Two Central Bucks School District pilot programs at CB South High School -- the Teacher Academy and the Community Internship Program -- are enhancing and expanding education in CB by immersing students in hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world career experiences that help prepare them for the future.
Through the Teacher Academy, CB South students can gain firsthand experience in the field of education. Participants are paired with a CBSD mentor teacher and actively engage in classroom activities, including observing lessons, assisting with instructional tasks, and facilitating small group instruction, usually two days per week. Students receive valuable insight into teaching theory and instructional strategies to help them explore and prepare for potential careers in education. Currently, 13 students participate in the Teacher Academy across eight CB schools: Butler, Doyle, Jamison, Mill Creek, Titus, and Warwick Elementary schools and Tamanend and Unami Middle schools. Mentor teachers are selected through a combination of volunteer interest and administrative recommendations.
The Community Internship Program connects students with local businesses to provide real-world work experiences. Through these internships, students receive professional mentorship from industry experts, develop essential career skills, and apply their learning in practical, real-world settings. So far, students have secured internships in fields such as finance, local government, and emergency medical services, working with small businesses, political leaders, and Central Bucks EMT.
While currently available only to CB South students, both the Teacher Academy and Community Internship Program are being considered for expansion to CB West and CB East in the future.
Local Businesses Invited to Get Involved, Informational Event on April 24 at CB South
CB South is actively seeking local businesses interested in participating in the Community Internship Program. Companies looking to mentor and support students in their professional growth can contact Will Melvin, Internship Program Director, at wmelvin@cbsd.org for more information.
Interested businesses are also invited to an informational event on the Community Internship Program on Thursday, April 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CB South (1100 Folly Rd., Warrington). RSVP is requested by April 18. See flyer to learn more.
Pictured: CB South junior Lane McLaughlin is being mentored by Jamison Elementary School first grade teacher Kelly Soto as part of the Teacher Academy, which allows Lane to help support younger students while getting valuable experience in the educational field as she considers a career after high school.
