Educational Issues and Community Schools Intern

Position Title: Educational Issues and Community Schools Intern

Department: Educational Issues, AFT Teachers Division

Location: In-person at AFT Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

About the AFT

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) represents 1.8 million members nationwide, including preK–12 teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty, public employees, and healthcare professionals. Our union also includes nearly 80,000 early childhood educators and 250,000 retirees. The AFT is committed to advancing equity, strengthening public education, and promoting the professional voice of educators at every level.

About the Educational Issues Department

The Educational Issues Department helps our members improve instruction and services to children and youth, and strengthen the schools where they work through programs, advocacy, and information. The department develops tools and resources, organizes national convenings such as the biennial TEACH conference, and supports federal policy implementation aligned with the AFT’s Protect Our Kids and Communities campaign. It also maintains professional learning platforms, hosts institutes, and produces research aligned with key national campaigns.

Internship Overview

This internship is ideal for recent graduates or graduate students in education policy, curriculum development, community organizing, or a related field. Interns will support the AFT’s education and community schools initiatives through a mix of research, policy analysis, strategic planning, and resource development. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to work that supports both national union strategy and on-the-ground implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews, policy scans, and background research on K–12 education issues, including community schools, instructional equity, and teacher policy.
• Draft concise memos, fact sheets, presentations, and briefings for internal and external use.
• Track education legislation and summarize key implications for members and affiliates.
• Support planning and execution of professional learning initiatives, including webinars, conferences, and institutes.
• Assist with the production and dissemination of surveys and compile results.
• Maintain the Community Schools Network newsletter and update relevant resources.
• Gather and summarize information from various media, including reports, blogs, webinars, and news sources.
• Support senior staff by preparing meeting materials and documenting meeting outcomes.
• Assist in responding to legislative and media requests, and write talking points and briefing documents.
• Attend internal and external convenings and summarize proceedings.

Desired Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a graduate program in education policy, public policy, education leadership, or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state education policy, community schools, curriculum, and labor issues.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
• Strong organizational and digital communication skills.
• Interest in labor unions, community engagement, and social justice in education.

Internship Details

Time Commitment: Part-time (minimum 20 hours/week) or full-time (up to 35 hours/week)

Compensation:

• $17/hour (undergraduate students)
• $20/hour (graduate students)

Location: In-person at AFT headquarters, Washington, D.C.

Application Instructions

To apply, complete the application form at: https://bit.ly/EdIssuesinternapp

Your application must include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in education policy, community schools, and the AFT, and your availability
• A one-page résumé
• A writing sample related to education (up to 5 pages)
• A transcript from your most recent degree program
• Contact information for three references (name, title, phone, and email)