During Intersession, Field students intern at local organizations or companies outside the D.C. Metro Area. Current 10th grader, Siena, interned at Lafayette Elementary School in D.C., assisting art teachers in their classes. Keep reading to learn more about some of the biggest challenges she faced, while working in the classroom.
Q. What was appealing about this internship?
“The most appealing thing about my internship was seeing how art gave students a voice. Art allows students to express their emotions and thoughts visually. Seeing a student light up because all of their ideas are valued can be very motivating and is a reminder that art can reach students in special ways.”
Q. Describe your typical responsibilities each day.
“My typical responsibilities each day were to get the classroom ready for all of the students to come and make art. After all the students finished, I cleaned up after them so the room could stay organized and clean. I also walked around the classroom and answered any questions they had during class. There was also an activity called a studio sprint, where each student went to a station to try a new art technique. I stayed around the printmaking table to help them.”
Q. What was your favorite moment or biggest accomplishment?
“One of my biggest accomplishments was seeing a student gain confidence in their creativity. So many students were eager to participate during class and show off their work to their peers. Seeing the joy and confidence made the overall experience very rewarding.”
Q. What is the most important thing you learned during this experience?
“The most important thing I learned was how to create a safe and encouraging environment for the students. I also learned that preparation was so essential to a smooth unfolding of the day.”
Q. What surprised you most about this experience?
“Something that surprised me most about my internship was how much planning and coordination were required to run an art classroom smoothly. It also showed me how much attention and flexibility are needed in order to handle difficult situations.”
Q. How has this internship influenced your future plans or interests?
“This internship has influenced my future plans by showing me what it’s like to work as an art teacher for elementary schoolers. There are many skills that I will take from my internship to apply to my daily life. It is a solid data point for me as I decide the career I would like to embrace.”
