Interning in the Boston Public Schools

By Vanessa

My internship placement was the Office of Instructional & Information Technology (OIIT) in the Boston Public Schools (BPS).  Melissa Dodd, Chief Information Officer, and 66 other people work there.  It was a great experience for me to meet new people, asking questions and having a great conversation about the main purpose of their work.  

Dr. Carol Johnson & Vanessa

I met the Superintendent Carol Johnson.  I talked to her about some courses that I'm really interested in but I don't see in high school.  She was very polite to tell me what her role was in the system. She said she has to report to the mayor so she has to know everything that is going on and also present new projects that they have for the kids.

It was very fun to learn how many people that are working hard to makes things better for us so we can have a better future.  They try to improve education in the schools.  It is a future plan to use more technology in school with the students. 

When I told Melissa that I’m very shy around people, this is the advice she gave me. “It’s ok to be a certain way in public. You can let them know how you feel around them and they will be very understanding of you.” It mean so much to me to have the courage to tell her how I feel when I'm around people and she understands and tell me to just let it out because I'm not the only one in that position.  She also offer me to come and volunteer in my free time after school.  She is giving the opportunity to work around people so I overcome the fear.