The Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District and Franklin Pierce University have expanded their existing partnership to offer internship opportunities for graduate students.
Franklin Pierce graduate students will now have access to multiple internship pathways throughout the Jaffrey-Rindge schools. These opportunities are in addition to the original partnership announced in September, which offered hands-on classroom training to Franklin Pierce students seeking certification in elementary, secondary or special education.
This new agreement will allow more options for personalized education for Jaffrey-Rindge learners, as there will be more qualified individuals in the buildings and classrooms.
“I am thrilled we have been able to grow our partnership with Franklin Pierce University in this manner. This particular partnership provides FPU graduate-level students with authentic work experiences in our schools,” stated Jaffrey-Rindge Superintendent Reuben Duncan. “In return, our learners, staff, and community benefit by having additional individuals in our schools who have subject area expertise and a passion for using their skills to enhance our learning community.”
Internships offer opportunities for educational and leadership growth for Franklin Pierce students and range from teaching internships to coaching and club adviser opportunities. Franklin Pierce students are also eligible for jobs and other stipend positions within the district. Each internship opportunity is tailored to the student’s major and ensures they will have access to the appropriate setting to fulfill their fieldwork.
“Franklin Pierce School of Education works closely with each graduate student to provide a highly personalized learning pathway to obtain their academic and career goals in education,” stated Joan Swanson, director of the Franklin Pierce School of Education. “The School of Education has collaborated with the JRCSD to provide an innovative opportunity for graduate students to have educational experiences that are relevant, accessible and lead to a career in education, one of the university’s PATHS@PIERCE.”
Internships could also lead to in-district jobs down the road, which would bring in staff members who already have experience in the district.
Erin Blake who is enrolled in Franklin Pierce’s master of education and teacher certification program, is currently interning at Jaffrey-Rindge. Blake has already worked with science teachers at the middle and high school level, assisting in the classroom, facilitating assignments and activities and planning future lessons. She has also filled in for and collaborated with teachers, participated in weekly staff meetings and aided with after-school activities.
“This internship has given me great opportunities to spend quality time in classrooms with learners of all ages and it has allowed me to get to know kids all across the school and it is so rewarding,” stated Blake, who plans to graduate in May 2025 with a graduate degree and teaching certification in secondary education life sciences. “It has also been amazing to have been able to collaborate with teachers and create my own lessons that I teach the kids. Getting to practice getting up in front of a class and delivering learning material has helped me feel more confident in my teaching abilities and helped me critique what I need to work on.”
This agreement also includes language to have both institutions support the student-intern with housing and educational scholarships. Additionally, Jaffrey-Rindge provides a modest stipend.