Palatine Dist. 15 helps interns 'live the life of a teacher'

A school of sorts in Palatine Township Elementary District 15 is graduating its biggest class ever.

This fall, the district welcomed 20 teachers-in-training who snagged coveted, one-year internships. They are all young women and students from Illinois State University's College of Education.

The interns "live the life of a teacher," planning lessons and attending conferences and institute days, says Mary Zarr, the district's site coordinator and a liaison with ISU. The program started four years ago with only seven interns.

Besides the real-word experience in both elementary and junior high schools, the interns could end up with a job in the district, officials say. Fifteen previous interns have been hired, and most of the others have gone on to teach in neighboring districts.

"At the same time, our students and teachers also benefit greatly from all their contributions that they make throughout our classrooms and schools over the course of a full school year," Zarr said before introducing the interns at a recent school board meeting.

As for next year's program, 23 ISU students have already pledged to participate.