The Community Schools Epiphany

 By Danielle Cappello, summer intern at the Coalition for Community

 

Earlier this year, while looking for summer internships, I knew I wanted to gain experience in the field of education, but was unsure of what kind of group I wanted to work with. I have been both working in and studying the education field for the past three years at American University, and still didn’t know what path I wanted to take. Ever since I was a child I had dreamed of becoming a teacher, but in my studies I found I was more interested in a focus on education policy. I have worked with kids for the past 8 years of my life and love it, but once I started learning about the issues that affect countless children throughout the nation, I wanted to be involved in larger-scale efforts.

I was really excited when I got the internship position at the Coalition for Community Schools. Learning about the work that they do that affects thousands of children throughout the country was really inspiring, and I couldn’t wait to be a part of their efforts. The past three months flew by, and I really enjoyed the time I spent with the Coalition. The experience I had this summer working at this organization was wonderful; the internship position here at the Coalition provided a fun and didactic way to get more experience in the education field.

While interning with the Coalition, I learned a lot about community schools and why they are so effective. The most significant thing I learned is how necessary partnerships and collaboration are to a successful school. It is not just about the school, the principal, or the teachers; it is about the students. In order to provide a safe, healthy, and instructive environment for children, many groups need to pool their resources and work together. 

I now know that no matter what area of education I choose to work in, I have knowledge and experience from this internship that will stay with me at any future endeavor. Whether I become a teacher or work for an educational policy department, I know I will incorporate what I have learned about partnerships and community schools in general to better the future of our education system.