Our Summer 2018 interns |

Our Summer 2018 interns

July 12, 2018 by Alyssa Haywoode

Here at Strategies for Children, we’ve been lucky to have a first-rate group of interns. They help us expand our research, outreach, and advocacy.

Currently, we have three interns whom we’re happy to introduce: Anna Lenihan, Alexis Rickmers, and Becca Smith. Here’s a little more about each of them.

Anna Lenihan

I am a senior at Wake Forest University working towards a major in Psychology and a minor in Schools, Education, and Society. I plan on teaching for a few years and doing community-based work before entering the field of educational policy. My time at Strategies for Children has allowed me to see the importance of advocacy and community partnerships. At SFC, I have worked on connecting early childhood educators with government officials in order to emphasize the statewide importance of early childhood education. Strategies has allowed me to see how policy and advocacy can influence change at both the local and state level.

As a Cambridge native, I feel deeply invested in the quality of education in Massachusetts. I believe that education can change the world and that access to quality early childhood education gives children of all backgrounds the foundation they need to fulfill their potential. From the classroom to the State House, Strategies has given me the opportunity to see how change is truly made.

Alexis Rickmers

I am a master’s student at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education where I’m getting my degree in Higher Education Administration. I received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Texas in Denton, Tex. In addition to attending school in Texas, I grew up there in the city of Frisco. Since being at SFC, I have worked on briefing various reports and policy, gone to the State House to drop off legislation, and attended multiple events with state legislators and commissioners. One of the main things I have learned during this internship is how important community action is for changing early education. A lot of current policies would not have been possible if people in neighborhoods hadn’t advocated for them.

Becca Smith

I am a rising senior at Connecticut College from Winchester, Mass. I am double majoring in Psychology and Human Development, and I am also participating in my college’s certificate program in Community Action and Public Policy. This summer at SFC, I am working on a variety of projects including assisting in advocacy communications to state legislators, tracking state and local elections, and cataloging preschool plans from communities who received state-funded preschool planning grants last year.

Throughout this internship, I have learned about the importance of relationships in facilitating meaningful policy change. The connections that Strategies has fostered with policymakers, communities, and other early education advocates enables us to help improve access to high-quality, early education programs across the state. My time with SFC has provided me with significant insight into the state’s complex early education landscape and has affirmed my passion for early education policy. I am so grateful for this opportunity!

Thanks Anna, Alexis, and Becca. We appreciate your hard work.

Posted in Early educators, MA Legislature, Strategies for Children | 2 Comments

2 Responses

on July 12, 2018 at 4:45 PM | Reply Teddy Kokoros

Thanks for your hard work Anna, Alexis, and Becca. ECE advocacy always needs new blood to sustain continuous momentum to provide every family that wants it access to high quality early childhood education.
on July 12, 2018 at 9:34 PM | Reply Jennie

Very impressive. Thank you summer interns!