The Internship Experience

Read our Intern’s Blog

What Our Interns Say

This has been one of the most productive summers of my life. I will hold dear the connections made, material learned, conversations had, and the flame ignited. Thank you for affirming for me my passion for education and teaching.
Mansur Buffins, Summer 2016

I had the opportunity to attend conferences, visit museums, and meet fascinating individuals who are creating change in the field of education. This all was very refreshing, and it showed me that this type of work does not exist in a vacuum.
Olvin Abrego Ayala, Summer 2024

I confirmed that I’m definitely interested in history and social studies education, and that there are many roles in this field besides being a teacher.
Deborah Jung, 2022

More from Interns about working with Teaching for Change

Welcoming Working Environment

Compared to past internships/summer jobs I’ve had, TFC definitely exceeded expectations in that I felt more than adequately supported. I felt like my work was meaningful and I enjoyed my time here.
Eli Hertzler-McCain (Summer 2024)

This internship was also very anti-hustle culture, which I really appreciated but did not expect… everyone at Teaching for Change was extremely respectful of my time and labor. I appreciated how incredibly kind and welcoming everyone at the office is.
May Kotsen (2022)

Since my first day at the office, I knew I would be happy. Vanessa welcomed me with a smile. The books, the walls, and the physical space also gave me a warm welcome… my voice (even in Spanglish) mattered.
Tayna Mia Rivera Rodriguez (Truman Scholar, 2022)

Teaching for Change provided a supportive, enthusiastic environment with a lot of flexibility in terms of activities. I was also really impressed by the thoughtfulness of the staff, who do not take any decisions lightly.
Annie Preston (Truman Scholar, Summer 2013)

Everyone in the office was so warm and open, especially my supervisor. I really think I’ll have lasting friends with the other interns in addition to the lasting family I’ll have with the TFC team.
Briana Payton (Summer 2017)

Access to Enriching Experiences

I really enjoyed the outings we were able to go on as interns, such as the Mary McLeod Bethune House and attending the National Smithsonian Education summit.
Lucy Sciezka (2023)

The internship exceeded expectations in the way we were encouraged to leave the office and check out events around the city. Attending these events made the internship awesome.
Matthew Smee (2017)

One of the biggest things I appreciated was the encouragement to explore Washington D.C. I walked away knowing more about the city’s history and landmarks, especially in the U-Street Corridor.
Ibrahim Elshamy (Truman Scholar, Summer 2011)

Meaningful, Purpose-Driven Work

I learned so much about movements not just in D.C., but all over the nation… about banned books, organizers pushing back, and the work Teaching for Change does, especially producing the podcasts.
Becca Townley (Truman Scholar, 2023)

Because I am passionate about education equity, it was very special to get to play a small role in the incredible work that Teaching for Change does every single day. The mentorship and interactions were invaluable.
Hannah Grace Howell (2022)

I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to be doing very intentional and purposeful work. It was so valuable to learn from other scholars in the People’s Historians mini-series on the Black Freedom Struggle.
Shiloah Symone Coley (Truman Scholar, Summer 2020)

Teaching for Change has embedded my future with a career in education reform. Now I know that the focus of my legal efforts will be to address the education system that is unequal and inadequate.
Marvin Clark (Summer 2017)

