Early Childhood Education Internship Spotlight: Keely Van Ry
- Student Ambassadors
- Feb 26
- 5 min read
Mikaela Campbell
McKay Student Ambassador
Early Childhood Education
For Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Physical Education a full year paid internship is an option you can choose to do the year before you graduate. An internship gives you the chance to be in charge of your own classroom, have your own students, and experience your first year of teaching.
I was able to interview Keely Van Ry who is currently doing an internship as a Kindergarten teacher. Here's a little about her and her experiences!
Tell us about yourself!
Hi! My name is Keely Van Ry and I am an Early Childhood Education Major with a Family Studies minor and a secondary Bachelors degree in Spanish. I am currently in the middle of my internship as a Kindergarten teacher at Cherry Hill Elementary school in Alpine School District in Orem. I am an avid crafter, movie watcher and reader. My newest obsession is that I am currently learning to quilt, (so yes, it is possible to have hobbies during your internship!).
Why did you decide to do an internship?
My first practicum was full of growth and stretching, as well as a little bit of fear and doubt that I was fully capable of being a teacher. As I counseled with my professors, the Lord and myself, I made a plan to take those failures and make them into my new strengths as a teacher. The second practicum was a completely different experience, and I found a passion and excitement for classroom teaching. The ability to receive constructive feedback and pivot my own ideologies or practices became a necessity, and I began to crave it. Then, I quickly saw the benefits of utilizing the wisdom, experience and expertise of those around me, which built an assurance of my abilities to grow and become better.
As I felt my confidence grow, the idea of an internship seemed more exciting, a new adventure awaiting me. I no longer felt I needed to be a perfect teacher to climb the mountain of interning. One of the biggest things that led me to ultimately choose the internship was that I wanted to have my own space to test things out and learn as I go, in an environment full of support and feedback. I also didn’t feel that student teaching was a great fit for me because I wanted to be able to start from the beginning and dive in. As I went through the process of information meetings, interview preparation and finishing up my coursework, I was really impressed with the plethora of support, resources and care that both the school districts and BYU put into the internship experience. I felt the confirmation in my heart that an internship was where I needed to be. Reflecting on it, my internship has been an opportunity that has blessed me with knowledge, experience and a confidence in myself as a teacher.
What help have you received during your internship?
To speak further about the resources and support available to me as an intern, I have a facilitator who is a coach just for myself and the other intern at our school. She is there for any questions I have, any prep I need help with and basically anything I need 24/7. I also have my BYU facilitator (who is Jody Dyer) and she is fabulous. She hunts down resources, answers any doubts I have and brings some sweet treats every once in a while as a pick-me-up. I attend intern seminars once a month where we discuss real-life problems, new skills and opportunities to just talk with other interns who are feeling the same way, dealing with the same doubts and experiencing similar things.
What are ways that you’ve tried to follow the Master Teacher Jesus Christ in your teaching?
I also have received immense support from the Savior as I am constantly humbled by His hand in the life of my students and myself. I am working in a Title I school, which means that the majority of our students live below the poverty line, and many come from difficult backgrounds. As I pray for each of my students, I have felt the guiding influence of the Spirit blessing me with an added measure of charity, patience and temperance for my students. I have been touched by the relationships I have been able to build and the incredible growth I have seen in my students emotionally and academically thanks to the Lord. His way truly is the only way.
What is a meaningful classroom moment you have had?
I have so many stories I could share of how my heart has been touched in meaningful ways over the course of this year, but one instance keeps coming to mind. Let’s call this student Katie. Katie joined my class at the beginning of December, and she had moved from a foreign country. She spoke no English, had never attended school and was often left alone at home. Her first few weeks in my class were hard. The routines were disrupted and I felt we were starting at level zero once again.
I remember a certain day when I felt like I needed to focus more on specific positive praise, as I noticed her doing the right thing or catching on to a concept. The change was incredible and inspiring. Quickly she began to open up, telling me that she got herself up each morning on her own, and walked by herself in the dark to school because she loved it. She told me that oftentimes she spent the evenings by herself because her mom was disengaged or not home. She rarely ate dinner or breakfast, and school was the only time she interacted with adults. This sweet girl became such a force for good, despite her serious hardships that no child should have to live with. She encouraged her friends (who might I add, had their own behavior problems) to follow directions and engage their minds. She began to check in with me every day asking if she had been a good student or how she could help me more. I was so proud of her and I let her know that she should be proud of herself. One day after school she showed up at my classroom door. With tears welling in her eyes, she let me know that she would be moving.
After a hug where she sobbed quietly in my arms, I told her how wonderful she is, how smart she is, and how capable she is of being a good student. My heart broke yet was filled at the same time. What a blessing to be a safe space to this sweet child of our Heavenly Father that she might grow and learn. Through this experience I treasured the opportunity to be a tool in His work. Here is a picture of the saddest/sweetest hug.
What advice do you have for those considering doing an internship?
If you are considering an internship, my best advice would be to begin to seek out advice and feedback from those who know more. Humbly try to learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to fail or ask for help. Teachers are just humans, and relationships are the most important thing for a child. Observe in an intern’s classroom, feel free to stop by mine! It can be a life changing experience, if you choose to embrace the growing pains, and improve through them!
Want to learn more about internships? Check out our other blog posts
And the McKay School of Education website https://education.byu.edu/advisement/student-teaching
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