Child Development and education students engage in valuable experiences outside of class.
Students have the opportunities to work with both local children—such as at The Broadoaks Children’s School, our laboratory school on campus—and those in Japan. All the while, child development and education majors gain resume-building experiences for their futures.
To learn more about internship opportunities, visit The Weingart Center for Career and Professional Development.
Experience in a Real Classroom
Micheyla Buechler has always loved working with children and knew she wanted to turn this passion into a career. Interning at Broadoaks Children’s School—working directly with elementary school students—gave her the hands-on experience she needed to begin that journey.
Located on the Whittier College campus, Broadoaks is one of the most widely respected demonstration schools in the country and serves as a learning laboratory for Whittier students.
College students complete class assignments based on their work with Broadoaks children—everything from classroom observation, to participating in instructional planning and evaluation, to teaching lessons under the supervision of Broadoaks' mentor teachers. Work opportunities, in conjunction with academic study, are also available for eligible Whittier students, including undergraduate teaching fellowships and work in child advocacy.
“I’ve seen what I should be doing in the classroom and it’s made me more prepared to do that,” Micheyla said.
Learn more about The Broadoaks Children’s School.
Teach Abroad
As child development major Robert Kondo taught English to his students in Tokyo, he realized how much he enjoyed helping students pursue their goals and dreams.
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET), which Robert was apart of, gives students the opportunity to teach and foster intercultural understanding through a team teaching in Japan. The opportunity solidified Robert’s own love of learning and sharing that knowledge with others.
“I’ve found that in order to be a better teacher, I needed to be a better student,” he said. “It is up to me to speak up, ask questions, and be persistent all the while being patient and dedicated.”
Make a Difference for Disadvantaged Children
For a quarter century, many child development majors been part of a proud tradition of making a difference in the lives of children through The Fifth Dimension program.
Using innovative techniques that integrate technology and play, Whittier students reach out to children ages 6-12 from socially and economically disadvantaged groups to teach them basic reading, writing, mathematics, and logical problem-solving skills. They also plan and carry out Whittier’s “Day on Campus” field trips, which encourage children to aspire for a college degree.
As a Fifth Dimension instructor, Isabel Cuen has seen herself grow as an educator and as an individual.
“The Fifth Dimension has shown me the importance of cultivating an environment of diversity and acceptance across the youth population and how doing this envelopes the community with imagination, appreciate, and the opportunity to do more,” she said.
