Early Childhood Education Assistant

Description

Crawfordsville Community School Corporation is a public school corporation in the state of Indiana.  The internship is open to students in grades 11 and 12 who are interested in early childhood education as a future career.  Students will be placed in an early childhood classroom with a mentor teacher and complete related technical instruction and work towards earning their Child Development Associate certification.

Interns will receive direct supervision from a Building Administrator, with additional coaching and mentorship provided by Mentor Teachers or Staff. Training will include an initial orientation, ongoing observation and feedback cycles, professional development sessions, and opportunities to collaborate with experienced educators. Our learning goals for the intern include developing an understanding of child development principles, practicing developmentally appropriate interactions, building confidence in supporting classroom routines, strengthening communication and teamwork skills, and learning to observe, document, and reflect on children’s learning.

Responsibilities

Interns will participate in hands-on learning experiences that expose them to the daily work of early childhood educators while maintaining responsibilities consistent with a developmental internship role. Primary tasks will include assisting teachers with guided small-group activities, supporting play-based learning experiences, preparing developmentally appropriate materials under supervision, observing and documenting child behavior with guidance, contributing to classroom environment setup, and engaging children in literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development activities. In addition to day-to-day participation, interns may complete extended learning projects such as assisting with a curriculum mini-unit, developing simple classroom materials, or participating in family engagement or classroom improvement activities.

Administrative tasks will be limited to no more than 25 percent of internship time and may include copying materials, organizing supplies, or preparing simple classroom resources. These tasks are intentionally minimized to ensure the intern’s time remains focused on meaningful, skills-building learning activities rather than routine administrative work.

Qualifications

This internship is designed as an entry-level learning experience appropriate for individuals who are new to the early childhood education field. Interns are expected to demonstrate an interest in working with young children, a willingness to learn, strong communication skills, reliability, and the ability to follow direction and safety protocols. No prior classroom experience is required, and interns will be supported as they develop foundational professional habits and instructional competencies.

Partner schools should avoid requiring qualifications that exceed the scope of an internship. Interns should not be expected to have supervisory or management experience, multiple years of prior work experience, independent responsibility for classroom oversight, or the ability to design curriculum without guidance. The role is structured to provide learning, practice, and gradual skill development within a supportive team environment.

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