My Summer Externship with NCCE

This summer, I had the opportunity to complete an externship with the Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE), and it was an experience that stretched my skills, deepened my understanding of educational technology, and gave me a unique view of what goes into supporting educators beyond the classroom.

The Project and Its Goals

My externship was designed to give me hands-on experience with how a leading educational organization supports teachers, administrators, and students across the region. The goals were twofold: first, to provide NCCE with support in their communications and conference planning, and second, to give me insight into how educational initiatives are shared and scaled across a wider community.

What I Accomplished at NCCE

During my time with NCCE, I worked on a variety of projects that let me flex my communication and organizational skills:

Writing Blog Posts: I created blog posts that highlighted tools, strategies, and stories relevant to educators.

Creating Social Media Content: I designed posts that engaged NCCE’s audience and helped share resources with their growing online community.

Crafting Newsletter Articles: I contributed to NCCE’s monthly newsletters, writing content to keep educators informed and inspired.

Screening Conference Submissions: One of my favorite roles was reviewing session proposals for NCCE’s annual conference in February in Seattle. This gave me firsthand experience in understanding what makes a strong presentation and how professional learning events are thoughtfully curated.

How It Impacted My Career and Teaching Style

This externship has had a lasting impact on my professional growth. Seeing the “behind-the-scenes” work of NCCE helped me appreciate the effort it takes to create meaningful professional development opportunities for teachers. It also sharpened my writing and communication skills in ways that will translate directly back to my classroom, whether I’m designing newsletters for families, creating resources for students, or crafting clear instructional materials.

Most importantly, it reinforced my belief in the power of community and collaboration in education. Just like the NCCE team works to uplift educators, I’m inspired to bring that same energy into my own teaching practice, giving students opportunities to share their voice, connect with a broader audience, and see themselves as part of something bigger.

Grade Level and Subject Taught: 5th Grade General Education