Background: 

The NEA Foundation (NEAF, www.neafoundation.org) is an independent, public charity established by educators for educators to improve public education for all students. Since our founding 50 years ago, the Foundation has served as a laboratory of learning, offering funding and other resources to public school educators, their schools, and districts to solve complex teaching and learning challenges. We believe that when educators unleash their own power, ideas, and voices, communities, schools, and students all benefit.

NEAF operates with an unwavering commitment to educational justice. We believe that

every child — regardless of family income, race, ethnicity, ability, gender, identity, immigration status or English proficiency — should have access to and benefit from a public education characterized by equity, excellence and opportunity. We affirm that children bring their whole selves to school; that family, school and community partnership is essential to student and school success; and that it is critical that there is a well-prepared, well-supported and well-respected educator in every classroom. Our investments and initiatives are co-constructed with educators, and designed to promote all educators’ ownership and influence in schools and communities.

Internship Summary:

 It is an exciting time for the Foundation, as we undertake strategic planning activities to refine our direction and set future priorities. To support this important discovery process, NEAF seeks a part-time intern with experience and interest in education, who can conduct high-quality research and analysis and write clearly and convincingly.

Core duties:

Working directly with members of the NEA Foundation leadership and development teams, the intern will:

• Assist with activities that support the advancement of NEAF’s strategic aims, primarily, substantial research on policy and practice pertaining to educational equity, excellence and opportunity;
• Complete tasks as assigned, such as conducting literature reviews and compiling background research; and finding, organizing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data;
• Developing written memos, briefings or presentations on research findings or other select topics, as assigned; and
• Other administrative duties as assigned.

Desired Skills and Qualifications: 

The ideal applicant is a Washington, DC-based graduate student interested in the intersection of research, public policy and education, with an emphasis on issues associated with educational justice and equity.

Preference will be given to candidates who:

• Demonstrate passion for improving the educational outcomes of all children.
• Are exceptional, compelling writers.
• Have earned an undergraduate degree.
• Are resourceful, organized and capable of excelling in a self-driven work environment with limited supervision.
• Possess knowledge of or experience working on education research, national educational reform, policy and advocacy, federal/state policies and processes, or within the education field.
• Have utilized a wide range of research resources and demonstrates proficiency at translating qualitative and quantitative data and information into written documents.
• Exhibit excellent oral communication skills as well as proficiency in MS Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Intern reports to: Office of the President & CEO

Schedule and location: Typically 20 hours per week at an office location in NW Washington, DC.

Internship duration: January – May 2020 (+/-) 

Compensation: NEAF interns will be paid biweekly at a rate of no more than $20 per hour, depending upon experience. No other benefits will be provided.

To apply: 

Please submit your resume, a cover letter expressing interest in the position with dates of availability, contact info (email address and telephone) for three professional references, and a writing sample that highlights your research skills to [email protected].

For best consideration, apply by January 12, 2020. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The Foundation will send a follow-up email to those for whom we feel an interview is the next step. Please, no telephone inquiries.