A new pre-apprenticeship program in the College of Education & Human Development at the University of Nevada, Reno, is opening doors for low-income, first-generation students from Washoe County School District Title I high schools. Through a generous donation from The Dorothy Lemelson Foundation, 19 high school juniors and seniors had a chance to explore the field of early childhood education while earning college credit and working hands-on in classrooms.

The initiative ran from June 16 to Aug. 8 and was modeled after the Dean's Future Scholars' Youth College Internship program, a holistic summer bridge experience that has successfully operated for the last 18 years. This program blends on-the-job training with university classes. Both of these programs build career awareness, skills, post-secondary readiness and work experience for high school students.

Students in a Human Development & Family Science classroom.

Students participating in the program were enrolled in HDFS 201: Lifespan Human Development and HDFS 202 : Introduction to Families, taught in person at the College of Education & Human Development. In addition to classroom learning, students worked at the University’s Child & Family Research Center and other University sites throughout the Reno area. There, they interacted with children from infants to four years old. In the classrooms, students learned the curriculum, participated in activities and contributed to the children’s learning.

“This experience helped me develop essential skills, like regulating my emotions and patience,” said student Selene Gonzalez Cruz. “Not only did I develop new skills, but it also boosted my qualities like communication, which is very important when working with young children.”

The program offered students the opportunity to decide through real-world experience whether they wanted to continue on an early childhood education career path.

Kayla Juarez works with a child in the University's Child & Family Research Center.

“My major takeaway from this program was that the kids who you work with will always leave an impact on you,” said student Kayla Juarez. “And with each kid, a deep connection is formed.”

Thanks to The Dorothy Lemelson Foundation, this program was entirely cost-free for students. The foundation’s support covered all tuition for courses, materials, background checks, parking passes, mentorship and learning opportunities.

Students presented about their experience at the Internship Showcase.

“Nevada has a critical shortage of early childhood education teachers," said program coordinator Anarita Razo. "I believe the most effective way to cultivate new teachers is to start young and grow our own right here in the community. I’m very excited about the future of this program.”