Intern (Teacher's Assistant)At — Hello Heart Creative Studio

Intern student agrees to assist picture book and art play instruction services at Hello Heart Creative Studio. The Intern student will work with children under the age of 12 years old. The intern student is responsible to:

1. Assist in developing and implementing educational activities that integrate SEL principles, utilizing picture books and art projects as primary mediums.

1. Support educators in creating a nurturing and inclusive learning environment that fosters social-emotional growth in children.

1. Collaborate with team members to design and facilitate art-based activities aimed at promoting self-expression and emotional well-being.

1. Engage in ongoing reflection and evaluation of program activities, identifying areas for improvement and innovation.

1. Assist in documenting and assessing the impact of SEL interventions on children's social-emotional development.

1. Participate in team meetings, professional development sessions, and collaborative projects as required.

Developing and Implementing Educational Activities: Students will design and implement educational activities that integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) principles, utilizing picture books and art projects to facilitate learning.

Facilitating Group Discussions: Students will lead group discussions centered around SEL themes portrayed in picture books, encouraging children to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Creating Art-Based Interventions: Students will develop art-based interventions aimed at promoting self-expression, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills among children.

Adapting Activities for Diverse Learners: Students will modify educational activities to meet the needs and developmental levels of diverse learners, including children with varying abilities and backgrounds.

Providing Individualized Support: Students will offer individualized support and encouragement to children, fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment conducive to social-emotional growth.
Reflecting on Practice: Students will engage in reflective practice, analyzing the effectiveness of their teaching strategies, identifying areas for improvement, and making adjustments as needed.

Documenting Children's Progress: Students will document children's progress in social-emotional development, using observation notes, work samples, and assessment tools to track growth over time.

Collaborating with Educators and Professionals: Students will collaborate with educators, therapists, and other professionals to integrate SEL principles into broader educational initiatives and interdisciplinary projects.
Contributing to Program Evaluation: Students will assist in evaluating the effectiveness of SEL interventions, collecting and analyzing data to assess outcomes and inform future program development.

Communicating with Stakeholders: Students will communicate with parents, caregivers, and other stakeholders to provide updates on children's progress in social-emotional development and solicit feedback on program activities.

Promoting SEL Awareness: Students will raise awareness about the importance of social-emotional learning through presentations, outreach events, and educational materials targeted at parents, educators, and community members.
These duties encompass a range of professional and pre-professional activities that require critical thinking, creativity, communication skills, and a deep understanding of social-emotional learning principles. They provide students with ample opportunities to demonstrate their learning and contribute meaningfully to our studio's mission.

Training:

During this placement, students will undergo comprehensive training to facilitate the achievement of learning outcomes. The training program is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and support to effectively integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) principles into educational activities using picture books and art. Examples of training components include:

General Employer Orientation (Mandatory): All students will participate in an initial orientation session to familiarize themselves with the organization's mission, values, and expectations. This orientation will provide an overview of the internship program, including key objectives, roles and responsibilities, and organizational policies.
Weekly Scheduled One-on-One Mentor Meetings: Each student will be paired with a mentor who will provide personalized guidance and support throughout the placement. Weekly one-on-one meetings will be scheduled to discuss progress, address challenges, and set goals. Mentors will offer feedback, share insights, and provide resources to enhance the student's learning experience.
Job Shadowing: Students will have the opportunity to observe experienced educators and professionals in action through job shadowing experiences. This hands-on approach allows students to gain practical insights into effective teaching practices, classroom management techniques, and the implementation of SEL strategies.
Workshops/Skills Training: Regular workshops and skills training sessions will be conducted to enhance students' knowledge and skills in areas relevant to social-emotional learning and educational programming. Topics may include art therapy techniques, stress management , positive coping skills and effective communication skills.
Provision of Work Samples: Students will have access to a variety of work samples, including lesson plans, art projects, and assessment tools, to serve as models for their own practice. These samples will showcase best practices in integrating SEL principles into educational activities and provide inspiration for student projects.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to integrate principles of social-emotional learning into educational activities, particularly through the medium of picture books and art projects, fostering a deeper understanding of essential values that serve as a solid foundation in life.
The student will demonstrate an enhanced ability to communicate the importance of social-emotional learning to children, highlighting its significance in their overall education and personal development.
Through practical experience and guided reflection, the student will develop proficiency in utilizing art as a safe and therapeutic medium for self-expression, recognizing its potential for promoting emotional well-being and resilience in both children and themselves.
The student will gain insight into effective strategies for incorporating social-emotional learning principles into various educational settings, adapting techniques to suit the needs and developmental stages of diverse groups of children.
The internship will provide opportunities for the student to collaborate with educators, therapists, and other professionals in the field, fostering networking skills and a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to promoting social-emotional development in children.