Previous Fellows, Interns, and Volunteers

Carson O’Brien (University of California, Davis – UCDC, Summer 2025)
Carmen Rios Picorelli (Truman Scholar, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, Summer 2025)
Bitaniya Giday (Truman Scholar, University of Washington, Summer 2025)
Sarah Goodman Duffy (Connecticut College, Summer 2025)
Christian Baca (Yale University, 2025 school year)
Eli Hertzler-McCain (Smith College, Summer 2024)
Olvin Abrego Ayala (Dartmouth College, Summer 2024)
Maddy Kessler (Bryn Mawr College, Summers 2022 and 2023)
Becca Townley (Truman Scholar, Saint Louis University, Summer 2023)
Deborah Jung (Dartmouth College, Summer 2023)
Lucy Sieczka (University of Arizona, Summer 2023)
Hannah Grace Howell (University of Richmond, Summer & Fall 2022)
Tayna Mia Rivera Rodriguez (Truman Scholar, University of Puerto Rico, Summer 2022)
May Kotsen (Connecticut College, Summer 2022)
Bridget Fuller (University of Notre Dame, Spring 2022)
Abrita Kuthumi (Truman Scholar, Summer 2021)
Ashley Bryant (Fellow, 2021)
Nell Frederick (University Southern California, 2020 – 2021)
Lila Chafe (Barnard College, 2020 – 2021)
Ashley Bryant (Bates College, 2021)
Daniela Shia-Sevilla (Smith College, 2020)
Kassandra “Kassie” Colón (West Virginia University, 2020)
Shiloah Symone Coley (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2020)
Elizabeth (Lizzie) McCord (Harvard College, 2020)
Mohammed Bappe (Swarthmore College, 2019)
Hannah Russell-Hunter (University of Virginia, 2019)
Raegan Loheide (Cornell University, 2019)
Conner Suddick (Truman Scholar, 2019)
Kathleen Nganga (Truman Scholar, 2018)
Sarah Cornelius (Truman Scholar, 2018)
Maria Brescia-Weiler (Kenyon College, 2017)
Katelyn Campbell (Truman Scholar, 2017)
Marvin D. Clark (Columbia University, 2017)
Elena Escobar (American University, 2017)
Khalila Lomax (George Mason University, 2017)
Sana Makke (American University, 2017)
Briana Payton (2017)
Varun Sikand (2017)
Matthew Smee (University of Wisconsin Madison, 2017)
Elena Young (2017)
Mansur Buffins (Summer 2016)
Qiddist Hammerly (Truman Scholar, Summer 2016)
Milica Petrovic (Summer 2015)
Sarah Mirza (Summer 2015)
Hope Brinn (Summer 2015)
Justin Velez (Catholic University, Winter 2015)
Sarah Evers (George Mason University, 2015)
Ravon Ruffin (George Washington University, 2015)
Katy Swalwell (University of Maryland, 2015)
Sarach Slichter (Vassar College, Summer 2014)
Neha Singhal (Summer 2014)
Pat Scallen (Summer 2014)
Rachel Mullin (Summer 2014)
Tristan Brosnan (Fall 2013)
Elizabeth Behrens (University of Chicago Human Rights Program, Summer 2013)
Charity Porotesano (Truman Scholar, Summer 2013)
Anne Preston (Truman Scholar, Summer 2013)
Shelly Wen (Swarthmore, Summer 2013)
Dominique Hazzard (Truman Foundation, Summer 2012)
Sarah Neitz (Truman Foundation, Summer 2012)
Bridget Feldman (Bates College, Summer 2012)
Amy Rothschild (Summer 2012, Summer 2014)
Noor Kalkat (GWU, Spring 2012)
Sarah Trumble and Victoria Kimmerling (GWU, Spring 2012)
Gabriel Deerman (Queen’s University, Spring 2012)
Ariela Rothstein (Summer 2011)
Chelsea Caveny (Truman Foundation, Summer 2011)
Nadine Foty (Summer 2011)
Michael Remillard (2011)
Lily Brown (George Washington University, Fall, 2010)
Yasmine Taylor-Hart (Teacher volunteer, Summer and Fall, 2010)
Ibrahim Elshamy (Truman Scholar, Summer 2010)
Heather Fluit (Truman Scholar, Summer 2010)
Darlene Germino (General Board of Church and Society Ethnic Young Adult Intern Placement, Summer 2010)
Julie Smolinski (Volunteer, Summer 2010)
Ijeoma Njaka (Brown University, Summer 2010)
Lauren Reed (American University, Fall 2009)
Lauren Elizabeth Mitchell (Vanderbilt, Summer 2009)
Zach Crago (Truman Scholar, Summer 2009)
Jonathan Kim (General Board of Church and Society Ethnic Young Adult Intern Placement, Summer 2009)
Amy Rothschild (Yale, Summer 2009)
Heather Torretta (4th grade teacher volunteer, Summer 2008)
Rachael Debnam (Morehead-Cain Fellowship, Summer 2008)
Ali Lange (Truman Scholar, Summer 2008)
Eagan Heath (Truman Scholar, Summer 2008)
Liz Morasso, (Catholic University, 2007-2008 school year)
Lindsay J. Kopitzke (FCPS, 2007-2009 school year)
Betsy Demulder (2007, Fellow)
Rebecca MacMillan (Cornell, Summer 2007)
Kourtney Bettinger (Truman Scholar, Summer 2007)
Danielle Escontrias (Truman Scholar, Summer 2007)
Bruce Haupt (Truman Scholar, Summer 2007)
Jennifer Magaha O’Looney (George Mason University, Summer 2007)
Kameelah Rasheed (Truman Scholar, Summer 2006)
Victoria Luhrs (Truman Scholar, Summer 2006)
Lauren McAlee (Truman Scholar, Summer 2006)
Stacia Stribling (George Mason University, Spring 2006)
Rebecca Helgerson (George Mason University, Spring 2006)
Tammi Cioffi (George Mason University, Spring 2006)
Patti Longoria (Morehead Fellow, Summer 2005)
Katie Li (Truman Scholar, Summer 2005)
Robyn Lingo (University of Massachusetts – Amherst, Summer 2004)
Megan Wells-Jamieson (Truman Scholar, Summer 2003)
LaTasha Tucker (UMBC, Spring 2003)
Rashida L. Roberts (Georgetown University, 2002-2003)
Luis Valentin (Pilar Barbosa Fellowship, Summer 2002)
Kathleen Suarez Reyes (Pilar Barbosa Fellowship, Summer 2002)
Rachel Lander (Spring 2002)
Rishi Awatramani (Vassar, Summer, 2000)
Amber Young (Amherst, Summer 2000)
Leslie Smith (Antioch, Spring 2000)
Lynn Evans (American University)
Kristina Fiorillo (American University)
Taher K. Manasterli (American University)
Heidi Shin (Wellesley College)
Nyere Miller (Edmund Burke)
Melissa Belli (Summer, 1991)
Maria Pilar Zamora (1990-91)