Intern Program

Invest in yourself and your school by working toward your credential.

The Intern Program supports paraprofessionals, school staff, substitute teachers, and other emerging educators who already know what it means to be a part of a school community.

The program builds your skills as a teacher of record, provides coaching and job-embedded coursework, and supports you to earn a California Teaching Credential.

For schools, the Intern Program is a way to invest in people who are already members of the school community and actively contributing to students and families. Partners develop talent from within and invest in educators who understand the community they serve.

Who is it for

The Intern Program is for people already working in schools who want to earn a California Single Subject Teaching Credential. Strong applicants are:

Already supporting students as teachers, paraprofessionals, aides, substitutes, or staff members
Eager to build skills, confidence, and a professional community
Looking to invest in their professional growth while earning their teaching credential
Committed to continuing to serve their current students and community

What Interns Experience

You will receive individualized, structured support while you teach, learn, and complete credentialing requirements. The program combines real classroom practice with coursework, coaching, mentorship, and cohort-based learning.

Project-based coursework you can apply directly to your classroom practice, with an emphasis on student-centered, anti-racist teaching and learning
One-on-one coaching and mentorship
A cohort of peers for the two years of the program and beyond
Regular reflection on growth, goals, and your development as an early career educator

"This is the best pathway to an intern teaching credential. Three months in this program has made me take steps that would have taken me years along other pathways. The work is meaningful for me and has a true impact on the learning that I am able to facilitate for my students."

Kayla Wiggins
Social Science Intern

How Schools BEnefit

The Intern Program helps schools recognize and develop people who are already in their communities.

For partners, the program delivers:

Retention of staff and community members already serving your students
Stronger internal talent development
Greater continuity for students and families
Practical support for staff who are ready to grow

When schools invest in people already connected to the community, they build talent with roots.

Program Logistics

Length

The Intern Program is a two-year program. Cohorts begin at the start of the academic year and stay together through both years.

Eligibility

Currently teaching, or hired to teach, on an emergency or provisional permit
Bachelor's degree
Subject-matter competence met or in progress
Employed by a partner school or district

Applications

Open in January for the next school year; reviewed until the cohort fills.

Cost

The cost for the program is typically shared between the participant and employing school. Arrangements vary by partner.

Format

In-person learning experiences to build community and see great teaching modeled with virtual coursework sessions to support progress through coursework and individualized needs.

Program Policies

Review the Participating Teacher Handbook for additional details on program policies.

“The 1:1 coaching I get as an intern has helped improve my classroom practice by strengthening my ability to differentiate instruction, provide targeted student support, and implement more effective engagement and classroom management strategies.”

Nathalie Hughes Erskine
Math Intern

Interested?

For Teachers

If you are teaching on a permit and want a credential path that fits the job you already have, you can apply directly when our application opens in January! Contact us to sign up for updates.

For Schools

We also partner with schools to enroll staff directly. Contact us to learn more and set up a partnership with us.