The E.L. Haynes mission statement pushes our institution to prepare every student – regardless of race, home language, and ability – to succeed in college, career, and life. Some of our students, especially those with disabilities, are exploring alternate paths to succeed after high school through the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) High School Internship Program (HSIP). This program partners with the Rehabilitative Services Administration (RSA), which pays students enrolled in the program an hourly wage. DOES only provides a limited number of slots citywide for high school interns.
Students in the HSIP gain meaningful experience to develop crucial work skills by interning in the school building, making copies, delivering packages, and other business-related services in partnership with Haynes’s own Operations Team. “Once they apply, students work within the school, practicing their soft skills like professional communication skills, workplace readiness, and following multi-step directions,” said Thea Dyson, Secondary Transition Specialist at the high school. “They can build their skills to be successful postsecondary. Most importantly, they own their own learning.”
The HSIP connects students with external internships in partnership with programs like SchoolTalk, a DC arts-based organization, and DC3C, which provides programming for students with disabilities. Student interns gain real-world experience commuting to work on public transportation, arriving on time, interviewing for jobs, and presenting themselves professionally.
Aeriale Johnson, our high school’s Functional Academic Skills & Transition (FAST) program leader and special education teacher, supports students in the HSIP. Ms. Johnson said, “HSIP is a wonderful opportunity to get a soft landing into adulthood. Within this program, students get prepared for the real world by being given an opportunity to bridge their academic knowledge with practical career-focused experiences.”
Ms. Johnson has one student serving as her teacher’s assistant, and his goal is to work with elementary students with disabilities. “This opportunity has exposed him to real workplace expectations. He supports me with creating engaging activities that align with my lessons, infographics, and resources, as well as limited grading,” Ms. Johnson said.
“Not only are they engaged with other businesses, but they’re engaged with other people throughout the city,” Ms. Dyson said. “They’re just not limited to the school building. They have a variety of diverse people that they’re seeing. They sometimes meet important political people and executives, understanding what work is like and what is expected at work.”
Another example of success is Project EXPAND, a program sponsored by DOES at George Washington University. This paid apprenticeship program provides students who are not planning to attend college with hands-on training that can lead directly to employment opportunities. For instance, Teddy Fleming, a Haynes senior, is currently participating in a facilities management apprenticeship.
“It’s going great. They’re teaching me all the trades – electrical, plumbing, things of that nature. They’re helping me fix up my resume. I’m getting hands-on experience.” “My program director says that there’s almost a guarantee that I’m getting a job once the program is done. College isn’t right for everyone, so this is a great opportunity to get paid, and get experiences and opportunities that other people don’t get.”
Written by Griffin Pepper | Griffin Pepper is the 12th-grade Sociology and DC History teacher at E.L. Haynes High School. This is his ninth year in the Haynes community, and his 14th year in the classroom. When not teaching, Griffin enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife, daughter, and dog.