Why did you decide to do the MTC Internship?

I think my reasons are sound but selfish. The MTC program is enticing, both financially and ideologically. The financial benefit needs no explanation. Ideologically, it fits the bill for some goals I have articulated for myself: (1) I want to use my talents to teach and pass on the knowledge that I have received; (2) I want to work with young people; and (3) since my first trip to India in 2005, I have wanted not only to work with but also to live with people in conditions of poverty. The Teacher Corps could satisfy all three of these goals. Now, about the Internship, I say that my reasons are selfish because I am using this experience to "test" the MTC. I want to know if it could be a good fit for me. I want to get a glimpse at what its teachers go through. I want to feel a few pulses of the Mississippi Delta's heartbeat.

In brief, I decided to apply for the Internship because I have my eye on doing the two-year program, and there is no better way to understand what I might go through than to scout it out in person.

What is your summer project (each intern focuses on a special project for the summer)?

I will be researching and writing about the incorporation of national and international news media in the high school English curricula. The final project will (perhaps) be a short paper and a folder full of lesson plans. The inspiration behind this is the interdisciplinary approach to teaching the high school English objectives: (1) students are encountering materials that will overlap with what they have studied in the social studies curricula; (2) they can use and develop analytical reading skills; and most importantly (3) they are exposed to cross-cultural current events. I am also open to the idea that incorporation of such material will not be appropriate for the English curricula, and so I will let my research dictate what my final product looks like.

What is the MTC Summer School like?

Odd. As a school, it seems to be working very well, but it has some quirks that make it unlike the average summer school. For example, in the US History classroom there is one student and seven MTC teachers. They teach classes as individual teachers, but the presence of the other teachers in the room makes for a unique environment. The first-year teachers are under constant supervision by the second-years and other employees of the MTC. The students are surely benefiting from the extra attention, and there is no trouble managing behavior in the halls with so many people to monitor. But I still think it feels odd.
As an intern, the summer school is a great experience! At first, when my fellow interns were troubleshooting the logistics of an attendance system and processing last-minute registrations, it was hectic. Now we are on a smoother course. It is a tremendous benefit to see how high school administration works. Mr. Sweeney, the principal who is also an alumnus of the MTC, has been a great leader and boss.

What has been the best part of the internship?

Working at the summer school is the best part for me. It has opened my eyes to the world of education apart from teaching. I have serious interest now in both administration and counseling, and a lot of research in these areas ahead of me. I will not let that stop me from pursuing the MTC, because I have recently been informed that they may be starting the Mississippi Principal Corps! Another great part of the summer school, and not the least important, are the students. I am tutoring two rising seniors in an after-school ACT Prep class, and to see other people learning is always an exciting thing for me.