Educational Internship Program
What is EIP?
The Educational Internship Program is such a unique and fulfilling experience. We examine various learning theories, educational issues, and strategies, and we analyze how they apply to you as a learner and as a teacher. While we do meet as a class once a week, the majority of your time will be spent in an elementary or middle school classroom where you will work with a mentor teacher. The class is taught like an introductory education course at the college level. You will read various articles and books and analyze how different theories and practices work in your classrooms. We also examine videos of experienced teachers to evaluate how teaching strategies impact learning. You can also receive 4 hours of college credit through UCM and earn A+ hours if you meet the requirements. In addition, EIP counts as a practical arts credit and a Market Value Asset (MVA).
What will I do during EIP?
At the beginning of the year, we explore various topics and ideas that will help you be successful in the classroom. As the year progresses, we meet once a week to discuss important educational issues or to prepare for an upcoming assignment. We focus on four essential questions:
- What do great teachers do?
- How does our society and government create barriers and opportunities in education?
- How do we help students grow?
- How do I become a great teacher or professional?
What do you do from a student's perspective? Here is a list from EIP students:
- Help students with tests and homework
- Gain teaching experience
- Work on creating your professional identity
- Examine learning and psychological principles and theories
- Make connections with students
- Do reflective assignments to help you understand the field of education
- Experience life as a teacher
- Critique our current educational system
- Analyze the inequities and problems in education
- Create materials for student learning
- Go to recess
- Visit different educational sites and classrooms
- Explore educational careers
- Assess student learning
- Work with small groups
- Work with individual students
- Teach the entire class
- Go on field trips
- Do crafts and art projects
- Preview student experiments
- Review student projects
Should I take EIP if I don't want to be a teacher?
Absolutely! Many careers involve working with children or as part of a collaborative team. Half of the current EIP students are not planning on teaching, but they report they have gained valuable skills in the following areas:
- Communication and public speaking
- Leadership
- How to help others
- Collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Responsibility
- Creativity
- Patience
- Understanding and empathizing
- Confidence
- Real world problem-solving
- Self-reliance
- Reading higher-levels texts
- Research
- Writing
- Learning how to interact with children
- Adapting to new ways to integrate technology and changes in teaching and learning