The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has awarded a $19,000 High School Senior Internship in Education Project (HSSIEP) Grant to Lynnfield Public Schools, acting Massachusetts Education Commissioner Russell Johnston recently announced.
Lynnfield 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) and state Sen. Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn) commended Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Kevin Cyr for writing and submitting a successful grant application. Cyr will oversee the implementation of the grant program in Lynnfield Public Schools.
“We were fortunate to receive this grant opportunity again this year,” Cyr said. “This is a win-win for our school community as our seniors can take advantage of this hands-on learning experience within our schools. It also allows our student alumni to reconnect with those teachers who impacted them most. We hope this experience encourages prospective future educators to pursue a path in education.
“We have 44 student interns employed across the district in various capacities impacting the K-8 level,” Cyr added. “I want to thank our faculty, staff, and administrators who assist with implementation at the building level. Most of our interns assist in the classroom, whether working with individual students or within small groups to provide additional support, assisting with lunch or recess, or helping with community-wide events.”
“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,” Jones said. “This grant funding will help to build Massachusetts’ future education workforce by providing Lynnfield students who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching with valuable hands-on experience before graduation.”
“As our state and nation face a teacher shortage, initiatives like this are more important than ever,” Crighton said. “By nurturing interest and providing real-world experience, we are fostering a pipeline of talented educators who will shape the next generation of learners.”
