Interested in the paid student teaching movement? Take a look at this proposed legislation. If passed as written, this bill could make students eligible to receive a scholarship of up to $7,200 for each semester of full-time clinical practice completed in a New Jersey school.
Want to get more involved? The Aspiring Educators Caucus of the National Education Association has initiated the All Work, No Pay (AWNP) Committee to organize around the nationwide movement for paid student teaching. You can get involved in this important activist work too!
The AWNP Committee is putting together a project to shed light on the experiences of student teachers and showcase the challenges they face, including issues of unpaid student teaching and exploitation. We believe a collection of stories will be a powerful tool we can use to educate others on the importance of fighting for paid student teaching internships.
We invite you to either record a day in your life as a student teacher or make a short video speaking to the question prompts listed below. Share your highs, your lows, and everything in between. Show or tell us the reality of what it’s like to be a student teacher, including the hefty workload, and let’s start a conversation about how we can support and uplift student teachers across the nation.
If you are interested in making a video campaign, reach out to the co-chair of the All Work, No Pay Committee, Bianca Nicolescu at bnicolescu@njea.org, with questions.
Video Guidelines
- Length: no more than 5 minutes
- Deadline: May 25 (could be extended to end of May if anyone needs an extension)
Question Prompts
- Why is paid student teaching important to you?
- How do you feel that paid student teaching advances racial and social justice?
- How has unpaid student teaching impacted you financially? If you are comfortable, could you please speak to your personal experience?
- How has student teaching impacted your emotional wellbeing and mental health?
- How has student teaching impacted your work life balance?
- If a paid student teaching bill was to get passed in your state right now, how would it enhance your life?