Teaching Tomorrow Internship

Program Overview

Teaching Tomorrow is a six month, paid internship designed to help high school students explore careers in early childhood education through hands-on experience and strong support.

Interns receive guidance from mentors at the University of Washington’s College of Education, including faculty, staff, and current students. They take part in workshops that build useful skills and help them make informed choices about their future. Students can earn high school and college credit, work toward a nationally recognized early childhood education credential, and connect with professionals in the field—all while learning more about themselves and their communities.

Program Details

Who Should Apply

Interested high school students who are at least 16 years old by March 1, 2025, and attend a Seattle Public School high school (applicants will be asked to include proof of high school attendance, like a school ID).

Mandatory Training Dates for 2026:

If selected for the program, we ask that interns commit to stay in the program for six months from March to August and complete all requirements, screenings and in-person and virtual training. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from internship sites and to the UW during the summer course.

The following are the confirmed mandatory training dates* and times for 2026:

• Saturday, February 7: In-Person Training, 9:00-4:00 P.M.
• Saturday, February 21: In-Person Training, 9:00-4:00 P.M.
• Wednesday, February TBD: Teacher Meet & Greet, 3:30 - 5:30 P.M.

*Other Dates as required, to be confirmed during the interview process

Why Become a Teaching Tomorrow Intern

As program interns, students aged 16-19 will play an exciting role in supporting classrooms within Seattle's vibrant and diverse early learning programs.

Career Exploration in Early Learning

Teaching Tomorrow offers a unique opportunity to develop transferable skills like communication, collaboration, and leadership —that are valuable across many professional settings. In addition to classroom experience, students participate in field trips to innovative education organizations like IslandWood, the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS), and Kindering. These immersive experiences introduce students to career paths in education and deepen their understanding of the broader field of early childhood education.

Training & Certification

Interns will complete health and safety screenings, CPR/First Aid certification, and professional development training required to work in licensed childcare programs. All training is paid for and arranged by the program, with a mix of self-paced and in-person sessions. Completing these steps takes commitment, but once finished, interns can begin working in classrooms and are paid for time spent training.

Mentorship

During the summer course, interns will gather weekly at the University of Washington offices for dedicated mentorship sessions led by UW faculty, staff, and student advisors. These sessions are designed to support personal growth, leadership development, and career exploration.

Interns will:

• Hear from inspiring guest speakers.
• Explore what makes you unique and develop career-ready skills for success beyond high school.
• Participate in field trips focused on careers in education.
• Connect with peers through community-building activities.

Pathways to a Two- and Four-Year Degree

Teaching Tomorrow interns begin by working toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a nationally recognized certification that opens doors to careers in early childhood education. As part of the program, students also earn college credit through a University of Washington course, building a strong foundation for future academic success.To support continued education, interns receive personalized guidance on scholarship opportunities, including:

• The Seattle Promise Scholarship, which offers free tuition at Seattle Colleges for graduates of Seattle Public Schools
• The Early Learning Equity Scholarship through UW’s Early Childhood Education program, designed to remove financial barriers and diversify Washington’s early learning workforce

These pathways help students move from entry-level credentials to two- and four-year degrees, preparing them for long-term careers in education.

Compensation

Interns will be compensated through a stipend equal to $20 per hour for all program training and time spent in the classroom.

Intern Placement

After completing the required training, students will be placed at one of our early learning partner sites, selected based on proximity to their high school to ensure accessibility and convenience.

Current placement sites are located in the following Seattle neighborhoods:

• Central District
• Mt. Baker
• Magnuson Park
• West Seattle
• Delridge

Intern Schedule Requirements

Teaching Tomorrow interns are expected to follow a structured schedule between March and August that supports both hands-on classroom engagement, mentorship and professional development. Below are the expectations for both the school year and summer internship periods to help guide planning.

Available Hours and Flexibility

Interns typically work after school, once their own school day ends. You’ll have the flexibility to coordinate your schedule with your mentor teacher, around your other after-school commitments.

Flexible School Year Commitment (March- June 2026)

Interns must complete a set number of program hours per week, which includes:

• 2 days: supporting classrooms after school at early learning partner programs
• 2-3 hours completing self-paced, online professional development training

Summer Commitment (July - August 2026)

Interns must complete a set number of program hours per week, which includes:

• 3 days: supporting classrooms at early learning partner programs, typically from 8:30-5:30 P.M.*
• 1 day: Spent on Wedne