Funding will help provide education career pathway for local students
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has awarded a $45,000 High School Senior Internship in Education Project (HSSIEP) Grant to the Reading Public Schools, Acting Massachusetts Education Commissioner Russell Johnston recently announced.
Reading was one of 34 school districts and local educational agencies to share in a total of $1.5 million in funding awarded through the HSSIEP, which seeks to engage high school students who are interested in the teaching profession as a potential career path. According to DESE, the program provides high school seniors with “paid internships to explore the teaching profession in an authentic and meaningful way.”
“Students will gain valuable experience in a career-readiness program that offers a hands-on opportunity to work with elementary students in a classroom setting, learn instructional methods from mentor instructors, and engage in educator preparation curriculum,” DESE noted.
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn), and State Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester) commended Reading Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Milaschewski and Reading Memorial High School Principal Jessica Callanan for submitting a successful grant application.
“Our district is deeply appreciative of DESE and our legislators for their continued support in expanding programming at RMHS to align with students’ future career goals,” said Dr. Milaschewski. “The funds will not only impact our seniors but also all of the elementary-aged students they will serve through this internship.”
“Reading Memorial High School students are directly benefitting and growing employability skills as a result of the education internship grant funding provided through the Commonwealth,” said Principal Callanan. “Over the past several school years, over 100 RMHS seniors engaged in internships at elementary schools within the district. Students assumed roles as assistant teachers in mainstream classrooms, health and wellness, special education, art and many more fields. The internship broadened their understanding of the field of education and allowed them to make more informed decisions in their post-secondary studies. Overall, the internship program propels RMHS seniors ahead of peers without this opportunity, and leaves an indelible mark on them as young people entering college and the workforce.”
“Public school teachers play a critical role in preparing students for success in college and the workforce, and can help inspire a lifelong love for learning,” said Representative Jones. “This grant funding will help to build Massachusetts’ future education workforce by providing Reading students who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching with valuable hands-on experience before graduation.”
“Congratulations to Reading Public Schools for receiving this competitive grant award,” said Representative Haggerty. “This funding provides important resources to help expose our high school seniors to the teaching profession and inspire more of our students to pursue careers as educators. The program will not only provide extra support for our elementary school students but will help grow and diversify our pipeline of future teachers.”
“These internships are an incredible opportunity for high school students to explore what it is like to be a teacher through a paid, hands-on program,” said Senator Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I am excited that Reading is receiving this grant that not only helps students see teaching as a potential career path, but also expands the teacher pipeline and encourages a more diverse group of educators.”
