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Twenty Fairfax County Public Schools students and recent graduates spent six weeks working alongside central office employees before closing the 2025 summer internship program with a celebration at the Gatehouse Administration Center.
The interns worked in departments across the school division, including Human Resources, Facilities Management, Safety and Security, Professional Learning, Special Services and Information Technology. They gained practical experience in public education administration, helped with division projects and explored careers in education and public service.
Safety and Security interns Dylan Gwyn and Thomas Rivera learned from Officer J.R. Hunt. In the Department of Information Technology, intern Katie Breighner worked with digital learning developer Donny Haller while filming podcasts for FCPS Leadership Kickoff Week.
“Interns bring fresh energy and new perspectives to our work,” Chief Human Resources Officer William Solomon said. He said the program was designed to help participants develop professionally while showing them how they could make an impact at FCPS.
The concluding showcase featured the interns’ work and reflections from the program. Teresa Seraphin, who served in the Department of Human Resources, said she was surprised by how many people are needed to operate the school division. Her favorite part was seeing employees’ enthusiasm for public education and their work.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid described the interns as curious, capable and committed, saying their contributions demonstrated the potential of public education and reflected the future of local schools, communities and the workforce.
The program supports Goal 5 of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan, Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation, which focuses on preparing students to thrive after high school.
After documenting their experiences on Instagram, the interns are returning to school with new skills, professional mentors and a broader understanding of how a large public school system operates.
Educate Fairfax and Apple Federal Credit Union supported the internship program.