Education Initiative
Launched originally in 2000 as Smith’s Urban Education Initiative, the Education Initiative exists to connect Smith to a critical movement in education and American society: the promise of education as the prime lever for social mobility, well-being and positive social change. Three core programs operationalize the Education Initiative’s vision and strategy: The Smith College Mindich Teaching Fellowship, Project Coach and Community-Engaged Scholarship & Research. The work of the Education Initiative is supported by Propel Capital & the Jandon Foundation.
About the Education Initiative
The Smith College Mindich Fellowship
The Smith College Mindich Fellowship introduces students from Smith and other liberal arts colleges to the unique challenges of classroom teaching and its power to change the course of a child’s life. The program integrates best practices of university-based teacher education and school-based teaching practica during the one-month apprenticeship. Over the past 20 years, the program has advanced a diverse cohort of Smith students on pathways that have led to urban teaching and education-centered careers. Many aspects of the program are made possible through generous funding honoring the legacy of Dan Mindich, a high school English teacher and lifetime educator who loved teaching and learning. Smith students will be named Mindich Fellows—a title that honors Dan’s belief that students benefit the most when teachers work in communities where they learn together and support each other.
About the Fellowship
The Smith College Mindich Fellowship provides an opportunity to engage deeply in the practice and lived experience of teaching in schools. This immersive experience (separate cohorts during interterm and May–June) links current Smith students to a network of Smith alums and teacher-mentors working on the leading edge of school reform. Upon completion, you’ll join a unique community of nearly 1,000 Fellowship alums working in schools and other education-focused settings across the nation and around the world. Many aspects of the program are made possible through generous funding honoring the legacy of Dan Mindich, a high school English teacher and lifetime educator who loved teaching and learning. Smith students will be named Mindich Fellows—a title that honors Dan’s belief that students benefit the most when teachers work in communities where they learn together and support each other.
Interested? Next Steps:
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Complete the Mindich Fellowship application by Tuesday, October 22 at 8:00 a.m. This is a competitive opportunity. No extensions will be offered.
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Point of Contact: Laura Boban, Education Initiative Coordinator, lboban@smith.edu
Project Coach
Project Coach Graduate Fellowships
To learn more about Project Coach and how you can become involved, please contact Brittany Gaetano (bgaetano@smith.edu).