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Internship Program

Each summer, Playgroup invites qualified teaching candidates who are actively pursuing degrees in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or adjacent to spend the summer with our staff and students.

For nine weeks, the intern is paired with a head teacher mentor and physically in the preschool classroom observing, learning, and applying the Montessori philosophy. By the end of the summer internship, interns will have exposure to:

  • Montessori Language
  • Classroom Management
  • Colleague Communication
  • Child Behavior & Redirection/Conflict Resolution
  • Parent Partnership
I had a wonderful experience during my internship at Playgroup! Not only did I learn an abundance about Montessori pedagogy,  but I also gained so much hands-on experience working with children and learning from the incredible teachers around me. The environment was incredibly welcoming and I always felt comfortable asking questions. As the weeks went on, I grew more confident in my abilities to take initiative whether it was in the classroom or on the playground.  As I continue my studies at San Diego State University, I know I'll take everything I learned at Playgroup with me. As a hopeful early education teacher, this summer gave me the perfect opportunity to widen perspective on early childhood education. Not only do I have a deeper understanding of Montessori teaching, but I also have a greater appreciation of building meaningful relationships with children and supporting them as they grow.

Chloe F.

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Playgroup as a Teaching Intern, where I was able to observe and assist multiple teachers across different classrooms and age groups while learning about Montessori pedagogy and best teaching practices. Each week, I worked with a new teacher and classroom, and I really appreciated the support and guidance each teacher provided, sharing their own experiences and classroom routines and acting as a guide throughout the week. I was also able to take on some classroom responsibilities throughout the summer, helping set up jobs and leading small groups when the head teacher was otherwise occupied. These experiences gave me valuable hands-on experience and helped me become more comfortable and confident in a classroom setting. Everyone at Playgroup was incredibly kind and supportive, taking the time to explain their classroom setup and daily routines, while answering any questions I had and encouraging me to take initiative within the classroom. Their guidance and mentorship helped me gain a better understanding of how a Montessori classroom operates while allowing me to learn from different teaching styles and approaches, and I would highly recommend this internship for future students interested in Montessori education. It provided me with meaningful hands-on experience, supportive mentorship, and the opportunity to learn from many wonderful teachers.

Katelyn L.

I reflect so positively on my internship at Playgroup! Over the course of the summer, we rotated around with different mentor teachers, age groups, and classroom environments, which gave me a well-rounded view of Montessori pedagogy and early childhood education. I felt very comfortable asking questions and learning from every teacher at Playgroup. Throughout the internship, I grew my love for education and learned more about the ways that children communicate, regulate, learn, and respond to their environment. Being able to observe these ideas in the wonderful children at Playgroup was so valuable to me. As I'm studying at the University of San Francisco with a particular interest in child development and neuropsychology, I look forward to carrying what I learned with me into my future studies and career! 

Sadie H.