2011 Summer Teaching Assistant Internship

The Summer 2011 Internship is a part-time, unpaid internship that will take place in June. Extended projects can be designed for those interns interested in doing more throughout the summer, and those projects will be discussed on an individual basis.

Eligibility/Requirements

The Summer 2011 Internship is open to all interested candidates who are at least 18-years-old and are currently enrolled in a college or university.

Candidates must demonstrate an interest in some aspect of creative writing, education, non-profit administration, arts education, or other related field.

Interns will be subject to a criminal background check, which must meet WITS standards, prior to beginning the internship. Writers in the Schools encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply and is dedicated to a culturally diverse internship group.

Description of Internship

Each intern will be assigned to a group of classrooms at the Summer Creative Writing Workshops (SCWW) based on his/her interests. Selected interns will have the opportunity to discuss with WITS staff their grade level preference, and every effort will be made to ensure that the intern is assigned to a grade level that best suits his/her goals and abilities.

Interns will be required to attend an internship organizational meeting, two SCWW training days, the SCWW, and weekly SCWW staff meetings.

Additionally, interns may develop longer-term projects throughout the summer. Those projects can focus on more in-depth experience with non-profit administration and/or arts education. The long-term projects will be developed on an individual basis and will take place after SCWW.

Internship Duties:

Assist in classrooms
Assist younger children with dictation
Assist setting up arts/crafts projects
Assist in anthology preparation
Observe classroom teaching
Chaperone classroom visits to art spaces
Serve as general “extra hands” on as-needed basis
Help with final performance setup
Assist teachers/writers with classroom setup and clean up (beginning and end of camp)

Benefits for Interns

Interns will gain work experience and classroom experience
Interns will be exposed to career goals
Interns will gain experience in non-profit administration
Internship will serve as a networking opportunity: interns will meet colleagues in Education, Arts Education, and Creative Writing fields
Interns will build their résumés
Upon successful completion of the Internship, WITS will serve as a reference and will provide letters of recommendation

Application Process

All applicants must submit the following materia

Writers in the Schools application [download here]
One-page letter describing your interest in working with Writers in the Schools and the Summer Creative Writing Workshops; please include information on your specific areas of interest, your career goals, and your grade-level preferences (early education, elementary, middle, or high school)
Résumé
Unofficial transcript (photocopies acceptable)
Selected candidates will be asked to interview either in person or by Skype.

All materials should be submitted by April 11, 2011 to

Jack McBride, Program Director

Writers in the Schools

1523 West Main

Houston, TX 77006

or via email: Jack McBride