Creating Future Educators

Paid Teaching Opportunities for High School Students in Afterschool Programs

Did you know that the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) can be used to employ high school students to teach and mentor elementary and middle school students in afterschool and summer programs? This brief highlights this internship model with examples from six school districts and community-based organizations in Central, Northern, and Southern California.

Paid internships for high school students are proving effective in addressing one of the biggest challenges facing California schools: the education workforce shortage. The programs also create a powerful ripple effect in communities. High schoolers gain critical job experience, earn needed income, and develop leadership skills while being inspired to pursue careers in teaching or the expanded learning workforce. Younger students simultaneously benefit from improved instructor-to-student ratios and engaging with older mentors from their community.