Description of The Free School’s Internship Program
Thanks to funding from the OP & WE Edwards Foundation, 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, 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, while learning how to respect and nurture children’s personal and emotional growth.

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. Interns will also participate in a regularly scheduled monthly seminar where they can share insights and ideas about teaching at The Free School, as well as discuss books and articles.

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 at the center of the school community, in Albany’s South End. The apartment, less than a block from the school, has a shared kitchen, bathroom, dining room, wireless internet access and a living room with a wood stove. 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.

The Free School residential internship program is a full school year commitment and generally runs from the last week in August to the second week in June. For more information and to apply please email: internships@albanyfreeschool.com or call (518) 434-3072.

SORRY, BUT THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE 2010-2011 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM HAS PASSED.  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR THE 2011-2012 PROGRAM FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US.