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The Free School of Albany is now looking for 2 residential interns starting Jan 3rd 2016:

Description of The Free School’s Internship Program

The Free School, a democratically run preK-8th grade independent school in the south end of Albany, NY, offers a comprehensive, yearlong residential internship program that includes valuable learning experiences both in and outside of school.  Our program offers the opportunity to intern at the longest running urban free school in the United States, and with ongoing support and guidance from members of the teaching staff, gain firsthand experience in a uniquely child-centered learning environment.  Many former interns have gone on to teach at other alternative schools, public schools and some have even gone on to start their own schools. Our residential internship program is a full school year commitment and generally runs from the last week in August to the second week in June.

 

Roles & Responsibilities

Each year at The Free School is unique depending on the particular group of children, teachers and interns in the building.  After a brief orientation period at the beginning of the school year, interns will typically take some time to feel things out and spend time with a variety of age groups.   By the time the school year is in full swing, interns can be found teaching classes, leading activities and helping students with various projects. Though interns may be asked to work with specific age groups and assigned to help with specific tasks, they will not be locked into those roles and throughout the year they will have opportunities to interact and work with kids of various ages.  Ultimately we strive to create an environment where interns can share their interests and passions with kids, learn how to respect and nurture children’s personal and emotional growth, and assist the teaching staff where needed. 

Like the rest of the staff, interns are asked to help with basic cleaning and organizing tasks and required to attend our weekly staff meetings and a once a week intern check-in session with a member of our teaching staff.  

 

Opportunities For Personal Growth

At The Free School we pay a great deal of attention to children's emotional well-being, and because one of the first "laws" of teaching is that teachers can only take their students as far as they have taken themselves, it’s important that teachers and interns attend to their own emotional growth as well. One such opportunity is our monthly staff circle, which provides a supportive space to share personal experiences, resolve conflicts with each other and work through issues that may be challenging to teachers and interns throughout the course of the school year.

Room & Board

Full year interns are guaranteed housing in a four-bedroom 2nd floor apartment located near the school community, in Albany’s South End.  The apartment, 4 blocks from the school, has a shared kitchen, bathroom, dining room, wireless internet access and a living room. Interns receive partial board, as they are welcome to eat the freshly cooked breakfast and lunch which are served at school every day.  Although at this time we do not offer a stipend, interns will have the chance to earn some money by working in our after school program. From odd jobs in the neighborhood, to local business, and after school programs, The Free School assists interns in discovering different ways to earn extra income and meet their basic financial needs.

 

Contact albanyfreeschool@gmail.com