborative and individual modes of teaching and learning;
• Individual differences in learners;
• Commonalities that exist among learners;
• The role of assessment in the classroom; and
• The role of the school in its community.

The internship must be education related, connected in some way to teaching and learning or the social foundations of education. Possibilities for summer internships include, but are not limited to, working at a daycare, summer camp, summer bridge program, college access program, community organization, museum, publishing company, library, training program, think tank, or elected official’s office.

Important themes to focus on while in a non-school setting are:

• Mission of the organization;
• Philosophies (articulated or not) about teaching and learning in the organizational context;
• Approaches to teaching and learning unique to the context;
• Learning needs of age group with which you interact;
• Setting of the organization; and
• Practices and roles of the staff that advance the organization’s mission.

Each fall, students who have completed their internship will be required to present on their experiences, course connections, and general reflections to a group of faculty, staff, students, and invited guests. It is a supportive environment where students are encouraged to think about career aspirations, next steps at Denison, and to engage in conversation with attendees.