This internship was undeniably one of the best experiences of my life.

Immediately, from

the first day I stepped into the classroom, my dream of becoming a teacher grew stronger. Before

I continue, I’d like to introduce myself. I am a Junior in High School, who enjoys riding horses,

traveling, and being involved in my school. I was an intern for Ms. Johnson’s 3rd grade class this

past year, and it was amazing. I have noticed that children have a certain sparkle in them that

lights up the room. Their goofy innocence and kind spirits were extremely evident throughout

the course of the time I worked with them, and I never ceased to smile. However, even though

this internship was very fun, it taught me more than I could ever imagine. From lining the class

up for lunch to leading lessons to observing, every step of the way was beneficial. The VTFT

program allows aspiring teachers to get a glimpse into their future careers, which is an

experience not available to many. I feel extraordinarily lucky to have been given the opportunity

to grow as not only a leader, but as a person too. The internship changed me in an abundance of

ways including both how I plan to lead my life in the future and my state of mind moving

forward.

This opportunity has been a true eye-opener for me. It has given me a look into what life

as a teacher is like, and what steps I will have to take to turn my dream into a reality. Going into

the program, I already had the drive to go into the field of education, so my main focus was

gaining knowledge on both how a traditional classroom runs, and how I can embark on my

journey for the future. Ms. Johnson and her students were incredibly welcoming, which made

this experience that much better. After participating in the internship, I have a more clearly laid

out plan for what I’m going to do after high school, in college. My mentoring teacher gave me a
wealth of advice, which changed my view on how I am going to go into my career. I now feel

much more confident for when I go into an education training program, because I have

classroom experience under my belt.

Additionally to changing my future plans, this opportunity has changed my state of mind.

I have been able to come out of my shell and truly embrace being a leader. Unlike in high school,

where it can be intimidating to take initiative, being in front of such an attentive and respectful

group of kids has given me the chance to venture out of my comfort zone. It has also given me

many skills that I can use in time to come. This internship has not only given me a first-hand

look into being a teacher, but it has also increased my confidence, organizational practices, and

time management skills, which are all vital tools for upcoming years. Going forward into higher

education, I feel more prepared and ready to take on new challenges. I have better

communication skills after being put into a professional environment. This internship has given

me an immense headstart on my journey to becoming a teacher.

This experience was definitely once in a lifetime. Very few high school students can say

that they were able to work hands-on in a classroom, during school hours. While my peers were

sitting in classrooms learning about the pythagorean theorem, I was getting real-world

experience to help launch me towards a career-based goal. I am forever grateful for both my

VTFT teacher, cooperating teacher, and amazing students, as they were the sole reason this

opportunity was possible. I can only dream that one day I will have a classroom as inviting and

successful as Ms. Johnson’s. This experience will stay with me as I progress towards my final

goal. The skills this internship has taught me are immeasurable and I feel more ready than ever to

embark on my journey to become a teacher.